Thailand Travel Guide: What every tourist needs to know

Thailand is a coastal paradise in Southeast Asia. With famous beaches, an intensely fun and diverse nightlife and a cuisine loved all over the world, it’s no wonder that the possibility of going to Thailand for travel is extremely attractive for international travelers.

In this guide you will discover why so many people choose to travel to Thailand. Join us and discover the history and culture of the nation, as well as information about its weather, currency, and more. 

Remember to apply for a Thailand visa before traveling. It's part of the mandatory Thailand entry requirements.

Flag of Thailand

Thailand’s flag (Thai trai ron) consists of five lines: two in white, two in red and one blue line. 

The color scheme isn’t accidental: King Rama IV chose a more modern design for the flag of Thailand after World War I (in which Thailand was part of the Allies). This is why the flag is red, white and blue: the “colors of liberty” shared by the Allies (France, the USA, Russia and Great Britain).

Each color in Thailand’s flag represents something specific:

• Red: the blood shed by the people for their country.
• White: the purity of Buddhism and religious laws.
• Blue: the royalty. 

Geography of Thailand

Where is Thailand? The country is located in Southeast Asia. Thailand’s map shows its neighboring countries:

• Myanmar to the west
• Laos and Cambodia to the east
• The Gulf of Thailand to the southeast
• Malaysia to the south

Thailand’s area is 513,120 km², divided in two big sectors: the large continental Thailand in the north and the peninsula to the south. 

It’s possible to see different landscapes if you travel in Thailand: from pristine sandy Thailand beaches to fertile lands with rice fields. 

The tallest point in the country is Mount Inthanon (2.585 m) and it’s located close to the city of Chiang Mai.

Thailand’s population is estimated at 67,293,000. The time zone in use is Indochina Time: UTC+7. There’s no Daylight Saving Time.

If you travel to Thailand, you’ll be able to use plugs of four different types: A, B, C and O. Most sockets are hybrids for all these different plug types.

History and Heritage of Thailand

The history of this country has to be traced back to the Tai-speaking people, who are believed to have come from Vietnam more than 1.000 years ago and expanded all around South Asia. They settled around Thailand in the 11th century. 

The second major group influencing early Thailand’s history are the Mon-Khmer speakers. The Mon, who now reside in Myanmar, received Hindu and Buddhist influence from Indian traders in China. This group was the first in the region of Southeast Asia to follow the practices of Buddhism. The Mon established kingdoms, called Dvaravati, in Central Thailand before expanding. 

The Khmer came from Cambodia and were the rulers of the famous temple complex of Angkor Wat. In the 12th century, the Khmer empire, followers of Hinduism, reached what is now Thailand.

By the following century, the Tai were growing against the Mon and Khmer. It was around this time that the first Tai kingdoms were born: Sukhothai and Lan Na, who believed in a new form of Buddhism (Theravada Buddhism). The third king of Sukhothai is known in present day for having left a stone inscription from 1292, the earliest depiction of any Tai language. The kingdom of Lan Na was conquered by Burma (present-day Myanmar) and it remained a part of their empire until the 18th century. 

The following stage of Thailand’s history centers around Ayutthaya, whose influence lasted from the 14th to the 18th century. Many called this city “Siam”, so the Tai people from Ayutthaya got the name “Siamese”. The nation would be known as Siam until 1939, when it was officially baptized as Thailand.

Ayutthaya was a powerful and wealthy city, a center of international trade which eventually was reached by European travelers. The Portuguese were the first in 1511, and in the 17th century followed the English, Dutch, French and Spanish traders. However, in a stark contrast to much of the region, Thailand never fell under European rule. In fact, the kingdom of Ayutthaya let many international traders settle in the city, at least until it started to resent their efforts to convert the people to Christianity and they were banished. 

Although safe from Europe, Ayutthaya still had enemies: the Burmese kingdoms razed through the city in 1569 and, although they managed to recover at that time, a later excursion by Burma ended the kingdom in 1767. The city was sacked, all the records and works of art were destroyed and the royal family (as well as countless other prisoners) were deported to Burma. 

A decade after Ayutthaya fell, a new king of Siam rose to power: Taksin, a military commander who successfully defeated the Burmese army and drove them out of what is now Thailand. The new king of Siam, however, was later overthrown and his former military commander ascended to the throne. 

This new king, known as Rama I, was the first of the Chakri/Chakkri dynasty, who is still in power today. He is well known for being the first to establish the capital in Bangkok, Thailand’s capital in present day. 

Burma was a problem for the kingdom until the British started to invade them in the 1820s. Fearing an attack on Siam, the Burney Treaty was signed with Britain to establish rules for trade. The Bowring Treaty was signed in 1855 after mounting pressure from the British, extremely favorable for the Western power who saw an end to all trade restrictions and taxes, as well as other special rights like having a consulate in Bangkok. The treaty was the first of its kind, then followed similar agreements with other European countries and the US. 

Siam/Thailand has always been under monarchic rule. In 1932 there was a revolution that changed the political landscape: the absolute monarchy was replaced by a constitutional one, with an elected parliament. The military is also a strong source of power and it has been demonstrated in several coups, the last of them taking place in 2014. 

The present king is Rama X, who has been on the throne since 2016. A new Prime Minister was elected in August, 2023: Srettha Thavisin of the Pheu Thai party, a populist party that stood against military rule. 

Culture and Traditions of Thailand

In Thailand language can be traced back to four major families: the Tai, Mon-Khmer, Austronesian and Sino-Tibetan. However, most educated Thais learn to speak English early on: the language is widely used throughout the country.

Thailand’s religion is primarily Buddhism, with more than 93% of the people identifying as Buddhists. Other present religions include Islam (4,9% of the population) and Christianity (1,2%). Hinduism has also influenced Thai culture, although there are not a lot of practicing Hindus. 

Thailand’s culture used to revolve around the royal court and the Wat (Buddhist temple), but efforts were made to modernize the country beginning in the late 19th century. It was also around that time that Western clothes reached Thailand, widely used since then. However, Western influence didn’t completely erase Thai culture: it still leaves room for tradition, heavily impacted by Buddhism in all artforms. 

One of the things for which Thailand is most well-known worldwide is for its colorful and intricate silk designs. They are some of the main exports and prized souvenirs for tourists. 

Another major export that came from Thailand is muay Thai, the country’s national sport. It’s also known as kickboxing and is now practiced all over the globe.

There are big literary traditions as well, especially because of the royal patronage of poets. Traditional music and dance are also part of the national heritage. 

Some important festivities you can encounter in Thailand travel:

• Thai New Year (Wan Songkran): usually in April, it varies each year
• Labour Day: the 1st of May
• Buddha’s birthday: usually in May, it varies each year
• Lantern Festival (Loy Krathong): usually in November
• Birthday of the King Rama X: on July the 28th
• Birthday of the Queen Sirikit: on August the 12th

Gastronomy of Thailand 

Thai gastronomy is a global phenomenon and many travelers visit Thailand looking for the best local delicacies. 

Although there are wonderful restaurants, especially in Bangkok, one of the best ways to enjoy the food in Thailand are street vendors. Many tourists also choose to partake in a cooking class on their Thailand trip to learn more about the traditions surrounding the food.

Thai food usually mixes all the major flavor profiles: spicy, salty, sweet and sour. Rice primarily, but also noodles, are prevalent and found in most dishes, both savory and sweet. 

Some common ingredients found in this type of cuisine are:

• Coconut milk
• Fish sauce
• Lemongrass
• Chili peppers
• Shrimp paste
• Garlic
• Coriander

If you travel to Thailand and you’re eating in the house of a local, you can expect to use forks and spoons. When you finish eating, it’s best to leave a very small amount of rice on the plate: a perfectly clean plate can be seen as a sign of being underserved. It’s also better to, at first, only serve yourself rice and one or two side dishes instead of a little bit of everything. It’s a way to avoid overeating. 

Weather in Thailand

The weather in Thailand is primarily influenced by the monsoon zone in Southeast Asia. The coastal breeze helps the weather, which is quite moderate even in the summer.

The humid monsoon season goes from July to October, which is also the low season for tourism (and the least expensive one). September is usually the month with the most rainfall, it’s best to avoid it for Thailand travel.

November to March is, according to tourists, the best time for a Thailand trip: it’s the high season in Thailand tourism, especially around the holidays. The weather tends to be cool and dry. 

From April to June you can expect temperatures surrounding or surpassing 30ºC.

Currency of Thailand

Thailand’s currency is the Baht (THB), which is then subdivided into 100 satang. In Thailand money can only be issued by the Bank of Thailand. 

There are banknotes of 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1.000 Thai baht. The coins of the currency of Thailand are of 1, 2, 5 and 10 baht, as well as 25 and 50 satangs. 

The current exchange rate shows the following values:

• 1 baht = 0,026 euro
• 1 euro = 38,50 baht
• 1 baht = 0,027 USD
• 1 USD = 36,39 baht
• 1 baht = 0,023 pounds sterling
• 1 pound = 44,31 baht

Things to do in Thailand

Discover a selection of some of the most common things to do in Thailand, from natural attractions to big cities in Thailand.

Bangkok

Bangkok is the capital of Thailand and it’s home to some of the most famous attractions in the country. For example, the Royal Palace (also known as the Grand Palace) and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, as well as the Buddhist temples Wat Arun and Wat Pho. 

Read our guide to discover more things to do in Bangkok. 

Enjoying the coast of Thailand

Thailand’s beaches are some of the most beautiful in the region and the world. They are perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving, or for simply laying down in the sand with a good cocktail in hand. 

There are also many islands worth visiting, like the famous James Bond Island. The coast is truly one of the best attractions in the country! 

Party in Patong, Phuket

Experiencing the bustling nightlife in Patong is one of the best things to do in Phuket, Thailand. Patong, specifically Bangla Road, is party central in Thailand. Walk around to see the shows in offer, have fun in a nightclub or simply enjoy one of the many bars.

Explore the Historic City of Ayutthaya

You need to start the journey from Bangkok to reach this UNESCO World Heritage Site. By now, you know a little bit of history about this old power and how it fell, but there’s still quite a lot that remains for future generations to see. Book a tour of the grounds to learn everything about the kingdom of Ayutthaya.

Is Thailand safe?

Is Thailand safe to travel? Yes, safety is not a huge concern for traveling around. Of course, as with most tourist places, it’s necessary to keep your eyes open and belongings close while visiting Thailand, but these are just common precautions. 

However, it’s worth noting that it’s expressly prohibited to talk badly about the royal family and the currency of the country (which shows a picture of the king). This is extremely important: you run the risk of being thrown in jail if someone hears you. 

The biggest risk for people who travel to Thailand are motorcycle accidents. It’s advised to avoid traveling by night. 

Lastly, these are the areas of the country that it’s best to avoid:

• The provinces of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla in southern Thailand
• The borders shared with Myanmar and Cambodia

As you can tell, there’s not much conflict going around Thailand. Also, it’s a popular destination for backpackers and solo travelers!