Thailand Travel Guide - Land of Rich Culture, Ornate Temples & Busy Markets

A prominent part of Southeast Asia located in the middle of the Indochinese Peninsula, Thailand is a country of over 70 million people spanning a cumulated area of over 513,120 square kilometers. Characterized by a subtropical climate, Thailand can be described as a hot and humid country with December being the coldest month of the year. Bangkok, the capital city witnesses millions of tourists each year.

Thailand is a Buddhist-dominated land with around 95% of them being Buddhist while Islam, Hinduism, and Sikhism constitute the remainder. During their Thailand trip, one is sure to come across numerous Buddhist temples and monasteries representing rich Buddhist heritage. The present culture of Thailand is a mix of Buddhist traditions with Westernization that plays a massive role in shaping the modern culture of the country.

Thailand is indeed the epitome of charm and introduces tourists to some splendid destinations for a memorable vacation. The country is home to the city of Phuket which is the largest island of Thailand having a name for its vibrant nightlife and mesmerizing beaches. To complete your journey across the waterways, the city of Pattaya takes care of all your beachy temptations.  The capital city of Bangkok is well known for its notable Buddhist temples and its innumerable options for shopping. Another addition to the list is the city of Ko Yao Noi which is a land of fishing villages and rubber plantations. People interested in the country’s history will have a great time exploring the cities of Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi, and Chiang Rai.

Thailand serves well to satisfy every travel craving of tourists, providing exciting activities like boat rides, sightseeing, snorkeling, surfing, and much more. At Pattaya, travelers can try adventurous acts like flyboarding at Koh Samui Chaweng Beach and snorkeling at Koh Rin Island. The city of Phuket opens doors for surfing at its serene beaches and scuba diving in the Andaman Sea before you return to your luxury resort to relish a rejuvenating spa session. Krabi is another destination that cannot be missed from the list, providing opportunities for boat tours and kayaking in its alluring rivers.

Public Transport

The modes of transport in Thailand include buses, tuk-tuks, taxis, trains and rentals. Although metro and train commutes are available, buses, from air-conditioned buses to minibusses, are inexpensive and widespread. Tuk-tuks are the locally preferred means of traveling, accounting for the famous Bangkok traffic. There are also trolleybuses, great for city tours, that are present all over the country.

Taxi & Airport Transfer

Taxi service in Thailand is, to put it simply, colorful. Unless it is a metered taxi, taxis are not as preferred as, say, motorbike taxis or tuk-tuks, because of the scams that drivers pull. Although taxis are readily available from major tourist spots, it is better to pre-book a taxi from the airport and back to ensure fair fares. Tuk-tuks are uniquely Thailand-based but they, and motorbike taxis, are not as convenient as taxis.

Transport & City Passes

Free passes are not available for city tours or transportation but the train and bus ticket fares are feasible.

Driving & Car Rental

With an extraordinary traffic scenario, the best way to get around Thailand is by renting cars, bikes, or scooters. Having the freedom to explore the land at your own pace is made easy with rental agencies like Expert, Hertz, Bangkok Scooter Rental, Big Bike Rental Bangkok, and Go Bangkok Tours. The fares may differ but the option to hire a chauffeur to drive you around in the rented vehicle should make the deal better.

Culture & Etiquette

Thailand is known as the ‘Land of Smiles’ because of its extremely hospitable people. The people there are very particular about maintaining face in public and consider it rude when people fail to do the same. It is only appropriate to return the greeting, called Wai, by pressing your hands together and bowing in respect. Thai people hold hierarchy and religious culture holy, so ensure to never disrespect the monarch or the monks and follow temple rules, like dressing modestly, removing shoes before entering temples, and avoiding displaying the soles of your feet.

Major Events and Public Holidays

The Songkran festival symbolizes the Thai New Year spanning 3 days or more, April 13th-15th, splashing fun with the insane water fights that happen all over the country. Another such festival is the Loy Krathong, the Festival of Light taking place every November, which the Thai people celebrate religiously by floating baskets and releasing paper lanterns into the air believing to rid themselves of their sins.

Road Rules and Driving License

Thailand follows left-side driving. It is required of tourists to have an International Drivers’ License on them when driving and it can be used up to 6 months. Although the traffic in Thailand is no joke, keeping your anger in check is appreciated but it might be difficult for foreigners. While renting vehicles, ensure that the vehicle is insured and follow rules like wearing seatbelts and a helmet. It is better to hire a chauffeur than to drive you to places.

Learn the Basic Thai

Thai or Siamese is the native language of Thailand and it is the most used language. Owing to the economic boom because of tourism, English is also fairly common. Broken or perfect, there will be close to no language barrier, but it is useful to know a few basic sentences in Thai.

Fragrance, heat, the flavor: these three things best describe Thai food. The aroma wafting out of the street shops or nearby restaurants found in Thailand will stay with you for a long time. A trip to Bangkok or Pattaya is never complete without gorging on a bowl of Thai delicious. Thai food is predominantly spicy including locally sourced seafood and meat with the influence of Vietnamese seasoning.

• Tom Yum Goong: This refreshing spicy soup is prepared with herbs, chili, and prawns and pays homage to its Thailand flavor.
• Gaeng Daeng: This mouthwatering bowl of curry spices its way to your heart with its tender meat and richly prepared gravy.
• Khao Pad: A customizable fried rice prepared with eggs, and herbs and known for its simplicity.
• Kuay Tiew: This staple noodle dish is prepared with vegetables and meat. Although the flavor differs from place to place, it still is delicious.
• Som Tum: This intensely flavored green mango salad is an acquired taste with the inclusion of peanuts, dry shrimp, or salted crab.
• Pad Thai: A world-renowned Thai noodle dish is fun to eat with the sides and the condiments that come along with it.
• Pad Krapow Moo Saap: A sweet and spicy wholesome pork and basil dish that is served with rice, suitable for lunch and dinner.
• Banana Pancakes: The name might be ambiguous in regards to regular pancakes but these Thailand-special pancakes are served with Vanilla sauce and are a crowd favourite.

Electricity

• The power sockets in Thailand are of type A and C.
• The voltage here is 220 volts at 50 Hz and it is the same as that we have in India.
• Indian appliances will need an adapter to connect to the plug points over here.
• You can get your universal adapters in any electrical appliances shop or can order them on Amazon.

Mobile Network in Thailand

• When traveling to Thailand, it is best suggested to bring an unlocked phone that is not bound to a single carrier.
• There are three cell networks in Thailand, operated by dtac, AIS, and TrueMove.
• We'd however recommend Tsim sim card since it has good network coverage.
• The basic plan for Tsim starts from 800 Rs ~ 8 days for voice + data.

Payments in Thailand

• The only acceptable currency in Thailand is the Thai Baht.
• The average cost of one meal/person is 60 THB which is close to 132 Rs
• The expenditure in Thailand for a day per person will be around 150 THB which is about Rs 450 which includes your meal & other personal expenses.
• We’d advise you to carry USDs while traveling to Thailand. On reaching Thailand, you can have these USDs exchanged for Thai Baht.

Health & Insurance

• Although Insurance is not mandatory in Thailand, it is advisable to carry one.
• Public hospitals are present all over the country and are as efficient as private ones while being cost-effective.
• Over-the-counter medicine purchases are available in almost all pharmacies, with or without a prescription for basic antibiotics, allergies, and birth control pills.
• It is recommended you carry sunblock, wide-brimmed hats, and shades while stepping out in the sun. If you want to avoid the sun, avoid the beaches between 10 am and 2 pm - it is the hottest then.
• The land of Thailand is full of people, all the time, and is a traffic zone, so it is possible to be exposed to a lot of mosquitos and ensure that you are protected by carrying a mosquito repellent.
• If you are bringing a sizeable amount of medicines, carry a doctor's certificate to avoid problems with the Customs.

Embassy of India in Thailand

Embassy of India, Ocean Tower 2, 75/120-121, 42nd Floor [75/32-33, 20th Floor for Consular, Passport and Visa Services], Soi Sukhumvit 19, Bangkok-10110

Ph no: 02-2580300-6, Email: enquiries.bangkok@mea.gov.in

• Police: 191
• Ambulance: 1554
• Fire department: 199