Travel Guide: Everything you need to know about traveling to Thailand

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As Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is a major hub for international air traffic, there are many flight connections from Europe to the land of smiles.

You can go directly from Zurich to Bangkok with Swiss or Thai Airways.

Edelweiss Air flies direct from Zurich to the resort island of Phuket in the south of the country.

The price of a direct flight is currently (early 2024) between 800 and 1000 francs. If you need to be mindful of your budget, you can find cheaper flight connections with one-off changes online.

Entering Thailand is not complicated. All you need is a passport, which should be valid for another six months. You are allowed to stay in the country for 30 days for touristic purposes. The stay on site can easily be extended for another 30 days.

It is often said that you must present your money and exit flight ticket at passport control when entering the country. I have never been asked about this during my many visits.

Thailand is a very developed country where you can travel as an individual without any problems. The most important means of transportation are buses that serve everywhere. Express buses offering a high level of comfort can be found between major cities and tourist routes. Local buses or shared taxis go to smaller towns.

Planning is easy. Tickets can be purchased at the central bus terminal, where you can also find out departure times. Buses run frequently.

Train: Thailand also has some railway lines. The most interesting routes for visitors are those from Bangkok to Chiang Mai (10:30 hours) and south to Surat Thani, where you can take buses heading south, for example, to the islands (about 9 hours).

Flight: If you want to combine a southern beach holiday with a trip to northern Thailand, you’ll find plenty of direct flights that will save you time.

Tuk tuks and taxis: Locally you usually travel by tuk-tuk or taxi, but their drivers are happy to take money from tourists’ pockets. Always determine the price for a tuk-tuk in advance. Always insist on “meters” in taxis.

Thailand’s “Uber”: The Thai version of Uber is called Grab. The super app brings together many different services and also offers a taxi function that works just like Uber. You’ll save yourself from the sometimes frustrating haggling with tuk-tuk drivers when traveling around the city.

Free Wi-Fi is available in every hotel, cafe or restaurant in Thailand. However, it is recommended to purchase a local SIM card with sufficient data volume, especially if you want to use the taxi app Grab. The various Thai providers do not differ much in terms of prices and network coverage.

You can buy a tourist SIM card directly from the airport, which includes enough data for the holiday season. Resellers will be happy to assist with activation. It is important that the mobile phone is SIM unlocked and accepts two SIM cards (ideally you use an E-SIM for the Swiss provider).

Thailand is a very safe travel country. Although there have been demonstrations against the government in the capital in the past, tourists were not affected by this.

But in Thailand, as in all tourist attractions around the world (especially the party and beach venues in the south), people try to steal money from tourists’ pockets: overpriced tuk-tuks, shoddy products and other scams; It must be seen from beginning to end, to be resolved with common sense. Lock your valuables in the hotel.

I traveled around Thailand for months and apart from the usual scams, I never encountered a dangerous situation and I never got robbed.

Thailand is a very cheap travel destination and that is why it is so popular among backpackers.

If you need to be mindful of your budget, you can find a double room for just 30 to 50 francs (sometimes even cheaper). You can dine in a simple restaurant or street kitchen for just a few francs. A beer or cocktail at the bar is also cheap. Renting a scooter costs around 5 to 7 francs per day.

It is possible to live on 50 francs a day in Thailand and still have a good time; There is no upper limit. In addition, the price-performance ratio of luxury hotels in Thailand is also very good: Here you get more service for your money.

Yes, you can eat at food stalls in Thailand without any worries. Street food is an important part of Thai culture. No vendor in a night market with numerous food stalls can afford to offer low-quality products.

You can easily consume ice in your drinks. Especially in touristic places, ice cream is made from drinking water.

However, Thailand is a tropical country. “Traveller’s diarrhea” is not uncommon. This is harmless and disappears quickly (if diarrhea is accompanied by fever, you should consult a doctor). I have never had any serious problems with contaminated food in Thailand.

If you want to be on the safe side, eat only fried, boiled or stewed dishes.

Thailand is a tropical country with higher health risks than Europe. However, tourists are rarely affected by tropical diseases, especially if they stay in tourist areas. Depending on the length and type of trip, vaccinations or supplements may be necessary. Therefore, you should consult your doctor about four weeks before traveling. It is important to protect yourself from mosquitoes (long clothing, anti-humid clothing) as they can carry various diseases. The website osir.ch offers the first overview.

The best time to travel to Thailand is between November and March, when the weather is dry and slightly cooler. The rainy season starts in April and can be very hot and humid. However, Thailand is a year-round destination. Especially during the rainy season, the number of tourists in the country decreases and hotels reduce their prices.

Bangkok: For many travelers, Bangkok is just a stopover upon arrival or departure. Thailand’s megacity (about eight million people live here) also has a lot to offer in terms of tourists. What is particularly exciting is the contrast between tradition (the royal palace and some of the country’s most important temples are located here) and the ultra-modern, luxurious city of the 21st century. If you’re looking to party in style, you’ll find some of the best rooftop bars and clubs in Southeast Asia in high-rise buildings. You must stay at least three days.

Southern islands: Thailand’s biggest tourist magnet are the islands in the south of the country. Here you can enjoy a dream beach holiday as you imagine it: bungalows on the sand, cocktails at sunset, parties all night long. Here you will find islands to suit every holiday taste. The largest and most popular island is Phuket, which attracts both party tourists and luxury guests. Things are more relaxed on smaller islands like Koh Lanta. The best diving courses in the region are found on Koh Tao, while neighboring Koh Samui tends to attract an older crowd.

Central Thailand: People interested in culture and history are often drawn to central Thailand. The most important historical cities of the country are located here in the cities of Ayutthaya and Sukhothai.

Northwest Thailand: Northwest of Chiang Mai city is Thailand’s number 2 tourist destination. This quaint little town has become a hub for digital nomads in recent years. Accordingly, here you will find stylish cafes, co-working spaces and good accommodation. You often stay longer than you planned because of the young and trendy atmosphere. In the area, you can visit elephant camps where former working elephants spend their retirement (be sure to find out in advance which camps keep the animals appropriately for their species) and do many outdoor activities. Hiking and overnight stays with mountain tribes are possible, especially in the western mountains.

Thailand is a Buddhist country. Despite its modern appearance, the society is still strongly based on traditions and deep-rooted behaviors. The way Thai people treat each other with respect is governed by many rules that visitors hardly understand. That’s why it’s easy for a tourist to make mistakes. Thai people are quick to forgive this, provided you approach Thai culture with interest and respect.

It is important to behave respectfully and carefully in public and in temples. Especially when sitting in meditation halls, your feet should not point towards the Buddha statue. This is considered an insult. You should also avoid conversations about politics and the royal family. Lese Majeste was severely punished in Thailand.

Source : Blick