Planning a trip to Thailand, and want to ensure you’ve covered all your bases?
Well then you’re in the right place, read on for the Essential Thailand Travel Checklist to ensure you have all your T’s crossed and I’s dotted before you depart for the trip of a lifetime!
#1 Travel Documents & Formalities
Check your passport, ensure you have at least 6 months of validity left beyond your date of arrival. If not you will not be permitted to enter the country, and that would be a crying shame!
Visa Requirements – depending on your citizenship you may need to apply for a visa before landing in Thailand. Fret not, we can help with that. Make sure your visa covers your intended duration of stay. If you’re opting for a visa on arrival you’re good to go for 30 days. You will be asked about your departure details from Thailand, so ensure you have an onward ticket ready – it’s a good idea to ensure you don’t get stuck with huge ticket change fees in case your itinerary is a bit flexible.
Proof of Accommodation & Exit Flight – even before boarding your airline may ask you for these details. Ensure you have a booking in place for where you’re staying upon arrival. Be ready to show an outgoing flight reservation too.
Print & Cloud backups of all these documents come in handy, so come prepared to avoid headaches later on. Make a digital folder on your phone and store PDF’s of your passport, visa, insurance policy, international driving permit (if any) & flight/hotel confirmations.
#2 Health & Safety Prep
While not compulsory, Travel Insurance is highly recommended. XXXX is a great option. Getting around Thailand is often easier on two-wheelers, so coverage for motorcycle accidents is highly recommended. If you’re a thrill seeker you may want to ensure you have adventure sports coverage. Medical tourists should look at a policy that extends coverage for elective procedures.
Carrying prescription meds? Ensure you carry them in the original packaging along with a doctor’s note. Make sure your medications are not illegal to transport. It’s advisable to keep 2-3 days supply in your carry-on just in case.
High SPF sunscreen & mosquito repellent will come in handy, but if you don’t bring any with you, there’ll be ample opportunity to buy them once you’re here.
Save the local emergency numbers on your phone for easy access. 191 for Police, 1155 for Tourist Police & 1669 for medical emergency. Look up your home embassy/consulate number too and keep it on file.
#3 Money Matters
How much to carry? Well Thailand has no shortage of ATM’s, and so long as your cards are accessible overseas, you should have no problem accessing cash. Nevertheless cash does come in handy, so we recommend carrying at least $200-300 in local currency with some foreign currency in reserve.
You want to have small bills on hand, because if you’re expecting change for large notes from markets and taxis you may find yourself sorely disappointed.
There are also ample currency exchanges in all major cities where you can swap your foreign money for local cash.
Before leaving home it’s not a bad idea to check for a card that waives foreign-transaction fees to avoid any unpleasant surprises. It’s a good idea to let your bank know your traveling, and to enable Pin, chip & tap payments.
A bonus travel tip – keep a backup card in a separate pouch as an emergency contingency.
Prefer minimizing cash and card payments? Well you’re in luck as mobile payment apps are popular in Thailand. Top up some cash on apps like GrabPay & TrueMoney and enjoy digital payments without constantly running your expenses on your card.
#4 Connectivity & Apps
Navigating in a foreign country can be difficult enough, don’t make it any harder than it has to be by ensuring you have access to phone data! You may find a good international data plan through your carrier, but otherwise there are numerous options for e-SIM cards or tourist SIM cards that you can acquire upon your arrival at the airport or from most shopping malls.
Once data has been addressed, downloading and familiarizing yourself with the must-have apps for Thailand is the next step.
Install Grab and Bolt for transport & food (plus lots more), Google Maps (download offline areas just in case!), Translate, Weather, and Thailand’s most utilized messaging app Line, and you’ll have all your essential services in the palm of your hand.
Connecting & charging your devices is the other consideration, so it’s worthwhile investing in a portable power bank and universal plug. Thailand runs on 220 V, 50 Hz, and sockets commonly accept Types A/C sometimes B/F/O.
#5 Packing Cheat Sheet
Let’s start with clothing, you want to be prepared for Thailand’s hot and humid climate with light clothing for the most part.
If you’re traveling during the winter (Dec-Feb) it may be a tad cooler, especially in the north, so plan accordingly.
For those intending to do some cultural tourism, ensure you have some modest attire (shoulders & knees covered) for temple visits.
May through October is Thailand’s monsoon season, so visitors here during this period might want to carry a lightweight rain jacket. If you don’t have one handy don’t worry, you can pick one up at any of the 10,000+ 7/11 convenience stores across the country should the need arise!
Swimwear is encouraged, even city hotels will usually have a pool to cool off in, and a reusable water bottle & quick dry towel can come in awfully handy. It pays to stay hydrated, but avoid tap water – ensure your using bottled water or refilling from drinking water dispensers that most hotels offer.
#6 Get Familiar With Culture & Etiquette
Familiarizing yourself with cultural norms before arriving will help you integrate and ensure you are well received on your trip.
An unmistakable gesture you will become familiar with in Thailand is the wai – a common greeting that demonstrates respect. It entails pressing one’s hands together accompanied with a nod/bow.
Temple etiquette starts with dressing respectfully and the removal of one’s shoes. Please also be aware of signs that signal where photography is not allowed, and ensure never to point your feet at people or images/statues of the Buddha.
Respect is a foundation of Thai culture, and this is reflected in the tone in which Thai people speak. A calm tone is appreciated, along with polite interaction and gently raising any problems encountered. Also avoid touching one’s head as the head is considered sacred.
One’s conduct is also expected to be respectful, which means being mindful of public displays of affection in religious places & villages. It is also expected that visitors are respectful of the Thai monarchy so avoid any comments or jokes that could be construed as offensive.
#7 Getting Around
In Bangkok traffic can be a headache, but thankfully the city boasts a great transit system. The BTS Skytrain/MRT covers most of the city and is quite easy to use.
When catching a taxi make sure to use the meter, or book using one of the transportation apps that disclose the price before you book and can automatically debit your card. Both car taxis and bike taxis are available, with bike taxis offering a faster and cheaper option.
Moving between cities is possible by air, track or road. Domestic flights are affordable and save you time, however if you want a better view of the country you may opt to take the train. Sleeper trains are available for overnight routes. Traveling by road can be done by taxi/private car, although there are also lots of busses and minivans that connect major towns by way of official terminals.
Looking for a beach getaway? Enjoy a ride on the ferry service to get to your island paradise.
If you’re keen on driving please ensure you carry an international driving permit along with your home license. When renting vehicles ensure you document any scratches beforehand to ensure you don’t get hit with a bill when you return it. When riding a two wheeler ensure you wear your helmet, it is the law and it is enforced!
#8 Plan Your Unforgettable Trip!
Shortlist some adventures and experiences to enjoy while in Thailand, begin to map out you arrive to get the most out of your visit.
Thailand offers tons of things to do that require little to no planning, nevertheless it doesn’t hurt to get excited about your trip, and some advanced planning can ensure you don’t miss out on certain experiences.
In case you are interested in experiencing the Songkran (April) & Loy Krathong (November) festivals, then you will need to plan your trip for the right time of the year.
Perhaps you’re interested in experiencing classes or wellness experiences (Thai massage schools, cooking courses, Muay Thai training, yoga/meditation programs) that would require advanced booking for longer programs. Shorter programs & classes are often available with little to no notice however.
One area where planning ahead has great value is in capitalizing on the amazing Thai Hospitality industry. Whether you’re looking at accommodation or dining out, Thailand boasts some of the best options in the world, and waiting till the last minute will certainly take options off the table. Thankfully the available alternatives are still outstanding and plentiful.
Some destinations to consider while you’re in Thailand include:
Bangkok musts — Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho, Wat Arun; river sunsets.
North — Chiang Mai (Doi Suthep, Old City), Pai hot springs, Chiang Rai’s White Temple.
Islands — Phuket (Phang Nga Bay), Krabi/Railay (cliffs/kayak), Samui/Phangan/Tao (wellness/diving).
#9 Explore Health Tourism Services
There’s no point coming to one of the world’s foremost medical tourism destinations without checking out what’s on offer!
Perhaps it’s time to get a long overdue comprehensive medical checkup, some neglected dental work, or even an elective procedure or two. Maybe anti-aging or beauty treatments are more up your alley?
It doesn’t hurt to find out what is on offer, and all it takes is a zero-fee consultation with Health Tours Thailand to see what options are available that might serve your needs.
If you decide to avail of some healthcare services it’s good to get the ball rolling beforehand. Share your medical test & records, utilize tele-consultations to meet your doctors and lay the groundwork for your treatment plan. Keep a printed record of your file on hand and bring it with you to appointments.
Before departing review your itinerary, ensure you are aware of your appointments and treatment dates. You will want to ensure you are allotting for buffer days for labs/follow ups.
Logistics are important, you want to stay near the hospitals/clinics where you are receiving treatment, and you will want to arrange for private transfers on treatment days beforehand.
Understand your aftercare needs – know no-fly/activity limits; clarify wound care, pain plan, & emergency contacts.
On the payment and record front – confirm quotes/payment methods; keep invoices and English summaries if you are intending to file for claims.
If it all feels a bit overwhelming, the support of a trusted medical concierge partner can alleviate many of these pain points so that you can focus on receiving amazing treatment, then resting & relaxing as your recuperate.
#10 Pre-Trip Planning
4–6 weeks out
- Passport validity check; visas (if required).
- Reserve key hotels (free-cancel options are helpful in peak months).
2 weeks out
- Decide on SIM/eSIM; download travel apps; create an offline docs folder.
- Currency plan: card + cash; alert your bank.
- Book any must-do experiences (popular temples at sunrise, cooking classes, island speedboats).
72 hours out
- Print your document set and pack meds.
- Screenshot hotel addresses in Thai (many hotels show this on their site).
- Confirm airport transfer or rideshare pickup point.
Departure day
- Universal adapter, chargers, power bank, scarf/sarong, rain jacket.
- Have a small “arrival kit”: passport, phone, cash, hotel address, and a change of clothes.
Now that you know the do’s and don’t’s for visiting Thailand, get to planning and stop putting off your trip to The Land of Smiles!
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