If you plan to take a trip to Thailand, you’re in for an adventure from the very start. So buckle up and be ready for some crazy good days! A country in Southeast Asia, Thailand is well-known for its picturesque beaches and golden shores. 

A place hit by those with wanderlust, Thailand delivers through its stunning visuals, vivid spaces, and glistening waters. This guide is your one-stop for everything you need to know before you step into Thailand, the essential insights and insider tips that would make the journey smoother, enriching, and unforgettable!

50 Things to Know About Thailand

1. The word Thai literally translates to “free man” in the native language. It is said that Thailand was historically called “Siam” before 1939.

2. Popularly known as the “land of smiles,” Thailand is known for its friendly locals who always have a warm smile to spare when you pass by them.

3. Thailand is a constitutional monarchy ruled by King Maha Vajiralongkorn. He is the only living heir after the passing of his father in 2016. It is also noted that he is the wealthiest monarch in the world.

4. While North Thailand is home to several mountains, the southern part hosts beaches and islands on the Andaman Sea. These islands are stunning, with vibrant marine life, crystal clear waters, and white sandy beaches that attract millions of tourists the whole year round. With over 147 national parks in the country, the Khao Yai is the most visited spot among tourists. 

5. Thailand is divided into 76 provinces (Changwat) and a special administrative area – Bangkok. The provinces are further divided into districts called Amphoe and sub-districts Tambon.

6. Though the common practice is for tourists to purchase their SIM cards at the airport, you can buy them at cheaper rates across Thailand. Refer to our guide on SIM card purchases and the networks available for a better understanding.

7. Thailand operates with four associated plug types: A, B, C, and F. Thailand operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz. You need to carry a travel adapter with you. Be careful while plugging in electric appliances as we encountered sparks almost all the times we tried to plug in the charger in hotels and hostels.

8. Here are the emergency contact numbers that one must have handy.

• Tourist Police: 1155
• Ambulance and Fire: 191
• Road accidents: 1146

9. The official currency of Thailand is the Thai Baht or THB. One Thai Baht is divided into 100 Satangs. However, we didn’t come across any Satangs in use while traveling in Thailand.

10. It is common to see QR payments being used amongst the locals holding bank accounts in Thailand. The tourists and visitors are seen making cash or card payments. Since most payments are made in cash for attractions such as entry fees, accommodations, food, and transport, it is best to withdraw how much is needed. 

11. The best time to visit Thailand is between November and March, when the weather is at its best throughout the country, with lesser humidity. April and May are the peak of the summer season. The monsoon season starts in June and ends in late October, and whilst Thailand is open throughout the year, certain regions remain inaccessible during the peak monsoon season. 

12. The VISA processing is simplified for tourists visiting Thailand. You can check the list for countries offered visa-free or visa-on-arrival. We were able to visit Thailand visa-free, as the exemption was in place for Indians for a brief duration.

13. The official language spoken by the residents is Thai. The English speakers in the country account for only 27.16% of the population. The instructions and direction boards are bilingual in English and Thai for travelers’ convenience. 

14. An entry fee is applicable for both Thai people and foreigners. For entering the White Temple at Chiang Rai, entry is free for citizens of Thailand, while all foreigners have to pay 100 THB as the entry fee. 

15. We advise you not to drink water from the tap in Thailand. A 600 ml bottle of water costs 10 THB, and the price further reduces when you buy in bulk. You can see the locals buying bottles or refilling water across the country. You can refill 1 L of water for 1 THB. The blue-colored water refill machines are easy to use – just insert the coin and press the green button. It works automatically, filling and stopping. 

16. Touted as one of the safest Southeast Asian countries, and popular among international tourists, it also hosts a hoard of solo female travelers. During our 30-day long stay in the country, we encountered no instances of theft or robbery. 

17. 7-Eleven, Lotus, Tops, Big C, and Mini C are widely found in convenience stores nationwide. Most products don’t have an expiry date or MRP (Maximum Retail Price). For instance, 600 ml of one water bottle costs 10 THB in cities while the same costs 20 THB on islands like Phi Phi. We noticed the price difference in 7-Eleven, where the cost of the products depends on the store’s location, even if they’re found just two streets apart.

18. Thailand disposes of tonnes of plastic daily, but you would not be able to find any littered on the roads or water canals. The discipline displayed by the country contributes to cleanliness. Every night, people are seen leaving their trash outside their homes and shops, wrapped in plastic bags that would be cleared the very next day. The country has excellent waste management and drainage systems. 

19. The road infrastructure in the country is excellent. You would not feel like you are traveling in an Asian country, with the great condition of the road and broad lanes in the cities and highways. You can also see Thailand residents follow the traffic rules. 

20. The railways, roadways, and airways connect back to the main cities. The most popular route is between Bangkok and Chiang Mai. You can use Google Maps to navigate the routes and to know the public bus connectivity in the capital city. Unfortunately, Uber doesn’t run its services here. Car services are widely used in Thailand. We have a whole blog detailing transportation in Thailand; be sure to check that out. 

21. The airports have 24-hour free WiFi available. You can also find free WiFi services in several public spaces in the country, including airport buses, long-distance transports, petrol bunks, etc.

22. Cash is the preferred form of payment at most tourist entrances. USD currency is not accepted as entry fees. A standard fee of 220 THB is charged for every cash withdrawal from ATMs in all the banks across Thailand.

23. The commonly used food delivery services in different cities in Thailand are Line Man, Grab, and Food Panda. Grab is the most popular and widely used service of the three. 

24. Most Thai people are non-vegetarians. Chicken and pork are consumed every day, and so is beef. However, finding vegetarian or vegan food is not challenging in popular cities like Chiang Mai or Bangkok. However, despite the vegetarian restaurants spread out in the cities, they are limited in other parts of the country.

25. Booking.com, Expedia, and Agoda are widely used for booking accommodations in Thailand. We used booking.com on our whole trip and faced no issues. Since Thailand is a tourist hub for several travelers worldwide, numerous stays are available, ranging from budget hostels to luxury resorts. The walk-in rates are usually higher when compared to the online prices.

26. Thai cuisine is the most affordable. Other cuisines like Chinese, Japanese, Indian, and Italian, to name a few are pricier. Thai food, in general, is low on spice, even if it is mentioned as being spicy.  If you want the food to be spicy, request the same while ordering or add chili flakes. We’ve written about our favorite Thai dishes you shouldn’t miss while visiting Thailand. Make sure to check it out!

27. Thailand does not follow a strict tipping culture. You can tip people for their service based on your discretion. We’d suggest giving at least 5-10% of the bill amount.

28. Thailand is a tropical country with a weather pattern that roughly leans towards being dry and humid all year round. The temperature ranges from 18℃ to 38℃. Pack a jacket if you’re planning to travel to North Thailand, to places like Pai or Mae Hong Son. Otherwise, winter clothes and layering are not needed even during the season. Sunscreen, sunglasses, hats, mosquito repellents, swimsuits, and a lock and key, on the other hand, are a must.

29. Although Thailand is very lenient on the dress code, nudity is strictly prohibited. While visiting holy places of worship, you should cover your shoulders and knees (only for women) or you will be denied from entering. People wear bikinis on the beaches of the south. Wearing shorts and tank tops is common in all parts of the country.

30. 92.5% of the Thai population follows Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity. Several tourist agencies offer pilgrim tours. The country is adorned with ornate Buddhist temples (wats) that showcase exquisite craftsmanship and religious art. Of all the temples, the White Temple at Chiang Rai is unique and grand and demands your visit at least once.

31. The working days of the week are Monday to Friday. Saturday and Sunday are considered weekend holidays.

32. Tourists need an International driving license to drive in Thailand. Although the two-wheeler rental shops don’t demand one, hefty fines are collected if caught by the police. But, the officials are often not found on the road and are so friendly with tourists unless there are accidents.

33. Do not ride a motorcycle without a helmet. It is mandatory for both the rider and the pillion to wear a helmet. Also, revise the basic road rules once before driving. For instance, they drive on the left side of the road.

34. Thailand accepts LGBTQ. About 8% of the population is said to be in the LGBTQ demographic.

35. The telephone number in Thailand has nine digits. The country code is +66. To call the people of Thailand from another country, add + or 00 before the access code 66.

36. Did you know? Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand and holds the Guinness world record for the longest place name, which contains 168 letters (without spaces). It is the official name, while the short version has 111 letters.

37. There are seven UNESCO World Heritage sites in Thailand, four classified as classical and three as natural. 

38. Thailand doesn’t demand vaccination certificates for a visit. We were not checked for these certificates upon arriving in Thailand. However, it is recommended that you get yourself vaccinated before traveling to Asia. 

39. People wear masks at all times. With tourists visiting all year round, people wear masks to protect themselves, even though the COVID-19 pandemic is in the past. Even the railway stations recommend that you wear masks at all times. 

40. Laundry services are available across Thailand. The price starts at 20 THB and goes up from there. Drying and ironing are separately charged services. While the locals offer services concerning per kilogram, you can also use the 24*7 washing machines where you can bulk load your clothes and start them on your own with the help of the instructions given.

41. You can find neat and clean restrooms across Thailand. Some places have both squat type and western style, while the western type is commonly found in accommodation and shopping centers. You might be charged 3 THB in a few public restrooms for maintenance. Carry toilet paper if necessary, as water is widely used in South Asian countries.

42. Thailand is one of the most affordable countries to visit in Asia. We explored on a budget averaging just about 1000 THB a day during our travels. But remember, this largely depends on the hotel you stay at, the food you eat, the attractions you choose to visit, and the mode of transport you opt for.

43. Celebrated in April are the Songkran, the Thai New Year, and the world’s largest water festival. Some other notable festivals in Thailand include the Ghost Festival in June, the Monkey Buffet Festival in November, Yi Peng and Loi Krathong in October or November, and the Chiang Mai Flower Festival in February.

44. Illegal or not, Sex tourism does exist in Thailand. Several red-light districts in Bangkok and Pattaya’s walking street remain a hub for international sex tourism.

45. Decorative streetlights are a thing in Thailand. The main streets of the cities of Chiang Rai, Krabi, and Phuket are elegantly decorated in a style that is captivating to look at.

46. As Indians, we felt Thailand to be expensive in terms of medical treatments. It is better to have travel insurance with you. We strongly recommend you to get one.

47. Thai residents are some of the most hardworking, business-minded people. When you wander the streets, you can observe the shopkeepers working together as a family, running their businesses. There are very few beggars in Thailand. The older people earn money by selling lottery tickets and not sitting idle.

48. Getting a Thai massage and watching a Muay Thai kickboxing fight is non-negotiable for completing your Thailand visit. Here are a few other unique experiences you shouldn’t miss while visiting Thailand. 

49. Thailand has several K-pop fans, with the first wave hitting the country in 2000, and it has only grown since. After the success of Lisa Manoban, a girl from the Buriram province, she debuted in the popular South Korean girl group “BlackPink.” You can see many Korean stars on advertisement boards and the dressing sense of the young youth.

50. A VAT refund applies to tourists at the DMK airport and BKK airports. For a minimum purchase value of 2000 THB, the VAT refund starts from 80 THB, and for values exceeding 200,000 THB, the refund is 6.1% of the purchase value.

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