Travel guide to Thailand

When you travel to Thailand, you will encounter situations you sometimes are not aware of beforehand. Because while no one wants to experience unpleasant things, it is possible for something fatal to happen. For that reason it is practical and necessary to have visas and passports and travel insurance ready on time. Especially if you want to stay for several months in a Thai monastic community, for example. So read carefully which practical matters are essential for you as a traveller. On this page, you will find a convenient travel guide to Thailand. Read more about lockers, embassies of your country, English-speaking hospitals and the telephone number of the tourist police in Thailand.    

Practical travel guide to Thailand

Tourist Police

As in all countries you travel to, there are also petty criminals in Thailand who try to take advantage of the naivety of the traveller. Of course, those who are used to travelling in big cities will be more prepared for street scammers and pickpockets. Prevent this by avoiding conversations with strangers on the street and walking on and don’t look anyone in the eye. Which is a rather uncommon thing too outside the northern cultures. Furthermore, do not engage in a fight if you threaten to become a victim. If in the event of a crime, always call the emergency number of the tourist police: 1155. Because here, an interpreter is available to help you record your report. If you have a report or complaint about wrongdoing then call 1111. But only call this when it is not an emergency matter.

Lockers

If you sometimes have valuables with you and you want to do some sightseeing after a long journey on the train or plane without luggage; then it is convenient to temporarily store your belongings in a locker. Lockers are available at many train stations. Furthermore there are targeted companies where you can safely store your belongings. So it is very comfortable and safe to use if you store your luggage temporarily here. Of course, using this is possible for a small fee of a few euros/dollars per day. But for those who travel regularly, it is also possible to take out a monthly subscription for luggage storage.

Luggage wrapping

Another precaution to increase safety is to use a luggage wrap service. A luggage wrap service automatically wraps your luggage in plastic. This prevents damage to your suitcases and bags. Thus, it is also more difficult to secretly enclose packages of drugs or other contraband. However, the disadvantage of luggage wrapping is that it is less recognizable when collecting suitcases.

Unexpected travel hazards

If you have not planned all parts of your itinerary in advance and still suddenly want to book a trip to a location locally, then be aware of the possible dangers this poses in advance. Because there are many local fraud practices active in the travel market. Be careful about this as it might cost a lot of money. It is, therefore, preferable to book the trip you are going to make in advance and stick to your preprepared plan as much as possible. If you still have a few days left in which you had nothing planned and you decide to use a local Thai travel agency, make sure that it is affiliated with the ATTA. The Association of Thai Travel Agents.

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Quiet beach with authentic fishing boats

Medical travel guide to Thailand

Hospitals

Nothing is more dramatic than getting sick or having an accident while travelling abroad. Of course, there is medical help in the form of a doctor or hospital abroad available. In reality, it often costs a lot of money you don’t have. So, to avoid financial problems, it is wise to conclude travel insurance. And eventually, it is more pleasant to go to a hospital where English is spoken. Not only because it is more comfortable, but it’s almost impossible to say what ailment you have in Thai when you’re injured or ill. Fortunately, most doctors speak some English, however, if the staff and nurses also speak English, it will increase your comfort. For this reason, prepare yourself with good health insurance for the already not so pleasant situation that you are in as a sick person. 

No General Practitioners available

In reality, most Thai go straight to a specialist when they have an ailment. Because in Thailand, there is no such thing as a general practitioner as we know it in western countries. Also, be careful when taking medicines or vitamin preparations with you. As these goods must always be declared in advance. And unusual high doses must be substantiated with a medical certificate from a doctor. You read more about this on the official site of Thai customs:  Thai Customs 

Vaccination for the tropics

You are not obliged to be vaccinated in Thailand. But it is surely recommended for some diseases. These recommendations apply to the following possible diseases: DTP, hepatitis A, measles and rabies. However, if you are going to stay in Thailand for a longer time, vaccination for the following diseases is also strongly recommended: hepatitis B, yellow fever and encephalitis. 

Malaria prevention 

Furthermore, in the border regions and the south, there also is a higher malaria risk in Thailand compared to the rest of the country. Especially in the countryside the danger is there but in large cities, the chance is somewhat smaller. Malaria is virtually non-existent in central Thailand and in Bangkok. Hence, if you travel in hazardous areas, then make sure you have a mosquito net and powerful insect repellents. For covid, there are varying rules from time to time. At the time of writing (April 2022), the vaccination rate in many western countries is around 80%. For Thailand, this figure is pretty much the same. But in case there are any COVID mutations and new vaccines are needed, be sure you check the governmental requirements of Thailand.

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Skyline view of Thailand

Governmental travel guide to Thailand

Embassies and Visas

If you are staying in Thailand for less than thirty days, then you do not need a tourist visa. So, for most travellers, this is most likely sufficient. But if you decide to stay in a Thai monastery for a longer time, then a tourist visa is a requirement. Thus, apply for this at the Thai consulate or Thai embassy in your own country in time. If you get into trouble in Thailand because you lost your passport or you were arrested and sent to jail, then you can usually contact the consulate that has a physical address in Thailand itself.

When there is no consulate, then contact the embassy. Also, make sure to write down or save the location and phone number of the consulate or embassy of your country in Thailand on your mobile phone. Because in stressful situations you often don’t want to have to search online. And you may not always have an internet connection.

Hazards of renting a scooter for tourists

If you want to rent a car or a scooter, then an international driver’s license is required. So keep in mind that similar requirements apply when you want to rent a scooter in Thailand like in your own country.

However, simply renting a scooter of more than 50 cc means that you must have driving license A and the IDP. But the horrific reality is that rental scooters and rental motorbikes for tourists are not insured. Eventually, relatively many accidents happen with motorcycles and scooters. Therefore, it is not recommended to rent a scooter or motor while being on a trip through Thailand.

In case something goes wrong the following emergency numbers are significant:

Prepare well for your Thailand trip

If you are travelling to Thailand for a yoga trip or you consider staying in a Buddhist monastery for a longer period, make sure you are well prepared. Hopefully, this travel guide to Thailand is helpful enough for the most common practical situations and your stay in this holiday paradise becomes a transcendent experience.