Thailand Travel Tips & Local Advice

Your passport needs at least six months of validity from your arrival date. Respect for the monarchy is taken seriously — avoid negative comments in public. Dress modestly in temples (shoulders and knees covered). Tap water isn't safe to drink but bottled water is cheap and everywhere. Get travel insurance that covers medical — hospitals here are excellent but not free for foreigners.

November to February for the best weather and least rain — but also the most expensive and busiest. June to October (rainy season) is genuinely underrated — cheaper flights, quieter beaches, and rain usually falls in short afternoon bursts rather than all day. The east coast (Ko Samui) and west coast (Phuket, Krabi) have opposite rainy seasons, so there's always somewhere dry.

Start in Bangkok to get your bearings — it's chaotic but manageable. Use the BTS Skytrain to avoid traffic. Download Grab (like Uber) for taxis and food delivery. Don't accept tuk-tuk rides that seem too cheap — they're usually a scam to take you to overpriced shops. Always use airport metered taxis from the official queues. And eat the street food — it's safe, delicious and a fraction of restaurant prices.

Cash is still king for street food, markets, smaller guesthouses and songthaews (shared taxis). Major hotels and malls accept cards. ATMs are everywhere but charge 200–220 baht (about £5) per withdrawal for foreign cards — withdraw larger amounts less often. Wise or Revolut cards give good exchange rates. Pick up Thai baht at the airport but shop around — rates vary a lot between booths.

Most Western nationalities (UK, US, EU, Australia) get a 60-day visa exemption on arrival, extendable once for another 30 days at an immigration office. You'll need proof of onward travel. If you're staying longer, the 60-day tourist visa (applied for at a Thai consulate before you travel) is the easiest option. Rules change — always check the official Thai immigration website before you book.

100% yes. I moved here partly because the rainy season is so good. Flights and hotels are noticeably cheaper, tourist attractions are quieter, and the landscape is incredibly lush and green. Showers are usually heavy but short — you rarely lose a full day to rain. The main exception is October on the west coast (Phuket, Krabi) when storms can be persistent. If that's your window, go east instead.