THAILAND TRAVEL GUIDES

The best time to visit Thailand is between November and early April. Not only is it the driest part of the year in the Land of Smiles, but it’s also the warmest – temperatures hover between 32 and 36 degrees, with up to nine hours of sunshine a day.

The only downside is that it’s also Thailand’s peak tourist season. Flights and accommodation prices increase and the beaches on Phuket and Krabi will be full of people.

January is generally the least humid month, while February and March are the driest and sunniest. Plus, during the hot season you’ll be able to visit must-see World Heritage Sites, like the Similan Islands. As they’re UNESCO protected, this cluster of islets in the Andaman Sea are only open to the public between November and April, so it’s the perfect time to visit.

Thailand’s rainy months are between March and October. Some days are continuously warm and sunny as normal, while others will have you running indoors from a sudden shower. Don’t let it put you off too much cause this also means that hotel prices are a lot lower and that there will be much fewer tourists.

If you want to see the lantern festival in Phuket then you have to visit Thailand in November. Loy Krathong is Thailand’s own version of the ‘festival of lights’ and marks the bringing of good fortune, where wishes for health and happiness are made.

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN TRAVELING TO THAILAND

Language – The official language in Thailand is Thai. Many Thai people study English in school or independently, and this is most apparent in the major business capital of Bangkok, as well as other major tourist hotspots.

Currency – The currency of Thailand is the Thai Baht and €1 is about 37THB.

Credit cards & ATM’s – In Thailand’s main cities like Bangkok and Phuket, you won’t have a problem finding ATMs and most businesses will accept credit cards as a form of payment. But if you want to eat street food or shop at local markets you’ll need to have cash with you.

Safety – Thailand definitely is a safe country to visit. You just need to watch out for tourist scams and petty theft.

Plugs – The plugs in Thailand are types A, B, and C. The standard voltage is 230 V, and the standard frequency is 60Hz.

TIPS FOR YOUR FIRST VISIT TO THAILAND

Don’t ride an elephant – For an elephant to allow you to ride him his spirit gets broken in a grueling way. Don’t fall into this tourist trap. Instead visit an elephant sanctuary where they work towards rehabilitating the elephant so that after a certain time they can return to the wild. A good way to spot an ethical elephant sanctuary is how close you can get to the elephants. If their website shows photos of people taking selfies with an elephant it’s not ethical.

Dress appropriately – When in Thailand you’ll visit a lot of temples. When doing so make sure to cover your shoulders and knees.

Try the street food – A lot of people are scared of getting sick by eating street food but you really shouldn’t worry! Street food in Thailand is amazing and the best way to explore the local culture.

Take a Tuk Tuk – One of the most fun ways to get around is to take a local Tuk Tuk. It really is a rite of passage when visiting Thailand.

Download the GrabTaxi App – Avoid haggling with taxi drivers alongside the road and pay a fair price.

THAILAND TRAVEL GUIDES