Thailand is one of the most popular destinations in Southeast Asia and it doesn’t surprise us why. From the most incredible landscapes full of canyons, waterfalls, and jungle islands, to bustling markets and more temples than you can imagine, you will find it all in Thailand. It is a country with a rich culture and is also known as the ‘Land of Smiles’.
Stroll through the vibrant city of Bangkok and enjoy some tropical beach days on the jungle islands in the south, you will never get bored in Thailand.
The climate in Thailand varies throughout the country, making it an all-year-round destination. Generally, Thailand knows 3 seasons: the wet season (May to October/November), the cool season (November to February), and the hot season (March to May).
Overall, the best time to visit Thailand is generally between November and March, during the cool season, when the temperature is cooler and there’s less rain. Know that this period is high tourist season and expect the biggest crowds.
So, the best time to visit Thailand depends mostly on the regions you plan to visit and the type of activities you’d like to do. Overall, we think the best months to visit Thailand are October and November. The weather is cooler, it is just before the peak tourist season and it’s just after the rainy season, so the landscapes are at their best!
The official currency in Thailand is the Thai Baht (THB) and you can pay by credit card in bigger restaurants, hotels, and shops in tourist areas, but not everywhere. Especially not in the smaller, local restaurants, bars, street food stalls, and shops. It is therefore always useful to have enough cash with you.
You will find ATMs in every touristic area and/or major cities where you can withdraw money, but not in the more remote places.
The official language in Thailand is Thai. English is generally also widely spoken, especially in the major tourist areas.
Thailand is, in general, a safe country to travel. Of course, you always have to be attentive to crimes that can happen anywhere, such as pickpocketing.
Tourists are sometimes taken advantage of and get scammed. Some very common scams are overpriced taxis and scooter scams.
Do not drink tap water in Thailand. You should only drink bottled water to make sure you don’t get sick. However, it is okay to brush your teeth with tap water.
In Thailand, the dress code is casual but modest. You can wear shorts and flip-flops as long as you dress decently. It is expected to cover your shoulders and knees when you plan to go to public places, especially religious places. Note that it can be very hot and humid, so try to bring clothes with lightweight fabrics.
You can buy a local SIM card (e.g. at the airport) to be able to use mobile data at a low cost in the country. You can also buy a cheap SIM card at the Seven Eleven supermarkets, which you find on every corner of the street!
Another good option is to buy an e-SIM, Jetpac is an excellent partner for this!
In Thailand, it is common to negotiate the price of a product (not food) on the streets, in markets, and in small shops, but not in stores where there is a fixed price. By haggling a product will often cost you less than what they originally asked for.
Tipping is not customary in Thailand, but it is appreciated to show your gratitude if you are really satisfied with the service. If you like to tip on top, you can always leave a tip of 5% to 10%.
Most power plug sockets in Thailand are of type A. The standard voltage is 220 V and the frequency is 50 Hz.
The time zone in Thailand is GMT+7 year-round.
