Thailand is one of the easiest countries in the world to travel – friendly, cheap, well set up for tourists – but a handful of local quirks catch first-timers out. Get these right and you'll settle in within a day.
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Add it in the trip planner →Three things smooth your arrival: complete the free TDAC arrival card online within 72 hours of your flight, arrange an eSIM so you have data the moment you land, and download Grab for airport transport. From Bangkok's airport, take the Airport Rail Link or a Grab rather than accepting a random "taxi" tout in arrivals.
The currency is the Thai baht (THB); 1€ ≈ 38 THB. Carry cash for street food, markets and songthaews – cards only work in hotels, malls and bigger restaurants. ATMs charge a fixed ~220 THB fee per foreign-card withdrawal, so take out larger amounts less often. Keep small notes for taxis and stalls; breaking a 1,000 THB note at a food cart is a hassle.
Thais value calm and politeness – losing your temper loses you respect. At temples, cover shoulders and knees, remove your shoes before entering, and never point your feet at a Buddha image or touch someone's head. The wai (palms together) is a lovely greeting to return but not expected of tourists. Never disrespect the monarchy – it's a serious criminal offence here.
Don't drink the tap water – buy bottled or refill from filtered stations (many guesthouses offer them). Ice in restaurants and drinks is generally made commercially and safe. Street food is usually fine if it's busy and freshly cooked; pick stalls with a queue. Pack any personal medication, and get comprehensive travel insurance – healthcare is good but you'll want cover for a scooter mishap. More in our safety guide.
Tipping isn't obligatory but is appreciated: round up a taxi fare, leave 20–50 THB for good restaurant service, 50–100 THB for a massage. Convenience stores (7-Eleven, on every corner) are lifesavers for water, SIMs, snacks and cheap toiletries. And embrace "same same but different" and the relaxed pace – things run on Thai time, and that's part of the charm.
Excellent. It's affordable, safe by regional standards, has superb tourist infrastructure and famously friendly people. English is widely spoken in tourist areas, transport is easy, and there's a natural first-timer route through Bangkok, the north and the islands.
No – stick to bottled or filtered water, which is cheap and everywhere. Ice in commercial venues is generally safe as it's factory-made. Brushing your teeth with tap water is fine for most people, but don't drink it.
In tourist areas, hotels and with younger Thais, yes, enough to get by comfortably. Off the beaten track it thins out. Learning a few words – sawadee (hello) and khop khun (thank you) – goes a long way and is warmly received.