• Visa: 60 days visa-free for most Western passports (US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia) as of 2024. Visa-on-arrival also available at airports for many other nationalities.
• Currency: Thai Baht (THB). 1 USD ≈ 35 THB. ATMs everywhere (200 THB withdrawal fee for foreign cards). Cash preferred for street food and markets.
• Language: Thai (official). English widely spoken in tourist areas and hotels.
• Time zone: ICT (UTC+7) — no daylight saving. 6 hours ahead of Central European Time in winter.
• Climate: tropical. Three seasons: cool/dry (Nov-Feb, best time to visit), hot (Mar-May, 35-40°C), rainy (Jun-Oct, afternoon downpours). Southern islands have inverted seasons (best Nov-Apr for west coast / Phuket, May-Oct for east coast / Koh Samui).
• Tipping: not traditionally required but appreciated. Round up taxi fares, 10% in upscale restaurants (check if service charge is already added). 20-50 THB for hotel porters.
• Transport: domestic flights cheap (AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Smile). Trains slow but scenic. Buses extensive. In Bangkok: BTS Skytrain, MRT subway, GrabTaxi app, motorbike taxis, tuk-tuks (negotiate price). Avoid unmarked taxis at airports.
• Electricity: 220V/50Hz. Outlets are mostly Type A/B/C — universal adapter needed. Most hotels provide adapters.
• Health: tap water NOT drinkable — always bottled. Vaccinations: Hepatitis A/B, Typhoid, Japanese Encephalitis recommended. Malaria/dengue risk in rural border areas. Hospitals: world-class private hospitals in Bangkok (Bumrungrad, Bangkok Hospital, Samitivej). Travel insurance essential.
• Safety: generally safe. Watch for scams (tuk-tuk drivers offering tours, jet ski rental damage claims, gem scams). Emergency: 191 (police), 1669 (ambulance), 1155 (Tourist Police English-speaking).
• Cultural respect: never touch anyone's head, don't point feet at people or Buddha images, remove shoes before entering temples and homes, dress modestly at temples (cover shoulders and knees). Lèse-majesté laws strict — never criticize the royal family.
• SIM cards: AIS, dtac, TrueMove H — tourist SIMs at airports from 299 THB (5-15 days, unlimited data).