Thailand is one of the world's most rewarding destinations for first-time travelers — the food is unbeatable, the people are warm, transport is cheap, and the country covers everything from world-class cities to deserted islands within a few hours of each other. It's also a place where unprepared travelers get burned: airport scams, taxi overcharges, motorbike accidents, visa confusion, and motor scooter shop deposits gone wrong. This guide is the briefing we wish we'd had on our first trip.
1. Visa & Entry
Most Western nationalities (US, UK, Canada, Australia, EU) currently get 60 days visa-free on arrival. This is under review and may revert to 30. Use the visa checker to confirm your specific country.
Whatever your visa status, you must submit a TDAC (Thailand Digital Arrival Card) within 3 days before arrival. It's free at tdac.immigration.go.th. Walkthrough here.
Passport rule: must be valid 6+ months from your Thailand arrival date. No exceptions.
2. When to Go
Three seasons:
- Cool/dry (Nov-Feb): Best weather, peak prices, peak crowds. Book early.
- Hot (Mar-May): 35-40°C and oppressive. Songkran water festival in mid-April is amazing or annoying depending on your tolerance. Avoid Chiang Mai during burning season (Feb 15 - April).
- Green (Jun-Oct): Daily afternoon storms, lush landscapes, 30-50% cheaper hotels. Andaman seas get rough; Gulf coast stays better.
Use our month-by-month tool to pick precisely.
3. Money
Currency
Thai Baht (THB) only. The exchange rate fluctuates — check live rates at GetBaht.com.
Cash vs card
Bangkok and Phuket: ~60% card, 40% cash. Smaller towns and islands: closer to 70/30 cash. Street food, songthaews, motorbike taxis, markets — cash only. 7-Eleven, restaurants, malls, hotels — cards work.
ATMs
Thai ATMs charge a flat ฿220 fee per withdrawal regardless of amount. Withdraw the maximum (usually ฿20,000 for foreigners) and pull less often. Wise and Revolut debit cards reimburse fees and offer near-mid-market exchange rates.
Currency exchange
Skip airport exchanges (terrible rates). Use SuperRich, Vasu, or Twelve Victory in Bangkok — typically 2-4% better than US bank rates. Bring crisp, unmarked USD bills (torn or marked notes get refused or discounted).
Full breakdown: how much cash to bring.
4. Daily Budget
| Style | Daily (1 person) | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | ฿900-1,500 | Hostel, street food, songthaews |
| Mid-range | ฿2,000-3,500 | 3★ hotel, mix of food, Grab |
| Comfort | ฿4,000-7,000 | 4★ hotel, restaurants, taxis, tours |
| Luxury | ฿10,000+ | 5★ resorts, private transfers, fine dining |
Run your specific numbers in the trip cost calculator.
5. Getting Around
Within Bangkok: BTS Skytrain (฿17-62), MRT subway (฿16-43), and Grab (Southeast Asia's Uber). Avoid metered taxis at the airport unless they use the meter.
Between cities: Domestic flights on AirAsia, Nok Air, and Thai Vietjet from ฿900. Overnight trains from Bangkok to Chiang Mai (book 30+ days ahead at 12Go.Asia).
Local transport in islands/smaller towns: Songthaews (shared pickup trucks, ฿20-50 per ride), tuk-tuks (negotiate before, expect 1.5-2x meter taxi rates), motorbike taxis (฿40-100 short rides).
Renting a motorbike: Don't, unless you have a motorbike license, an international driving permit, AND travel insurance that covers motorbike accidents. ~50,000 tourists are injured on Thai motorbikes every year. If you do rent, never leave your passport as a deposit (cash only — passport scams are common).
6. Where to Go (First Trip)
The classic first-trip route is Bangkok → Chiang Mai → an Andaman or Gulf beach. 7-14 days hits all three comfortably. Two-week itinerary here.
Avoid trying to cover too much. Thailand rewards depth over breadth.
7. The Scams (Most Common)
- “The Grand Palace is closed today.” A friendly local steers you to a tuk-tuk that takes you to overpriced shops on a fake tour. The Palace is open. Ignore.
- Taxi meter “broken.” Walk away and find a metered taxi (or use Grab).
- Jet ski / motorbike rental damage scam. Walk around the bike with the rental shop and photograph every existing scratch before you ride. Pay cash deposit; never leave your passport.
- Gem store “tax-free deal.” Stones are real but worth a fraction of what you pay.
- ATM skimmers. Use bank-branch ATMs inside lobbies, not standalone machines on tourist streets.
- Bird seed / temple offering scams. Someone hands you something free, then demands payment.
8. Weather Reality
It's tropical. Plan for 28-35°C and high humidity outside of cool season. Dress light, drink water constantly, never refuse air conditioning. Most Thais take it easy from 12-3pm — you should too.
9. Health
- Drink bottled water. Tap water isn't safe for visitors.
- Street food is safe if the stall is busy and food is hot. Empty stalls = stale food.
- Mosquito-borne illness (dengue, occasionally malaria) exists but is rare in tourist zones. Use repellent.
- Travel insurance is non-negotiable. Thai private hospitals are world-class but a single ER visit can cost ฿10,000-50,000+. Make sure your policy covers motorbike accidents.
- Pharmacies (Boots, Watson's) are everywhere and sell most drugs over the counter at a fraction of US/UK prices.
10. Cultural Etiquette
- Wai (palms together greeting): Receive but don't initiate as a foreigner. Respond with a smile or a small nod.
- Temples: Cover shoulders and knees. Remove shoes before entering. Don't point your feet at Buddha images. Women should never touch a monk.
- King and royal family: Respect always. Lèse-majesté laws are enforced. Don't step on currency (it bears the King's image).
- Head: The most sacred body part. Don't touch anyone's head, even children's.
- Feet: Lowest, dirtiest. Don't point them at people, religious objects, or food.
- Public displays of affection: Hand-holding fine. Beyond that — keep it private.
- Tipping: Not mandatory. ฿20-50 for service is appreciated. Many restaurants now add a 10% service charge.
11. SIM Card / eSIM
Buy at the airport on arrival (AIS, TrueMove H, DTAC kiosks at Suvarnabhumi/Don Mueang/HKT/CNX): ฿299 for 15GB/8 days, ฿599 for unlimited 30 days. AIS has the best rural coverage. eSIM options (Airalo, Holafly) work too — load before you fly.
12. Apps to Download Before You Go
- Grab — taxi, food delivery, motorbike taxis
- Google Maps — works well in Thailand; download offline maps
- Google Translate — download Thai for offline use
- 12Go.Asia — book trains, buses, ferries
- LINE — Thais use this instead of WhatsApp
- Wise — best card for foreign transactions
- XE or GetBaht.com — currency conversion
13. What to Pack
- Light, breathable clothing (linen, cotton)
- Modest temple-appropriate outfit (covered shoulders + knees)
- Comfortable walking sandals + one closed-toe pair
- Refillable water bottle (refill at hotel, hostel, or 7-Eleven)
- Power adapter (Type A/B/C plugs work; bring a multi-adapter)
- Sunscreen (Thai sunscreen has whitening agents — bring your own)
- Mosquito repellent (DEET-based or picaridin)
- Imodium and broad-spectrum antibiotic (your doctor can prescribe)
- Light rain jacket if visiting in green season
14. The Single Most Important Tip
Slow down. Thailand rewards travelers who linger. The classic mistake is trying to do Bangkok + Chiang Mai + 3 islands in 10 days. You'll spend most of your trip in transit. Pick fewer places and stay longer at each. The country opens up when you do.
Quick Action Plan
Today: Check passport validity (must be 6+ months from arrival). Run our visa checker.
This week: Book flights and first 2 nights of accommodation.
3 days before flight: Submit TDAC. Buy travel insurance. Notify bank of travel.
On arrival: Get SIM at airport. Withdraw ฿4,000-6,000 from a bank ATM. Take Airport Rail Link (BKK) or metered taxi to your hotel.