What is the best time to visit Thailand?

The best time to visit Thailand depends on your priorities. Many travellers visit year-round, though spring and autumn typically offer pleasant weather and smaller crowds at popular attractions like Grand Palace. Check weather patterns for Asia before booking.

What currency does Thailand use?

Thailand uses the Thai baht (฿). Exchange at banks or airports, and withdraw from ATMs with your debit card. Credit cards are accepted in most tourist areas.

What food should I try in Thailand?

Pad Thai is one of Thailand's most iconic dishes. Other must-try foods include Tom Yum Goong and Green Curry (Gaeng Keow Wan). Eat where locals eat for the best experience.

How many countries can visit Thailand visa-free?

97 countries can enter Thailand without a visa, typically for up to 60 days. 15 more get a visa on arrival. Check the full list and your specific requirements above.

Is Thailand safe for tourists?

Thailand is generally safe for tourists with normal precautions. As in any country, stay aware of your surroundings, avoid displaying expensive items, and use registered transport. Check current government travel advisories before your trip.

Thailand

Thailand, officially the Kingdom of Thailand, and formerly known as Siam until 1939, is a…

Capital

Bangkok

Language

Thai

Currency

Thai baht (฿)

Population

65.9M

Timezone

UTC+07:00

Visa-free access

97 countries

Travelling to Thailand

Thailand, officially the Kingdom of Thailand, and formerly known as Siam until 1939, is a country located in Mainland Southeast Asia. It shares land borders.

Thailand is located in South-Eastern Asia, Asia. The capital is Bangkok, and the official language is Thai. The local currency is the Thai baht (฿). With a population of 65.9M, Thailand is one of the larger country in Asia.

Thailand offers visa-free entry to 97 countries, with most stays allowed for up to 60 days. 15 nationalities can get a visa on arrival. 86 more can apply for an eVisa online.

Top places to visit in Thailand

Grand Palace

The 1782 epicenter of the Chakri Dynasty defines Siamese architectural opulence through its gold-leafed stupas and glass-inlaid pediments; the Emerald Buddha sits atop a nine-tiered pedestal within the Wat Phra Kaew precinct; walk the outer cloister at 9 am when the sunlight ignites the Ramakien murals; the smell of burning incense and the shimmering heat from the white-washed walls create a sensory haze of imperial power.

Ayutthaya Historical Park

The 14th-century capital of Siam remains a skeletal city of sun-bleached brick prangs and headless Buddha images overlooking the Chao Phraya; the Wat Mahathat features the iconic sandstone head entwined in the roots of a strangler fig; explore the ruins at dusk when the terracotta brickwork turns deep crimson; the sound of cicadas punctuates the stillness of the surrounding marshes.

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

A 14th-century Theravada monastery perched 1,073 metres above the sea on a mountain flank; the central gold-plated chedi contains a relic of the Buddha under a five-tiered parasol; climb the 306-step Naga staircase at dawn to hear the rhythmic chanting of monks; the pre-dawn mist clings to the copper bells; their intermittent tolling the only sound above the waking valley below.

Sukhothai Historical Park

The 13th-century 'Dawn of Happiness' preserves the zenith of Siamese classical art through its slender; bronze Buddha figures and lotus-bud chedis; the Wat Si Chum houses a colossal 15-metre seated Buddha within a slit-roofed mandapa; cycle through the park at 7 am as the sun burns the fog off the lily ponds; the grey laterite earth provides a muted; ancient backdrop to the towering masonry.

Khao Phing Kan

A dramatic karst landscape of 42 limestone islands rising vertically from the emerald Andaman Sea; the 20-metre tall Ko Ta Pu islet stands as a gravity-defying needle of weathered rock; navigate the hongs via kayak during the spring tide when the light reflects off the lime-encrusted cave ceilings; the water is a flat sheet of green silk; its silence broken only by the drip of prehistoric stalactites.

Wat Arun

The 17th-century 'Temple of Dawn' is defined by its 82-metre central prang encrusted with millions of fragments of multi-colored Chinese porcelain; the Khmer-style architecture represents Mount Meru; the center of the Buddhist universe; stand on the western bank of the Chao Phraya at sunset when the river silhouettes the spires; the sharp texture of the porcelain shards glints even under the fading golden light.

See all 20 places in Thailand →

What to eat in Thailand

Green Curry (Gaeng Keow Wan)

traditional

Som Tum (Green Papaya Salad)

traditional

Explore all Thailand dishes →

Thailand visa requirements

Visa-free

Visa on arrival

eVisa / eTA

Countries that can visit Thailand visa-free

97 countries can enter without a visa, usually for up to 60 days.

Europe

Asia

United Arab Emirates60d

Americas

Africa

Oceania

Visa on arrival in Thailand

15 countries can get a visa at the airport. Bring your passport, a photo, and cash for the fee.

eVisa and eTA for Thailand

86 countries can apply online before travelling. Processing typically takes 1–7 business days.

Europe

Asia

Africa

Before you go to Thailand

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Passport validity

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned stay. Thailand immigration may refuse entry otherwise.

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Proof of onward travel

Carry a return or onward flight ticket. Airlines and border officers may ask to see it before allowing you to board or enter.

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Visa on arrival

If arriving on a visa on arrival, bring passport photos and cash for the fee. Processing takes 15–60 minutes at immigration.

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Currency: Thai baht

The local currency is ฿. Exchange major currencies at the airport or city banks. ATMs are widely available in urban areas.

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Language: Thai

Thai is the primary language. English is spoken in tourist areas and major cities.

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Power & connectivity

Check Thailand's plug type and voltage before packing. Buy a local SIM card at the airport for affordable data.

Power plug guide →SIM card guide →

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Check your visa for Thailand

Select your passport for an instant result.

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Thailand 7-day itinerary

AI-generated day-by-day travel plan.

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Explore Thailand

20 places, 6 dishes, and more.

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FAQ · Thailand

Thailand — your questions

It depends on your passport. 97 countries can enter Thailand visa-free. 15 more get a visa on arrival. 86 can apply for an eVisa online. Everyone else needs an embassy visa. Use the WorldCurio visa checker for your specific passport.