Essential Tips for Traveling to Thailand

9/26/20242 min read

Passport and Visa Requirements

Passport: Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay.
Visa: Depending on your nationality, you may not need a visa for short stays (up to 30 days for many countries). Check Thailand’s visa policy ahead of time to see if you need one. You can Check Here https://www.thaievisa.go.th
Tourist Visa: If staying longer, you might need a 60-day tourist visa, extendable for 30 more days.
New Visa Rules for Border Entry to Thailand Check Here https://www.thaiembassy.com/thailand-visa/thailand-visa-latest-update

You can bring in 200 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco and 1 liter of alcohol duty-free.
Items for personal use, such as cameras and laptops, are usually fine, but large amounts of valuable electronics may require declaration.
Bringing in drugs or certain medication (even prescription) is strictly prohibited. Check beforehand if any of your medications are restricted.

Emergency Number: Dial 191 for general emergencies or 1155 for the tourist police.
Healthcare: Thailand has excellent hospitals, especially in Bangkok and major cities. Many are private, so travel insurance is recommended.
Embassy: Have the contact details of your country's embassy in case of serious emergencies.

Tourists can get a VAT refund (7%) for goods purchased at participating stores. You’ll need a VAT Refund form from the store and should present the goods and form at the airport on departure.
Minimum purchase amount is 2,000 THB from each store on the same day.

The currency is Thai Baht (THB). It’s best to have cash on hand, especially in rural areas.
ATMs are widely available, but there is often a fee for foreign cards. Exchange rates at airports may not be the best, so use banks or currency exchange shops in cities for better rates.
Credit cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants, and shops in cities, but smaller places may only take cash.
QR Code Payments in Thailand. Thailand has made it super easy to pay for things using QR codes! Here’s how to get started:
1. Download a Payment App: Grab a popular app like your home bank's app, or use services like Wise or Revolut if they support QR payments in Thailand. Open bank account in Thailand (Tourist visa are not eligible to open a bank account in Thailand. Only those with long term Visa.)
2. Link Your Account: Make sure your bank or card is linked in the app.
3. Scan the QR Code: At most shops, cafes, or even street vendors, you'll see a QR code near the register. Open your app, select “Scan to Pay,” and point your phone at the QR code.
4. Enter the Amount: Some places will have the amount already set; otherwise, you’ll need to enter how much you’re paying.
5. Confirm the Payment: Just confirm, and you're all set! Most places will give you an instant confirmation of your payment.
It’s super convenient and saves you from carrying too much cash around. Just make sure your phone is charged!

Dress Modestly: When visiting temples or official places, wear clothes that cover your shoulders and knees. You may also need to remove shoes before entering.
Cultural Respect: The royal family is highly respected. Do not make disrespectful remarks about the monarchy.
Tipping: Not mandatory, but appreciated in restaurants, hotels, and for services.
Time Zone: Thailand is in the Indochina Time Zone (ICT), which is GMT +7 hours.
Electricity: Standard voltage is 220V. Bring a universal power adapter if needed.