Thailand Travel Guide
Thailand: Essential information
Find the most important tips for your tour of this beautiful country in our Thailand travel guide.
Thailand offers something for everyone! Imagine lounging on an idyllic sun-drenched beach one day, exploring ancient ruins the next, gyrating to music at one of the many nightclubs the following day, trekking through tribal hill villages yet the next day and another day spent being pampered at luxury or beach-side spas.
Thailand boasts a strong cultural heritage, where traditions and customs are handed down through generations and the progressive society finds its roots in ancient wisdom. National sensibilities are closely interwoven with Buddhist religious sentiments. As a tourist destination, Thailand is a fascinating mix of glittering temples, incredible festivals, beautiful tropical islands and delicious cuisine.
On your Thailand tour, discover a rapidly growing economy that has long since progressed from being another developing nation, even as it has preserved its rich heritage and culture.
Along with the helpful information given here, our experts have also put together a guide on Thailand’s weather, which can help you decide on the best time to visit this lovely country.
Health information
The WHO highly recommends certain vaccinations when visiting Thailand, such as Adult Diphtheria, Tetanus & Pertussis, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR), Typhoid and Varicella. For visitors staying over 30 days, vaccinations like Influenza, Japanese B Encephalitis, Rabies and Tuberculosis are recommended. HIV is rife in Thailand and caution needs to be exercised. Visitors are also advised to check with their doctor (or a medical clinic which specializes in overseas travel) about prudent health precautions before going. Tourists should always carry/use bottled water.
Pasteurized, homogenized, and powdered milk are safe. Stick to meat and fish that are well cooked, and avoid raw vegetables and unpeeled fruit. Also, beverages containing ice can be unsafe and are best avoided. It is also a good idea to carry some form of prescriptive drug or antibiotic to treat diarrhea.
Most large cities in Thailand now have clinics catering specifically to travelers and expats, and although these can be costlier than local facilities, they offer a superior standard of care. The capital city Bangkok is a major center for medical care, with some large private hospitals providing modern facilities. Those needing prescription drugs should bring renewal prescriptions if considered necessary.
Currency and cards
Carrying plenty of cash for tipping and purchases in local markets and shops is recommended. ATMs are commonly available everywhere in Thailand and are generally the best option for withdrawing Thai Baht during your trip. Credit cards are generally accepted at most hotels, restaurants and larger stores.
In Thailand, while tips are not expected, they are gladly accepted. Tips generally amount to about 10 – 20% of the bill.
As is the case when traveling anywhere, it is prudent to take certain basic precautions to safeguard yourself and your money. Our experts have listed some tips, such as having a purse that can be worn close to your body as one of your travel essentials for Thailand.
Language and communication
The official language in Thailand is, naturally, ‘Thai’, however, there are regional variations. In addition to ‘Thai’, several minority languages such as Laotian (dialect of Isan), Yawi (dialect of Malay) and Teochew (dialect of Chinese), are spoken in Thailand. English is a mandatory subject in schools and is considered the language of the elite, but it is less frequently spoken outside the cities.
Local customs in Thailand
Thai people are generally relaxed, polite and tolerant. Nevertheless, it is advisable to acquaint yourself with the culture and social norms before you travel. About 90% of the people follow Theravada Buddhism (a subgroup of Himayana Buddhism), and Buddhist influence is felt in every aspect of Thai culture. Muslims are the second largest community in Thailand, followed by Christians, Hindus and people from other faiths.
Thai people generally do not shake hands with one another but fold their palms together in greeting when they meet. While in Thailand, avoid touching others heads. Touching people or objects with your foot is considered rude in Thailand. When you enter a private residence, be sure to take off your shoes. Public displays of affection are generally frowned upon.
Shopping
Do not miss the country’s largest market, the Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok where you could very well polish your bargaining skills while sporting a big smile on your face. Bangkok is also famous for its ‘after dark shopping’ which makes shopping more fun even after a long day of sightseeing. Don’t forget to pay a visit to the colorful Pak Khlong Talad Flower Market, which is famous for its unbeatable variety of fresh flowers. For those who prefer the mall experience, MBK, Siam Paragon, Central World and The Emporium are some of the worth visiting malls in Thailand.
Our travel consultants are happy to share more Thailand travel tips and help you plan your personalized, private tour. Contact us for your obligation-free itinerary.
Popular Trips to Thailand
Best Places To Visit
Best Time To Visit
In general, the best time to travel to Thailand is the cooler season from November to February, but this varies from region to region. Read our guide for more information on the weather and when to go on luxury Thailand beaches and culture tours.
Things To Do
Paradise beaches, magnificent temples, lush jungles in the north, and Bangkok, the city of angels – Thailand is full of treasures! Follow this link for our list of the top ten things to do on your Thailand tour.
Safety
The level of safety and security you can expect in Thailand is the same as most other Southeast Asian tourist destinations. However, it is prudent to take steps to ensure your trip is stress-free. Here are some simple safety rules to follow when you visit Thailand.
From the Blog
What Our Guests Say
What Our Guests Say
“Katie planned an AMAZING honeymoon to Thailand for us and it was more than we could have every asked for. During the initial planning phase, my fiance and I knew we wanted to get the full Thailand experience, but really didn’t know what we wanted to see, where we wanted to stay, or what kinds of excursions we wanted to do. Katie listened to our ideas, likes / dislikes, and asked questions about our budget. She really tailored our honeymoon to fit our desire to experience the culture of Thailand … while still relaxing and being “on vacation.” The actual trip itself went off without a hitch, thanks for the detailed communication between the app and our trip concierge, Rahul. Having a dedicated guide and driver for each leg of the trip gave us the “hand holding” that we wanted for our honeymoon – just being able to relax and enjoy without worrying about the logistics. Also, the fact that everything was private made it that much better – we could really appreciate the romantic honeymoon and spend time with each other, without any distractions. All of our accommodations were top tier … without the top tier price. One of my biggest fears when traveling is that a hotel is not as great as advertised, or is in a shady area, etc. But I totally trusted Katie’s knowledge and experience and never once had those worries on this trip. I love how Katie was able to find us luxurious hotels that fit within our budget. Every hotel knew it was our honeymoon, thanks to Enchanting Travels, and provided a little something special at welcome. I highly recommend Enchanting Travels (and Katie!) and 100% would book another vacation again with them. I am usually a “DIY” type of traveler, but this trip now has me spoiled.”
November 2024 Rating 5/5
“I had an amazing trip to Thailand with Enchanting travels … well organized , great tours and guides , contact with my agent almost daily … I recommend this company highly”
February 2025 Rating 5/5
“Kate helped plan our trip to Thailand. Every aspect was amazing from the locations we visited, to the hotels, to the activities that we did. Top notch service and would highly recommend to anyone!”
December 2025 Rating 5/5
“We just came back from Vietnam, Cambodia,Laos,and Thailand. From the time we first called and spoke to Kate who helped us set up our itinerary,to the time we got to all our stops,we were met by guides and drivers who were all wonderful. Knowing we had a concierge that we could call at anytime this trip was 45 days from Feb 6- March 20. This trip was a trip of a lifetime and very grateful that we found Enchanting Tours. I recommend them highly. Ed Pino Liz Baum”
March 2025 Rating 5/5
“Enchanting Travels exquisitely prepared our excursion from top-to-bottom based on our initial discussions regarding our desires for our trip. From cities, sites, tours, hotels, & activities, we were immersed in our favorite style of travel: get involved in activities [culinary class, organic farming, yes – and of course care of the elephants], great knowledgeable guides, local food tasting as one priority, and trying different modes of local transport [from car, boat, bicycle, Cyclo-cross, Tuk-Tuk, Long Boat, gondola, canoe, Vespa scooter, and even a bamboo raft]. The hotels were specifically selected for their local style, and the sites were all well represented and included off-the-beaten path historical and natural treasures. The oversight of our trip via the App as well as 24/7 coordinator involvement made it totally hassle-free.”
January 2025 Rating 5/5
“Enchanting Travels and their staff put together a trip of a lifetime. We hadn’t traveled to Asia before and were nervous about what to expect or how to navigate once we were there. We also really didn’t know what we wanted to do other than a few expectations. We went to four countries with multiple hotels, flights and boat excursions. I cannot believe that the 5 week trip went off with out any hitches! Everything was so smooth and effortless. We did not worry about anything the whole time we were there. It was comforting to know that our trip coordinator was there for us if we needed her and she certainly responded quickly if we did have a need or question. The choices for hotels that Enchanting Travels recommended were superb and the guides and driver were knowledgeable and fun. I can not speak more highly of all of their services and plan on using them again for another big trip.”
January 2025 Rating 5/5