Thailand trip planner : useful information before your trip

Table of Contents

This Thailand trip planner aims to help you prepare for your trip to Thailand on your own, without an agency or tour operator. We’ve put together all the practical information you need to know about the country, including everything you need to know about visas, health, how to manage and change your money, …

Thailand is one of Southeast Asia’s most developed tourist destinations. It has almost everything going for it: a unique history and culture, heavenly beaches, exceptional scenery, delicious cuisine, and dazzling nightlife, making it an ideal holiday destination for all budgets and interests. With a highly developed hospitality industry, you can stay in some of the world’s finest luxury hotels or comfortable, affordable beach bungalows. Check below my 1-month itinerary through Thailand (Northern part) as well as my Southern 3-week itinerary.

THAILAND 1-MONTH ITINERARY ON A BACKPACKER’S BUDGET (NORTHERN PART)

SOUTHERN THAILAND ITINERARY: MY 3-WEEK ITINERARY

Thailand trip planner : useful information before your trip

Looking for the best time to go? Check also my detailed article about the Thai seasons.

Visa and formalities 📝

For trips of less than 30 days: no visa is required to visit Thailand. Make sure you have a passport valid for at least 6 months after your trip, and a return ticket guaranteeing your exit from the country within 30 days.

For trips of more than 30 days: a tourist visa is required, costing €30. For more information, click HERE.

Banks in Thailand 💳

ALL banks charge an additional fee of 220 baht (about €6) for withdrawals, regardless of your card or bank. That’s why I advise you to withdraw as much as you can each time to avoid paying too many bank charges for the whole trip. As far as bank charges are concerned, they depend on your bank! We had a bank account with N26, where bank charges are non-existent in any country! Call your bank before you leave to avoid unpleasant surprises!

Paying by card?

Paying by card is not a common practice, and it’s not uncommon to incur extra charges. That’s why we withdraw a large sum to ensure we have enough cash for a given period.

Wondering about how to get around in Thailand? Check my detailed article!

Telephone and Internet in Thailand 📞

As in every country on our world tour, we buy a local prepaid SIM card to use the Internet. In Thailand, we chose the Truemove operator.

Thailand trip planner: some practical information ✔️

Religion: The most widely practiced religion is Buddhism.
Official language: Thai
Time zone: GMT +7 hours
Driving: on the left
Vaccines: There are no compulsory vaccines for visiting Thailand, but some are recommended, especially if you’ll be in the country for a long time.
Currency: Thailand’s currency is the Thai baht.
Health and safety: Thailand is a safe country. You should nevertheless take precautions. Motorcycle accidents are also common.
Insurance: Travel with insurance. Accidents can happen. We advise you to take out travel insurance before you leave.
Be prepared to take off your shoes often. You’ll have to take off your shoes if you enter a temple, a house, or some hotels and restaurants.
Thai massage is extraordinary! First, Thai massage is an amazing technique known worldwide. It’s a full-body massage, from head to toe, which is considered an excellent way to soothe aches and pains and relieve the stress of a busy day. Secondly, it’s incredibly inexpensive.
Don’t forget to take a good mosquito repellent spray (DEET <50%)!
Food: Thailand’s world-famous cuisine is a reflection of its people: delicate, refined, and harmonious. It consists of an incredible variety of dishes. Some must-try dishes on a trip to Thailand: Pad Thai, Som Tam, Curry Massaman,…

Things Not To Do When Visiting Thailand! ⛔

Elephant tourism is widespread in Southeast Asia. If you’re dying to see elephants in the wild, only visit elephant sanctuaries where the animals are rescued and treated with respect and dignity. Never ride an elephant or visit a place where animals are exploited.
Do not feed monkeys. In Thailand, you’ll find many beaches populated by monkeys. Feeding monkeys means they become less able to find food on their own, making them vulnerable in the wild. It’s not uncommon to see monkeys stealing bags, clothes, and other items from tourists in the hope of finding food. Remember, these are wild animals. Monkeys bite and, unless you’ve been vaccinated against rabies and there’s a hospital nearby, a pleasant experience can quickly turn into something very dangerous.
Don’t talk about the monarchy: Thailand has strict lèse-majesté laws that essentially prohibit anyone, Thai or foreign, from criticizing the government in any way; those who do are legally liable to punishment and may therefore be sentenced to imprisonment.

Useful Thai vocabularies

Polite Formulas :

Hello/Good evening/Goodbye : Sawat dee kha ou khrap
Thank you: Kop khun kha ou khrap
See you soon: Leo phob kun mai

Vocabulary for Eating :

I’m hungry/ I’m thirsty: Hiou/Hiou nam
I’m vegetarian: Khon kin dje
Without spices: Ao maï phèt
I’m allergic: Phom pháe
It was delicious: A rõi
Water: Nam

I hope I’ve helped you organize your trip with this Thailand trip planner. Enjoy your trip ❤️. If you like Asia, take a look at our other articles, and do not hesitate to ask your questions!