Know before you go: Thailand

Quick answer: Most nationalities can currently enter Thailand visa-free for tourism, but the exemption length is in flux in 2026 and mandatory pre-arrival digital registrations (TDAC, and soon ETA) apply — always check official Thai government sites before you fly; once there, Bangkok’s trains, ride-hailing apps, and cash-plus-card payments make getting around easy and inexpensive.

Visa & entry

Rules here are genuinely moving in 2026, so treat this section as a starting point, not the final word. For years, 93 nationalities enjoyed a 60-day visa exemption, introduced in mid-2024. However, Thailand’s Cabinet approved major changes in May 2026, including revocation of the 60-day visa exemption scheme previously available to travelers from 93 countries and territories, with the revised framework expected to take effect 15 days after publication in the Royal Gazette. Under the new tiered system, the Cabinet decision sunsets the 60-day exemption and replaces it with a tighter framework — 30-day visa-free entry for roughly 54 countries and territories, and 15-day visa-free entry for about three. As of the most recent reporting, the publication date had not been announced, so the previous 60-day rules remained in force until it does. Crucially, your permitted stay is determined by the date of physical arrival at Thai Immigration, not by your booking or check-in date.

Separately, Thailand is rolling out a mandatory Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for visa-exempt travelers. Nationals of 93 countries who are visa-exempt when entering Thailand will be required to apply for an ETA for each trip, except nationals of Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia, who are waived. The ETA is expected to be free, single-entry, valid for up to 60 days per visit with one 30-day extension, and processed via the official e-Visa portal, with automated immigration clearance gates using a QR code. Separately from the ETA, beginning 1 May 2025, all foreigners entering Thailand are required to complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), which replaced the paper TM6 form, typically submitted online within 72 hours before departure.

Overstaying is taken seriously: the financial penalty is 500 THB per day (max 20,000 THB), and overstayers also risk detention, deportation at their own expense, and a re-entry ban of 1 to 10 years. Because eligibility, stay length, and ETA requirements can change with little notice, confirm your specific nationality’s rules on the official Thai e-Visa/immigration sites before booking flights and again shortly before departure.

Getting around

Bangkok’s rail network is excellent but fragmented across operators, so plan payment methods accordingly. The Rabbit Card is the stored-value card for the BTS Skytrain, while you can use an EMV contactless credit card (Visa/Mastercard) to tap in and out of the MRT Blue, Purple, Yellow, and Pink lines directly. A Rabbit Card costs 200 THB (100 THB issuing fee plus 100 THB stored value), requires your passport to purchase, and is valid for 7 years. Note that the Airport Rail Link does not accept Rabbit cards, so if you transfer to the BTS or MRT you’ll need the payment method supported by that system. The ARL itself takes a single-journey token, a stored-value card, or contactless credit, debit, and prepaid cards at marked gates, and the ride to Phaya Thai takes around 30 minutes with frequent trains at fares far cheaper than taxis.

For taxis, fares are surprisingly cheap and drivers are required to use their meters — if one refuses, find another taxi. Ride-hailing apps like Grab are widely used and a convenient alternative, especially at night or with luggage. Outside Bangkok, songthaews (shared pickup trucks), local buses, and domestic flights connect most tourist destinations, while overnight trains and long-distance buses link major regions affordably.

Money & costs

The currency is the Thai Baht (THB, ฿). The official currency is the Thai Baht, symbolized by ฿, and it has remained stable against major world currencies. Cards are widely accepted in cities, malls, and hotels, but smaller shops, local vendors, or remote locations may only accept cash, so always carry some baht.

ATMs are everywhere but fees for foreign cards have risen: Thai ATMs typically charge 250 THB for Visa or 350 THB for Mastercard per withdrawal, plus your home bank may add its own foreign transaction and conversion fees. Always decline dynamic currency conversion (DCC) and choose to be charged in Thai Baht, since accepting DCC applies a rate typically 3–7% worse than the card network’s own rate. To minimize fees, it’s best to maximize each withdrawal (often up to a 20,000 THB limit) rather than making frequent small withdrawals. Fee-friendly cards such as Wise or Revolut can reduce — though not eliminate — the Thai-side ATM surcharge. Shopping tourists should also note a VAT refund scheme: you must purchase at least 2,000 baht at a store displaying “VAT Refund for Tourists” signage in a single transaction, with total qualifying purchases across all stores exceeding 5,000 baht, and goods taken out of Thailand within 60 days, claimed at the airport before departure.

Daily costs vary hugely by style: budget travelers can get by on street food, guesthouses, and public transport for relatively little, while mid-range and luxury travel (private transfers, resorts, fine dining) costs considerably more, especially in peak season.

Best time to visit

Thailand’s climate has three broad seasons that vary by region. The cold winter season, from November to February, brings the coolest and driest months and is also the most popular time to visit, with December, January and February being high season with blue skies, sunshine, light winds and very little rain. The hot summer season runs March to May, when Thailand becomes hot, hot, hot — feeling scorching, especially in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. The wet, rainy “green” season from June to October brings fewer visitors and lower accommodation prices. Even during the rains, showers are typically brief, occurring in the late afternoon or evening, leaving plenty of time for sightseeing, making shoulder months a good value option.

For beach destinations, timing differs by coast: on the west (Andaman) coast, from November to March many consider conditions to be at their best, with a cooling wind keeping summer heat at bay, whereas the Gulf coast (Koh Samui) can see rain even in the northern dry season. If you want festivals, November brings the delightful Loi Krathong festival, when people float candlelit rafts along canals, and mid-April brings the Songkran water festival. Overall: November–February is best for reliable weather and comfortable temperatures nationwide (also the busiest and priciest), while June–August offers a reasonable weather/crowd/price trade-off for flexible travelers.

Emergencies & safety

Save these numbers before you land, as they’re consistent nationwide:

• 191 – General police / emergency (police, sometimes routes to fire and