Know before you go: Thailand

Thailand overhauled its entry system in 2026. Thailand’s visa exemption rules took effect on 15 September 2026, replacing the special 60-day exemption introduced in 2024. The 30-day group includes all 27 EU Member States, as well as Australia, Canada, India, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States and other countries and territories listed in the final Royal Gazette notice. A couple of nationalities are limited to a shorter stay: a separate 15-day exemption applies to nationals of Mauritius and Seychelles (the Maldives is on the 30-day list). A few nationalities that previously used visa-free entry now need a Visa on Arrival instead: Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Serbia now apply for a visa at the airport on arrival, for a stay of up to 15 days and a fee of around 2,000 THB.

Important restrictions to know before you plan: as of 15 September 2026 the exemption covers tourism only, and it does not allow work of any kind. If you plan to enter and exit repeatedly overland, note that for travellers using the new 30-day exemption, entry through a land-border checkpoint is generally limited to two times per calendar year, with an exemption for nationals of Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Singapore. A visa-exempt stay can usually be extended once inside the country: a visa-exempt stay can be extended once at a Thai immigration office by an additional 30 days, for about 1,900 THB in cash.

Regardless of visa status, every traveler now needs an arrival declaration. The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) has been required for all foreign travelers since 1 May 2025, and travelers must complete the form no more than 72 hours before their arrival in Thailand. TDAC is not a visa or any kind of travel document; it is an entry requirement that must be satisfied in addition to acquiring an appropriate Thai visa. Submit it only at the official portal, tdac.immigration.go.th, and never through a third-party site, since Thai Immigration police have warned travelers to watch out for fake TDAC websites that charge money and collect sensitive data.

Because these rules changed abruptly in 2026 and could change again, treat everything above as a starting point only. Confirm your exact allowed stay, required documents, and any new fees on the official Thai Immigration Bureau and e-Visa websites before booking flights, especially if you are a long-stay visitor, retiree, remote worker, or planning multiple entries in one year.

Bangkok’s elevated BTS Skytrain and underground MRT are the easiest way to dodge the city’s notorious traffic. As one transit guide puts it, the Thai capital sits in gridlock for most of the day, a taxi from Sukhumvit to the Old City can take an hour in the afternoon, while the same trip by train takes 20 minutes, so the metro is the default way to move around, not a novelty.

Payment differs by line, which trips up many first-timers. In 2026, the MRT, Airport Rail Link, and SRT Red Line take any contactless Visa or Mastercard straight at the gate, while the BTS Skytrain, Gold Line, and Chao Phraya Tourist Boat still need a Rabbit Card. A Rabbit card is cheap and easy to get: a foreign visitor can register a Rabbit card with an original passport, and it has no deposit, accepts up to THB 4,000, and keeps value valid for two years after the last transaction. Fares are modest either way: on the BTS you pay THB 17 to 65 per adult Rabbit journey, while MRT Blue and Purple fares depend on the stations you pick. Services run roughly from early morning to midnight, since trains start between about 05:00 and 06:00 and finish between midnight and 01:00, depending on the line and station.

From Suvarnabhumi Airport, the Airport Rail Link is the quickest low-cost route into the center: from Suvarnabhumi the Airport Rail Link brings you to Phaya Thai in no more than 30 minutes for THB 45. Note that this line runs its own ticketing: the Airport Rail Link does not accept Rabbit Cards or MRT Cards, but since 8 November 2025 contactless credit and debit cards work at all ARL stations; otherwise, buy a dedicated ARL token from the vending machines, which accept both coins and banknotes. Don Mueang Airport has no rail connection at all, so from DMK your options are a metered taxi (roughly 180 to 250 THB plus expressway toll), Grab, or public bus Route A1 for 30 THB. Outside Bangkok, buses, domestic flights, overnight trains, and ride-hailing apps such as Grab cover most journeys between cities, beaches, and northern hill towns.

The currency is the Thai baht (THB). Thailand still runs largely on cash outside malls and hotels: Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in tourist areas, Amex only at major hotels, and cash is still needed for markets, street food, and transport, with contactless payment less common on islands and in rural areas.

ATMs are everywhere but foreign cards pay a flat surcharge on top of your own bank’s fees. In 2026 some ATMs charge 250 baht with Visa and up to 350 baht with some foreign Mastercard cards. To minimize the sting, withdraw larger amounts less often, since a single 10,000 baht withdrawal could cost around 520 to 670 baht once your home bank’s fees are added. If you want the lowest local fee, Aeon-branded ATMs are usually the cheapest at roughly 150 baht per withdrawal. At any machine, always choose to be charged in baht rather than accepting “dynamic currency conversion,” because choosing your home currency lets the ATM apply its own made-up exchange rate, which is a bad deal, so you should always press “no.”

Thailand’s local QR system, PromptPay, is everywhere but generally unavailable to foreign visitors: Thailand’s own QR payment system is everywhere, but it needs a Thai bank account, so as a visitor you’ll watch locals scan while you pay cash. A reasonable daily cash budget for markets, transport, and casual meals is roughly 1,000 to 2,000 baht, topped up with card payments for hotels and larger restaurants.

Thailand’s climate splits into three broad seasons. The cool, dry season from around November to February brings the lowest humidity and rainfall, making it the most popular and comfortable window for both Bangkok and the beaches. March through May turns hot and increasingly humid, with April typically the hottest month and the Songkran (Thai New Year) water festival mid-month. The southwest monsoon runs roughly June to October, bringing afternoon downpours, especially on the Andaman coast, while the Gulf coast islands (like Koh Samui) have a slightly different rain pattern and can stay drier into autumn. For most first-time visitors chasing sunshine, November to February remains the safest bet, though it is also peak season for prices and crowds.

Thailand does not have one single number for every emergency, so it is worth saving several before you travel. Essential tourist assistance contact numbers include the Tourist Information Center (TAT) at 1672, the Tourist Police Bureau at 1155, the Emergency Call Center (Royal Thai Police) at 191, the Medical Emergency Call Center at 1669, and the Immigration Bureau at 1178. Fire emergencies use a separate line, since Thailand uses 1155 for Tourist Police, 191 for police emergencies, 1669 for medical emergencies and 199 for fire.

The Tourist Police exist specifically to help foreign visitors and are usually the best first call for theft, scams, or disputes. Tourist Police operate 24 hours a day and provide multilingual assistance for international visitors. Many visitors also register on the dedicated app: UK government travel guidance says the Thailand Tourist Police app can be used without a Thai SIM card, provided your phone has an internet connection. If you need an official police report for an insurance claim, remember that theft should be reported to the local police station, not just the Tourist Police, though Tourist Police can assist with that process. Also keep in mind that emergency response is best in Bangkok and major tourist areas like Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Pattaya, while response in rural and island areas may be delayed, so consider travel insurance with medical evacuation cover if you plan to venture off the main tourist trail.