Thailand Travel Guide: FAQs for Tourists Visiting Thailand (2024)
Thailand Travel Guide:
Known for its serene tropical beaches, royal palaces, ornate temples, ancient ruins, scenic views, luxurious resorts, numerous exciting tourist attractions and a series of fun party places, Thailand is believed to be one of the most loved and travelled to Southeast Asian countries by travellers from all over the globe. The capital city, Bangkok is also known to house several beautiful spots to visit including the ultramodern cityscape rising next to the quiet canal side communities, Emerald buddha temple, Wat Pho and so on. The fashionable Hua Hin and the bustling town of Pattaya are some good options for beach resorts. Housing a population of over 6.94 crores, Thailand is considered to house really warm, friendly and helpful inhabitants. If you are going for a vacation to Thailand for the first time, then probably you would have a lot of queries. But you don’t have to worry, as in this article we will try to answer some of the most frequently asked questions, satisfying your curiosity.
FAQs for Tourists Visiting Thailand
Is Thailand A Safe Country To Visit?
Yes, absolutely! Thailand is undoubtedly a safe place to visit. A huge bunch of travellers from all over the globe visit Thailand every year and have great experiences. All of the popular tourist attraction spots are perfectly safe. Thailand is quite safe even for female solo travellers, as long as they avoid going to lonely and isolated places. Though there have been instances of conflicts in the southern region of Thailand but you as a tourist must not be much concerned because these conflicts do not have any effect on the safety in the rest of the regions of the country.
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Another piece of advice for you, if you are planning to visit any major city is that you should be alert for concerns like petty thefts and public transportation scams. Stay alert and you can also talk to a local to learn some good ways to keep your precious belongings and money safe.
Do I Need A Visa To Go To Thailand?
Unless you plan to stay in the country for a long time, you don’t need a visa. Indian citizens visiting Thailand don’t need a visa but rather a visa on arrival which will allow them to stay in the country for a period of 15 days. Even according to the US Embassy in Thailand, your passport should be valid for at least the next six months after you arrive in Thailand and should have also have a blank page for an immigration stamp which ultimately will act as your visa, allowing you to stay in the country for a duration up to 30 days.
What To Do For Staying In Thailand For More Than 30 Days?
If you are planning to stay in Thailand for more than a period of 30 days, then you can apply for a tourist visa before you leave. A tourist visa for Thailand allows the visitors to stay for as long as 60 days in the country. Following this, the visa can be extended up to a 30 days period but no longer than that.
Do I Need Any Vaccinations Before Travelling To Thailand?
No matter whichever place you are going to a vacation for, it is always a good idea to remain prepared in advance. Similar is the case, if you are going for a vacation to Thailand. If you are not already vaccinated for Typhoid and Hepatitis A, then it is highly recommended that you do make sure to do so before you leave for the vacation. Vaccination to tetanus will also be a good idea. If you are travelling with small babies or even young kids, it is better to double and even triple check to ensure that they had all of their routine vaccinations before going for the Thailand vaccination. After all, the last thing you would want on your vacation is for someone to fall sick.
What Is The Best Way Of Travelling Long-Distance In Thailand?
The best way of travelling around Thailand varies depending on the fact that where you are and till where you are going. There are a variety of transportation options open to people in Thailand. For instance, if you are travelling a long distance such as from one city to another, or from one region to another region, then it is advisable that you go by air. Since there are plenty of cheap airlines available, not only will save a lot of travel time but will get it at a reasonable price. So, for long distance travelling, the best mode of travelling is to book a flight. Other options that you can consider include taking a train, bus or even a ferry (if you are going from a main land to an island and vice versa).
What Is The Best Way Of Exploring Within Cities In Thailand?
For exploring within specific cities, you can any day flag down a taxi or get a tuk tuk which is a three – wheeled motorized cart. However, while travelling in taxi or tuk tuk, be very careful of getting caught in scams or theft. The best way to make sure that you are not getting ripped off by the driver is to track your route ahead of time and tell the driver your preferred route to go on. Also, make it a point to get in only those taxis that use a meter to calculate the fee. If you have booked yourself an accommodation in Bangkok, then travelling by the new skytrain is also a wonderful option as it is pretty safe, comfortable and helps you avoid the crazy traffic jams.
What Precautions Should I Take While Having Food In Thailand?
If you are a true traveller, then you would already know that at any time when you are eating unfamiliar food in unfamiliar surroundings, there is always a lingering chance of catching food poising. However, there are still some precautions, taking which, you can make sure to keep yourself healthy and safe. Thailand is well known for its diverse range of delicious cuisine. Some of the precautions you can take to enjoy their delicacies and yet remain healthy are:
- Street Food: If you are planning to eat street food, then it is recommended that you search for the most popular and reputed stalls early on.
- Stale Food: If you are eating at an unfamiliar place, it is always advised that you should avoid the food that has been sitting out for long. It is best if you consume only that food which has been prepared right in front of your eyes.
- Raw Food: Unless you are eating in an established, reputable and recognised restaurant which has good reviews, you should avoid eating raw fruits, vegetables and even fish.
- Hand Sanitizer: Though it may seem like a hassle or somewhat nerdy at first, carrying a hand sanitizer along with you always is one of the obvious and silent rules of travelling. Make sure to use it before eating anywhere and anytime to prevent any sort of infection.
Keep these FAQs handy and have a safe as well as a memorable Thailand vacation!