Thailand Travel Guide

Written by Aleem Raheem, Earth Trip co-founder and Thailand specialist · Updated November 2026

Thailand Travel Guide: What to Know Before You Go

Thailand is one of the easiest countries in Asia to travel in, with good roads, comfortable trains and domestic flights, excellent food and friendly people. This guide covers the practical side of a trip: when to go, the new entry rules, health, money, local laws and customs. For where to go and our sample routes, see our Thailand bespoke holidays.

Reasons to visit Thailand:

Key Highlights:

• Bangkok: Thailand’s capital, a vibrant city blending tradition and modernity, famous for its Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha), and its floating markets. The bustling city is also known for its street food and lively nightlife.
• Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai: In the mountainous north, these cities are renowned for their ancient temples, traditional culture, and the surrounding natural landscapes. Chiang Rai is home to the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun), while Chiang Mai offers experiences like hill tribe villages and elephant sanctuaries.
• Ayutthaya & Sukhothai: Both are UNESCO World Heritage sites and offer glimpses into Thailand’s ancient kingdoms with their ruins, temples, and historical monuments.
• Beaches and Islands: Thailand boasts world-famous beach destinations like Phuket, Krabi, Koh Samui, Koh Phi Phi, and Koh Tao. These islands offer pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, water sports, diving, and relaxation.
• Cultural Experiences: Visitors can immerse themselves in Thai culture through festivals like Songkran (Thai New Year) and Loy Krathong, Thai cooking classes, and traditional Thai massages.
• Adventure & Nature: Thailand is a great place for adventure lovers, offering trekking in the northern jungles, rock climbing in Krabi, scuba diving in the Andaman Sea, and national parks like Khao Yai and Doi Inthanon for wildlife and hiking.
• Shopping & Night Markets: From high-end shopping malls in Bangkok to vibrant night markets in places like Chiang Mai and Phuket, Thailand is a haven for shopping enthusiasts. You’ll find everything from local handicrafts to international brands.
• Wellness & Spas: Thailand is a leading destination for wellness tourism, offering luxurious spas, meditation retreats, and yoga programs, especially in places like Chiang Mai and the island of Koh Samui.

Preparing For A Trip To Thailand?

Aleem can answer your Thailand questions and plan your route.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Thailand Digital Arrival Card?

The Thailand Digital Arrival Card, or TDAC, is a free online form that every visitor must complete before arriving in Thailand. It replaced the old paper arrival card in May 2025. You can fill it in at tdac.immigration.go.th up to three days before you arrive, and you show the confirmation at immigration.

Is Thailand safe for tourists?

Yes, Thailand is generally safe for visitors. Take normal care with bags and phones in busy areas, use registered taxis or your private driver, and be careful on the roads. The UK government advises against all but essential travel to the far south and to within 20 km of the Cambodian border, which our holidays don’t visit.

Can I use credit cards in Thailand?

Yes, in hotels, restaurants and larger shops. You’ll need cash in baht for markets, street food, taxis and tips. Cash machines are everywhere, but most charge a fee for foreign cards.

Do you tip in Thailand?

Tipping is not compulsory but is appreciated. Many hotels and restaurants add a 10% service charge. Otherwise, rounding up or leaving small change is normal, and it’s usual to tip guides and drivers at the end of a tour.

What plugs are used in Thailand?

Thailand uses 220V electricity, and most sockets take two-pin plugs, either flat or round. UK plugs don’t fit, so bring a travel adaptor.

Can I vape in Thailand?

No. E-cigarettes and vapes are illegal in Thailand. You can’t bring them into the country or use them, and tourists have been fined. Leave them at home.

What should I wear to temples in Thailand?

Cover your shoulders and knees, so no vests, short shorts or short skirts. A light scarf or sarong is useful. You’ll take your shoes off before entering temple buildings, so slip-on shoes are easiest. The Grand Palace in Bangkok is especially strict.

Plan Your Thailand Holiday

See our Thailand bespoke holidays and the 17-day Thailand Highlights itinerary, or combine Thailand with Cambodia, Laos or Vietnam. To start planning, request a video call with Aleem.

Getting There and Around

EVA Air and Thai Airways fly direct from London Heathrow to Bangkok in about 11 hours 45 minutes, and there are good one-stop connections through the Gulf. Within Thailand, we use a mix of private cars with a driver, comfortable trains and short domestic flights, for example from Chiang Rai to Krabi. Your guide meets you at each airport and station.

Money

The currency is the Thai baht. Cards are accepted in hotels, restaurants and shops in cities, but you’ll need cash for markets, street food, small shops and tips. Cash machines are easy to find, though most charge a fixed fee for foreign cards, so it’s better to take out larger amounts less often.

Staying Safe and Local Laws

Thailand is generally safe for visitors. The UK government advises against all but essential travel to the far south (Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and parts of Songkhla) and to within 20 km of the land border with Cambodia. None of our itineraries go to these areas. Please also know these laws before you go:

• Vaping is illegal. Don’t bring e-cigarettes or vapes into Thailand. Tourists can be fined, and in serious cases jailed.
• Drugs carry very heavy penalties. Cannabis rules have been tightened, and buying it now needs a medical prescription.
• The monarchy is protected by strict laws. Never say or post anything disrespectful about the royal family, and stand for the royal anthem before films in cinemas.

Local Customs and Etiquette

• Temples: cover your shoulders and knees, take your shoes off before entering, and don’t point your feet at Buddha images.
• The head and feet: the head is seen as sacred, so don’t touch anyone’s head, and don’t point with your feet.
• Monks: women should not touch a monk or hand things to him directly.
• Greetings: the wai, palms together with a slight bow, is the traditional greeting. A smile goes a long way.
• Keep calm: raising your voice or losing your temper is seen as a loss of face.

Food and Drink

Thai food is one of the highlights of any trip, from green curry and pad thai to northern khao soi and spicy som tam salad. Street food is generally safe at busy stalls where food is cooked fresh. Drink bottled or filtered water, which most hotels provide. Ask for “mai phet” if you’d like your food not spicy.

Thailand at a Glance