Thailand travel tips
The things that actually catch people out: money, phones, dress codes, the three scams that still work, and why your taxi will not use the meter.
Money
Cards work in hotels, malls and most restaurants; everything else — markets, taxis, small boats, street food — is cash. ATMs charge a flat ฿220 foreign-card fee, so withdraw larger amounts less often. SuperRich exchange booths give better rates than airports or hotels.
Do not carry ฿1,000 notes for small purchases; nobody has change before 10:00. Keep ฿20 and ฿100 notes.
Phones and data
A tourist SIM from AIS, True or dtac costs ฿299–599 for 8–15 days of data and is sold at 7-Eleven and the airport. It is cheaper and better than most roaming plans. Grab and Bolt both work in the cities and are the easiest way to move around. For airport arrivals we quote a fixed private transfer instead, because the taxi queue at Suvarnabhumi at 23:00 is its own experience.
Temples
On a guided temple morning we carry the wraps, but the rules are the same whether you are with us or alone: shoulders and knees covered, shoes off at the door, no pointing feet at a Buddha, no touching monks. Women should not hand anything directly to a monk — place it down or give it to a male companion. Sarongs over shorts are often refused at the Grand Palace; wear trousers.
The scams that still work
The gem shop detour. A tuk-tuk offers a cheap tour that includes "a government gem exhibition". It is a commission stop. The closed palace. A driver tells you the Grand Palace is closed today and offers an alternative. It is not closed. The meter refusal. A taxi outside a tourist area quotes a flat fare at three times the metered price. Walk away and use Grab.
Food and water
Tap water is not drinkable. Ice in restaurants and from street stalls is almost always factory-made and safe; ice from a cooler in a market is less certain. Street food is fine where there is high turnover — a queue is a good sign, a deserted stall is not. If you would rather have someone order for you, that is what our Chinatown food walk is.
Health
Dengue is the realistic risk, not malaria, and it comes from daytime mosquitoes in cities. Repellent in the late afternoon. Pharmacies are excellent and will advise on minor problems; hospital care in Bangkok and the main resorts is good and expensive, which is what insurance is for.
Do I need vaccinations?
Check with a travel clinic four to six weeks ahead. Most visitors need nothing beyond routine, but hepatitis A and typhoid are commonly recommended.
Is Thailand safe?
Yes, with normal city caution. The main risks are traffic, rip-off taxis and dehydration, not crime.
Can I drink the tap water?
No. Bottled water is cheap and everywhere. Restaurant ice is fine.
Tell us the trip you have in mind.
Dates, people and the one thing that must happen — we come back with a route and a real cost.
Written and checked by the Travel Thailand Tour team, Bangkok · Last updated · Prices are per person and were correct at the time of writing.