Thailand travel tips
To introduce you to the fascinating Thailand in a nutshell, here we have gathered the most important travel tips for Thailand. Thailand offers both the backpacker and the hotel tourist everything you could want in a vacation destination. You'll find gorgeous islands, a fascinating culture, unique diving spots and fascinating mega-metropolises. To help you experience Thailand safely and well, we've compiled our travel tips here which are primarily for those new to Asia. Here you can find more travel tips for Thailand.
Travel tips with facts
Capital: Language: Currency: Time Zone: Inhabitants: Highest point: Population density: Area: Telephone area code: State:
| Bangkok | Thai |
| Baht | Berlin plus 7 hours |
| 69.522.234 | Doi Inthanon (2.565 M) |
| 135 inhabitants/km² | 513.115 km² |
| +66 | Thailand |
The best time for a Thailand vacation:
Because of the Thai climate Thailand is good for a trip all year round. Like any destination, Thailand has high and low season. It is relatively warm throughout the year, and the average temperature is around 30 to 35 degrees Celsius. Especially during the dry season, there is little to no rain, except of course during the rainy season. During November to April is the tourist high season and the prices for overnight stays are usually up to 100% more expensive than during the low season. From April onwards, the "hot season" begins and it is very humid and oppressive, which leads to problems with the circulation, especially for Europeans.
Tip for the circulation: Buy "electrolytes" in the local pharmacies and drink a lot of water. More information about the weather can be found here at the topic best time to travel to Thailand.
Geography: Clear map of Southeast Asia
Thailand is located approximately in the middle of Southeast Asia and therefore has played a central role in Asian history for centuries and borders on neighboring countries: Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar as well as Malaysia. You can get a nice overview from the following interactive map:
– Please scroll mouse to zoom in or out areas –
Flora and fauna in Thailand
The flora and fauna in Thailand is of course also truly breathtaking, because Thailand is known for its rich animal kingdom and also for scenic highlights above and under water. Dreamlike beautiful islands with crystal clear water imprint themselves on the visitor in an unforgettable way. About 45% of the land area is covered with forests and therefore provides the ideal platform for the animal kingdom and for various plants. The Thai national parks are to be mentioned absolutely therefore. The Khao Sok National Park as well as the Khao Yai National Park are particularly worth mentioning.
Equally interesting is the wildlife! In many swamp and water areas live poisonous snakes and crocodiles from which you should keep away as a tourist. In the north and jungle of Thailand live tigers, leopards and elephants in free run until today. The probability that you will find these, however, is very low.
Tigers and elephants enjoy in the Thai history a very high value and find meanwhile large demand with the typical elephant riding (see picture)!
Tips on visa regulations
As a German, Austrian or Swiss citizen you do not have to apply for anything in advance. You will receive the visa for 30 days directly upon arrival. Your passport should be valid for at least another 6 months. You can get all further information here on the topic: visa for Thailand.
Religion and Buddhism
95% of the Thai population is Buddhist, which is the most widely practiced religion in Thailand. The Thai Buddhists are mostly very devout and the monks are honored and promoted throughout the country. In the south, in the region around Krabi, the majority of the population is Muslim, which makes up 4% of the total population. The remaining 1% are the Christian minority as well as Hindus and Sikhs.
Time difference to Germany
The time difference from Germany is + 5 hours. If in Germany 13.00 o'clock, it is in Thailand 18.00 o'clock. Please note this when calling to or from Thailand.
The Thai language
The Thai language is Thai, but with a basic knowledge of English you can communicate well enough. In some hotels / resorts and restaurants German is already spoken. The Thai language is based on centuries of hieratic structures of society and has been transmitted through this language to the present day. Every Thai will be happy if you know a few words of Thai, so here are a few words to learn.
| Yes | Chai |
| No | May Chai |
| Sorry | Koh Thot |
| Thank you | Men: basket kuhn krap Women: korb kuhn khaah |
| Please | Men: mai bên rai krab Women: mai bên rai ka |
| Hello | Men: sAwAddee krab Women: sAwAddee ka |
| Toilet | hong nam |
| Numbers please! | jek bin krab |
| Bye | Men: bai laew na krab Women: bai laew na ka |
Currency
The currency in Thailand is the "Thai Baht" and the abbreviation is THB. For a simple conversion you can use 1 Euro to 40 Baht (THB). There are plenty of possibilities to change Euro on the spot. Experience has shown that it is best to use a simple EC card to get cash at ATMs. Please inquire about possible fees in advance in Germany. To be on the safe side, it is advisable to carry a credit card as well. Our recommendation: The free DKB Cash account
Travel tips for tipping
Also in Thailand the tip is considered as "voluntary service" if you were satisfied with the service. Meanwhile, some restaurants automatically charge a 10% service fee, which is added directly to the bill. In restaurants it is usual to tip between 20 and 100 Baht if the food was very tasty. For cab rides, you can round up the baht amount to the full ten.
Particularly worth mentioning are the travel guides. If you are on the road with your guide for several days and you are satisfied with his performance, you are welcome to give 50 to 200 baht as a tip and recognition of his efforts. However, there is no obligation.
We hope to give you some insight and important travel tips and we are always looking forward to your message, if an important aspect should be missing. We will then add the contents as soon as possible. Please keep in mind that this is intended as an insight, and does not replace a guidebook.