Thailand Holiday – The Best Advice to Know Before You Go

Thailand tops the list of our favourite countries and at the time of writing it will be our 7th time here.

However, this time we are staying put for 4 months (with a little visa run half way!)

Now that we have started strong and you know how we feel about Thailand, let’s get into the reasons why you should plan a Thailand Holiday!

1 – Do I Need a Visa for my Thailand Holiday?

Visiting Thailand is easy. Many nationalities can visit the Land of Smiles without a visa under the Visa on Arrival rule. These options allow visitors to stay for up to 30 days for free.

You just show up and present your passport, easy isn’t it?!

If you were to leave and re-enter, then your 30 days restart.

Lastly, if you love Thailand as much as we do, then you can visit the local immigration office, fill out a visa extension form, pay 50 Euro and get stamped to allow an extension of 30 days.

If you have time, make sure to check out our amazing 3-week Thailand Itinerary.

2 – What are the Best Thailand Attractions?

The following Thailand attractions represent only a small fraction of what Thailand has to offer and what is even better they come at a fraction of the cost compared to destinations outside of South East Asia.

Bangkok: The bustling capital city is known for its stunning shrines like Wat Arun and Wat Pho, the Grand Palace, vibrant street markets, and vibrant nightlife, and holds number one rank in our favorite cities. Take a temple and city walking tour or visit Thailand’s unique floating markets where vendors sell goods from traditional boats along narrow canals.

Thai Cuisine and Street Food: Exploring the diverse and delicious Thai cuisine is a Thailand attraction in itself. From street food stalls serving pad Thai and mango sticky rice to upscale restaurants. Thailand is a paradise for food lovers

Kanchanaburi: Visit the famous Bridge over the River Kwai as well as one of the most beautiful waterfalls of all time, and our favourite – the seven-tiered Erawan Waterfall. You can also get a tour here using Bangkok as your base.

Phuket: Phuket can be a base for most if not all of your island trips! Thailand’s largest island renowned for its stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, vibrant nightlife. Book your Phuket old town/temples tour.

Phang Nga Bay: Known for its dramatic limestone landscape rising out of emerald-green waters, this area offers boat tours, sea canoeing through caves, and visits to James Bond Island (Khao Phing Kan).

Koh Phi Phi Leh: This island gets a special mention. An uninhabited island near Phi Phi Islands, famous for Maya Bay (featured in the movie “The Beach”). Book your Phi Phi island tour now.

Chiang Mai: A cultural hub in northern Thailand famous for its ancient temples, as well as amazing night bazaars. From here you can also do a day tour to visit the out-of-this-world, enchanting temples in Chiang Ria.

Elephant Sanctuaries: Thailand is now known for opportunities to ethically interact with elephants. Book your life changing experience with these beauties from Chiang Mai or from Phuket.

3 – Thailand Weather: What is the Best Time to Plan a Thailand Holiday?

Generally, Thailand weather involves three seasons: hot, cool, and rainy.

WorldNomads – Travel insurance is our go-to insurance company. They have the best fine print of all travel insurance companies and are number one for a reason.

November to February: This period is considered the high tourist season. It brings cooler and drier Thailand weather, making it an excellent time to explore.

March to May: The weather starts to get hotter and more humid in March and April.

May to October: This period marks Thailand’s rainy season characterized by increased rainfall, particularly from June to October. Thailand travel during this time might include intermittent heavy showers, but it’s also a quieter period with fewer tourists.

It’s also worth considering specific festivals or events you might want to experience. Check out when the best Thailand Festivals are happening to make your Thailand holiday even more incredible!

For instance, Songkran (Thai New Year) in mid-April involves nationwide water fights and is a culturally rich celebration.

Loy Krathong, the Festival of Lights, typically falls in November and is celebrated across the country with floating lanterns on water.

Make sure to consider your interests and preferred activities when planning your Thailand Holiday.

4 – What is The Currency in Thailand?

The Thai Baht is the currency of Thailand (THB). At the time of writing 100 THB is around the 2.60 Euro mark.

5 – Thailand Budget: How Much Should I Budget for my Thailand Holiday?

A Thailand budget can vary significantly based on various factors, including travel style, accommodation preferences, duration of stay, activities planned, and personal spending habits.

However, here’s a rough breakdown to help you plan:

At the time of writing, the US Dollar and Euro were nearly equivalent in value.

Accommodation: Thailand budget accommodations range from 10-30 Euros/night, while mid-range hotels typically cost between 30-50 Euros/night. Luxury resorts or hotels might cost upwards of 50 -100 Euros.

Food: Street food and local eateries offer affordable meals for as little as 1-5 Euros/meal. Prices will increase the more upscale you venture.

Activities: Entrance fees to Thailand attractions and activities vary. Temples and cultural sites might have minimal fees, while adventure activities, tours, or entrance to national parks could range from 10-50 Euros or more per person.

Miscellaneous: Always budget for additional expenses like shopping, nightlife, SIM cards, and unforeseen costs.

As a rough estimate:

• Budget Travelers: A Thailand budget traveler might aim for around 30-50 Euros/day, staying in hostels, eating street food, using public transportation, and engaging in mostly free or low-cost activities.
• Mid-Range Travelers: Mid-range travelers could budget around 50-100 Euros/day, enjoying mid-range hotels, a mix of local and nicer dining options, guided tours, and some additional comfort.
• Luxury Travelers: For luxury travelers, the budget might exceed 150 Euros/per day or more, indulging in upscale accommodations, fine dining, exclusive experiences, and private transportation.

How Much is our Thailand Budget for a Month?

On average our Thailand budget per month is 1000 USD.

On average our accommodation is 15 – 20 Euros per night, and we average spend 15 Euros/USD per day on meals/water/snacks.

Keep in mind we eat in local restaurants. Two delicious meals cost between 3-3.50 Euros.

The majority of the time our accommodation will include: WiFi, AirCon, Cable TV, a private bathroom, a shared swimming pool, and a good location.

You can get even cheaper accommodation without some/any of these features but for those prices, you would be mad not to be the extra couple of quid!

During the peak season, prices tend to rise but will still be very affordable, while during the low season, they become even more affordable!

If you’re planning a Thailand holiday, make sure you take into consideration expenses for Thailand attractions, tours, transport, more luxurious accommodations, and eating out.

We’d suggest a Thailand budget of almost double our spending for a typical Thailand holiday.

Thailand Budget: Food

Thai food is one of our favorite things about Thailand. The flavors, the variety, and the cost. The following video will explain more than words ever could!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kevin and Kate | Happy Irish Wanderers ☘️ (@happyirishwanderers)

Thailand Budget: 7-Eleven

These stores are everywhere, as common as finding smiles in the ‘Land of Smiles.’ You’ll find them on almost every street corner in cities and towns.

Need some 3 AM Pad Thai or emergency flip-flops during your Thailand Holiday? 7-Eleven has got you covered! Forget ‘must-see’ temples; this is the true cultural experience!

*Top Tip: Try the Ham and Cheese Toasties!

Thailand Budget: Accommodation

Choices for fabulous accommodation at an amazing value are endless in Thailand.

As mentioned previously, we are staying in beautiful, practically beach-front accommodation (in peak season) for 20 USD /night.

This is the usual type of price range of our budget. However, we have once in a while “splashed out” on more expensive accommodation.

We feel it is also important to experience absolute 5* luxury that would cost 1000s anywhere else but at only a fraction of the cost in Thailand.

Thailand Budget: Alcohol

Alcohol is widely available in Thailand, including beer, spirits, cocktails, and local beverages. You can find alcohol in convenience stores, supermarkets, bars, restaurants, and from street vendors.

Local Beers: Thailand has several popular local beer brands, such as Singha, Chang, and Leo.

*A large beer costs around 2 euros in a bar/restaurant and a cocktail upwards of 2.60 euros.

6 – Transport – How to Get Around During your Thailand Holiday?

Most of your transport if not all can be booked through the super convenient and affordable 12go.

• Public Transport:
  • Bangkok: In the capital city, Bangkok, public transport options include the BTS Skytrain, MRT subway, public buses, and taxis. Or like us, wander and walk as much as you can, there’s so much to see!
  • Tuk-tuks: These are common modes of transportation in cities and rural areas. Tuk-tuks are three-wheeled vehicles popular for short distances. *Negotiate fares before getting in tuk-tuks.
  • Long-Distance Buses: Travel throughout Thailand is easier than ever before with websites such as 12Go allowing you to easily book tickets online. These services connect cities and towns throughout Thailand and include ferries, trains, large coaches, mini vans, and private transfers at varying costs.
• Domestic Flights:
  • Several domestic airlines operate flights between major cities. This could be the top choice while on a Thailand holiday and time is tight.
• Motorbike or Car Rental:
  • Renting a motorbike or car is an option for more independent travel. However, driving in Thailand might be challenging due to different driving norms and traffic conditions, particularly in cities.
• Motorbike Taxis:
  • Common in urban areas, motorbike taxis offer quick and convenient transport for short distances. Always negotiate fares beforehand. *Or just use Grab…keep reading!

Is There Uber in Thailand?

Uber doesn’t operate in Thailand. Grab is the dominant ride-hailing service in Thailand and offers services similar to Uber.

Grab is widely used and available in major cities like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and other urban areas throughout the country.

Another great thing about Grab is that they are also a food delivery service. Great for those late days out exploring and you just want to relax in your accommodation

7 – Can you use ATMs in Thailand?

ATMs are widely available throughout Thailand in urban areas, towns, tourist destinations, and even smaller towns usually have them available.

A good idea is to order a travel card from your bank or order a Revolut travel money card to avoid any additional fees/charges.

Be aware that ATMs in Thailand will charge you 200-220 Baht per transaction regardless of what card you use.

8 – What Socket Type to use During my Thailand Holiday?

In Thailand, type C is the official plug.

Why not just purchase a Multi Travel Adapter so you are prepared for any plug type?!

9 – Is it Safe to Visit Thailand?

Given that Thailand is also known as the “Land of Smiles“, it is here you will encounter some of the friendliest, most welcoming, and yes, smiley people in the world.

We have never experienced any safety issues during our 7 times in Thailand and feel extremely safe here – be it in cities, rural, day or night.

However, this is not to say you should not take precautions, always use your gut instinct regarding your own safety as you would anywhere in the world.

Below are some areas of caution to consider:

Personal Safety: Thailand is relatively safe for tourists. Violent crimes against tourists are rare, but petty theft and scams can occur, especially in crowded tourist areas.

Health and Hygiene: Be mindful of food and water hygiene to avoid traveler’s diarrhea or food-related illnesses. We would recommend drinking bottled water.

Motorbike Rentals: Motorbike accidents are relatively common, so if you’re renting a motorbike, don’t be stupid and wear a helmet.

Cultural Sensitivities: Respect local customs, traditions, and cultural practices. Dress modestly when visiting temples or religious sites and remove shoes before entering sacred places.

Scams: Be cautious of scams, particularly in tourist areas. Common scams include tuk-tuk scams and offers that seem too good to be true.

Natural Disasters: Thailand can experience natural disasters like tropical storms, floods, and earthquakes, especially during certain seasons. Stay informed about weather conditions and follow local authorities’ advice in case of emergency.

10 – What Language is Spoken in Thailand?

While Thai is the primary language, English is also spoken and understood to varying degrees, particularly in urban areas, tourist destinations, and among younger generations.

Basic knowledge of Thai phrases can be helpful for communication and just a nice and considerate thing to do when interacting with locals. We’ll help you out with some of the basics:

• Sawadee (Krap/Ka): (Hello) – “Sawadee krap” (used by males) or “Sawadee ka” (used by females) is a polite greeting.
• Kob khun (Krap/Ka): (Thank you) – “Kob khun krap” (male) or “Kob khun ka” (female) to express gratitude.
• Chai: (Yes) – Used for affirming or agreeing.
• Mai Chai: (No) – Used for negation or disagreement.
• Mai Pen Rai: (It’s okay / Never mind) – Used to express “no problem” or “don’t worry about it.”
• Sabai Dee Mai (Krap/Ka): (How are you?) – “Sabai dee mai krap” (male) or “Sabai dee mai ka” (female) to ask someone how they are.
• Aroy: (Delicious) – Used to compliment food that you find tasty.
• Hong Nam: (Restroom/Bathroom) – Useful when looking for facilities.
• Laeo: (Goodbye) – A casual way to bid farewell.
• Ao kráp/ka: (Please) – Used to make requests or ask for something politely.

11 – What SIM Card to Get for Thailand Travel?

Obtaining a SIM card in Thailand is a relatively straightforward process. On our last few visits to Thailand, we purchased sim cards at the airport – before you leave the baggage claim area in both Phuket and Bangkok airports.

The deals and value offered at the airports actually proved cheaper than in shops such as 7-Eleven.

We purchased DTAC Happy SIM Cards at Phuket airport and received 150GB for 90 days for 19.60 Euros.

To purchase a SIM card, you will generally need to provide identification so don’t forget your passport!

12 – What Packing Essentials do I Need for my Thailand Travel?

This is the same list we recommend for the majority of our travels.

• Dry bag – for those island tour days
• Multi Travel Adapter – so you are prepared for any plug type!
• Battery Pack – if you have any long bus journeys or to charge your phone from all the photos taken.
• A light long pants/skirt and shawl/t-shirt – when visiting temples/religious sites
• Light Rain-coat – if visiting in the wet-season.
• Flip Flops (or thongs!)
• Light clothing – because you will be sweating
• Download apps such as Google Translate, Google Maps, and Booking.com.
• Utilize budget apps such as TravelSpend to keep track of your spending.
• A sense of adventure and a BIG SMILE.

You can find the full list of our travel tips below.

77 Easy Travel Tips: From Real Experiences Traveling The World

13 – Is Thailand Worth Visiting?

I’m sure you can tell by now if you are still reading, that we absolutely love Thailand and our view is “what’s not to love?!”

Ultimately, the reasons for loving and visiting Thailand are as diverse as the experiences the country offers. It’s a charming country that truly captivates visitors with its culture, warmth, natural beauty, and diverse range of experiences.

Put simply, 100% Thailand is worth visiting.

Enjoy Your Thailand Travel!

To summarise, extremely briefly:

From Thailand’s rich culture to its delicious food and natural landscapes including beaches, mountains, and jungles.

A range of Thailand attractions for the more adventurous such as snorkelling and rock climbing. Vibrant and exciting cities that will blow your mind! All the while interacting with some of the most beautiful people inside and out.

All of this can be experienced on a life-changing trip at an extremely affordable Thailand budget.

A Thailand Holiday is a top choice among first-time travelers as well as the more seasoned travelers.

Even now we are discovering new parts and experiences of Thailand all these years later. Yet we are always greeted with a familiar homely feeling.

We love talking about Thailand and all things Thailand travel, so we would love to hear your thoughts about it, or if you have any more questions just send us a message below.

Slán go fóil