Thailand Travel Tips
Visa
Visitors can get a visa from Thailand embassy or through travel agencies in advance. Besides, tourists from 21 countries can apply for a visa on arrival, including Bhutan, Bulgaria, China, Ethiopia, Fiji, India, and Maldives.
| Visa Type | Visa on arrival | Normal Visa |
| Processing Time | Immediately | 3 workdays |
| Validity | 15 days from issue date | 3 months from issue date |
| Stay Length | 15 days from issue date | 2 months from issue date |
| Entries | One-time | One-time |
| Fee | THB 2,000 | THB 1,200 |
- 90 days' visa-free stay: Argentina, South Korea, Brazil, Peru, and Chile
- 30 days' visa-free stay: Laos, Russia, Vietnam, Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Poland, Singapore, Spain, the UK, the USA...
- 14 days' visa-free stay: Cambodians, and Burmese arriving by air.
Consumption
Consumption level in Thailand is not high on the whole. A helping of fast food costs around THB 35 equaling USD 1. Inside the country, compared with the central and the northern areas, such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Ayutthaya, the southern seaside cites and islands, including Pattaya, Koh Samui, Phuket Island, are at a higher consumption level.
Food
Thai food is very famous all over the world. It is divided into 4 major cuisines: northern dishes, northeast dishes, central dishes, and southern dishes, most of which taste spicy and sour.
5 delicacies in Thailand:
Puu pud pong karee - fried red crabs with side dishes, curry and spices.
Som tam - Papaya salad with lettuce, and peanuts; tastes sour and sweet.
Tom yum kuang - Shrimp soup; sour and spicy in flavor.
Pud puk boong - fried water spinach, with oyster sauce, and shrimp sauce, flavored with small red pepper and garlic.
kao neaw ma muang - dessert made of mango dices, and rice covered with coconut juice.
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Currency and Exchange
US Dollars can be used only in big markets or grand hotels in Bangkok and Phuket, while Thai Baht is mostly used in the country. Airports, banks, hotels, and the exchange counters in tourist destinations are enabled to exchange for Thai Baht. The business hours of banks in Thailand is 8:30 - 15:30 from Monday to Friday, while in busy streets in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Pattaya, exchanging counters managed by banks usually close at 20:30 and some even work late at night.
Credit Card
High-end hotels, restaurants, and other commercial institutions in Thailand all provide credit card swiping service. Tourists can pay directly by some main credit cards, such as VISA, Master Card, and American Express.
Festival
There are many festivals celebrated in Thailand, such as Songkran Festival, Royal Ploughing Ceremony, Rocket Festival, Visakha Bucha Day, Khao Phansa Day, Loy Krathong Festival, and H.M. King's Birthday. Songkran during April 12th - 15th and Loi Krathong in November are the 2 most important festivals. The former one is the Thai New Year's Day. People would splash water over the elder's hands on that day to pray for blessings. The latter one is said to pursue dream and longevity by lighting candles and incense in water lamps, and then drifting them along the river.
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Travel Information Center
There are many official travel information centers in major tourist cities, such as Bangkok and Chiang Mai, which provide free maps, travel consultant, and ticket booking service.
Dressing Tips
1. Take loose, light, breathable, and fast-drying clothes in rainy season from June to October, and also prepare umbrellas or raincoats.
2. It is better to prepare a hat which can be used in both rainy days and sunny days.
3. Take a long-sleeved T-shirt or a jacket if you visit the northern regions of Thailand in the cool season during November - the next February.
Power Supply and Voltage
Voltage used in Thailand is 220V. Sockets of type A and type B are commonly used in the country. Adapters can be rent in many hotels, or you can buy it at local convenience stores.
Network Accessibility
Wifi signal can be received in almost everywhere in Thailand, such as airport and coffee shop. Tourists can use apps like Skype, WeChat, or Facetime, to keep contact with friends and family in other countries.
Other Travel Tips
1. Walk and drive along the left side of the road.
2. English is not very popular in the country, so you'd better prepare a note with the destination address in Thai in case of not being understood.
3. Take off hats and shoes before stepping into a temple, and stay outside when there is religious congregation.
4. Do not wear shirts with no sleeves, shorts, or short skirts in religious sites.
5. Females are not allowed to touch monks.
6. Do not touch one's head.
7. Do not show intimacy in public.
Emergency Call
Calling Code: +66
Tourist Police: 1155
First Aid: 1669 or 1691
Fire Emergency: 199
Further Reading:
Things to Do in Thailand Thailand Weather Thailand Transportation