Your First Trip to Thailand: A Beginner’s Guide to the Kingdom

There is a good reason why many people from all over the world put it at the top of their list of places to visit. Thailand has almost everything: long-standing traditions and a local culture that is hard not to like, temples that are thousands of years old, colorful markets, wild nature, beautiful beaches, and a big city and a few others that bring modernization to the people who live there and the crowds of tourists who visit them every year. 

Because Thailand is so big, tourists usually only visit a few parts of the country. Before going on a trip, it’s very important to plan it carefully and learn as much as you can about it, even if it’s just so you can make the most of what the trip has to offer. Here is a guide to Thailand for people who have never been there before. It will give you all the information you need to know before you get on the plane to go there.

The Weather in Thailand

When planning a trip around Thailand, it is important to keep in mind that the country is made up of many different geographical areas, each of which has its own climate. This should be used to decide which tourist spots to go to and how long to stay at each one. In Thailand, November is the start of the “hottest” season, which is also when the most tourists come. 

This season lasts until February. In most places, the weather is warm and pleasant during these months, so you can take advantage of everything the area has to offer. In the northern part of Thailand, the dry season is from November to May. From June to October, it rains a lot, and the weather is usually mild from October to January. On the west coast of southern Thailand, the rainy season starts in April and goes through October. 

On the east coast, it starts in September and goes through December. There are two parts to the southern part of Thailand (the east coast of southern Thailand “suffers” from very large amounts of rain). For the rest of the year, the weather is dry and quite pleasant. This means that you can go to Thailand at any time of the year. However, it is important to remember that getting to rural areas during the wet season can be hard due to bad road conditions, so travelers who want to go there during this time should be ready for some challenges along the way.
You can find out more about the topic by reading our guide about Thailand’s weather.

Coins and Bills

The Thai Baht is the country’s official currency. There are 20-baht, 50-baht, 100-baht, 500-baht, and 100-baht bills, as well as 1, 2, 5, and 10-baht coins. Pennies and other small amounts of money may come in handy for paying for taxi rides and giving tips. They can also be used at food stands, where it’s important to pay the right amount since they often won’t be able to give back any extra money. You can take money out of ATMs all over Thailand. The most you can take out at once is 20,000 baht, but each time you take money out, a fee will be taken out of your account (the amount of the fee varies between banks and credit companies). 

Visitors are strongly encouraged to come to Thailand with enough cash for the first few days of their stay and an international credit card that can be used to pay at a variety of places. It is possible to change dollars and euros into the local currency in Thailand. However, it is not possible to change shekels into the local currency. In order to get a better exchange rate, the winning dollars are given more weight.

Visa to Thailand – Do I need one?

When people from a lot of different countries come to Thailand, they are automatically given a residency visa. During the time this visa is valid, it can be used for a total of 30-45 days. For your application to be accepted, you will need to show an exit card with a date of departure within the 30-45-day range that is written on the visa. 

On the other hand, many people decide to spend more than a month in Thailand and get the most out of their vacation there. In these kinds of situations, you need to make sure that the right visa is given ahead of time and that it is good for sixty days starting from the day the person enters the country. You can get this visa at the embassy in the country where you live. 

The visa costs money, but the person who has it is allowed to enter and leave the country as many times as they want during their 60-day stay in Thailand. Those who already have a 30-day visa and want to make it last longer must do so at the immigration offices in Bangkok, which are in the country’s capital. Before you go to Thailand, you should look ahead of time to see if these offices are also in any other cities there. In our guide to getting a visa for Thailand, you can find all of the information you need.

How to fly to Thailand?

There are many direct flights to Thailand that land at Bangkok’s main airport, which is a stopover for many people going to other places. There is also the option to book flights with stops that last several hours. People who want to lower their overall travel costs (most people agree that flights with stops cost less) or spend a few days or more in other places along their route may find this information useful. We have a complete guide on how to find the cheapest flight to Thailand.

Culture and food

Thailand is the most amazing country in Southeast Asia. Thailand has borders with Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, and Myanmar (Burma). These countries have had a big impact on the culture and signs of Thailand because they are so close. Most Thais are Buddhist, which is shown by the large number of temples in the country (Chiang Mai is often called the “temple capital” because there are so many temples in and around the city) and the fact that they are responsible for keeping the country’s long-standing religious customs alive. Buddhist monks are highly respected in Thailand, and you can find them practicing their religion in the many monasteries and temples that dot the country’s landscape. Thailand is a monarchy, which means that the country is run by a king and queen. Both of their palaces offer visitors a unique and memorable experience.

Thailand has a culture that is both very old and very rich. At its heart, it stresses how important it is to show respect to elders and other people in general. Obedience is an important part of it, as is the calmness that Thais are known for (yelling or outbursts are considered disrespectful). Haggling is not only an important part of the local culture, but it is also deeply rooted in it. Every first transaction made at the start of the day is seen as a sign of good luck, and both the merchant and the goods he sells are treated with a lot of respect. This can be seen in the many local markets that are not only in the big cities but also in the small towns and villages. In each of these places, there are a lot of merchants selling their goods. As for sports, they are also an important part of the culture. Thai boxing, which is popular and respected all over the world, is an important part of this.

It is highly recommended that you take part in the many festivals and colorful celebrations that happen on Thailand’s public holidays and other special occasions. It is important to keep these dates in mind. Here are some important dates to remember: Chakri Day is a holiday that is celebrated on April 6 to honor Rama I, the first king of the Chakri dynasty. Asarnha Puja, which is celebrated on July 12, is a very important Buddhist holiday. The Water Festival takes place in April and has big events all over the country where many Buddhists take part. May 5 is the day the king and queen are crowned (who assumed the crown in 1950). August is the month when the birthday of the queen is celebrated. October 23, which is King Rama V’s birthday. November 5 is Loy Krathong, a holiday in Chiang Mai.

And let’s not forget about food, specifically the food of the area. Thai food is well-known all over the world, and many “foodies” hold it in very high regard. It is one of the best-known and most-loved types of food in the world because of its unique spice, its many different parts, and, more generally, its many different tastes. Bangkok, the country’s capital city, and Chiang Mai, the great city, are both known as important culinary hubs where you can find a wide range of Thai restaurants, some of which are considered to be successful gourmet restaurants. 

Even in the smallest towns and villages, you can find some great places to eat. These places are often less “pretty” and more “real,” but that’s what makes them so charming. In Thailand, the food booths are a tourist attraction in and of themselves, and they’re also a great way to try real Thai food. These booths can be found almost everywhere, from big cities with lots of people to small villages in the middle of nowhere. The good thing about the local dishes is that they can be made quickly, usually just by jumping on a wok. This means that people who are more hungry don’t have to wait for a long time, and the dish can be served right away or taken away in a short amount of time.

Thailand’s food is known for using a wide range of flavors, including sweet, salty, spicy, and sour ones. These go well with each other and would make a thoughtful and expensive gift. In Thailand, as in other Asian countries, each region has its own special dishes that are only found in that area. For example, food from the south of Thailand is often made with coconut milk and fresh turmeric, while food from the northeast of Thailand is often made with lime juice and salt. 

There are many different kinds of herbs, rice, noodles, and spices used in Thai cooking, and each recipe is different. Pad Thai (rice noodles with peanuts, chicken, egg, and sometimes seafood and tofu), tom yum soup, tom ka gai soup (chicken with coconut milk), rad na (rice noodles with beef, pork, or chicken), red curry, green curry, and stew are the most famous Thai dishes. People also like to eat tom yum soup and tom ka gai soup (roasted chicken or pork together with a cucumber salad seasoned with a rich peanut sauce).

Transportation 

The Kingdom of Thailand offers its visitors a variety of ways to get around, as well as a network of roads that are usually in good shape and go all over the country. Thailand has a large bus network and a large rail network. Both can get to many places all over the country, from the north to the south.

There is also a ferry system that links the many islands to the mainland. Using a Tuk Tuk is one way to get around, especially if you want to avoid the common congestion and traffic jams. Even in big cities, tuk tuks are a common way to get around. They are small and narrow, and they are powered by an engine. People who ride in tuk tuks have to be very brave because the drivers often go fast and don’t always follow the rules of the road. 

Taxis are another option, and most people in big cities use them even though they cost more than other options. Taxis are a common way for people to get from the airport to the city or the city to the airport, and the ride is usually smooth and pleasant. You can use the railways to get to a lot of different places in Thailand, including cities in the north of the country that are farther away. Some of the cars on these trains have places to sleep. 

Ferries are the only way to get to the islands from the mainland or to get from one island to another on the same island. There are many different kinds of ferries, from those that are very small (and can only hold up to 30 people) to those that are very big.

The guide to transportation and mobility in Thailand gives you information in one place about all the different ways to get around the country.

Some tips for your trip

For some people, this is their first trip, and their first time in Thailand. For others, this trip is for people who have been to many places before and know what to expect. Any way you look at it, planning is the key to a successful trip because it is a big, very different country that has, in part, been “throwing” us off for a long time and is now putting us back in our original time period. Before you go on a trip, it’s important to remember these tips, which have been put together for your convenience:

You should bring cash with you because, while international credit cards are accepted in some places in Thailand, you are likely to find yourself in a lot of places where it is fine and even recommended to pay in cash instead of with a credit card. When you go to the markets, food stands, taxis, and other forms of local transportation, as well as many of the attractions, they would rather take cash from you than a credit card (sometimes they will only accept cash). Make sure you always have some cash on you, especially if you’re going to be in a remote area (also, by the way, you can make purchases of low value).

Be careful of cons and scams. This happens all over the world, but especially in places with a lot of tourists. These things could ruin a vacation day that would have been fun otherwise and cause a lot of emotional stress. So, you should be very careful and often talk about how safe you feel and how the locals’ smiles may seem strange to you. Also, it is strongly suggested that you keep your valuables close by. It doesn’t mean that you need to be more careful here than in other places, but it is important to be careful in places where there are a lot of people, like tourist spots and busy markets. If you wonder if Thailand is safe, check out this guide.

Renting a scooter: yes or no? Many travelers rent scooters because they are a convenient way to get around big cities and more remote places, like islands. It is true that it is a quick and effective way to get around because you can avoid traffic jams and go to many different places. However, people who have never ridden a scooter before are strongly advised to give up the fun of doing so and look into other ways to get around instead. Those who ride scooters but don’t have a valid driver’s license won’t be covered by insurance if, they get into an accident while driving one of these vehicles.

The most important thing is to take care of your health. It’s easy to forget about your health when you’re busy having fun on your trip and looking at the open spaces and natural beauty that come with a vacation. Still, it’s very important to take care of it, even if it’s just to avoid uncomfortable situations and extend your trip without getting infections or other bad health problems. If you want to spend time on the beach while visiting one of the islands, you should make sure to put on sunscreen and try not to sit in the sun for too long on days when it is very hot and sunny. Mosquitoes in Thailand can be quite annoying and cause a lot of trouble, especially during the rainy season. 

They can also spread a number of diseases, all of which you should try to avoid. When you go hiking in the jungle or into the wilderness, you should always bring an anti-mosquito spray with you and put it on your skin before you leave. Putting on long clothes might also help and keep you from getting bitten. Even if you love dogs, it’s best not to pet them in Thailand because rabies is common there. This is especially true in places that are more remote. Before you board your flight, you should get all the vaccines you need and, of course, buy insurance that covers your trip overseas. You are welcome to keep reading this article, which has more information about health care for people visiting Thailand.

Take your time; you don’t have to rush. Thailand has so much to see and do that you probably won’t be able to do it all in one trip. You don’t have to use your trip or vacation as a list of things to do and check off each place and tourist attraction in Thailand while you’re there. Take your time, breathe deeply, and enjoy the whole present moment. Don’t rush from one place to the next; take your time to enjoy each one. If you only have a short amount of time to spend in Thailand, you shouldn’t try to see everything in one trip. Instead, you should focus on seeing certain places. If you only have a month to travel, you should focus on seeing Bangkok (three or four days there is enough) and either the north or south of Thailand.