Thailand Travel Guide

Facts about Thailand

Thailand's capital city is Bangkok, but did you know that Bangkok is actually just the city's nickname? It's full name, which is the longest city name in the world, is *deep breath* Krungthepmahanakhon Amonrattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilokphop Noppharatratchathaniburirom Udomratchaniwetmahasathan Amonphimanawatansathit Sakkathattiyawitsanukamprasit.

Aside from its extremely long name, Bangkok has enough to warrant an entire holiday by itself. It's the biggest city in the country by far, home to a fascinating blend of skyscrapers, energetic markets, intricate shrines, ancient temples, and a vibrant nightlife.

But on the other side of the coin you've got the serene south of the country with its scattering of sandy, sun-kissed islands washed by crystal-clear waters. It's a proper paradise for beach lovers and backpackers alike, with a mix of hostels and high-end hotels catering to all budgets, whether you want to party into the early hours on the beach, snorkel in search of colourful sea life, or simply roll out your towel on the sand.

Practical info

Culture and etiquette

Religion

The biggest religion by a huge margin is Buddhism, with about 5% of the population following Islam as well.

Tipping

Do you need to tip in Thailand? It's nice to tip about 10% for good service, and round up the fare when paying for a taxi.

Smoking

Smoking tobacco is banned in all enclosed public spaces like bars, restaurants and public transport.

Language

The main language is Thai but English is spoken frequently in tourist areas.

It's worth remembering that Thai is a tonal language, which means that the way you say something is just as important as what you say. Use these pronunciations as a guide and if in doubt try listening to a native speaker.

• Hello – Sawasdee (sah-wah-dee)
• Goodbye – Laa gon (lah gon)
• How are you? – Sabai dee mai? (sah-by dee my?)
• Yes – Chai (chai)
• No – Mai (my)
• What's your name? – Kun cheu arai? (kun cheu ah-rye?)
• My name is – Phom cheu… for males, Dichan cheu… for females (pohm cheu… / dee-chan cheu…)
• Please – Karuna (kah-roo-nah) or Khor (khor) when giving or requesting something
• Thank you – Khop khun (kop-khun)
• How much is it? – Tao rai? (tow rye?)
• Where is? – Yoo nai? (yoo nye?)
• One – Neung (nung)
• Two – Song (song)
• Three – Saam (saam)
• Four – See (see)
• Five – Haa (haa)

Jabs, visas and other advice

For up-to-date advice on jabs, visas and other foreign advice, we recommend following the government's website.

Emergency number

191 for police, fire services and ambulance. And for 'unwanted intruding animals'.

Need to know about visiting Thailand

While generally a pretty laid-back place to go, there are some laws and rules you should be aware of so you don't get yourself in trouble.

The legal drinking age in Thailand is 20, which means nobody under that age can legally buy or drink alcohol, and this is enforced.

The lese-majeste law means that you're not allowed to show any disrespect to the royal family under any circumstances. This includes verbally, written, and online – so be careful what you post. Speaking of, try to avoid posting images of drinking alcohol or partial nudity until you get home. Or at least try to be conscious of who might be able to see your content, as you could get in trouble with the authorities.

You're never too far from a Buddhist temple in Thailand and you may be tempted to whip your phone out for pics if you happen to visit one. This is totally fine, but there's one rule to be wary of and that's not to turn your back on the Buddha. That means no selfies with Buddha statues.

It's worth noting there are a few places in Thailand that the FCDO advises against visiting, including the borders with Laos and Myanmar.

Getting to Thailand

It takes around 11 to 12 hours to fly from the UK to Bangkok. If you want to reach the south of the country it takes a bit longer as you usually have a stopover on the way. Depending on the airline, this is typically Istanbul, Dubai or Shanghai. This will be around 15 hours flight time, but that won't include any time you spend in between. There are a few popular cruise terminals as well, like Laem Chabang which is on the outskirts of Bangkok, and the paradise island of Phuket.

Getting around Thailand

Thailand really does throw the kitchen sink at you when it comes to getting around. There are loads of options, and many of them can really add to the feel of your trip.

Starting in Bangkok and other big cities, you've got the iconic three-wheeled tuk-tuk, or auto rickshaws. They're cheap and popular in tourist areas, and much more nimble than cars so they can nip through the traffic a lot easier. If you're feeling particularly adventurous you could opt for a motorbike taxi, which is exactly what it sounds like.

Bangkok also has an efficient metro and overground network if you'd rather avoid the busy roads altogether.

If you're staying in the south where most of the beach resorts and islands are, you'll probably end up needing to travel by boat at some point. Wooden longtail boats are the traditional way to traverse the waters and are pretty photogenic too. Definitely worth a trip in one, even if it's to nowhere in particular.

Top

---

What's the weather like in Thailand?

Thailand has three seasons – the hot season, the rainy season and the cool season. But it's hot and humid pretty much all year round. What they call the cool season is closer to our summer, with temperatures in the mid-20s, and it tends to last from November to February.

The hot season lasts from March to May and that's when the temperatures can soar into the mid-40s. There's high humidity too, which can make the heat feel inescapable if you're not used to it.

June to September is the rainy season. The temperature doesn't drop too much from the hot season but regular short and intense rain showers do provide brief relief from the heat.

When's the best time to visit Thailand?

Depending on where you're going, your best bet is probably to visit during the cool or rainy seasons. The rain is regular but brief so it's not likely to ruin your trip. Plus it will make the jungles of the north extra lush and green.

The seasons do vary slightly depending on where you're going. Coastal areas have more consistent temperatures thanks to the cooling effect of the sea, but the rainy season is usually wetter than it is in the north.

The one thing that doesn't change throughout the year is the welcoming attitude and intoxicating culture, which is pretty much a guarantee whenever you decide to visit.

Top

Thailand for LGBTQI+ travellers

Same-sex relations are legal in Thailand and there are laws in place to protect the community against discrimination – though they aren't always effective.

In terms of safety, gay travellers shouldn't have anything to worry about. By Asian standards, Thailand is one of the most accepting countries on the continent. Many of the big cities as well as the islands in the south have plenty of gay bars where you can catch excellent drag shows, and both Bangkok and Phuket have annual pride festivals.

Same-sex marriage is illegal but the good news is that the government has passed a bill which aims to legalise it by the end of 2024. That will make it the only country in South East Asia to recognise these unions.

Thailand FAQs

Is Thailand cheap or expensive?

Thailand has loads of affordable accommodation options if you're trying to save a bit of money, from hostels and B&Bs to budget hotels. That being said, if you're after luxury you won't be disappointed either. The general cost of living in Thailand is quite low, which means food is cheap. You can probably get a meal with drinks for less than a tenner for one person.

Do I need jabs for Thailand?

You should always check with the government website and your GP before you go – this is where you'll get the best and most up-to-date advice. TravelHealthPro recommends that all travellers should have vaccinations for hepatitis A and tetanus.

Do I need a visa for Thailand from UK?

British passport holders can stay in Thailand for up to 30 days without a visa. Just make sure you've got at least 6 months left on your passport.

What is the best time to visit Thailand?

While it's hot all year round, November to April has the nicest temperatures with the smallest chance of rain. The peak season is November to February so if you want to avoid this then maybe opt for a visit in October or March.

Top