Thailand

Thailand Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors

Thailand is the classic Southeast Asia starter country—friendly, affordable, easy to move around, and packed with variety. Bangkok’s temples and street food, Chiang Mai’s mountains and elephants, the historic ruins of Ayutthaya and Sukhothai, and then beaches and islands in the south (Phuket, Krabi, Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan, Koh Tao, Koh Lipe)—you can fit several styles of trip into one itinerary. Tourism is well developed, English is widely understood in tourist areas, and there is a huge range of accommodation, from hostels to luxury pool villas. At the same time, Thailand has its own rhythm and etiquette, and first-timers should know the basics about money, SIM cards, transport, and common scams. This guide gives you practical, SEO-friendly info so you can land in Thailand confident and ready to explore.

Cities, Towns & Attractions Popular with Tourists

Bangkok: Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Chinatown, Khao San Road, malls and rooftop bars, Chao Phraya river cruising.
Chiang Mai: Old City temples, night bazaars, cooking classes, digital-nomad cafés, gateways to elephant sanctuaries (choose ethical ones) and mountain villages.
Chiang Rai: White Temple (Wat Rong Khun), Blue Temple, Golden Triangle region.
Ayutthaya & Sukhothai: Historic capitals with temple ruins—easy day trip from Bangkok (Ayutthaya) or a stopover when heading north.
Phuket: Biggest island with beaches, nightlife, island-hopping to Phi Phi and Phang Nga Bay, big choice of hotels.
Krabi (Ao Nang/Railay): Limestone cliffs, beautiful beaches, kayaking, good for families and climbers.
Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan, Koh Tao: Gulf of Thailand islands—Samui for resorts, Pha Ngan for parties but also quiet bays, Tao for diving.
Koh Lanta, Koh Lipe, Trang islands: More relaxed, great beaches, good for couples and families.

Good to Know

Best time to visit: Cool/dry season is roughly Nov–Feb and is the easiest for first-timers. Hot season Mar–May; rainy/green season Jun–Oct (still very manageable, but watch for sea conditions).
Regional weather: Andaman Sea side (Phuket/Krabi) and Gulf side (Samui/Pha Ngan/Tao) can have slightly different rainy patterns—if one side is rainy, often the other is better.
Cultural etiquette: The Thai monarchy is highly respected—do not speak disrespectfully. Dress modestly for temples (shoulders and knees covered). Take off shoes when required.
Food & water: Street food is excellent—eat where it is busy and fresh. Drink bottled/filtered water.
ATMs & 7-Eleven: 7-Eleven is everywhere and makes travel very easy.

Currency & Budget

Currency: Thai Baht (THB).

Exchange rate: In 2025, 1 USD often buys around THB 34–38, and 1 EUR around THB 36–40, but it moves—check a live rate before you fly.

Average daily budget (approx.):

Backpacker: 30–55 USD/day – hostel/guesthouse, street food, ferries/buses, a few cheap tours.
Midrange: 70–140 USD/day – nice hotels, domestic flights, island-hopping, better restaurants, massages.
Luxury: 180–350+ USD/day – beachfront resorts, private transfers, premium excursions, spa.

Tipping: Not mandatory, but rounding up or leaving 20–50 THB at casual places is appreciated; 10% for table service in nicer restaurants; tip masseuses and drivers.

Credit card acceptance: Good in Bangkok, malls, major restaurants, hotels, and big island businesses. Smaller shops, markets, street food, and longtail boat operators prefer cash.

ATMs: ATMs are everywhere, but many charge a flat fee (often 200–250 THB) for foreign cards. To reduce fees, withdraw larger amounts less frequently and use a no/low-fee card.

Best way to get local cash: Withdraw THB from a bank ATM in Bangkok or at the airport, and keep small notes for tuk-tuks, markets, tips, and rural areas.

Language & Communication

Official language: Thai.
English: Widely spoken in tourist areas, hotels, and tour agencies; less so in rural areas—learn a few Thai phrases (“Sawasdee,” “Khob khun,” “Tao rai?”).

SIM cards / eSIM

Main operators: AIS, TrueMove H, and DTAC.
Where to buy: Airports (Bangkok Suvarnabhumi/Don Mueang, Phuket), malls, and 7-Eleven. Bring your passport for registration.
Tourist eSIM: Very convenient—buy online before arrival and activate on landing.
Coverage: Excellent in cities and main islands; can be weaker on remote beaches or small islands—download offline maps.

Power Plugs & Voltage

Voltage: 220V, 50 Hz.
Plugs: Mostly Type A, B, C, and O; many hotels have universal sockets. Bring a universal adapter just in case.

Getting Around

Domestic flights: Often the fastest and good value—Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi, Samui, and Isan cities.
Trains: Comfortable for Bangkok–Ayutthaya–Chiang Mai (book sleepers early).
Buses & minivans: Connect almost every tourist area; quality varies—use reputable companies or book through your hotel.
Ferries & speedboats: Essential for the islands—check sea/weather conditions and book trusted operators.
In Bangkok: BTS Skytrain, MRT, Chao Phraya river boats, taxis, and Grab. Avoid rush-hour traffic if possible.
Tuk-tuks: Iconic and fun but usually more expensive than metered taxis—always agree the fare first.

Safety

Overall: Thailand is very popular and generally safe for tourists, including solo women.
Petty theft: The most common issue—keep bags in front in markets and on boats; use hotel safes.
Road safety: Scooter accidents are common—if you rent, wear a helmet and drive only if experienced; police may check licenses.
Nature & marine: Obey flags on beaches, watch for jellyfish in some seasons, and follow dive/snorkel briefings.

Common Tourist Scams & Annoyances

“Temple is closed” scam (Bangkok): A tuk-tuk driver says a temple is closed and offers to take you shopping instead—ignore and go to the official entrance.
Gem/tailor scams: Avoid “today only” luxury deals; buy from reputable shops.
Taxi/tuk-tuk overcharging: In Bangkok, ask the taxi to use the meter or take Grab; agree tuk-tuk fares in advance.
Jet ski damages (some beaches): Rent only from reputable operators and photograph the jet ski before use.
Party/drink spiking: Watch your drink in nightlife areas, and do not leave belongings unattended.

Start with Bangkok, add Chiang Mai, and finish on an island—this classic triangle gives you culture, food, and beach in one easy Thailand trip.