23 Things to Know Before Going to Thailand

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Thailand is a beautiful country that’s often considered the gateway to Asia because of how tourist friendly it is and all there is to see. Before you go, check out these top Thailand travel tips for smooth travels.

Thailand is lovingly known as the land of smiles, and I found this to be so true. The people were friendly and helpful, and I never once felt unsafe or uncomfortable traveling around the country solo. 

And since it’s such an insanely popular tourist destination, it’s fairly easy to get around the country both because of a well connected bus network and because many locals in the tourist industry speak English – offering a welcoming environment for first-time visitors. 

With all that to say, Thailand is a beautifully unique destination for anyone dying to visit. And after having been there and done that, I’m here to share the essential things to know before going to Thailand to help with your Thailand trip planning and to avoid any initial culture shock and unpleasant surprises!

Read More:

• 30 of the Most Instagrammable Places in Bangkok
• Trazy Phi Phi Islands & Krabi 4 Islands Review
• 15 Tips for Solo Female Travel in Asia

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, if you click my links and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission. Learn more on my disclosure page. Thank you for your support!

23 Thailand Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors

1. Thailand Tourist Visa

Getting a tourist visa for Thailand is pretty simple for many different citizenships because they offer a 30-day visa exemption for countries like the US, the UK, many places in Europe, South Africa, Australia, and more. Be sure to check out the official list of eligible countries to make sure you’re all set for your trip to Thailand!

When you arrive, even with a visa exemption, you’ll need to fill out an entry form for immigration. You should technically have proof of exit from the country to show that you intend to leave within the 30-day travel period, but I was never asked to see it.

After you turn in your entry form, they will rip off the bottom departure card that you’ll need to keep safe during your adventures. When you leave the country, immigration will ask you for that departure card. Don’t lose that slip to avoid wasting time and any hassle!

2. What to Pack for Thailand

Thailand is a pretty open-minded place compared to the rest of Asia, due to the immense number of tourists who visit each year, so you don’t have to worry too much about dressing conservatively while adventuring around Thailand.

But that sentiment aside, Thai culture is still more conservative than you’re probably used to at home. Limit too much cleavage, mega tight clothing, and use common sense when wandering around.

You’ll also want to pack for the hot and warm weather, beach days, and Thai temples. Check the weather to see if you’re traveling during the rainy season and bring a rain jacket just in case. 

Some noteworthy things to pack for travel in Asia/Thailand:

• An outfit of two that’s appropriate for temples (long pants, long skirt, a t-shirt)
• A scarf – great for covering shoulders or legs if a temple visit pops up and you’re not dressed appropriately
• Sunscreen, bug spray, tissues, and hand sanitizer 
• A good pair of walking shoes and comfortable sandals
• Rain jacket

3. The Best Places to Visit in Thailand

There are so many incredible things to do in Thailand, which is why it’s no surprise that people love the land of smiles so much. Whether you’re a backpacker or someone seeking luxury, there are countless amazing places to visit, which can make planning a Thailand itinerary tough to plan!

Here are the top sights that make Thailand worth visiting.

4. Places Not to Visit in Thailand

Ok, so I don’t mean this to be harsh! But if you’re not into mega crowded, mega touristy, or mega party vibes with drunk young backpackers, below are some places you may want to consider skipping.

That being said, Phuket, Krabi and Phi Phi were beautiful places with a few famous landmarks I’m glad I saw. And because I went with my boyfriend this leg of the trip, it was a fantastic romantic getaway. But it was missing authentic Thai culture in my opinion and if I had been solo I’m not sure I would’ve enjoyed it as much.

Chiang Rai on the other hand only had the main temples to offer so I felt a little meh about it after all the hype I read online. 24 hours should be sufficient for those who don’t want to miss out on the city’s famous White Temple.

If you have travel FOMO though (like me), I know you’ll still have a fantastic trip visiting these places below! And if you are just looking for a peaceful and relaxing Thai vacation, these are perfect beach places to do so!

• Phuket
• Krabi 
• Phi Phi Islands
• Chiang Rai
• Pattaya

5. Thailand Is Very Touristy

In tandem with the above, I didn’t personally like that Thailand was so touristy. But my negative nancy attitude aside, people love Thailand because of the excellent food, beautiful nature, and fun things to do! 

Just a heads up for backpackers looking to get off the beaten path who maybe want to avoid hoards of drunk 18 year old backpackers!

6. Adhere to the Temple Dress Code 

One of the most important things to know before going to Thailand is that the temple dress code is very strict. You must appropriately cover-up as needed to show respect to Thai Buddhist culture and to be admitted into the temple.

There are security guards outside of the temples monitoring people’s clothes, and they will turn you away if you’re too exposed, and annoyingly every temple has different specific rules.

In general, however, Thailand’s temple dress code involves:

• No shoulders showing 
• No knees
• No cleavage
• No tight-fitting clothes like leggings or skinny jeans
• No sweats or athleisure
• No clothing with rips and tears
• Shoes off in sacred spaces, nice shoes for temple grounds

There are a lot of temples to see in Thailand, so I recommend at least two outfits that you can wear for those days of temple hopping around Thailand.

7. Take the Airport Bus to Save Money

If you’re trying to visit Thailand on a budget, I recommend taking advantage of the public transportation options from the airport. The major cities in Thailand have bus lines that take you from the airport to the city center, and they are great affordable options compared to private taxis.

Check out guides for how to take the airport buses in Thailand for each major city as well as what prices to expect for other transport.

• Phuket Airport Bus: 100 baht ($3.20), pay cash on board, no need to book in advance. There’s also a van share about 200-250 baht, and a taxi will run you about 700-900
• Bangkok Airport Bus: 35 baht ($1.10), pay cash on board, taxi from Khao San Road to Suvarnabhumi Airport about 350 baht
• Chiang Mai Airport Bus: 20 baht ($0.70), taxi about 150 baht  

8. Take the Bus in General

Taking the public bus, in general, is just a great way to save money and see another side of the local culture. Not only that, but it’s great for the environment. In Thailand, each major city has a city bus line, and there are also national sleeper buses that you can take across the country. Especially the night bus from Bangkok to Chiang Mai – it’s like a rite of passage.

9. Or Use Grab For Long Distances

Sometimes it’s just not practical to take a slow bus across town, especially if you have limited time on your trip. The Grab App is probably your best bet in terms of safe, honest, and cheap private taxi rides.

Tuk tuks are another classic Thai experience. 

However, there is no set price, and you’re at the mercy of the drivers who are known to sometimes cam or take advantage of tourists. If you wish to take a tuk tuk – they are fun after all! – be sure to haggle and set the price to your destination before you take off. Hold your ground when arriving if they try to pull a price switch on you.

10. Know Your Thailand SIM Card Options

You have a few options when it comes to Thai SIM cards. I chose to go with AIS after a bit of research because it has a reputation for being a more reliable and convenient option for where I was planning on traveling. I picked mine up at the Phuket airport after baggage claim and paid 449 baht ($14) for 7.5 fast data and unlimited slow data for 30 days.

If you’re thinking about skipping the SIM card – that wouldn’t be the worst idea. Traveling in Thailand without a SIM card would be relatively easy because it wasn’t too difficult to find free wifi.

11. Solo Travel in Thailand

If you’ve been considering traveling to Thailand alone – DO IT! I found Thailand to be one of the most comfortable places in Asia to travel solo as a woman.

There are so many travelers around in the main hubs of the country to befriend and connect with, and the infrastructure in Thailand makes it easy for foreigners to get around. Many people speak English here, and if you follow a few key solo female safety tips for Asia, you’ll be golden! 

12. Learn Some Survival Thai

English is pretty widely spoken in the main tourist areas of Thailand, but it goes a long way when you make an effort to learn a bit of the local language and embrace the local culture. Here are a few survival travel Thai phrases to impress!

If you’re a man, add khrup to the end of your phrases, and if you’re a woman, you should use kaa.

Hello – Sawadee khrup/kaa
Thank you – khop khun khrup/kaa
Yes – Chai khrup/kaa 
No – Mai khrup/kaa
How much? – nee tao rai?
Sorry/excuse me – Khor thoad khrup/kaa
Where is the restroom? – Hong nam yoo tee nai khrup/kaa?
Can you speak English? – Khun pood pasa angrit dai mai

13. Thai Cultural Norms + Manners

More important than survival phrases, you’ll want to come prepared knowing essential Thai manners, so you don’t accidentally insult anyone. Here’s a quick cheat sheet of Thai etiquette for tourists.

• Learn the wai: hands together in prayer and a slight bow every time you greet someone
• Respect the Thai King and avoid talking politics or negatively about the government 
• Remove your shoes in sacred places and private homes
• Follow proper temple dress code and respect the holy spaces
• Don’t touch monks or take their photo without asking permission

14. Don’t Book Anything Online. It’s Almost Always Cheaper in Person 

I’ve realized in my travels around Asia that most of the time, booking tours, transportation, and sometimes accommodation too is cheaper in person than online, and Thailand is no exception. 

For example, we needed a ferry to Phi Phi island, and online, the fee for one specific company was 750 baht, but in person, for the same boat, it was 300. 

One thing I’ll say is that because Thailand can get so busy if things are prone to selling out in advance, you probably will want to book it online to secure your spot. You’ll just need to do some research. 

One thing I’ll say is that because Thailand can get so busy if things are prone to selling out in advance, you probably will want to book it online to secure your spot. You’ll just need to do some research. 

15. Prices Vary A LOT

Throughout the country, the general cost of travel varies greatly, and there’s no one answer to the question, how expensive is Thailand? The major tourist islands can be pretty pricey in comparison to other destinations, whereas northern Thailand is usually pretty affordable. You can expect prices in Phuket, Krabi and Phi Phi Islands, for example, to be pretty high. Avoid these main tourist beach destinations if you’re on a tight budget. 

16. Limited Sale of Alcohol 

Thailand has unique rules for when you can purchase and be served alcohol during the day. These alcohol times start at 11 am – 2 pm and then again from 5 pm to midnight. You cannot legally buy any alcohol outside of these times.

But it is Thailand, and that means rules are easily broken. Mom and pop shops and small, locally-owned restaurants may serve you regardless. 

17. Must-Try Thai Dishes

Food in Thailand is absolutely delicious, and I’m not sure I’ve ever eaten so well, backpacking!! In northern Thailand, you can grab a classic Thai meal for about 30-50 baht ($0.95 – $1.60). Here are a few of the best foods to try in Thailand.

• Pad See Eiw: wide stir-fried noodles
• Pad Thai: obvi! Stir-fried noodles 
• Panang Red Thai Curry: a bit spicy, coconut red curry and veggies 
• Kao Niew Ma Muang: sweet mango and sticky rice dessert
• Som Tam: spicy green papaya salad 
• Pak Boong: stir-fried morning glory green vegetable

18. Vaccines Needed for Thailand

Always consult with your doctor to see what they recommend for the best vaccines for you – I’m not a medical professional! But I can give you a quick summary of what the CDC recommends for travel to Thailand. 

Recommended Vaccines for Thailand for most travelers: 

• Measles and all routine shots 
• Hep A
• Typhoid 

Vaccines you might need for Thailand but aren’t required: 

• Hep B
• Japanese encephalitis 
• Malaria 

19. Be Careful Riding Scooters

Driving a scooter in South East Asia is so freeing. The wind in your hair, seeing the countryside – I love renting scooters in Asia, and it’s no exception in Thailand! 

But if you do decide to rent a scooter, please be careful. Thailand is notoriously known for being one of the most dangerous places to drive a scooter because of the high number of accidents that occur each year. 

Be sure that you always wear a helmet (it’s the law here) and only drive if you’re comfortable driving scooters.

You should also be wary of the police. Legally you need to have a license from home that allows you to drive scooters and have an international license. If you’ve never driven a scooter before, practice in the countryside away from the chaos in the cities. 

You should also be wary of the police. Legally you need to have a license from home that allows you to drive scooters and have an international license. If you’ve never driven a scooter before, practice in the countryside away from the chaos in the cities. 

20. Drug Laws in Thailand

While visiting Thailand, there’s a good chance you’ll see drugs for sale or have them offered to you, especially in the backpacker scene. There’s nothing wrong with a little rebellious fun when done in moderation and responsibly, but I urge you to be careful in Thailand.

Thailand has some of the strictest drug laws, and they don’t care that you’re a foreigner. If caught, they may ask you for a massive bribe or worse – arrest you and criminally charge you per their local laws. Be safe, and make sure to do your research before you go!

21. No Strict Tipping Culture In Thailand.

Yay! But if you take a private tour or hire a private driver for an extended period of time, any small gratuities are, of course, appreciated. It’s also common practice for locals and expats to round up the bill as a means of tipping in Thailand. So, for example, if your bill is 53 baht, it’s common to leave 60 (7 baht as a tip). 

22. Haggling

The local markets in Thailand are a true shopping treat. I was obsessed with the fantastic handicrafts, hand-sewn clothing, artwork, and more that I found to buy throughout Thailand.

When you visit a market here, you can definitely haggle a bit for a fair price. It’s not uncommon for prices to increase as soon as they see that you’re a foreigner. But be respectful, shop around, so you get an idea of a fair price, and be confident. 

23. Watch Out for Petty Theft

As with any time you travel to a new place, keep your eyes peeled for petty theft and pick pockets. While crime against tourist in Thailand is relative low, pick pockets are quite common.

Avoid wearing flashy jewelry or accessories openly in crowded places and hold on tight to your belongings! And watch out for scooter drive bys where drivers may try to snatch your phone or purse from you as they pass.

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, if you click my links and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission. Learn more on my disclosure page. Thank you for your support!

There you have it! My ultimate list of things to know before going to Thailand / travel tips that will help you have a great time abroad!

Am I missing any important travel tips for Thailand? Share below!