THAILAND
OVERVIEW
A sprawling archipelago of over 17,000 islands, Indonesia presents a kaleidoscope of experiences where shadows of ancient temple tower, pristine beaches fringing coastlines, shadows of its majestic temples of Borobudur & Prambanan, hidden coves in Raja Ampat, the untouched shores of the Gili Islands, and the volcanic sands of Flores, intricate batik textiles of Java and puppet performances of Wayang Kulit meet.
THAILAND Travel guide
Getting to Thailand
Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang in Bangkok and Phuket Airports are the most popular hubs that caters to direct flights from all across India especially to Suvarnabhumi Airport. Direct flights are available from Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai and Kolkata.
VISA
Thailand is visa-free for Indians but this Thailand Digital Arrival Card or TDAC needs to be filled and submitted 3 days prior to their arrival date in Thailand.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Thailand is during the dry season when the climate is comparatively warmer, drier, laced with humidity while the wet season experiences incessant showers.
- Dry season: October to May
- Wet season: June to September
Shoulder season is between June to September when tourism is low, influencing lower rates.
Best Places to Visit in Thailand
- Bangkok – Big Knit Café, Space and Time cube, Pratunam Night Market, Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun, Song Wat Road
- Phuket – Wat Chalong, Viewpoint, and Old Town, Thai Hua Museum, Chinpracha House, 3 Khai Islands Tour
- Pattaya
- Krabi
- Chiang Mai – Town Square, Bua Thong Waterfall, Doi Suthep Temple
Types of Accommodations in Thailand
All types of accommodations are available in Thailand. Be it Hostels, Apartments, Guest Houses, 4 Star Hotels & Luxury Stays
In case you are looking for sustainable stays then you can book through Eco Lodges Anywhere
Local Food and Drinks in Thailand
- Southeast Asia especially Thailand is known for a wide range of delicaies that it offers. Be it for hard-core meat eaters, or vegetarians or vegans. Chiang Mai in Thailand is also known for its coffee.
Types of Transportation in Thailand
- A great way to travel is to book a bike or a cab on Gojek or
- Inter-city Bus – leaves from Mochit terminal, fares depend on the distance travelled.
- Local Bus services
- Local taxis like pink taxis
- Songthaew
- Rent a bike or self-driving car (advisable to obtain IDP from home country)
Applications to Download
Gojek – for cabs, bikes and food
Grab – for cabs, bikes and food
In-drive – ride-hailing app
HappyCow – to check for vegetarian options around you
GoWabi – For discounted deals on massages, spas, beauty clinics, hair removal, hair salons, gel nail salons, dental clinics, and more
TADA – local ride-hailing app
Bangkok MRT & BTS Metro Guide – to check the lines
Things to Remember
- Local currency is the Thai Baht (THB)
- Credit cards are widely accepted.
- Learn a few basic Thai phrases as
- Dress modestly while visiting Buddhist temples. It’s advisable to carry a sarong to cover the bottom in case you are wearing shorts or dresses (that fall above the knee). Probably the best thing is to use Google Translate
- English is not widely spoken.
- For calling either purchase a local sim or activate an e-sim.
- Carry portable fans.
- Dress modestly while visiting Buddhist temples. It’s advisable to carry a sarong to cover the bottom in case you are wearing shorts or dresses (that fall above the knee).
EXPERIENCES & ITINERARIES
POSTS
A Khem Sak, Ink & An Ajarn (Monk): Here’s How My Sak Yant in Chiang Mai Unfolded
Chiang Mai Travel Guide: Everything You Need To Know About This Northern Thailand Province
Thailand Public Transportation: How We Travelled Across Northern Thai Provinces
10 Hostels in Thailand That Should be Bookmarked By Every Budget Traveller
Can You Guess The World’s Most Overcrowded Tourist Destination of 2023?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Is Thailand visa-free for Indians?
Yes, Thailand is visa-free for Indians.
There is no need for any visa. Pre-arrival a document needs to be filled online.
- What is the capital of Thailand?
The capital of Thailand is Bangkok
- How many time-zones are there in Thailand?
Thailand has only one time zone.
- What is the time difference between India and Thailand?
Thailand is behind India by 1.5 hours
- What religion does Thailand follow?
Thailand was a part of the Khmer Dynasty that was predominantly Hindu and later adopted Theraveda Buddhism.
- What is the ideal duration of Thailand Trip?
5-7 days are good for a trip to cover Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya. However if you want to really explore offbeat Thailand it will take a good month. For a trip to Chiang Mai and its adjoining provinces usually takes around 9 days that includes hikes through some renowned dense national parks. but it is advisable not to club with other islands in Indonesia. This is the largest country of Southeast Asia so covering it in its entirety isn’t feasible
- How many UNESCO Heritage sites does Thailand have?
There are 10 UNESCO heritage sites in Indonesia, namely
1. Borobudur Temple Compounds of Central Java
2. Prambanan Temple Compounds located on the border between the two provinces of Yogyakarta and Central Java
3. Komodo National Park between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores
4. Ujung Kulon National Park located at the south-west tip ofJava
5. Sangiran Early Man Site in Central Java
6. Lorentz National Park located in Indonesia’s Papua Province
7. Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra
8. Cultural Landscape of Bali Province: the Subak System as a 9. Manifestation of the Tri Hita Karana Philosophy
9. Ombilin Coal Mining Heritage of Sawahlunto, located in the inaccessible mountains of West Sumatra
10. The Cosmological Axis of Yogyakarta and its Historic Landmarks
- What is famous in Thailand to buy?
There are a lot of local products that one can buy from Indonesia
Local handicraft
Coffee