Thailand

Travel tips for Thailand: safety advisories, currency and cash vs. card, tap water, plugs, local phrases, food, and advice from travelers.

Cash and cards

Carry some cash. Cards work at hotels, malls, and larger restaurants, though often with a 3% surcharge or 200 THB minimum. Thailand remains a cash-first economy for street food, markets, and local transport. ATMs charge high fees (250 THB).

Try the food

Pad Thai (ผัดไทย): A stir-fried rice noodle dish commonly made with shrimp, peanuts, scrambled egg, and bean sprouts tossed in a sweet and savory tamarind sauce.
Tom Yum Goong (ต้มยำกุ้ง): A hot and sour prawn soup infused with fragrant lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, and crushed chili peppers.
Som Tum (ส้มตำ): A spicy, crunchy green papaya salad pounded in a mortar with tomatoes, garlic, chilies, peanuts, and fish sauce.
Khao Soi (ข้าวซอย): A Northern Thai coconut curry noodle soup topped with crispy deep-fried egg noodles and served with pickled mustard greens.

Say it in Thai

Hello: สวัสดี (sawatdee)
Thank you: ขอบคุณ (khop khun)
Excuse me / Sorry: ขอโทษ (khor thot)
How much is this?: อันนี้เท่าไหร่ (an ni thao rai)
The bill please: เก็บเงินด้วย (gep ngoen duai)
Yes: ใช่ (chai)
No: ไม่ (mai)

Essentials

Voltage: 220V, 50Hz
Driving: Left side
SIM tip: Purchase a tourist eSIM online before your trip or buy a physical SIM card from major providers like AIS, TrueMove, or dtac at the airport arrivals hall.

Etiquette

Never touch anyone on the head or point the soles of your feet at people or religious objects, as the head is considered sacred and the feet are considered the lowest, dirtiest part of the body.