Thailand

Thai cuisine is internationally renowned for its balance of sweet, sour, salty, spicy, and bitter flavours. Must-try dishes include Pad Thai (stir-fried rice noodles with egg, tofu, and peanuts), Tom Yum Goong (hot and sour prawn soup), Green and Red Curry with coconut milk, Som Tum (green papaya salad), Massaman Curry (rich and mild southern curry), Khao Soi (northern coconut curry noodle soup, a Chiang Mai speciality), and Mango Sticky Rice (seasonal dessert). Street food markets, night bazaars, and floating markets offer the most authentic and affordable dining experiences.

Thai is the official language. English is widely spoken in tourist areas of Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and popular island resorts, particularly in hotels, restaurants, and tour operations. In rural areas and smaller towns, English proficiency is less common. Learning a few Thai words like Sawasdee (Hello), Khop Khun (Thank you), and knowing how to say the destination you want is appreciated by locals.

Songkran is the Thai New Year water festival celebrated nationally from 13 to 15 April, though festivities continue for longer in some cities. It involves large-scale public water fights with buckets, water guns, and hoses in streets, markets, and public areas. Songkran is one of Thailand's most joyful festivals and a hugely popular experience for international visitors. However, it is also the busiest and most expensive travel period of the year. If visiting during Songkran, plan to get thoroughly drenched, protect your electronics with waterproof bags, and book accommodation and transport well in advance.

Elephant encounters are one of Thailand's most popular experiences, but standards vary greatly between operators. Ethical sanctuaries do not offer elephant riding, circus performances, or direct shows. Instead, they allow visitors to walk alongside elephants, observe feeding, and learn about elephant welfare and conservation in a more naturalistic setting. The Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai and similar accredited sanctuaries are well-regarded by wildlife welfare organisations. Research operators carefully and choose those that clearly prioritise elephant wellbeing over entertainment.

Use mosquito repellent, particularly in the evenings and in forested or rural areas, to protect against dengue fever (which has no preventive vaccine). For trekking or extended rural stays, consult a travel health clinic about malaria prophylaxis for specific border regions. Drink only bottled or filtered water. Be cautious with raw or undercooked street food. A rabies pre-exposure vaccination is recommended if you plan to be in rural areas, handle animals, or go trekking. Travel insurance covering medical evacuation is strongly advised.

Travel insurance is not a formal entry requirement for Thailand but is very strongly recommended. Private medical facilities in Bangkok and tourist areas are excellent, but costs for serious treatment or medical evacuation can be very high without coverage. A policy covering hospitalisation, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation, and adventure activities (if relevant, including scuba diving or rock climbing) is advisable.

Tap water in Thailand is not considered safe to drink directly from the tap. While metropolitan water authority processing meets quality standards, distribution pipes and rooftop storage tanks can introduce bacteria. Always consume bottled, boiled, or reverse-osmosis filtered water. Ice in reputable restaurants and bars is produced by commercial ice factories using purified water and is safe to consume.

Thailand operates a dedicated Tourist Police force reachable at 1155 nationwide, with English-speaking officers trained to assist foreign visitors with disputes, safety, and guidance. General emergency lines are 191 for Police, 1669 for Medical Emergencies and Ambulance, and 199 for Fire. The Tourist Police app is also available for smartphone assistance.

Thailand re-regulated cannabis in 2025 to restrict its use strictly to medical, wellness, and health purposes under certified practitioner supervision. Recreational smoking of cannabis in public spaces is strictly illegal and carries heavy fines and potential detention. Travelers cannot export cannabis products out of Thailand under any circumstances.

To drive a car or scooter legally in Thailand, you must hold a valid domestic driving license from your home country plus a valid International Driving Permit (IDP) with motorcycle endorsement for scooters. Driving without a helmet or IDP results in police fines and invalidates your travel insurance. Traffic drives on the left. Due to high accident rates, renting scooters is recommended only for experienced riders.

Thailand uses wall outlets compatible with Type A (two flat pins), Type B (three-pin grounded), and Type C (two round pins) operating on 220 volts at 50 Hz. Most hotel sockets are universal and accommodate US flat two-prong and European round two-prong plugs without requiring an adapter.

Tipping is not traditional in Thailand, but has become common in tourist destinations. At restaurants, upscale establishments often add a 10 percent service charge plus 7 percent VAT. At casual dining spots, leaving 20 to 50 THB in change is appreciated. Tipping traditional Thai massage therapists (50 to 100 THB) and private tour drivers is customary.

Common scams include tuk-tuk drivers or friendly strangers claiming major temples like the Grand Palace are closed for a Buddhist holiday, then offering to take you to gem stores or tailor shops. Always verify opening hours directly at temple gates. Never purchase gems from unsolicited street recommendations. In metered taxis, insist the driver turns on the meter before departing, or use the Grab app for fixed pricing.