Thailand has a tropical monsoon climate, divided into three main seasons:

• Cool and dry season (November - February): Pleasant weather, little rain, temperatures ranging from 25-30°C.
• Hot season (March - May): High temperatures, reaching up to 40°C, with intense heat.
• Rainy season (June - October): Heavy rainfall, especially in September and October.

Northern Thailand

Cooler winters, with nighttime temperatures dropping below 15°C. Best time to visit Northern Thailand: November - February (cool, pleasant weather with light cold breezes).

Central Thailand

High temperatures year-round, especially hot in April and May. Best time to visit Central Thailand: November - February (cooler, sunny, and not too hot).

Southern Thailand

Milder climate, with heavy rainfall in September and October.

• Best time to visit the East Coast of Thailand (Chumphon, Surat Thani, Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan): January - July (clear skies, sunshine, and little rain).
• Best time to visit the West Coast of Thailand (Phuket, Krabi, Trang, Phang Nga): November - April (beautiful sunny weather, little rain, and calm seas).

Ride-sourcing

In Thailand, Grab is a convenient app that helps you find suitable transportation. The app offers a variety of services, including motorbike rides, and taxis. The app supports two languages: English and Thai. Additionally, Grab drivers in Thailand typically do not call customers before arrival. They rely on the map location and go directly to the specified address. Therefore, you should pay attention to the license plate number to identify the correct vehicle.

Tuk-tuk

These three-wheeled vehicles are typically bright blue. They have a small front cabin with space for two people, including the driver. The rear cabin is relatively spacious, accommodating 4 to 7 passengers. The back of the vehicle has no glass windows, leaving it open for tourists to enjoy the view while traveling.

MRT (Bangkok only)

The MRT subway system in Thailand is an underground rail transport system considered the most efficient and fastest way to travel within Bangkok. It operates from 06:00 to 00:00, with trains running every 7-9 minutes.

No Thailand visa required for nearly 100 countries!

Nationals of 98 countries and territories can enjoy visa-free entry to Thailand for tourism, with stays ranging from 14 to 90 days, depending on nationality.

Some eligible nationalities include: EU member states, ASEAN member states, USA, UK, Australia, and more!

Check if your country qualifies for visa exemption on the official Thai eVisa website!

Money Matters

The official currency of Thailand is the Thai baht (THB), symbolized as ฿. Thai banknotes come in various denominations, each with distinct colors and designs: 20 THB – Green, 50 THB – Blue, 100 THB – Red, 500 THB – Purple, 1,000 THB – Brown. Coins are also widely used, with values ranging from 1 to 10 baht.

Money Exchange

Upon arriving in Thailand, it's advisable to have some Thai baht on hand. You can exchange currency at airports, banks, and authorized exchange counters. ATMs are also widely available, allowing withdrawals in local currency using international cards.

Tip

To quickly convert from THB to USD, divide by 35 for an approximate value.

Safety issues

✅ Take a hotel business card from the reception desk. Handing it to the taxi driver will help you return to your hotel easier.
✅ Be careful in crowded areas such as local festivals and tourist sites to avoid gambling and pickpocketing.
✅ Leave crucial documents such as your passport and visa in the safety box at your hotel.

Outfits

✅ Wear formal clothes that cover your knees and shoulders when visiting spiritual or cultural sites.
✅ Bring plastic boots and light raincoats along in case of bad weather; sports shoes and clothes along for the trekking activities in Sapa and other mountainous areas.

Toiletries & Medication

✅ Many medicines are accessible in Indochina without prescriptions, but they may be out-of-date or of poor quality.
✅ While imported beauty products are available in major cities, it is best to pack toiletries such as sunscreen, contact lens solution, tampons, and mosquito repellent.

Shopping

✅ Bargaining is necessary when shopping in Vietnam, but it's important to approach it with respect. You should reach a fair agreement that satisfies both yourself and the seller/provider, rather than just aiming for the lowest price.
✅ It is recommended that you check the prices of the same items in the neighborhood before reaching a deal.
✅ You should get shipping insurance and check the policy's details if you choose to have the items shipped to your house. Store owners are not responsible for any damages incurred en route.