TRAVEL APPS FOR VISITING THAILAND

TripIt is a travel planner app that turns all your booking confirmations into one clean, master itinerary so you’re not digging through emails for flight times, hotel addresses, check-in details, or reservation numbers.
The idea is to forward your confirmation emails for flights, hotels, tours, car hires, etc. to TripIt’s email address, and it automatically builds your trip itinerary.
Your itinerary is then organized in one place and can be opened on your phone even when you’re offline.
It can also store your travel documents such as hotel booking and boarding passes in one place.
Other features include a calendar sync so your trip plans appear in your calendar automatically, and trip sharing with family and friends.

Waze is a free driver focused navigation app that uses live community powered road alerts from other drivers reporting things like accidents, hazards, construction, closures, traffic jams, and police presence. Waze will factor delays into your ETA and routes and can recalculate and provide a detour to save you time.
If you’re driving in Bangkok, then Waze can be especially useful because traffic can change very quickly.

This app works similar to Whatsapp but is the leading communications app for locals where you can communicate with friends and family.
LINE lets you chat person to person or in groups, make voice and video calls, and share photos, videos, voice notes, locations.
In Thailand many hotels, tour operators, clinics, restaurants, and shops use the LINE Official Account instead of the regular LINE account. This is where the business will have verified official profiles to communicate with their customers such as you who have regular LINE accounts.
If the hotel or tour company or restaurant uses LINE Official Account, you simply add their Official Account as a contact friend inside LINE. This can be done easily by scanning their QR code, clicking a link, or searching their name.

Wise is a money app for travelers that combines a multi-currency account with low-cost currency conversion, international transfers.
The idea is to that you can hold and convert different currencies in the app, then spend in local currency without the usual “hidden” exchange-rate markups many banks build in.
You can also order a Wise debit card if you are a resident of supported countries such as Australia, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, the UK, or the US. The debit card is widely accepted at hotels, major supermarkets with a minimum spend, and larger restaurants.
Be aware that when using physical Debit Cards that Thai ATMs can add their own local surcharge. Always check the on-screen fee before you confirm.

Revolut is an all-in-one money app that’s especially handy for travel and everyday spending. It lets you keep money in your account, hold and exchange multiple currencies in-app, and use a Revolut debit card that automatically spends in the local currency when you’re in Thailand.
For online shopping, Revolut offers virtual cards and disposable single-use virtual cards that refresh their details after each purchase to help protect you from fraud.
The app includes practical day-to-day features like instant spending notifications, budgeting and analytics tools, and security controls like being able to freeze and unfreeze your card in the app if it goes missing.
Be aware that when using physical Debit Cards that Thai ATMs can add their own local surcharge. Always check the on-screen fee before you confirm.

Google Translate is like having a mini language helper in your pocket. Using this app in Thailand would be essential because of the huge difference between western languages and Thai words and phrases.
One of the best features you can use is the camera tool. Just point your phone at a menu, street sign, or label and it can translate the text right on your screen in real time. I suggest you don't translate the entire menu in one go as it can get messy. There is a "select text" option to highlight an area of text. There’s also a conversation mode that helps two people chat back and forth with translations as you go. And if you’re heading somewhere with no Wi-Fi or you want to save on data, you can download Thai for offline use before you leave.
When using the speak English, hear Thai (and vice versa) translator or the English to Thai word translator, always keep sentences short and simple for cleaner translations. Long translations will get really weird and not understood.
Save some common short phrases such as “How much is this?", “No spicy, please.”, “I’m allergic to peanuts”, “Can you take me here?”, “No ice”

This is a paid service (subscription required).
No physical Sim card is required but to use this app ensure your phone is eSIM-compatible and carrier-unlocked.
Saily sells Thailand specific eSIM data plans and also has an Asia/Oceania regional option so you can use it for mobile data while you’re there.
This app also has built-in features like an ad blocker, web protection, and a virtual location option.
When you arrive in Thailand, switch your phone’s mobile data to the Saily eSIM and it should activate as you connect locally.
You can then use apps like LINE locally and WhatsApp for family and friends back home for calls and messages while in Thailand.

If you suffer from asthma or are concerned about your health in general, then this app will be useful for keeping tabs on air quality around you, and help you in making decisions on areas to visit or not.
This app shows real-time air quality for your current location and lets you check other cities and neighbourhoods on a live map. You can quickly see where the air is cleaner and where the haze is building up.
It also includes air pollution forecasts often up to 7 days ahead.
You can also set up alerts so the app alerts you when air quality drops below your comfort level. Key pollutants such as PM2.5 and others are tracked in real-time. Some versions also include pollen counts, which is great if you’re sensitive during certain seasons.
The air quality throughout Thailand can be variable due to such occurances as the annual northern burn-off of rice field stubble between January to April. This can also affect Bangkok and other central areas. November and December are good months to visit Thailand for air quality because these are the dry and cooler parts of the year that usually have less haze. January and February are the peak tourist season months, but this is when the burning season begins. Mid-May to October is usually best for the lowest air polution levels but this is the hot rainy season which will be uncomfortable for most people.

The primary app for ride-hailing of cars and motorbikes and for food delivery in Thailand is GRAB. There is no UBER in Thailand.
You can see upfront pricing for the many ride types, choose from suggested pick-up points, and pay cashless in-app or use other payment options where available.
You can also send small non-fragile parcels such as documents or food using GrabExpress Bike which is a local instant service. Click on the "Express" icon in the app and enter sender and receiver details.
There are other services available for larger items. You cannot send prohibited items.

Bolt is another handy ride-hailing app similar to Grab that you can use in Thailand to book a car. You pop in your pickup location and destination and the app will then show pricing before you confirm.
This app is active in major Thai cities and tourist areas like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket, Hat Yai and more.
You may see different choices such as Economy, standard cars, Taxi, and sometimes Motorbike options depending on your location.
Bolt supports multiple payment methods, including cash and card. For safety, the app also includes features like Share Location and Ride Details and an in-app Emergency Assist option.

MuvMi is a Bangkok only electric tuk-tuk booking app that makes short trips around the city feel fun and a lot less stressful. You open the app, choose your pick-up and drop-off, and hop into a fully electric tuk-tuk. They are much quieter and cleaner than the traditional vehicle.
This service runs in defined zoned areas that is designed to connect you around those areas and to mass transit.
You can select private or a ride-sharing option, depending on the area. The prices are set within the app, or you can get a tourist “Travel Pass” for all-day hopping on/off around key attractions which is available in supported areas.

ViaBus is a real-time public transport app covering Bangkok and most other  provinces in Thailand.
It can give you routes for buses, minibuses, trains, songthaews (shared pick-up trucks), and ferries.
The app helps you figure out buses and other transport options without the usual confusion. It shows routes, stops, and live vehicle locations on a map, so you can see what’s coming and plan your trip with a lot more confidence. This is especially handy in busy places like Bangkok.
You can search for stops and stations, and get directions with suggested routes.
Services within the app include BMTA buses, BTS Skytrain, MRT subway, Airport Rail Link, boats and ferries.