Traveling to Thailand soon? Here is AFC’s Ultimate Thailand Travel Guide Before you Go. Maximize your holiday and give this a short read so that you may have a safe and memorable journey.
You can also check out AFC Holidays’ Thailand Tours to start planning your trip.
Language
Basic, non-conversational ENGLISH is spoken along with the SOUTHERN THAI DIALECT.
It would be greatly helpful to prepare an offline-accessible translation/dictionary app to aid with communication barriers.
What Weather to Expect
Thailand enjoys THREE SEASONS throughout the year. Namely, cool season (November to February): Ave. 23°C to 30°C (73°F to 86°F), the hot season (March to Early May): Ave. 27°C to 36°C (80°F to 95°F), and the rainy season (May to October): Ave. 28 °C to 29 °C (82°F to 84°F)
What kind of clothes to pack?
• September and October: Bring Umbrella/ Raincoat/ Rainbag (Waterproof/covers) *Rainiest Months
• All Seasons: Bring appropriate sun protection products i.e. sunblock for the body, face, etc.; Hat/ caps/ sunglasses; Light cotton garments; Comfortable walking shoes.
Thai Religion
80% BUDDHIST, 20% ISLAM. With that in mind, tourists have to be mindful and never disrespect religious grounds especially the Buddha Statues for the royal family of Thailand (including stepping on/ defacing Thai baht money).
Currency
THAI BAHT (THB) -
Make sure to keep bigger notes of USD to get better exchange rates.
Should you bargain?
Recommended for tuk-tuk rides and certain tourist establishments in moderation.
Should you leave a tip?
Tips are welcomed by Restaurant and Hotel staff in all denominations.
How much is a day in Thailand?
Minimum USD 100 per day or more depending on interest and choice of activity.
Power plugs and socket
Thailand uses Type A, B, and C power plugs at 230 Volts and 50 Frequency. Bringing power plug adapters is advisable.
Getting Around
Thailand is popular for having one of the most unique forms of public transportation. This is called the Tuk-Tuks. However, it is rather costly, especially when negotiating with tourists. Nevertheless, it is good for experience.
Car or Motorcycle Rental: Especially in provinces like Phuket. Rates per day may vary, an international license and passport copy will be required. Thailand drives on the Left-side of the road.
Tourists may use cab-hailing or ride-sharing apps like Uber, Grab, Line, and local “HaHa”. Some hotels offer shuttle services.
Thailand Travel Guide – The Checklist
Guide to Snorkeling
Care for the Corals! Bring a sunscreen that doesn’t have oxybenzone and octinoxate, or parabens like methylparaben, butylparaben, or phenoxyethanol (as they have proven to harm the reefs).
Opt for zinc oxide-based sunscreen or invest in UPF sun shirts/swim gear if possible.
Bring snorkeling gear like goggles, fins, or water shoes if available.
Bring waterproof camera/waterproof phone cases with a float strap.
Guide to Traveling with Kids
Keep the beach fun with the right safety swimming gears like arm floaties and kiddie snorkeling set. You can also bring wet bags for convenience when bringing a lot of drenched clothes back from swimming.
Need Internet Everywhere in Thailand?
Keep your passport and prepare to possibly have your photo taken when purchasing a local sim card. Tourists will commonly find local sim cards with ready network access straight out of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang Airports.
There will also be multiple other opportunities outside the airport later on, from convenience stores or cellphone shops. Some of the more common options include AIS, TrueMove, and Happy. They can cost somewhere from 299 THB (9 USD) to 599 THB (18 USD). Preferably paid in THB.
Thailand Travel Guide to Bringing Medications
Prepare preferred over-the-counter medicines (Keep in original containers/with labels for easy identification) in small quantities (or as you find necessary) into a simple first aid. i.e. Diarrhea medicines, antacids, antihistamines, motion sickness, cough drops, decongestants, pain and fever relief, mild laxatives, bandages, and small antiseptic solutions. Along with your masks and preferred sanitizer.
Bring a doctor’s prescription for other prescriptions that you may have as needed and check for the allowed amount of quantity depending on your stay.
Category 2 Narcotic and Category 2,3, and 4 Psychotropic Drugs for treatment use of quantities not exceeding numbered days of stay / maximum 30 days and some requiring permit applications before arrival. Read more: Link
Now that you’ve read this Thailand Travel Guide.
You are officially ready to travel to Thailand. Don’t forget that you’re always free to contact your AFC Representative if you have any more concerns before your departure! We wish you safe and happy travels!
You may also be interested in our recent post: Maldives Travel Guide Before You Go.
