Top 10 Things Indians Should Know When Visiting Thailand

Rowan (Guinness Bear) 10 min read

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Thailand is a favored travel destination among tourists from India and South Asia due to its affordability and convenience in terms of transportation. For Indians, flights to Thailand are cheaper than traveling within the country ⭐

When traveling to Thailand, most people from India are usually quite curious about this tropical country 🏆 It’s filled with stunning islands, beautiful beaches, lush jungles, fantastic food, and much more 🥇 It might appear like a Western country. Still, deep down, it is more Asian. However, all first-timers should know some crucial information when traveling to the Land of Smiles from India. Planning your next trip to Thailand holiday destinations will be much easier with our overview below 🥸

So, here is a list of 10 essential things that Indians should remember before traveling to Thailand. If you plan to go to Thailand, these things will help you learn more about the Kingdom and ease your journey 🏆

#10 Currency Exchange

Baht is the currency in Thailand. You need to exchange the currency from Rupee to Baht. The value of 1 Indian rupee is 0.46 THB as of this writing 🥸 Converting INR to USD and then to THB might cost you more. Thus, the best deal is to withdraw all the cash at once from the ATM and convert it to THB 🥇

Try to avoid buying Forex at International Airports. It will also cost you more. If you want to collect your exchanged money, ensure you carry all your essential documents like Visa, Passport, and Air ticket 🏆 If you want to withdraw your money from your debit card, activating international banking from your bank in India is mandatory. Otherwise, it will not work in Thailand ⭐

Thai Banks charge additional transaction fees if you withdraw money from their ATM. Thus, it is better to use your credit card, which will work internationally 🥇 If you want to exchange currency, there are many options. Thomas Cook and Cox & Kings are the pioneer companies to help customers avail of currency exchange in advance 🥸

Exchange offices in most destination countries avoid accepting small denominations or coins. Thus, consuming all the small denominations and coins within the country is better 🏆

#9 Thailand SIM cards for Indians

It is best to use Thai SIM cards to avoid roaming costs ⭐ That will allow cheap voice calls, SMS, and Unlimited Data in one simple prepaid package. This is why the dtac HAPPY Tourist Sim provides value for money when calling from a single country like India 🥇 For example, the 299 Thai Baht dtac HAPPY Tourist Sim pack offers 8-day unlimited internet, free 100 Thai Baht call credit, unlimited calls among dtac users, and a special rate at 0.6THB/min to India and meager cost to other countries 🥸

dtac HAPPY Tourist Sim 599 Thai Baht pack provides all the above for 15 days. These cards can be purchased at all airports in Thailand upon arrival and even at major Indian airports (Like Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata) before departure 🏅 Additionally, you can also obtain the Happy Tourist Sims at all DTAC shops across the country and convenience stores (Like 7-11, Family Mart) anywhere in Thailand. This is why dtac is among the top sim cards in Thailand 🏆

A special offer comes with the SIM, too 🥇 Upon activation, you will receive an SMS with a link to the special privileges page from various partners and stores in Thailand. You can get offers from popular partners like Grab, Madame Tussauds, Sea Life, local department stores, etc. 🥸

#8 Accommodation in Thailand

Thailand has no dearth of accommodation, ranging from hostels, hotels, and guesthouses to couch surfing. There are many options for all budgets, and accommodation should be the least of your worries ⭐

Prices are inconsistent across the country, so the rule of thumb to adopt should be around 1,000 Thai Baht per day for accommodation if you are on a budget. If not, there are several luxury villas, especially around the beaches, to enjoy 🏅 You can book on major Asian booking engines like Agoda or Booking.com to compare the best deals 🏆

#7 Emergency Services in Thailand

If you are in Thailand and in a state of emergency or require any assistance, you can get the help of the Thailand tourist police ⭐

The Consular Office or Embassy of India in Thailand has the responsibility to help a citizen in distress. This may include any severe illness, unexpected death of a partner, a victim of crime, etc. 🏅 The Embassy/Consular offices also assist in case of a lost or stolen passport 🥸

Emergency Numbers in Thailand:

• Police: 191
• Tourist Police: 1155
• Fire Brigade: 199
• Ambulance: 1669
• Tourism Authority of Thailand: 1672

#6 Best Time to Go

Thailand is a tropical country that is usually sunny all year round. It is warm throughout the year! ⭐ If you plan to travel to the North of Thailand (Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, etc.), due to its location further up the mountains, you may want to take a light jacket with you in the evenings, and early mornings can be a bit cooler 🥸

February to September is the best time for most of Thailand, especially the East Coast islands (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao). The east side’s wet season starts around November to late January 🏆 If you want to travel to Thailand during the rainy season, then October to January is the best time to visit the West coast of Thailand (Phuket, Krabi, Koh PhiPhi, Koh Lanta, etc.). The West side’s wet season is around June-September. As you can observe, the weather may vary slightly depending on the region you choose 🥇

If it's raining in the West, it is usually sunny in the East, and vice versa. However, with the world's climate being what it is, it is always best to check a weather forecast before booking where possible ⭐

#5 Language

Thai is the most commonly spoken language in Thailand, and Mandarin is a close second ⭐ English is also very widely spoken, especially by the younger generation. Most street sellers, restaurants, and hotels will be able to communicate in English with you 🏆 But remember that their English may not be 100%, so be patient and say everything with a smile, and you cannot go wrong! 

It's always good to try and learn a few words or phrases before visiting Thailand. Greetings are met with two hands placed together at the center of your chest, and Sawa-dee-ka (for ladies to everyone) and Sawa-dee-krup (for men to everyone); this is for Hello and Goodbye 🥸 Thank you is Khap-khun-ka (for ladies to everyone) and Khap-khun-krap (for men to everyone.) This will always go down well when speaking to the locals! 🥇

#4 Food

Thai cuisine is renowned for its spices, flavors, fragrances, and color. Very similar to India!! ⭐ You can find Thai delights around every corner of Thailand, from seafood to noodles and soups to sweets and treats.

Thailand is famous for its "Street Food" scene and is widely popular in Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok) or further afield. Meat and seafood are seemingly endless, and Thailand is one of the world's most prominent seafood and shrimp exporters; where better to get a salty fix than here? 🥸

However, suppose you are vegan or vegetarian. In that case, more and more options are opening up every day around the corner in Thailand 🥇 Your hotel or villa will usually have someone you can ask for or brochures showcasing some of the best places to eat. Be careful; food poisoning is possible; use your common sense when choosing a place; usually, if the locals are queuing up outside, that’s a safe bet!! 🏆

#3 Transportation

Traveling around Thailand has never been easier. For public transport in Bangkok, you have the SkyTrain, considered one of the city's "points of interest" and something you should experience. Easy to use and incredibly faster than getting a taxi or tuk-tuk around the city ⭐

If you choose to get a taxi or Tuk-Tuk, it is a great way to see the life and culture flowing around you. You will have time to observe while sitting, waiting to move! 🏆 On the smaller islands on the East and West coast, you can find a "Songthaew," with two benches parallel and open at the sides and back. One of the cheapest modes of transportation is to flag down a taxi and tell the driver your destination 🥸 You can also download the app Grab, which is the Uber of Thailand and is just as easy to use.

The island of Koh Samui offers a similar concept to NaviGo, which can be used for transportation. Usually cheaper than the local taxis. SongthaewMotorbike taxis are the cheapest transportation, recommended for short trips around the local areas 🥇 You can rent motorbikes everywhere in Thailand, but please wear a helmet. Go slow and take your time. Like India, you will have people riding out of every lane and corner, and not everyone will abide by the road rules. I recommend renting a car if you have never been on a motorbike before ⭐

#2 Safety

Generally, Thailand is a very safe place to visit ⭐ However, whether you are in Mumbai, London, Paris, New York, or Bangkok, there is always a chance, so be wise! Carry your cash inside a jacket pocket if possible 🏅

Do not flash your cash around; be careful when taking money from the ATM. If you rent a car or bike, you will need your passport; otherwise, leave it at your hotel in the safe. Do not carry all your cash in one place; split it separately 🏆 That way, if the worst should happen and you have to lose some, they will not get it all. You will see signs warning of bag grabbing and jewelry; taking your best jewelers with you is not recommended 🥇 The country also has a dedicated Tourist Police force for foreigners. They will speak better English than the regular task force and should be your first point of call if anything goes wrong 🥸

Thailand is a beautiful country with the kindest and most giving people. Still, like in every country, you always get a few rotten eggs, so use your instinct and stay aware 🥇

#1 Thailand Visa For Indians

There are two kinds of Thailand Visas for Indians, the first being the more popular Visa on Arrival (VOA) and the second being the Visa before you travel ⭐

a. Visa on Arrival (VOA)

Suppose you have an Indian Passport and intend to stay in Thailand for no longer than 30 days. In that case, a visa on arrival (VOA) is a perfect choice ⭐ Indian travelers can obtain a Visa on Arrival (VOA) at any of the 32 designated immigration checkpoints in Thailand. Depending on the tourist traffic, this service can take 10 minutes to an hour and is hassle-free and well-organized 🏆

• Don Muang Airport, Bangkok
• Chiang Mai International Airport
• Phuket International Airport
• Suvarnabhumi International Airport
• Samui Airport, Surat Thani
• Hatyai International Airport, Songkhla

Indian travelers who enter Thailand through Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Malaysia without a pre-arranged visa are eligible for a visa on arrival (VOA) that is valid for 15 days 🥸

b. Visa Before You Travel

If Indian travelers plan to stay in Thailand for more than 30 days, they must apply for a visa before their departure, as they will not be eligible for the visa-on-arrival (VOA) service 🏆 The visa application can be made through the Royal Thai Embassy or Royal Thai Consulate, which are located in Delhi, Kolkata, and Chennai. The application process takes around 3 days, and the Thailand visa fee is INR 2400. After completing the application process, passports will be returned to the applicants within 3 days.

Contrary to popular belief, Thailand is much more than the glitter and glamour associated with it for many years 🥇 There are hikes, treks, spectacular scenery to enjoy, and much more. So, I hope this top 10 valuable information for Indian visitors would have been of benefit to one and all ⭐