Travellers' overview

Visa requirements

Visitors from many nations are entitled to a 30-day visa on arrival. However, there are a range of options for longer stays and multiple entries.

Full info on visas for Thailand

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Getting there

International airports: Bangkok, Chiang Mai
Land borders: Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar.

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Ideas & things to do

• Learn to Scuba dive
• Thai boxing
• Tiger Temple
• Elephant trekking
• Visit the hill tribes
• Khao Sahn Road
• Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
• Chill on an island
• Grand Palace, Bangkok
• A Full Moon Party

Full info on ideas and things to do

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Climate advice

Escape Britain at its parkiest and visit Thailand between November and February for dry, sunny days and occasionally cool evenings. February to May is hot and sultry, May to October is the seriously-humid, rainy season.

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Etiquette and stuff

Be prepared to barter for items on street stalls and at markets. It is considered the norm and will be expected. But don’t get angry or raise your voice. Just smile and agree a deal.

If you visit a temple or royal residence you will have to take off your shoes and cover up legs (girls have to cover up arms.) They usually have things you can borrow to cover up if you need to.

You'll read this everywhere, but just to confirm. DO NOT insult the King or the royal family. The King is well respected by all Thais and they will not tolerate any insults towards him. This includes anything bearing the King's image like a stamp or a coin, so be careful!

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Handy phrases

It's very easy to pick up a few words and phrases. Worth expending a bit of mental energy on it as it'll make your life easier and endear you to the locals to some extent.

With most of these greetings, it is necessary to end your sentence/phrase with khrab for men and kaa for women.

- Sawat-dee - Hello/Goodbye
- La-gon - Goodbye
- Lao jer gun - See you again
- Chok dee - Good luck

More useful words and phrases for Thailand

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Help and assistance

UK representation in Thailand

British Embassy
1031 Wireless Road
Lumpini, Pathumwan
Bangkok
10330
Tel: (66) (2) 305 8333
Fax: (66) (2) 255 8619

Click here >> for their website

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Ideas of cost

Food: £2 - £3 per day
Accommodation: £2 - £3 for a dorm bed, £10 - £20 for singles in most hotels
Travel: A 12 hour journey can cost as little as £1.50, but it will vary from one travel agent to another.
Beer: 80p will buy you a decent sized Chang or Singha beer.

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Nightlife & going out

Nightlife ranges from international super clubs in Bangkok to the seedy sex shows of Patpong and Pattaya. Unless you've managed to get a long way off the beaten track, you won't be short of something to do of an evening. Of course, there's also the legendary / infamous Full Moon Parties on Koh Phangan...

More on Full Moon Parties

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Staying healthy

FCO guidelines:
There are excellent international hospitals in Bangkok but they can be expensive. Ordinary hospitals and clinics in Thailand are not always up to UK standards. This applies particularly to the coastal islands and many mainland districts outside of Bangkok, where hospitals and clinics are not equipped to deal with major trauma.

Seek medical advice about endemic diseases before travelling. Dengue fever is on the increase in Thailand. The dengue-carrying mosquito is most active during the day and you should consider using insect repellent.

Thailand has an epidemic of HIV infection and AIDS. Heterosexual transmission accounts for most HIV infections and HIV is common among prostitutes of both sexes.

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Staying in touch

Internet, email, landlines, mobiles and post are all cheap(ish), available and affordable in Thailand.

Full information here >>