What to Expect While Traveling to Thailand

Wondering what to expect when traveling to Thailand? From welcoming beaches, stunning temples, delicious food, unique wildlife, and premium shopping, the Land of Smiles is a dream destination. Let us help you plan your dream vacation!

A little bigger than California, but smaller than Texas, Thailand has something to offer for everyone. Looking for luxury shopping, beautiful temples, riverboat trips, and cultural enrichment? You can easily stay in Bangkok for your entire trip. Love mountains, hiking, and lush jungle landscape? Chiang Mai is a great choice, and you’ll still get luxury shopping and beautiful temples. Want to relax on the beach, snorkel and scuba dive? Down south, there are multiple islands and beach towns to choose from. The options are overwhelming, but don’t worry. Whatever you choose, you’ll form delightful memories that you’ll be talking about for years.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I come to Thailand? What to expect when traveling to Thailand during each season

Thailand has three seasons: wet, cool, and hot. While most people prefer to come while it’s cool, each season has its charms. Here’s what to expect when traveling to Thailand:

The wet season runs from May to October, with most of the rain coming in September and October. The humidity ranges from 80%-90% and temperatures range from about 75F-85F. When the rain comes there is a lot of it. Umbrellas are useless; the roads flood easily. But when it rains, it’s awesome to behold, and the air is clean, clear, and cool when it’s done. Hotel prices are also more reasonable and there are fewer tourists at the local attractions. If you want a quieter vacation and enjoy watching rain, this is the time to come.

The cool season is from November to February, and is the most comfortable time to be in Thailand. Average temps are about 68F-86F and the humidity drops to around 61%-78%. If you come from a warm climate, you might even want a light sweater at night. This is the time to do some city sightseeing or hike in one of the parks. Thailand also goes all-in for Christmas, and celebrates from November to the end of January. You’ll enjoy lots of beautiful decorations and performances at the malls and parks. Because of the relatively mild weather, this is Thailand’s tourist season. Prices for hotels go up, and attractions are more crowded.

The hot season goes from March to May; temperatures average from 86F-99F and humidity ranges from 70% to 80%. With the increase in heat and humidity, you are almost guaranteed to sweat through your shirt. This is the time to go south to one of the beach towns or an island. It may be hot and humid, but at least you can cool off in the ocean. Hotel prices are a bit more reasonable, and there are fewer tourists. If you can, try to schedule your trip so you’re here over April 13th-16th for Songkran. This is Thailand’s traditional Thai New Year; a time of symbolic cleansing, reverence, and good fortune. What was once a quiet tradition of pouring scented water over the heads of buddha statues and the hands of monks has now evolved into a nation-wide water fight complete with water guns. Just step outside, and you will be blessed with good fortune by a group of teens with a bucket of water from the back of a passing pickup truck. 

Wondering what to expect while traveling in Thailand? Here’s what you need to know.

The roads are congested at all times of day or night, and yet traveling around Thailand is relatively easy. Here’s what to expect when traveling to Thailand: coming off the plane, you’ll be bombarded with transportation options. Many hotels in Bangkok offer pick up service, but you can also rent a car right outside customs or take a taxi or Grab. Within Bangkok itself, the BTS Skytrain is clean, fast, air-conditioned, and will take you all over the city and even to some of the suburbs. It’s also easy to hire a driver to take you on short trips. They can take you a couple hours outside of Bangkok, like to Ayutthaya or Pattaya. Or you can hire them for trips to local attractions like Dream World, Safari World, or a nearby elephant sanctuary.   If you’re traveling outside of Central Thailand, you can get there by plane, or train. Or you can hire a driver or rent a car and drive yourself. It is also easy for tourists to rent small motorcycles in Thailand; this choice is particularly popular outside of Bangkok. 

Wondering What to Eat? Here’s what to expect when traveling in Thailand

If you consider yourself a Foodie, you’re going to love visiting Thailand! In fact, you might even consider a culinary tour or cooking class as part of your vacation.  Thoughtful Thai chefs skillfully balance 5 tastes: sweet, sour, salty, spicy, and umami. You can best experience this by eating family style from a variety of dishes with a group of people.   Eating by yourself? Fried rice, pad Thai, pad see ew, noodle soups, and pad kra pao are excellent choices. Just be sure to let your server know if you can’t handle spice!

One of the best things about eating in Thailand is the fruit! The pineapple here is some of the sweetest in the world. And if you can find the mini pineapple, it’s like eating candy. Keep an eye out for fruit vendors. They pop up all over the cities, and sell freshly cut fruit in small bags that you can take with you as you walk and shop. You can also buy precut fruit at grocery stores that you’ll find at the bottom of shopping malls in Bangkok. Papaya, watermelon, mango, and pineapple are of course easily recognizable favorites, but be sure to try others as well. Rose apple tastes like a cross between an apple and a cucumber and is crisp and refreshing. Mangosteen is creamy and tastes a bit like a banana and raspberry. Because many of these fruits are difficult to transport, you’ll only find them in southern and southeast Asian countries. With such reasonable prices, it’s worth it to experiment.

But not everybody is an adventurous eater. In smaller cities, like Krabi or Hat Yai, you might struggle, but in Bangkok, there are restaurant options from all over the world. You may have to take the Skytrain to get there, but rest assured, on Google maps, you can find an authentic Ethiopian restaurant just as easily as a Starbucks or a McDonalds. There are even vegan and gluten free restaurants if you have food restrictions. 

Can I drink the water?

You’ll hear lots of mixed messages about whether or not the tap water here is drinkable. There are plenty of people online saying that they drink the tap water with no ill effects. In general, Thai people do not drink their tap water. However, they will use it to brush their teeth, wash dishes, and clean fruits and vegetables.

As a tourist, you can generally follow this same system. At hotels, you will usually get a couple of complimentary bottles every day, and you can buy it at your closest convenience store. If you have a strong, moral outrage to bottled water, you should plan on bringing and using a filtration system that you trust.

Wondering what to expect when traveling to Thailand? – Food poisoning, unfortunately.

It’s very common to get food poisoning in Thailand, ranging from a mild case of diarrhea for one day, to full-blown E. Coli that requires hospitalization. For a mild case, you can see a pharmacist and explain the situation. They will likely give you charcoal tablets as well as medicine to relieve your symptoms. Ask the pharmacist for packets of electrolytes, stay hydrated, and eat bland food, like boiled rice, bananas, and toast. If you’ve got a very high fever, bloody diarrhea, or your symptoms have lasted for 3 days, it’s time to see a doctor. Don’t worry, they’ve likely handled multiple cases of food poisoning that day, and they will get you fixed up right away. Medical treatment in Thailand is surprisingly cheap and the care is excellent.

How do I communicate?

It is very easy to get around Thailand using only English. In the big tourism hubs, like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, Phuket, and Pattaya, most Thai people will speak English well enough for you to communicate. Most signage for directions, buildings, hospitals, and restaurants will be in both English and Thai. And now that most smart phones come equipped with a translation app, it’s easier than ever to communicate with anyone you meet. 

While cell phone providers usually have a roaming plan, it’s best to avoid those charges. There is free wi-fi service at most shopping malls and restaurants if you need to use the internet or make a call. But, it’s also very easy to get an e-sim card installed on your phone when you get here. You can buy an e-sim at the airport upon arrival, or at your closest convenience store and install it yourself. Or you can go to one of the numerous malls and find a mobile operator like AIS, DTAC, or TrueMove. They can install it on your phone for you. Just remember that you’ll need to bring your passport with you in order to purchase an e-sim. 

In Thailand, most communication happens through WhatsApp or Line.  You can often make reservations for restaurants and services this way. Be sure to create an account for yourself on both apps. 

How do I pay for things in Thailand?

The best way to pay for things in Thailand is with cash. You can use an ATM at any bank to withdraw money from your US bank account; there will of course be a fee. Most hotels, department stores, and large restaurants also take VISA and MasterCard, and some take AMEX; these businesses will often charge a 3% fee for using a credit card. To avoid extra fees, you should exchange your cash when you’re in Thailand. You can exchange money at the airport upon arrival, at banks, and at local exchange offices.

How much should I expect to spend during my vacation?

The average daily wage for a Thai person is about $9.00 USD – yes, their daily wage. If you’re on a strict budget, it’s very easy to travel in Thailand. Street food can cost as little as $0.90 USD  and you can stay in a hostel for as little as $10 USD per night. In Bangkok, the regular bus, (cream & red) costs around 8 THB, or $0.25 USD. But you get what you pay for. Your street food might give you food poisoning, your hostel might be infested with cockroaches and rats, and your (non-air conditioned and overcrowded) bus may take an hour to travel 5 miles. As you plan your trip to Thailand, you’ll want to consider your comfort level and decide where you want to save and splurge. 

Services are cheap in Thailand. You can get a 2-hour Thai massage for $18.00 USD, and a gel manicure or pedicure runs around $15 to $30 USD. You can get a serving of Pad Thai for less than $3.00 USD, and a Thai iced coffee for less than $2.00 USD. If you’re only staying in Bangkok, at a reasonably priced hotel, you can stay here for very little money and save your money for activities and travel within Thailand. For example, depending on your location and when you’re going, you can stay at a Holiday Inn Express for around $60-$90USD a night.

While it is not required or expected that you tip in Thailand, if you can afford it, it is nice to do. Remember, the average Thai person is only making $9 a day. So, if you can, leave your coins behind when you get the change from your bill at the restaurant. Tip your cleaning staff at your hotel every time they clean, and for each bag that a porter carries: usually 20 THB ($0.60 USD) is sufficient. For services like a massage, manicure, pedicure, or hair styling 10-15% is reasonable and appreciated. 

Where should I go shopping?

Thailand is known for its world-class shopping experience. Depending on what you count as a mall, Bangkok has up to 575 of them as of January 2025, each with hundreds of stores for everyone’s price point. Malls are a great way to escape the heat and humidity. Each floor is organized by the type of shop: clothing, electronics, restaurants, beauty services, etc. Almost all of them have a movie theater on the top floor featuring Thai movies and global blockbusters. Many of them also have an arcade and bowling alley on the top floor.  On weekends and in the evenings, you’ll often see music and dance performances on the ground floor. Then in the basement, you’ll usually find a grocery store, food court, and independent vendors selling handicrafts and food. 

If you’re looking for a more authentic shopping experience, you won’t want to miss the outdoor markets. Depending on your schedule, you can visit a morning or night market, or go to Chatuchak for the weekend market. Prices are usually cheaper than the mall, and you can bargain with shop owners for a better price. Be sure to bring cash and comfortable walking shoes and be prepared for the heat and crowds. Here you can find food, clothes, toys, electronics, wood carvings, pottery, paintings, live animals, home decor…you name it, it’s probably there. 

If you come to Thailand to shop, you should definitely consider buying a bespoke item of clothing. There are tailors of varying quality all over the major cities. Be sure to look at online reviews before you decide where you will go. These tailors will typically specialize in men’s and women’s business attire and will have fashion magazines for you to peruse. They also have beautifully soft wool, cotton, and linen fabric, suitable for heat or cold depending on where you live. If you’re looking for something casual, you will find that most can make silk bathrobes and cotton or linen sundresses. If you’re always struggling to find clothes that fit, you should definitely look for a tailor while you’re here. You can even bring pictures on your phone if there’s something specific that you’re looking for. Go at the beginning of your trip so the tailor has time to make everything. And be prepared to pay a 50% deposit when you make your order. There will usually be one fitting. The sewing takes place outside of the shop, so schedule a time when you will come in for your fitting. Be sure to call or text before you leave for the shop, so that your clothes will be there when you come in to try them on.

What should I do if I have an emergency?

As a tourist, there are two numbers that you should know in case of emergencies: 

Medical Emergency: 1669

Tourist Police: 1155

What can you expect while traveling in Thailand when it comes to emergency services? Well, these operators can speak English and Thai and will contact the appropriate emergency services to get you the help you need. Keep in mind that like in any big city, response time may be slow.

Stay calm and assess the situation. 

If you have a medical problem, but only need first aid, look around first. There may be a police officer nearby that can help. If you can use a taxi or Grab to safely get to a nearby hospital, that could be your best option. If you have a medical emergency and you think you need an ambulance, call right away. 

The tourist police are a special unit of the Royal Thai Police Force. They are multi-lingual and are specifically there to uphold the law when the victim or the accused is a foreigner. If you need the assistance of a police officer, these are the people to call.