Thailand is the ideal start to long-term travel and backpacking, and the following Thailand travel advice will help you prepare for your first experience in Southeast Asia. In our hearts, the country of smiles has a particular place. It was the first lengthy vacation we took together as a couple more than two decades ago, and we have returned several times since emperornote.com.
With good reason, Thailand has been a popular vacation destination for decades. It boasts stunning beaches, a welcoming and diverse culture, ancient temples, and a great deal of adventure. It has a robust tourist infrastructure, yet is exotic and fascinating enough to make you feel as though you’ve entered another universe. However, there are other restrictions and cultural distinctions you must be aware of before coming to Thailand. Armed with this knowledge, you will be able to enjoy your stay in Thailand while travelling safely and ethically around the nation.
We put our heads together and compiled a list of all the Thailand travel tips we got from frequent Thailand visitors.
Thai Quick Tips
- Thailand’s power supply is 220 volts with A and C plugs.
- Thailand’s currency is the Thai Baht, which exchanges for around 30 baht per dollar.
- There are ATMs everywhere, but withdraw big sums at once since Thailand banks add a 150 baht ($5 USD) fee on top of your bank’s service fees.
- The MBK Centre in Bangkok makes it simple to purchase SIM cards for unlocked handsets. Data is low-cost and quick.
- Although English is widely spoken in Thailand, it is a good idea to learn a few Thai phrases before travelling there.
- The principal seasons in Thailand are the rainy season and the dry season. It is a tropical nation with year-round heat and humidity.
Brief Tips
Step 1 – Check your eligibility
It is vital to begin your Thailand vacation arrangements by confirming your eligibility. On this section, you must determine if you belong to one of the groups permitted to visit Thailand. In a nutshell, we may state that THAILAND IS OPEN TO TOURISTS, but with some restrictions. You may choose to enter Thailand without a visa if you qualify for the Visa Exemption programme, and you can obtain a Thailand Pass. Those entering Thailand for a reason other than tourism must get a Thai visa and a Thailand Pass before entering the country.
Step 2 – Visa Application
- Thailand Elite Visa
Do you intend to reside in Thailand for five, ten, or twenty years? You may want to think about the Thai Elite Visa programme. It is simple and hassle-free to apply for a visa for a long-term stay in Thailand.
- Visa Exemption
The Thai Embassy or Consulate allows visa-free entry to Thailand for Visa Exemption Program-eligible nationalities. The traveller can apply for the Thailand Pass immediately online. The tourist will be permitted a 30-day stay upon arrival in Thailand.
- Visa for Tourists and Special Tourist Visa (STV)
Additionally, foreign nationals may apply for a Tourist Visa at the Thai embassy or consulate. The usual 60-day tourist visa can be extended for an additional 30 days, and the 90-day special tourist visa (STV) can be extended twice for an extra 90 days at the local immigration office.
- Non-Immigrant Visa
Foreign nationals may also apply for a variety of non-immigrant visas, including:
- Nonimmigrant B Visa — for business or employment purposes
- Nonimmigrant O visa – for Thai spouse and family visits
- Nonimmigrant ED visa — for students of accredited Thai institutions as well as their Parents or Legal Guardians.
- Nonimmigrant O retirement visa – for individuals seeking to retire in Thailand
- Nonimmigrant OA and OX visas — for individuals wishing to secure a long-term Thailand retirement visa (it is different from a type O visa)
Step 3: Reserve Your Flight, Hotel, and COVID-19 Insurance
To enter Thailand, the Hotel Reservation, COVID-19 Travel Insurance, and Flight Reservation are the primary prerequisites for the Thai visa application and the Thailand Pass application.
- Airfares to Thailand
The majority of major carriers, including Qatar, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, All Nippon, Finnair, Thai Airways, and others, are now authorised to fly daily or weekly flights to Thailand.
Before purchasing tickets to Thailand with an airline, visitors should investigate the several types of Thai visas issued to foreign citizens at present moment to discover whether or not they are eligible for travel. To enter Thailand, non-Thai passengers must have all needed documentation, including a Thailand Pass, in addition to a plane ticket.
- How to Reserve a Hotel
Vaccinated passengers are no longer needed to reserve a SHA+ hotel and undertake an RT-PCR test upon arrival beginning on May 1. Travellers may enter the Kingdom and travel freely, reserving a room at any one of Thailand’s many lovely hotels.
Unvaccinated tourists coming under 5-day Alternate Quarantine must still purchase a SHA+ hotel package that includes airport transfers and an RT-PCR test. A confirmed reservation is required to qualify for a Thailand Pass.
It is strongly suggested to search for AQ, SHA+, and SHA Extra+ hotels in Thailand on the Agoda.com website since many tourists find these papers simple to use when applying for the Thai Pass.
All ASQ reservations are subject to the hotel’s terms & conditions, so be sure to read them carefully before making a reservation.
Step 4-Application for the Thailand Pass
All passengers must apply for a Thailand Pass at least three to five business days prior to their planned arrival date.
To apply for the Thailand Pass, please visit https://tp.consular.go.th/ and register by filling out your personal information on the Thailand Pass registration page and uploading supporting documents, including a copy of your passport, a copy of your valid visa, and a COVID-19 travel insurance policy.
Step 5: Prepare your flight documentation
After receiving your Thailand Pass, you must prepare the following travel papers for Thailand: Before departure, you must provide these documents to your airline:
- Thailand Pass
Valid Thai visa in your passport or electronic visa approval (if applicable)
Please print the COVID- 19 travel insurance certificate and all pages of the coverage and medical benefits terms and conditions. You may be denied boarding if you cannot provide proof that your insurance meets this criterion.
- Booking confirmation for a hotel in Thailand
- A copy of the flight reservation confirmation
- COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate (if applicable)
