Plan the perfect trip to Thailand | Thailand Holiday Guide

Beautiful islands and tropical beaches surround this country located in Southeast Asia. Many people are traveling to this country, especially to Bangkok (the capital), Chiang Mai and Phuket to find out the beauties of nature, the varied culture seen on the streets, and to share experiences with the friendliest locals. Here we will show you some tips to make your trip easier and enjoyable.

Continue reading and learn some important facts that you should know when planning your trip to Thailand.

How to get there

When you plan a trip to a foreign country, it is necessary to find out which is the best, cheapest, and comfortable way to get there. A good thing for you is that the country’s airports are well connected, so you would have no problems stopping off at your destination.

Without a doubt, the best airport to travel to Thailand is the Suvarnabhumi Airport, which is also the biggest and busiest in the country. It is located in Bangkok (the capital). One of the cheapest airports is the Don Mueang International Airport that is also located in the capital, which is also a good option to travel around de country.

The next one that we want to recommend you is in the Phuket province, the Phuket International Airport. This is a good option for visitors who want to start their trip to Thailand visiting the beaches and resorts of this place.

Visa Information

According to the Royal Thai Embassy, you do not need a visa if you are staying less than 30 days in the country. This is excellent for those travelers who will not be in the country for long, to avoid paperwork that can be expensive.

However, maybe you are thinking that 30 days is not enough to discover and enjoy the beauties of Thailand. In that case, you need to get a visa at the Royal Thai Embassy or the proper Consulate. This tourist visa will allow you to stay for 90 days.

A recommendation would be to ensure that the passport is valid for more than 6 months from the time of your arrival in the country. 

Best time to visit the country

Going to this country at different times of the year has its pros and cons. The final decision you make probably will depend on what activities you plan to do in the country. One of the main reasons why this country is visited is due to its beautiful beaches.

If your trip is going to be based on enjoying the sun, sand, and water activities, the best time to travel to Thailand is between November and April. At this time, it is possible to find a few rains in some parts of the country, but the average temperatures are between 29°C to 34°C.

This being the time of the high season, you can imagine that the prices of plane tickets, hotels and services will be high given the number of tourists visiting the country. That is why visiting the country between May and October would be more profitable, and you could still enjoy the sun in some cities in the country.

Safety

This is an important topic to take into account when you visit a foreign country. Although Thailand is considered a safe destination in Asia, here we have some tips for you to make your trip more peaceful. First, the provinces with the most trafficked by tourists, and the safest are those located in the north of the country, so it would be better to stay within that area.

Second, be careful when going through the streets, or when getting on a bus to take care of your belongings. Finally, one of the best ways to enjoy your trip is to travel with a local, so they can show you the most popular places and avoid those unwanted places. 

Budget

To get an idea about how much will you spend on your trip to Thailand, we are going to cover four main aspects: accommodation, food, transportation, and entertainment.

A room in a hotel for one person could cost around ฿1,011 ($32), meals for one-day ฿472 ($15), local transportation can cost you ฿374 ($12) and in tickets to cinemas and shows, you can spend around ฿538 ($17). This results in an approximate of ฿2,122 ($67) a day. If you are planning to be in Thailand for a week, you could expect to expend around ฿14,857 ($472).

The information above gives you an idea of the prices, but let’s be more specific: 

• Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: ฿30 ($1) – Thai noodles with chicken
• Mid-range restaurant: ฿155 ($5.02) – Steamed and fried chicken, rice and a beer
• Soft Drink: ฿15 ($0.49) – A glass of coke
• Beer: ฿90 ($2.91) – A bottle of Thai beer

The best way to know the necessary budget for your trip is to plan and research. A tip: when you choose your ideal hotel, ask for information about the services they offer.

Currency

The official currency in Thailand is the Thai Baht, which is equivalent to $0.032. The most commonly used payment method is the credit card. The ones that you can use in the country are Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, American Express, and Discover.

There is another method that is also being used a lot, which is payment by digital means such as smartphones. If you prefer to use cash, you can get it on your arrival in the country at the airport (lower rates), at a currency exchange office (better rates) or an ATM. However, be careful, extra charges can be applied, so it is important to consult with your bank about the fees.

Interesting facts about the culture

When you travel to a new country, and especially when you do not know the language spoken in that place, it is always useful to previously know some keywords that can help you communicate in certain situations. For example, when you meet someone, men say Sawatdee-krap and women say Sawatdee-kah.

There is also something called the “wai”, a gesture that consists of a slight bow, with the palms pressed together (like if you were praying). It can mean different things (hello, thank you, I am sorry). If a Thai local offers you the wai, be sure to return it, if not, a handshake will be a good greeting. Additional gestures you should consider are not talking with your hands in your pockets, and not showing too much affection in public. 

What to do in Thailand

Thailand is one of the principal tourist countries in the Asian continent, this is because of the spectacular places that the country has to offer. From moderns cities and nightlife to natural parks and beaches.  

The most popular city in Thailand is its capital Bangkok, known as the Venecia of Western, you can see many canals all around the city. The capital offers the opportunity to visit many markets and taste a lot of national culinary delicious. 

Places to visit in Bangkok

• The Grand Palace, in Phra Nakhon: a beautiful complex rounded by a large fence used by the royalty years ago. 
• Khaosan Road, in Central Bangkok: a short street with places for tourists as hotels, markets, and an active nightlife.
• Lumphini Park, in Pathum Wan: relax and peaceful, with trees, artificial lakes, and playgrounds. 

If you wanna go to the Thailand Peninsula and see some fantastic beaches and have a good time, you must go to Phuket. This big island is one of the popular provinces for tourists because of its incredible and cheapest resorts and exotic beaches.

Places to visit in Phuket

• Old Phuket Town: retro and excellent place, with townhouses, street food, and markets.
• Patong Beach, in Khatu District: beautiful beach for enjoy the water, the sun, and good parties.
• FantaSea, in Kamala: a fantastic festival village and market of food and souvenirs.

Another province with an exceptional beauty nature is Krabi. Good beaches in the Andaman sea this particular province surprise everyone with its limestone hills close to the sea.

Places to visit in Krabi

• Phi Phi, in the Andaman Sea: an island group close to the Phuket island, where you can drive in a Speedboat or have a relaxing trip on a long-tail boat.
• Railay Beach, in Ao Nang: a place where you can go with your family and friends, and you can climb the limestone hills. 
• Ko Lanta Yai: is one of the Krabi islands where you can swim and do scuba diving in the clear water of the sea. 

How to get around

The way you move through the country will depend a lot on how long you are going to stay and the activities you have planned to do. If you intend to travel all over the country and know as many towns and beaches as possible, the best and fastest (but also expensive) way is by flying.

A flight from Bangkok to Phuket can cost around $30. Another option is to travel by train; however, you are going to spend long hours there because they are very slow. If you are not in a rush, this is the cheapest way.

One of the easiest ways to cover short distances is traveling by bus; there are also tourist buses that can get you directly to the most popular places. The final recommendation is to rent a motorbike (not a car due to road conditions); it could be expensive but is the common thing to do there.

How to stay connected in Thailand

You may be thinking about how you would find the places where you want to go, or how would you communicate with the Thai people. Well, all this can be done with your smartphone. The only thing you need is to get a prepaid SIM card to use in the country.

In Thailand there are three providers: AIS, DTAC, and TrueMove H. Enter on their websites and find out the offers they have available for tourists. Remember that your smartphone has to be unlocked. On the other hand, you can always buy an international prepaid SIM card that you can use not only in Thailand but also in other places near the country. In this case, you may want to take a look at the plans that a company called SimOptions has to offer (full of data, calls, and SMS). 

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I rent a car?

Better rent a motorbike. There is always too much traffic and the streets are not in good condition.  

Which airports can I fly to?

You can fly to the Suvarnabhumi Airport, the Don Mueang International Airport, and the Phuket International Airport. Those are the best and most popular airports in the country.

What are the most popular types of hotels?

The guesthouses and bungalows are very popular due to low prices and good service offered. 

How much does a holiday cost?

On a day you can spend around ฿2,122 ($67).

What are the best things to do?

Visit the beaches and watch the beautiful sunsets.

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