Thailand’s currency is Thai Baht. 1 baht is divided into 100 satang. The Thai baht, like the pound, originated from a traditional unit of mass. Its currency value was originally expressed as that of silver of corresponding weight.

Notes (bills) come in denominations of 1000, 500, 100, 50 and 20, and coins to the value of 10 and below. While the Baht is the only currency used for everyday transactions, travelers should be aware of the current exchange rates, as these can fluctuate. It’s advisable to exchange some currency before arrival for convenience, although numerous exchange services are available throughout Thailand.

The US dollar and Eurosare the most easily convertible currencies (and accepted by some establishments – but, generally, then an inflated rate of exchange will be applied).

Banking

Credit cards, particularly Visa and MasterCard, are widely accepted in urban areas and tourist destinations within Thailand. However, in rural areas or smaller establishments, cash is often preferred.

Three main commercial banks (Bangkok Bank, Siam Commercial Bank & Kasikorn Bank), as well as a number of foreign exchange bureaus, operate in Thailand, especially in nation’s capital Bangkok. Banking hours are typically from 9 AM to 3:30 PM on weekdays, with some branches in shopping malls open on weekends. English-speaking staff are commonly available in urban areas, making transactions easier for international travelers.

Full banking services are available in major cities, although ATMs are sprouting up all over the country and are even found in small towns but please note that charges may be made for withdrawals. Most credit cards are accepted at hotels and restaurants. Cultural sites, community art and craft outlets may only accept cash.

Please, contact your local bank to get up to date information on possible fees and limitations, while using your debit or credit card in Thailand.

Tap water is considered safe to drink, although locals suggest to drink bottled water. Bottled water is available everywhere. Filtered water is available at most hotels and lodges, while shops offer bottled water. Milk is pasteurized, and dairy products, local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally safe.

Thai cooking places emphasis on lightly prepared dishes with strong aromatic components and a spicy edge. Traditional Thai cuisine loosely falls into four categories: tom (boiled dishes), yam (spicy salads), tam (pounded foods), and kaeng (curries). Deep-frying, stir-frying and steaming are methods introduced from Chinese cuisine.

In 2017, seven Thai dishes appeared on a list of the “World’s 50 Best Foods”, an online poll of 35,000 people worldwide by CNN Travel. Thailand had more dishes on the list than any other country: tom yam kung (4th), pad thai (5th), som tam (6th), massaman curry (10th), green curry (19th), Thai fried rice (24th) and namtok mu (36th).

A discretionary 8 to 10% tip is typical for restaurant bills. In some places, a service charge is automatically added.

Located in the heart of Southeast Asia, Thailand enjoys a humid tropical climate with an average of 29°C (84.2 °F) all year round.

There are two main seasons: one dry and the rainy season.

The first extends from November to March, and thus brings mild temperatures, that can turn hot at the end of the season. It is the best period to visit Thailand as the rains are rare and the temperatures are extremely pleasant!

After the month of March, the temperatures can very quickly rise and become difficult to bear, especially for cultural visits. Summer temperatures average 20 °C (68 °F) to 24 °C (75.2 °F), winter temperatures 2 °C (35.6 °F) to 4 °C (39.2 °F). Humidity is lower, and rainfall averages 500 to 800 mm (19.7 to 31.5 in) per year.

From May to October, it’s the rainy season in Thailand which is also called monsoon season. The humidity is relatively high, the atmosphere is moist even if the temperatures are lower than in the dry season. During this period, precipitation is almost daily.

Some islands are sometimes closed as boats stay in port in case of bad weather. Luckily, it never lasts very long, and the sun shines again after each rainfall! You will be able to admire the magnificent landscapes revealed by an atypical light, allowing you to fully enjoy Thailand during this season.

Transport in Thailand is varied, with no one dominant means of transport. For long distance travel, bus transport dominates. Low-speed rail travel has long been a rural long-distance transport mechanism, though plans are underway to expand services with high-speed rail lines extending to several major regions of Thailand. Road transportation is the primary form of freight transport across the country.

Historically, tuk-tuks have been essential to Thailand. The tuk-tuk is a 3-wheeler vehicle which can carry about 2-3 passengers and can get you through short distances in cities. Being an indigenous mode of transport, the tuk-tuk is an attraction among tourists. More than 35,000 tuk-tuks run the streets of Thai cities (mainly Bangkok), and the fares vary from around 80-150 Baht (below USD $5). Nevertheless, since tuk-tuks don’t have a meter like most taxis and motorbikes, a tuk-tuk ride can get quite expensive if you do not have negotiating skills.

Taxi is a convenient yet inexpensive mode of transportation in Thailand to travel around short distances. If you want a break from the scorching Bangkok heat and have an affordable air-conditioned travel experience, get a taxi. Though in some cases motorbike taxis are preferred due to the vexatious traffic conditions. Keep in mind that, fares vary there due to the absence of meter systems which causes the drivers to charge anonymous rates. Be sure to check if a taxi has a meter in it before getting on.

If you are fearless of climatic changes and are not carrying a bulk load of luggage, then the motorcycle taxi might well suit you. It can get you through almost anywhere in any part of Thailand (excluding some rural areas). Fares depend on the distance you travel.

With a wide variety of air-conditioned VIP buses for long-distance travels to non-air conditioned government buses for short routes, Bangkok offers the largest bus service system in the country.

If you found yourself in Bangkok, do not neglect services of The Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) Skytrain. BTS offers an elevated railway experience and acts as a blessing in disguise for daily passengers who are wearied from daily Bangkok traffic.  This mode of transportation in Thailand is one of the most affordable and fastest means because you beat traffic.

Though the railways do not cover all of Thailand, this quick mode of transportation in Thailand still provides an exquisite and comfortable travel experience that no other transport alternative can offer. The Eastern Railway Line goes to the Cambodian border following the capital of Cambodia Phnom Penh. The other side goes to the coasts of Pattaya. The Northern Line goes directly to Chiang Mai. The Western Line covers all of Nam Tok, while the Southern line goes to Malaysia. Hua Lamphong Railway Station in Bangkok is the central station for all train travel across Thailand. Please, keep in mind that, the first class is quite expensive as compared to a budget flight ticket but does offer you immense luxurious experience and comfort as the cabin is air-conditioned and has a double bed. The second class is more affordable than the first class, and the third class is the least expensive of them all (coming with the obvious side affects of a lesser quality and being generally more crowded) So for short distances, third class could be the best option. An important thing to note is that during weekends, the train tickets do get sold out quite frequently, so booking them in advance could be a better move while traveling.

The central gateway to Thailand by air is Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, located about 25 kilometers (16 mi) from downtown. It is a hub for the two major Thainational carriers: Thai Airways International and Bangkok Airways. Low-cost carriers are represented by Thai Smile, Thai AirAsia, Thai AirAsia X, Thai Lion Air, Thai Vietjet Air and Nok Air.

From Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport here are departures to most European, Asian and Middle Eastern countries, Australia and Canada. There are currently no direct flights to/from the United States and South America. Non-direct flights from these locales usually involve Qatar, Ethiopia, Japan or Taiwan as stop-over hubs. Airport Rail Link express train connects the busiest Thai airport to Phaya Thai station in central Bangkok and operates daily from 05:30 to midnight, with services departing every 10–11 minutes during peak hours (early in the morning and after 5PM until 9PM) and every 12–13 minutes off peak and weekends.

Day and night, humidity is high, so it’s best to pack loose clothing. Think breathable fabrics like linen, thin cotton blends, sweat-wicking activewear, bamboo material blend, etc. Style-wise think of short-sleeved cotton t-shirts, comfortable skirts, and shorts. Women should opt for a long maxi dress and thin shawl for evenings, while men should keep a pair of linen trousers and a long-sleeved shirt handy to prevent pesky mosquito bites.

Restrain yourself from packing heavy jeans or thick, heavy sweatshirts that will just weigh down your bag.

Pay particular attention to the dress code for Thai temples as it is where you are most likely to offend locals. Most temples with tourist traffic have signs asking visitors to cover up. The basic rule is to cover your shoulders and knees (both sexes), and ideally, you would cover your ankles too. On the bottom, wear longer shorts, capris, pants/trousers or a knee-length-or-longer skirt. On top, choose any shirt that fully covers your shoulders and has zero cleavage.

Generally – go ‘more modest than not’. Choose clothes that hit closer to your knees than anatomy in the opposite direction. Consider this more/less bendy, depending on your destination.

For Outdoor Activities: For trekking or exploring the jungles, wear good quality shoes with tread patterns for grip, and opt for long pants and long socks to protect from insects and leeches. Lightweight and quick-drying materials are preferred.

According to The Thai Visa Exemption Scheme articles, tourists from 64 countries to enter Thailand without applying for a visa. Travelers can visit Thailand for up to 30 days if they are entering Thailand through an international airport or land border checkpoint from a neighboring country.

Holders of regular travel passports of the following countries are granted visa-free travel to Thailand for a period of up to 30 days. (as for October 2023):

Andorra, Ireland, Peru, Argentina, Israel, Philippines, Australia, Italy, Poland, Austria, Japan, Portugal, Bahrain, Korea, Qatar, Belgium, Kuwait, Russia, Brazil, Laos, San Marino, Brunei, Latvia, Singapore, Cambodia, Liechtenstein, Slovak Republic, Canada, Lithuania, Slovenia, Chile, Luxembourg, South Africa, Czech Republic, Macau, Spain, Denmark, Malaysia, Sweden, Estonia, Maldives, Switzerland, Finland, Mauritius, Turkey, France, Myanmar, Ukraine, Germany, Monaco, United Arab Emirates, Greece, Mongolia, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Netherlands, United States, Hungary, New Zealand, Vietnam, Iceland, Norway, Indonesia, Oman and others.

The exemption is granted at most twice in a calendar year when entering over land or via a sea border but there is no limitation when entering by air. For Malaysians entering by land border, there is no limitation in issuing the 30-day visa exemption stamp. Korea, Brazil, Peru, Argentina, and Chile will get 90 days in both airport and land border.

For the full and up to date list please visit Thailand Immigration Bureau website and Thailand’s diplomatic mission resources in your country.