Thailand travel guide

Thailand is a classic of Southeast Asian travel, with distinct regions: Bangkok (city), Phuket (beaches), Chiang Mai (long stays), Krabi (island tours) and Pattaya. Rich food, massage and market culture make it suitable for anything from a week of rest to a month-long stay.

With growing demand for workations and digital nomad stays, Chiang Mai has become a top choice for month-long stays, with plenty of coworking spaces and low living costs. Thailand has also introduced the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), a legal option for long stays.

This page focuses on the three main regions, Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai, and covers currency, transport, seasons, food, culture and safety.

Visa and entry requirements for Thailand

Whether you need a visa, how long you can stay and which pre-arrival forms apply all depend on your nationality and the purpose of your trip. Check the official source below, and your own government's travel advice, before you book.

Immigration officers may ask for a return ticket, proof of accommodation and proof of funds on arrival. For longer stays or remote work, Thailand offers the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), valid for five years with stays of up to 180 days per entry (the official Thai e-Visa site lists the visa fee as THB 10,000). Some border areas near Malaysia and Cambodia carry travel advisories.

• Thailand e-Visa (official) (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand)
• Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand)
• Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) (Immigration Bureau, Royal Thai Police)

• Currency: Thai baht (THB)
• Time zone: ICT (UTC+7)
• Best season: November to February is dry and cooler; March to May is the hottest; June to October is the rainy season
• Electricity: 220 V, 50 Hz, with Type A, B, C and O sockets; a multi-adapter is recommended
• Safety: travel advisories apply to some border areas; check your government's advice

Thailand ticks five boxes: value, food, beaches, culture and long stays. A one-hour massage costs 200–500 baht and a meal 80–200 baht. It is also a rare destination where you can combine centuries-old temples such as Wat Pho, Wat Arun and the Grand Palace with beach time (Phuket, Krabi, Koh Samui) on the same trip.

Bangkok: city and food

The capital. The Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun and Chao Phraya River cruises, Khao San Road (the backpacker street), Siam (shopping), Thong Lo and Asok (nightlife) and Chatuchak Market (weekends). Get around by BTS, MRT and the Chao Phraya Express boats. Four days and three nights is recommended.

Phuket: beach resort

Thailand's largest resort island. Beaches include Patong (lively), Kata (calm), Karon (family) and Rawai (local). Island-hopping tours to Phi Phi, Coral Island and the Similans cost 1,500–3,000 baht per day, and there are plenty of pool villas and five-star hotels. Best from November to April; rainy season May to October.

Chiang Mai: top choice for long stays

A mountain city in the north. The Old City temples (Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chedi Luang), Doi Suthep, elephant sanctuaries and night markets (Sunday Walking Street). November to February is cool and clear, the best season for digital nomads. Avoid March to May, when forest fires cause haze. Coworking spaces and living costs are attractive for long stays.

Other popular areas

• Krabi: Railay Beach, four-island tours, kayaking
• Koh Samui: family resorts, golf
• Pattaya: two hours by car from Bangkok, night markets and beaches
• Ayutthaya: 1.5 hours by car from Bangkok, UNESCO World Heritage

Pool villas: Phuket, Krabi and Koh Samui, USD 100–400 per night, popular with families and honeymooners.

Five-star hotels: Bangkok (Mandarin Oriental, The Peninsula, Kempinski) and Phuket (Amanpuri, Trisara), USD 200–800 per night.

Mid-range hotels: four-star hotels in Bangkok and Chiang Mai at USD 50–120 per night.

Guesthouses: Khao San in Bangkok and the Old City in Chiang Mai at USD 15–40 per night, for backpacking and long stays.

• Bangkok BTS and MRT: 16–62 baht per ride, 150 baht for a one-day pass. The backbone of getting around the city
• Grab app: register a card and skip the haggling. Works across Thailand
• Tuk-tuks: 100–300 baht for short city trips (negotiate). Watch out for inflated prices for foreigners
• Domestic flights: Bangkok to Phuket takes one hour and costs USD 30–80 (low-cost carriers Nok Air and AirAsia)
• Night trains and buses: Bangkok to Chiang Mai takes 12 hours; sleepers cost 600–1,500 baht
• Scooters: 200–400 baht per day in Phuket and Chiang Mai. An international driving permit and a helmet are essential

• Pad thai: 60–120 baht, everywhere from street stalls to restaurants
• Tom yum goong: spicy and sour shrimp soup, 150–300 baht
• Green and red curry: chicken or beef with coconut milk, 120–200 baht
• Mango sticky rice: dessert, 80–150 baht
• Som tam: green papaya salad, 80–150 baht
• Khao man gai: chicken rice, 60–120 baht
• Local markets: Chatuchak (Bangkok) and Sunday Walking Street (Chiang Mai), 200–500 baht per person

November to February (dry and cooler): the best season. Bangkok 25–30°C, Chiang Mai 15–25°C, ideal for Phuket's beaches. Flights and hotels are at their most expensive.

March to May (hot season): heat waves of 35–40°C. Songkran (Thai New Year, mid-April) is a water festival.

June to October (rainy season): repeated short showers. Some island-hopping tours from Phuket stop, and hotel prices drop by 30–40%.

Haze in Chiang Mai, March to May: forest fires and field burning bring fine-dust risk; people with respiratory conditions should avoid this period.

We estimate a month in Chiang Mai at KRW 1,000,000–1,500,000 per person: condo KRW 300,000–500,000, food and transport KRW 300,000–500,000, coworking KRW 50,000–100,000 and activities KRW 200,000–400,000.

• Scooter accidents: frequent in Phuket and Chiang Mai. A helmet and an international driving permit are essential.
• Taxi and tuk-tuk overcharging: if a driver refuses the meter, call a Grab.
• Dress code at the Grand Palace and temples: shoulders and knees must be covered, or you can be refused entry.
• Songkran (April): the water-splashing festival; a waterproof phone pouch is a must.
• Border areas: travel advisories apply to parts of the far south near Malaysia and the Cambodian border.
• Food and water: go easy on street ice and raw vegetables on your first day.
• Travel insurance: medical costs can be high, so take out travel insurance.