Travel to Thailand

It depends on your nationality. Citizens of 93 countries (the US, UK, all EU member states, Australia, Canada, Japan, India, China, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and many more) can enter Thailand visa-free for up to 60 days under the visa-exemption scheme expanded in July 2024. Citizens of other countries can apply for the Thailand eVisa online — Single Entry $50 (60-day stay) or METV Multiple Entry $170 (6 months validity). Use the country selector on the eVisa page to confirm your specific status.

Up to 60 days per entry under either visa exemption or eVisa. The 60 days can be extended by an additional 30 days at any Thai immigration office for 1,900 THB (~$55), bringing your total to 90 days per entry. With the METV, you can re-enter multiple times during the 6-month validity, each time getting a fresh 60-day stamp.

November to February is the peak window — dry, cool (for the tropics), 25–30°C, perfect everywhere. March to May is hot season — best for the islands which stay cooled by sea breezes. June to October is rainy season — afternoon downpours, lush green countryside, lower prices, fewer crowds. The Andaman coast (Phuket, Krabi) is wettest; the Gulf islands (Samui, Phangan) often stay sunnier in low season.

Yes — Thailand is one of the safest countries in Asia for tourists. The main risks are scams (fake tour operators, gem stores, tuk-tuk runarounds), petty theft (motorbike snatching of bags in busy markets), and traffic (always wear a helmet on scooters — the leading cause of tourist injuries). Avoid drug-related transactions: penalties are extremely harsh, including death sentence in extreme cases. The far southern provinces (Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat) have ongoing security issues — most travellers don't go there.

The eVisa (Single $50, METV $170) is for tourism: 60-day stays, up to 6 months validity. The DTV (Destination Thailand Visa, $500) launched in July 2024 is for digital nomads, wellness travellers, and people taking Thai cultural courses (Muay Thai, cooking, traditional medicine). DTV is valid 5 years, allows 180-day stays per entry, multiple entries. If you spend less than 6 months a year in Thailand, eVisa is right. If you're a remote worker spending half the year here, DTV is dramatically cheaper than re-applying every 60 days.

Officially, no — Tourist eVisas (Single or METV) prohibit any form of work, including remote work for foreign employers. In practice, Thai authorities have historically tolerated digital nomads working remotely from cafés and co-working spaces, especially in Chiang Mai and Bangkok. As of 2024, however, Thailand expects you to use the new DTV if you're working remotely — the line has hardened. For peace of mind and a clear legal status, the DTV is the right product.

Yellow Fever is required only if you arrive from an endemic country (Africa, South America). Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Tetanus and routine vaccinations are recommended. Japanese Encephalitis for long stays in rural areas. Rabies pre-exposure if you'll be around stray dogs. Malaria prophylaxis is rarely needed for standard tourism (Bangkok, islands, Chiang Mai are malaria-free); border regions with Myanmar and Cambodia have low risk.

Backpacker (hostels, street food, public transport): $25–40 per day. Mid-range (3-star hotels, mix of restaurants, mix of taxis): $60–120 per day. Luxury (4–5 star, fine dining, private tours): $200–500+ per day. Bangkok and Phuket are pricier than Chiang Mai or the smaller islands. Beer at a bar: 60–120 THB ($2–4). Pad Thai street food: 60–80 THB. Massage 1h: 200–400 THB ($6–12).

Thai (Phasa Thai) is the national language. English is widely understood in tourist areas, hotels, restaurants in Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Koh Samui — less so in rural areas and the deep north/south. Learning a few Thai phrases ('Sawasdee kha/krap', 'Khob khun kha/krap') goes a long way. Thai is tonal: the same syllable spoken in different tones means different things, so don't worry if locals laugh — they're charmed.

Yes — the eVisa works at the four main land border crossings: Aranyaprathet/Poipet with Cambodia, Friendship Bridge/Nong Khai with Laos, Sadao or Padang Besar with Malaysia, Mae Sai with Myanmar. Always declare the correct port of entry on your application; the system enforces it strictly. Some smaller secondary borders may not accept eVisa — only major airports and main land crossings are guaranteed.

From Suvarnabhumi (BKK): the Airport Rail Link to Phaya Thai station (45 THB, 30 min), then Skytrain to your hotel. Or a metered taxi (~400–500 THB to Sukhumvit, 30–60 min depending on traffic). From Don Mueang (DMK): shuttle bus A1 to Mo Chit BTS (30 THB), or taxi (~300 THB). Both airports are 25–35 km from central Bangkok.

No. Tap water in Thailand is not safe to drink. Use bottled water (5–15 THB per litre), refill stations in many hotels and 7-Elevens, or bring a filter bottle. Ice in restaurants is generally safe (made from filtered water at industrial scale) but in street stalls double-check. Brushing teeth with tap water is fine; rinsing is fine. Only the actual swallowing should be filtered or bottled.