GO TOUR THAILAND BLOG
Go Tour Thailand Blog: Common Questions Answered for a Thailand Vacation
December and January are the very best times to vacation in Thailand because they are the coolest, dry, and least humid, with mostly clear skies. You can also catch the New Year celebrations at this time. October to February are also the most favored months.
Other times to visit are Thai New Year during the hottest months of around April. Thailand has many other amazing festivals throughout the year. See more information on Thailand Weather, New Year Celebrations, and Festivals.
You must complete a online DTAC Arrival Card at least 3 days prior to arrival.
An entry Visa to the Kingdom of Thailand will be required if your country (passport) is not on the exempt list.
Your passport must have at least 6 months validity.
You must have proof of funds such as cash and bank balance.
A return flight booking within the visa period is required.
Proof of accommodation bookings may also be asked for by Thai immigration.
Other requirements, depending on your country of origin may be required.
See the Travel Tips page for web links and more information.
Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok is Thailand’s main long-haul gateway, with direct flights from Asia and Australia, and 1 stop-over flights from the U.S., Canada, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Flights are available year-round. Suvarnabhumi Airport offers domestic connection flights to many major destinations within Thailand, but not all domestic routes operate from the airport. Some services, particularly low-cost flights, depart from Don Mueang International Airport. See the Bangkok Transport Hubs page for more information and how to get from Suvarnabhumi to Don Mueang.
Phuket International Airport is the other main gateway that includes long-haul services with 1 stop-over from Europe, U.K., U.S., Canada, and direct routes from Australia and Asia. These can all be seasonal.
Chiang Mai International Airport has regional flights from East and Southeast Asia.
Mae Fah Luang International Airport in Chiang Rai does have some limited and seasonal local region international flights.
Hat Yai International Airport has regional routes from Malaysia and Singapore
Samui Airport has local regional international services
See the Transport menu for all the hubs such as Bangkok Transport Hubs for more information.
Length of stay for tourist visas have recently changed as of September 2026.
Visa rules change all the time in Thailand, so it's essential you check first before booking air fares and hotels.
Depending on your country, you may have visa free entry for a set number of days, but need to apply for a proper visa for an extended stay.
Different countries have various lengths of visa free stays, or none.
These can vary between 15/30/60 days.
Go to the Thai eVisa official website and verify using your passports country/territory.
See the Travel Tips page for more information.
Yes, but only if you have a current valid driving licence in your country and obtain an International drivers licence before entering Thailand.
Please see the important information regarding driving in Thailand before deciding. Read the Self Driving in Thailand article.
One important fact you need to know is that in Thailand, vehicles drive on the LEFT side of the road !
Thailand has an extensive network of modern bus and coach services, railways servicing many major towns and cities, and regular domestic flights to major cities and tourist destinations.
Ferries and speed boats service the many tourist islands to the south in the Gulf of Thailand, Andaman Sea, and the eastern gulf coast.
See all the transport menu for all the hubs such as Bangkok transport hubs for more information.
There is also the Thailand railway network map and public transport in Thailand page.
Are you not using a travel agent and organising everything yourself ?
Then it's best to book a hotel online through a well known website as soon as you have created your travel plans and booked your flights.
The earlier you book, the better the air fares and hotel deals. Always print your online bookings on paper to hand to the hotel reception desk.
Avoid walking into a hotel or any other accommodation to book a room because you will be charged full price for accommodation, and miss out on other discount deals such as free breakfasts.
When booking a hotel, choose one that suits your intended vacation itinery. For example, if shopping in Bangkok is your motivation, then book a hotel very close to one of the BTS Skytrain stations near the central Bangkok Siam shopping district.
Thailand is generally a safe country to visit, as long as you follow some basic safety rules.
You can call the Thai police tourist helpline on 1155 if you need urgent assistance.
Purchase full insurance cover before travelling to Thailand. This should cover hotel costs, lost luggage, hospital bills and a (very expensive) re-patriation flight home in the event of an accident or other medical emergency.
Don’t do drugs, party alone, or walk alone at night.
Do not take expensive valuables or jewelry with you on vacation and keep neck chains under your shirt/dress.
Keep your cash, cards, passport, mobile cell phone in a strong flat belt bag around your waist and preferably hidden under under your shirt/top. Never use anything that has a shoulder strap because it can be cut and snatched. Large zip bags are so obvious and beg to be snatched.
Wear a helmet when riding a scooter, do not speed, and dont drink and drive, or your travel insurance will not cover hospital bills. See the Self Drive and Travel Tips for more information.
If the boat ride, parasail, or other activity does not look safe or no safety gear is provided such as life-jackets, then don't risk it. You won't want to spend the rest of your vacation in a hospital.
If you are approached by a stranger who says a certain attraction is closed today but he can take you some-where else, then walk away, it's a scam to take you to expensive places that pay commission to touts.
See the Travel Tips page for more information.
Thai immigration expects everyone entering Thailand to have sufficient funds to cover their stay. They may or may not check a person. Minimum amounts are shown below.
You are expected to have these amounts available to you, but you don't need to actually spend the money.
This can be in Thai Baht, an equivalent amount in your countries currency or other currency, a very recent bank statement showing a balance. A credit card would not be sufficient by itself, but it is up to the discretion of the Thai immigation official on what is acceptable.
There is a restiction of a maximum of cash totaling the equivelent amount of $15,000 US dollars that can be brought into Thailand without the need of a Thai customs declaration.
| Entry category | Individual | Family |
|---|---|---|
| Visa-exempt entry | 20,000 baht | 40,000 baht |
| Tourist Visa | 20,000 baht | 40,000 baht |
| Visa on Arrival | 10,000 baht | 20,000 baht |
| Transit Visa | 10,000 baht | 20,000 baht |
For a two-week vacation in Thailand, with accommodation and airfares already paid, a sensible allowance is ฿35,000–฿50,000 per person. This provides roughly ฿2,500–฿3,500 a day for meals, local transport, attractions, occasional tours, drinks and incidental expenses.
Allow extra money for shopping, alcohol, diving, private transfers, domestic travel not already booked, or holidays in more expensive destinations such as Phuket and Koh Samui.
Using public transport, food shopping at the local store, and street food stalls that the locals frequent, will cost you the same as the locals pay (check the displayed price is what you are actually charged). Many things to see in Thailand such as temples are free entry. So, with careful planning, your vacation can be less expensive than expected.
Bangkok street meals will cost you around ฿40 to ฿80, casual restaurant meals around ฿120 to ฿250, and city transport about ฿100 to ฿300 per day. If you want to go to major attractions and organised excursions then it gets more expensive very quickly. Expect admission prices such as visiting the Grand Palace to be ฿500, while many Phuket island tours will cost you several thousand baht.
| Travel style | Daily allowance | Two weeks |
|---|---|---|
| Careful budget | ฿1,000–฿1,500 | ฿14,000–฿21,000 |
| Comfortable tourist | ฿2,500–฿3,500 | ฿35,000–฿49,000 |
| Frequent tours, nightlife and nicer dining | ฿4,000–฿6,000+ | ฿56,000–฿84,000+ |
You can find many maps of tourist areas in Bangkok and other major cities here on Go Tour Thailand. There is also a railway map and a Thailand cities map. You can view and also download each of these for free.
See the Thailand maps page, simply click on the map icon to display the page that will show a high resolution map.
Bangkok : Best for families, younger couples, solo travellers, and people who want luxury shopping.
Bangkok is an ideal starting or last destination to visit in Thailand for most people, including families with young children because of the many suitable entertainment options available. Bangkok is a large and very busy city that has a strong cultural heritage and also a very modern side to it.
For honeymooners, Bangkok would be a good last stopover city for a couple of days before flying back home after a luxury island bungalow stay. This gives you time to enjoy rooftop dining, a romantic river cruise and some last-minute shopping.
Families could spend a week in Bangkok exploring the many entertainment venues, street food, shopping in the central Siam area or in the bargain malls where the locals shop, visiting the many night markets, touring the amazing temples, and riding the river boats along the Chao Phraya River or the long boats through Bankok's canals.
Solo travellers and younger couples will enjoy places like the Khaoson road area with all its loud music, street vibe, nightclubs and bars, and cafes and restaurants that spill out into the street. Khaosan road entertainment doesn't really start until the late afternoon-evening, but continues until the early hours of the next morning.
If you time your visit with the western New Year, Songkran (Thai New Year), or other festival event such or Loy Krathong or Yi Peng lantern festival, then it makes the trip well worth it.
See the Bangkok page in Destinations for more information on the best places to visit in Bangkok.
Chiang Mai: Best for families and older travellers at most times of the year, couples, and solo travellers.
Another very popular destination in Thailand is the far northern city of Chiang Mai. It has a far cooler and less humid climate than the southern areas of Bangkok and Pattaya. The mountains and greenery make it a relaxing part of any vacation. There is plenty to see and do in Chiang Mai for families, couples and solo travellers. Night markets and bazaars are one of the very popular attractions as well as the cultural center in the old city area.
The Songkran water festival in Chiang Mai, which celebrates the Thai New Year, is one of the "must go" festivals for many international travellers. Not really suitable for families at this time of the year, especially younger children, or older people.
For families, one of the best places to visit is the Chiang Mai Zoo. People often take a coach ride over to the next province of Chiang Rai for a few days to see that city and the Golden Triangle area before flying back to Bangkok and departing Thailand.
See the Chiang Mai page in Destinations for more information on the best places to visit in Chiang Mai city and surrounding mountains.
Chiang Rai: Best for families and older travellers, couples, and solo travellers.
This city is a quieter and smaller destination compared to Chiang Mai, but still popular with travellers. It also has the same cooler and less humid weather as Chiang Mai. From here you can take a day tour up to the Golden Triangle, visit surrounding temples and gardens, or travel to one of the mountain resorts for a day or two where you can overlook Laos.
It's a relaxing destination for anyone wanting a more laid back vacation.
The center of the city has one of the best food and entertainment night life areas suitable for everyone, including families. Cultural dancing shows, music, restaurants, souvenir shopping, and a large food stall market are all here.
See the Chiang Rai page in Destinations for more information on the best places to see in Chiang Rai.
Pattaya: Suitable for people 20+, couples, solo travellers, and travel groups.
Not a destination suitable for children or anyone not 20 years old or over. Pattaya is focused on adult entertainment. Beer and Go-Go bars are in many places. Scantily clad women can be seen in the adult entertainment streets and also walking to work. Minimum drinking age and purchase of alcohol in Thailand is 20. Adult entertainment premises are also restricted.
Water sports, market shopping, beach swimming and lounging around under a rented beach umbrella with a drink are some of the popular things to do during the day. You can also go on a day trip on a ferry or speed boat to one of the nearby islands. Night time entertainment is usually going out to one of the many restaurants and beer bars, all-you-can-eat seafood buffet eateries, music bars, or other adult night life.
See the Pattaya page in Destinations for more on the best things to do in Pattaya city.
Phuket: Best for families, couples, and some areas for honeymooners and older people.
Phuket gives you beach time alongside entertainment. There is the main town of Phuket and many beaches scattered along the coastal areas. Accommodation ranges from luxury resorts suitable for honeymooners, quiet destinations that older people can enjoy, and other areas that families can enjoy.For families it may be a good idea to choose accommodation with a pool area as an available option. Phuket’s west coast beaches can have strong waves and rip currents, especially during the wetter months. Kata Beach or Karon is a good all-round choice if you want a beach holiday with plenty of restaurants, cafés and accommodation options nearby.
See Phukets tourist beaches page in Destinations for more information and a map.
When my Thai wife and I vacation in Thailand we just about always eat from street food vendors and have never had any problem.
Food is traditionally prepared fresh, cooked, and served the same day. Thai people simply do not eat "left-overs" like westerners.
You will also often see small eateries with basic tables and chairs that have the Thai cook at the front preparing fresh meals to order.
Best suggestion is to find one where it is full of locals, or a vendor that has a line of Thai's waiting to be served. Then you know it's going to be delicious and safe to eat. Just say "pet nit noi" for not too spicy hot!
See the Thai Food article showing some popular dishes and Thai Language article for a few handy Thai words and phrases.
Disclaimer: This blog has some common questions with answers many of you may want to know before going to Thailand on vacation. It has general tips on visiting Thailand but is not professional advice. This blog may not cover everything you need to know or be suitable to your circumstances. You may want to consider seeking an experienced and professional travel agent for planning and advice, especially if it's your first time visiting Thailand.
