First-Time Visitor’s Guide to Thailand Essential Do’s & Don’ts

Around 2 weeks are enough for your tour to Thailand, which includes the visit of Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket. These 3 cities are considered the tourist hubs of Thailand and offer a mix of culture, beaches, shopping and nightlife. The best visiting time is between November and March when the weather is pleasant with less rain and humidity, making travel more comfortable for first-time visitors.

Following is the travel guide for first time visitors for their planning and other needs:

• Visiting Thailand best time is November to April due to the best weather and most of the festival times happening during this period.

• EU, UK, USA, Australian and Canadian citizens don’t need prior or any visa as these are permitted visa-free for 30 days, which is extendable according to rules.

• Thai Baht is the local currency, which is essential for market shopping, but Dollar (USD) is accepted and exchanged freely in markets and accommodation payments in many tourist areas.

• Install Grab app which is similar to Uber and supports English also. It is used for Grab Taxi, Grab Car, Grab Bike and also for Grab Mart for groceries and daily needs.

• Fill TDAC form at your home online which is required from you at the airport. It is ‘FREE’ and just your arrival card, but if not filled it may waste your 1 to 2 hours at the airport in queues.

• For internet connectivity buy the Thai SIM from the airport after showing your passport. It will give you cheap data and easy access to maps and transport apps.

• Light clothing is the best but you can wear any dressing except visiting their temples where your shoulders and knees should be covered as a sign of respect.

• Remove your shoes when you enter any local house or temple or any sacred place.
• Touching Thai people on the head or even near the head is not acceptable, so avoid it.
• Use less black color as locals of Thailand often use black color mainly in funerals or mourning periods.

• Never touch a Buddha monk and maintain respectful distance.
• When it is written on a food item as spicy then it is highly spicy, or sometimes written as less spicy depending on the dish.

• You can rent a bike if you have the international license and basic driving experience.
• Respect their religious statues like Buddha and never point your feet towards it as it is considered disrespectful.

• A “Wai” is their sign of respect where hand palms are joined together with a slight bow while greeting someone.
• Remember the tap water is not safe for drinking while travelling in Thailand, so use bottled water.

• Remember to eat fruits or salad in between your breakfast and lunch, and lunch and dinner to avoid food poisoning and keep yourself fresh during travel.

Remember Thailand people are very friendly in general, even with first time visitors, and they usually help tourists if asked politely.

Published By

Zach Cameron & Zahid Karim

Travel Analyst | 11+ years experience