Thailand travel tips

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	Money		Language
	Health & fitness		Transport
	Safety & security		Electricity
	Food & water		Post & communication
	Responsible travel

Money

The official unit of currency in Thailand is the Thai baht (BHT). The exchange rate fluctuates so for current exchange rates please visit www.xe.com.

International access ATMs dispensing Thai baht can be found throughout Thailand. All cash purchases should be made in the local currency. Credit cards can be used in most shops and restaurants in major cities. Visa and Mastercard are the most commonly accepted cards. Cash advances can be obtained using these cards at major banks throughout the country. You are advised to carry a mix of cash as well as debit and credit cards. Traveller's cheques in USD, AUD, CAD & GBP are accepted throughout the country, but these are now becoming harder to cash.

Health & fitness

Travellers to Thailand should take precautions as they would elsewhere in Asia. Thailand offers some of the best health care in the region. International-standard medical facilities are available in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket, however elsewhere facilities can be basis. Some of the diseases known to exist in Thailand include hepatitis A and B, dengue, malaria, tetanus, diptheria and HIV/AIDS. We recommend you take adequate preventative measures to minimise your risk of exposure to these health risks. We strongly recommend you consult your preferred doctor for the most up-to-date health advice at least one month prior to travel.

Safety & security

Thailand is relatively safe by world standards though usual common sense precautions apply. Petty theft can be a problem in tourist centres so we recommend you wear as little jewellery as possible and keep your spending money close to your body in a secure place when out on the street. We advise you take taxis rather than tuk-tuks at night. Taxis are metered and inexpensive.

Throughout your stay, always keep a photocopy of your passport, airline tickets and credit card numbers, and a detailed record of your traveller's cheques. You should leave valuables in hotel safety deposit boxes wherever possible.

Please check the following websites to get the latest news and travel advice from the region:

Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade - www.smarttraveller.gov.au
Canadian Foreign Affairs & International Trade - www.voyage.gc.ca
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs - www.mfat.govt.nz/travel
UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office - www.fco.gov.uk
USA Department of State - www.travel.state.gov
World Health Organisation - www.who.int/en

Food & water

Thai cuisine is an exotic mix of the best ingredients and flavours that Asia has to offer. Common flavours and ingredients include garlic, coconut milk, lime, lemongrass, tamarind, ginger and chillies. Fresh produce and seafood is plentiful, of good quality, and affordable. Though Thai food is renowned for being spicy, the cuisine is incredibly varied and subtler dishes can easily be found. There are distinct regional variations so be sure you ask for the local specialties. Some must-trys include tom yam goong, a spicy soup with prawns, and khao soi, a northern curry dish with crispy noodles. Some of the best food can be found in street stalls and markets. Vegetarians are generally well catered for, with vegetable curries and stirfries and fruit readily available. Tap water should be avoided however bottled water is readily available and provided on a complimentary basis by many hotels.

Language

Thai is the official language of Thailand. Thai has five tones and uses its own written script. Some level of English will be spoken and understood by most people involved in the tourist industry, in restaurants, shops and, to a lesser extent, by taxi and tuk-tuk drivers. Thai is a difficult language to master however you may be able to pick up a few basic words while you are travelling like hello, goodbye and thank you, and any effort will be appreciated.

Transport

When travelling by road we generally use late model air-conditioned minibuses. For tour groups of 6 or more travellers, air-conditioned Toyota Coaster or Hyundai with 25-40 seats are used on all road journeys. Modern sedan cars are used when there are only one or two people in the group. Any domestic flights booked with Travel Indochina will be with Thai Airways or Bangkok Airways on modern ATR - 72, Airbus 319 & 320 and Boeing 717 & 737s. Thailand's rail network is extensive and trains can be a great way to travel. Overnight rail journeys organised by Travel Indochina will include accommodation in a cooled sleeper carriage which is comfortable and modern. Sheets and blankets are provided and are clean and of high quality. Western style washrooms and toilets are located at both ends of each carriage. During your journey expect to also use tuk-tuks and a variety of boats, depending on the itinerary, both of which are great fun.

Electricity

Voltage is mainly 220V alternating at 50 cycles per second. Sockets generally feature two-prong round pins, though other variations are often found. We advise you bring a universal adaptor. Electricity supply is generally reliable in cities, but less so in rural areas that may rely on generator-run power.

Post & communication

Broadband internet is available in major centres and is generally inexpensive. In most larger towns and cities there are numerous internet cafes providing email services, and connection is generally quite good. Many hotels offer a LAN or WiFi service for laptop users. International phone and fax charges are quite reasonable, and cheaper if made from a post office or using a prepaid card at a Lenso payphone. Reverse charge (collect) calls are possible but you may be charged a small fee. The international calling code for Thailand is (+66). Mobile phones do work in Thailand, although you will need to contact your service provider prior to departure to ensure you have roaming. Coverage is very good throughout the country. International post generally takes 7-10 days to reach its destination with postage charges slightly lower than western rates.

View our full list of Thailand tours.

Return to our Thailand travel overview page.