Know before you go: Thailand

Quick answer: Most Western, EU, and many Asian passport holders can currently enter Thailand visa-free (60 days as of mid-2026, though a cut to 30 days is pending) plus a mandatory free Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC); getting around mixes efficient Bangkok trains with cash-friendly regional buses, and 1155 (Tourist Police) is the number to save before you land.

Visa & entry

As of mid-2026, citizens of 93 nationalities receive an automatic 60-day visa exemption upon arrival in Thailand, with no application required—you simply arrive, present your passport, and receive a stamp. This exemption covers EU/EEA countries, the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Brazil, Argentina, and many others.

However, this is genuinely in flux: Thailand’s Cabinet approved the end of the 60-day visa-free scheme on May 19, 2026, reverting most nationalities to 30 days, and as of early July 2026 the visa-exempt stay is due to return to 30 days once new rules take effect, becoming effective 15 days after publication in the Royal Gazette, though as of 2 July 2026 the publication date had not yet been announced and the current rules remained in force. Do not assume 60 days — confirm your exact allowance on the official portals below before booking.

Regardless of visa status, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry, and all foreign travellers must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) within 72 hours before arrival, free of charge via the official Thai Immigration website. The official TDAC is free — avoid unofficial websites that charge travellers to submit the form. Note that TDAC is single-entry — if you do a border run and re-enter, you need a fresh TDAC for the new arrival.

If you need more than 30–60 days, options include a single extension at an immigration office — currently a single 30-day extension is available at a local immigration office for 1,900 THB, subject to officer approval — or a proper visa arranged in advance, such as the long-stay Destination Thailand Visa. Remember that visa exemption is for genuine tourism and short visits; repeated entries using back-to-back exemptions for long-term stays are subject to immigration discretion, and officers may question, warn, or refuse entry to travelers who show a pattern of consecutive exemption entries.

Bottom line: Rules are changing mid-year 2026. Always verify current stay lengths, eligible nationalities, and TDAC requirements directly on Thai Immigration’s site before you travel.

Getting around

Bangkok’s rail network is the easiest way to beat traffic. The BTS Skytrain (elevated) and MRT (underground) are separate systems with separate ticketing. Fares are distance-based, roughly 17 to 65 baht per trip, and the 150 baht One-Day Pass offers unlimited BTS rides and pays off on busy sightseeing days. For multiple visits, get a Rabbit Card: it costs 200 baht — a 100 baht issuing fee plus 100 baht of credit — and skips the ticket-machine queue; a passport is required. Good news for MRT users: since mid-2026 the MRT gates take contactless Visa and Mastercard directly, so you tap in like a local, while the BTS still uses its own tickets and the Rabbit Card.

From Suvarnabhumi Airport, the Airport Rail Link runs to Phaya Thai station in about 26 minutes for 45 baht, where you connect to the BTS. Note that the Airport Rail Link does not accept Rabbit cards used on the BTS — if transferring to the BTS or MRT, you’ll need the payment method those systems support. Don’t be fooled by headlines about Thailand’s flat-fare scheme: the much-publicised 20 baht flat fare applies to Thai citizens registered through a government app, so visitors pay standard fares.

Beyond rail, combine BTS/MRT with river boats for the Old Town, electric tuk-tuks for short hops, and ride-hailing apps like Grab for everything else. For inter-city travel, domestic flights, overnight trains, and long-distance buses/minivans connect major regions cheaply — book flights and trains a few days ahead in high season.

Money & costs

The currency is the Thai baht (sign: ฿, code: THB), divided into 100 satang. As of mid-2026, one US dollar buys roughly ฿32–33. Thailand remains a cash-first country outside hotels and malls — street food, taxis, markets, and temple entry are cash-only — but every tourist area is dense with ATMs and exchange booths.

ATM fees have crept up: for years most guides mentioned fees of around 220 baht, but in 2026 some ATMs display higher fees, including 250 baht with Visa and up to 350 baht with some foreign Mastercard cards. Two simple rules save money: always charge in baht, never your home currency, and withdraw large amounts rarely, since the flat ATM fee is the same whether you take 1,000 or 25,000 baht. Also decline any on-screen offer to “convert” to your home currency — this dynamic currency conversion adds 5–8% in hidden fees; always choose to be charged in the local currency. Note that AEON’s cheap ATM network was removed in early 2024, so plan around mainstream banks rather than outdated low-fee tips. Credit/debit cards are widely accepted in cities, malls, and mid-range+ restaurants, but carry small baht notes for markets, songthaews, and street food.

Best time to visit

Thailand has three broad seasons. November to February is Thailand’s peak tourist period, with daytime temperatures typically between the low 20s and low 30s °C, lower humidity, and clear skies — the easiest window for a multi-stop trip covering cities, temples, and beaches. March to May are the hottest months, with daytime temperatures regularly above 35°C in Bangkok and inland areas, though beach destinations stay comfortable thanks to sea breezes. June to October is monsoon season, bringing heavier rainfall, lush landscapes, fewer crowds, and lower prices, though rain typically falls in short, heavy bursts rather than all day.

Regional nuance matters: the biggest difference is between the Andaman Coast and the Gulf Coast in the south, which follow different monsoon patterns, so a rainy month on one coast can be dry on the other. For first-timers wanting reliable weather across the whole country, November–February is the safest bet — just expect higher prices and bigger crowds at that time.

Emergencies & safety

Save these before you land — Thailand doesn’t have one universal 911-style number for everything:

• General police / emergencies: 191
• Tourist Police (English-speaking, 24/7): 1155 — this is your lifeline, available 24 hours a day with English-speaking operators, helping with anything from reporting a crime to a dispute with a taxi driver. You can also reach them via the “Tourist Police i lert u” app.
• Medical emergency / ambulance: 1669 (also 1554 for ambulance and rescue in some areas)
• Fire: 199
• Tourism Authority of Thailand info line: 1672
• Disaster Prevention hotline: 1784

General safety notes: traffic accidents (including motorbike rentals) are a leading cause of tourist injury, so wear a helmet and check your travel insurance covers scooters. Carry a photocopy or photo of your passport and visa stamp/TDAC confirmation. If you lose your passport, contact your embassy and get a police report from the Tourist Police to support an emergency travel document.

Official sources

• Thailand Immigration Bureau
• Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) — official portal
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs Thailand — e-Visa
• Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)
• Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS Skytrain)
• Bangkok Expressway and Metro (MRT)
• Airports of Thailand — Suvarnabhumi & Don Mueang
• Bank of Thailand — currency & exchange information