Neil Aronson (Updated August 2024) Here are some tips and advice for traveling to Thailand, coming from experience. These tips and advice are based on over 15 years of traveling to and living in Thailand. Plus from my local extended Thai family. In 2011 I married my wife, who is from Chiang Mai, and have never looked back. It is an amazing place to visit and live.
However there are things you should know before you go. As well as questions people always ask, especially on social media. For us on Facebook for updates.
For more of your questions answered, check out our article, Thailand Travel Questions.
Resources
Agoda is the best place to book cheap affordable hotels in Thailand, especially near national parks. They also book flights as well.
Expedia is my favorite place to book flights, hotels, cars, and more. Their group includes Hotels.com and Vrbo for vacation rentals.
Viator is the top choice for activities. Book everything from a waterfall tour to scuba diving, jungle trekking to cooking classes. Do the Chiang Mai Golf Challenge from Viator.
12Go is the top transportation source for Asia. From busses to trains to regional flights.
Current Travel Restrictions
Thankfully we seem to be past Thailand’s travel restrictions from Covid-19. Fingers crossed.
I can remember traveling to Thailand in December of 2021. It had been nearly 2 years we had been in Thailand. And 2 years since my wife had seen her family in Chiang Mai. We were stuck in California because of Covid-19. I mean I love California, but not being able to even go to Thailand was a bummer.
Finally in November of 2021 the government opened Thailand back up. However it was a process. First of all you had to ask yourself, what are Thailand’s travel restrictions? And then they to figure out how to navigate through it, so we could finally get back home.
Travelers entering Thailand are not required to show Proof of Vaccination or COVID-19 test results. All travelers can freely travel to Thailand without any COVID restrictions.
Travelers are not required to obtain a Thailand Pass or Certificate of Entry (COE). There is no need to download any mobile app anymore.
The Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme
This is the most popular option for tourist, especially from western countries enter Thailand. Under this, citizens of over 40 countries and territories around the world may enter Thailand without a visa for a stay of up to 30 days and may extend their stay for another 30 day. This also has more exceptions, where some Asian countries can stay for 90 days. You can check your country information here on the Thai E-Visa government site.
Updated- Visa Exempt Countries have been extended to 60 days as of July 2024. However the rules keep changing, visit our Visa Resource page for more.
Get Travel Insurance
Even though most restrictions have been lifted, anything can happen when traveling. And Covid-19 is still prevalent. You home health insurance probably won’t help.
Travel Insurance is still highly recommended when you travel to Thailand.
Travel Insurance is mandatory for travelers traveling from and to countries that require RT-PCR COVID test for incoming travelers such as India and China. Insurance validity must be +7 days to the intended stay in Thailand.
Before you travel to Thailand, you should buy your travel insurance for your protection to cover your entire trip to Thailand.
Drink Bottled Water
As far as tips and advice goes, this may be an obvious one. But I would not recommend drinking tap water. However I would not overly concern myself with it either. What I mean is, brush your teeth, shower, all that, with tap water.
We live out in the countryside, and it may be fresher than in the US. We cook with it regularly. But who knows. The water authority in Bangkok claims it is safe to drink.
But drink bottled water. It is cheap, and tastes better. Unfortunately bad for the environment. Local Thai restaurants will always serve their customers bottled water.
That said, drink lots of water when traveling in Thailand, for health reasons. Probably not your first thought, but here is one reason. When I first moved to Malaysia years ago, I got a kidney stone within the first month. The doctors said it was because I did not drink enough water, and in that constant heat, sweating all day.
Drinking beers everyday while on vacation is fun, but make sure you are hydrating with a lot of bottled water. You body is probably not used to the heat and humidity, and the effects are real.
Have Proper Etiquette
Most temple grounds will have signs before you enter, but don’t be a unprepared tourist. Know before you go, and respect their culture and traditions.
Dress respectfully when you visit any temple in Thailand. Make sure your shoulders are covered (no vests, tank-tops or spaghetti straps). Although skirts or shorts are acceptable at many temples, they should be smart and at least knee-length.
Take off your shoes before entering the temple buildings. If you are wearing a hat, that should also be removed before going inside.
Don’t sit on the platform or chairs reserved for monks. Monks are prohibited from touching women and women should never hand anything directly to a monk.
Don’t Be A Fool
As far as tips and advice go, a common issue we have is the night out.
One night after too many beers at the UN Irish Pub, my friend and I stumbled out not paying attention. Have you ever seen a row of parked scooters lined up on the street? It’s a common sight in Asia. Well as if straight out of scene from a comedy movie, I drunkenly bumped into the end of the row of parked scooters. Can you picture it? It was a domino effect, and they all fell over into each other. Again, don’t be a dumb drunk tourist!
Having fun is why your in Thailand. However, take it from someone who is married to a Thai, being out of control and acting like an idiot doesn’t go over well. Rolling around the floor, puking in the street, shouting, and fighting, are of course unacceptable to most Western people, nonetheless, this is totally unacceptable within Thai culture.
Because Thai people are generally friendly, smiling, and non confrontational. They probably won’t say anything. But trust me, you are embarrassing yourself. They don’t think it’s funny.
Don’t Play With Animals
It’s tempting, but don’t fall for animal exhibits, shows, places where you can ‘play’ with them. These are poor wild animals that have been ‘domesticated’, to make money off tourists.
Don’t get me wrong, there are great, well respected ethical animal sanctuaries. For a list of ethical options visit Amazing Thailand, and Book on Viator.
If you see an elephant riding program or even an animal show, please reject it decisively and practice animal protection with practical actions. Let animals be free, not harmed.
Full disclosure. My Thai wife took me to the Tiger Kingdom early on when we met. This is huge tourist trap, where you can sit with tigers and basically play with them. I loved tigers when I was a kid. However logic would tell you that you can’t sit there and pet tigers, without them eating you. They were so calm. I asked the staff if they were drugged. Of course I was told they are ‘tired’ during the day. I feel stupid for ever going and contributing to that, please stay away.
I have also been on river tours and seen elephants chained to trees, for the entertainment of tourists. Just be aware, it’s gotten much better, but they are still exploited.
Visa Stay – Tips and Advice
Important tips and advice include immigration. Chances are you are from an Exempt, or Visa On Arrival Country. Which means your Visa, if you need one, will be given at Thai Immigration. Therefore you do not need to get one ahead of time.
This is a huge bonus, except it does not mean you can stay as long as you want. Typically from a Visa Exempt Country, you get a 30 stamp at immigration. This can be extended another 30 days by paying a 1900 baht fine. This can be done up to 90 days.
American citizens who wish to remain in Thailand for longer than 90 days during any six-month period will be required to obtain a valid Thai visa from a Thai Embassy or Consulate that is authorized to issue visas.
The consequences for overstaying as as follows as reported by US Embassy Thailand.
If an individual does not depart Thailand prior to expiration of his/her airport permit or visa, the individual is in the country illegally. In order to depart Thailand, it will be necessary to pay an overstay fine. The fine for overstaying a visa is 500 Baht per day, up to a maximum of 20,000 Baht
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Random Tips And Advice
If you find yourself going to a go-go bar, and you probably will, don’t run around taking selfies and videos. Most all places forbid this, as they want to keep their privacy. Both the bar and the girls don’t want pictures all over the internet. You will get kicked out.
Don’t offend the Royal Family. Trust me, being married to a Thai, I can tell you the Royal Family is taken very seriously, and has a lot of influence. Article 112 of Thailand’s Penal Code states, “Whoever defames, insults or threatens the King, Queen, Heir-Apparent or Regent shall be punished with imprisonment of three to fifteen years”.
Ok, foreigners are rarely subjected to this law, but it has happened where they have been deported or jailed. And just out of respect for the culture and people, don’t be a fool.
Wear a helmet when cruising around on your scooter. Yes it’s hot and much more fun being helmetless. But traffic can be dangerous. And it is the law. During holiday times like Songkran deaths from motorbikes in Thailand are in the thousands. I have been pulled over a couple times not wearing a helmet, and now you are dealing with police that want a bribe. Carry a copy of your passport, and don’t give them any money.
Additional tips and advice for wearing a helmet, is that if you get into an accident, your Travel Insurance may not cover you if you breaking the law. It is happening to this unlucky Brit. So get Travel Insurance and obey the laws.
Don’t greet locals in a western fashion. They already know your a tourist, you don’t have to remind them. So don’t shake someone’s hands, instead greet them with the ‘Wai’. Which consists of a slight bow, with the palms pressed together in a prayer-like fashion. The higher up you put your hands on your face the more respect you are showing.
Lastly, bargaining with Tuk Tuk drivers and street market vendors is the norm, but don’t over do it. Being over aggressive while bargaining is offensive to them, as Thai people don’t like confrontation. You should bargain respectfully, keeping in mind this is their livelihood. You already paying much less than you would back home, so don’t be afraid to share the wealth as you visit their country.
I hope you can use these tips and advice when you travel to Thailand. Respect their culture and they will return the smile.
