Thailand
13° 45′ 6” N, 100° 30′ 44” E
Capital
Bangkok
Language
Thai
Currency
Thai baht
Flight time
+/- 11 hours
Thailand, the country
Thailand, the land of tropical islands, delicious food, beautiful temples and blue sea! It has been a favourite travel destination of travellers around the world for years. And for good reason! After all, it has the perfect combination of sun, beach, sea, nature and culture. Read our blogs and you will be prepared for your trip!
Travel advice for Thailand
Thailand has a positive travel advisory and is a safe country to travel through. We have been there several times now and have always had a positive experience. However, there are some areas that are better to avoid.
- It has been recommended for some time that you avoid the provinces of Yala, Narathiwat, Pattani and Songkhla, the border area with Cambodia in Sisaket state, the border area with Cambodia in Surin state and the Northern and Northwestern Thai border with Myanmar. We therefore advise you not to travel here!
- In addition, avoid large-scale demonstrations & contact with the police. The police will side with the locals in almost all cases, whether justified or not. Sounds fierce but we, for example, have never experienced this.
As the security situation can always change, we recommend checking the current travel advice for Thailand check.
Best travel time for Thailand
Best travel time Thailand: November to March.
Unfortunately, the best travel time cannot quite be described in one sentence. Thailand is an elongated country so there is a distinction between northern, central, and southern Thailand.
Best travel time for the North: November to March.
*The rainy season is from May to September.
*Please note that it can be very hot in the months of February, March and April.
Best travel time for the Middle: November to February.
*The rainy season is from May to October.
*Despite the rainy season, you can still travel just fine in the months of May, June and July.
Best travel time for the South: December and March.
*The rainy season is of: May to November
Need more information? Read our blog - What is the best travel period for Thailand?
Visa for Thailand
As a Dutchman, you have no visa needed for Thailand if you do not stay in the country for more than 60 days. In fact, Dutch nationals travelling into the country by plane or through a land border have a 60-day visa waiver. If you want to stay longer then you can apply for an extension.
Keep in mind, though, that you have to use the Thailand Digital Arrival Card must complete via the website of the Thai Immigration Department (information in English). This can be done from 3 days before arrival in Thailand.
Want more information? Read our blog - visa for Thailand.
Vaccinations for Thailand
When planning your trip to Thailand, you should consider the following vaccinations:
- DTP (diphtheria, tetanus and polio)
- Hepatitis A (infectious jaundice)
These vaccinations are recommended when travelling for less than a month. If you are travelling from a country where yellow fever is prevalent, you should also be vaccinated for this. In addition, keep in mind that Malaria is prevalent in some areas.
Want more information or looking for reliable vaccination authorities? Read our blog - vaccinations Thailand
Daily budget for Thailand
Prices in Thailand are a lot lower than in the Netherlands. As a result, it has been the ideal destination of budget travellers for years. Of course, the big cities and islands are a lot more expensive than the small villages in the countryside but the country is suitable for any wallet.
We spent an average of €35 per person per day during our round trip (excluding flights and including boat, taxi and bus transfers). The amounts below are therefore realistic to stick to as a daily budget.
| Budget Traveller | €10 - €25 p.p. |
| Traveller | €25 - €45 p.p. |
| Traveller + | €45+ p.p. |
Thailand blogs
Thailand
Thailand, the country known for its busy and chaotic cities like Bangkok, quiet tea plantations in the countryside, honking scooters and beautiful islands. The country is also often called ‘Land of Smiles’, and for good reason!
Why choose Thailand?
Thailand is a great destination for budget travellers, backpackers, luxury travellers and expats. It has an awful lot of history, ancient temples and monks but, in contrast, Full Moon Parties on the idyllic islands. In addition, it has many landscapes. For instance, in the north near Chiang Mai, you will find green jungles, lakes, temples and elephants & in the south, tropical islands with white sandy beaches.
Tear through the bustling city of Bangkok in a tuktuk, scooter among green rice fields, visit beautiful hidden waterfalls, wander through ancient temples or enjoy a beer on a tropical island. Wherever you go, they greet you with a broad smile. Besides, don't forget to enjoy Thai cuisine because the street food culture is nowhere as good as here!
Do you have any questions or would like more information? Send an e-mail to [email protected]. Would you rather go to another destination within Europe? Check out our landing page!
How to plan your trip to Thailand
Check out our blogs of Thailand to plan your ideal trip! It is one of the world's most popular travel destinations. With its beautiful beaches, vibrant cities and rich culture, the country offers something for everyone. Whatever you are looking for, this country has it all.
Our goal is to make planning your trip more fun and easier. That's why we share all our tips in our travel blogs. Discover the best travel period, determine your route and book the finest accommodation.
With these tips, you'll be ready to plan your dream trip. Enjoy your adventure and drop us a line if you have any questions!
Transport in Thailand
There are plenty of options in Thailand to get from A to B relatively cheaply. In both the big cities and the countryside, there are various transport options to special places and sights. Almost all over Thailand they have made it incredibly easy for tourists and you can buy entire packages. This is not always the cheapest option but often the fastest!
Arrival in Thailand
Arrange pick-up in advance: We actually always recommend this because when you arrive at the airport, you are not waiting for dozens of shouting taxi drivers and price negotiations. Most hotels and hostels have a pick-up service. You often pay a bit more, than if you go by taxi, but there will be someone with a nameplate waiting for you, ideal!
Grab: Another op way is to book a Grab when you arrive at the airport. This is the ideal way to get to your hotel quickly, cheaply and easily. The only downside is that to do this, you need instant internet or depend on the people at the Grab pick-up location.
Public transport: Do you want to take public transport? Then keep this in mind when booking a flight ticket. This option may not be available in the evening.
Transport in Thailand
We recommend that you use a own scooter rent, as this is the ideal way to get around. You rent a scooter easily and quickly from one of the rental companies at any destination outside Bangkok. This gives you complete freedom to go wherever you want! Besides, it is not expensive and you can rent a scooter for 200 to 250 bath (€5.40 - €6.80 ) per day. Are you going to rent a scooter for the first time or are you at a loss as to what to look out for? Read the blogs below about scooter hire in Thailand (online soon)!
Public transport in Thailand
Train: Thailand has a pretty good railway network, so travelling by train is very easy. From Bangkok's central station (Hua Lamphong), several trains leave for all ends of Thailand. Travelling by train is cheap, but not very fast. However, it is quite an experience. Especially the popular night train to Chiang Mai, we recommend!
Buying train tickets: You can buy train tickets at the station itself, but for most routes we recommend booking them in advance. We often still do this at the station itself a few days before we leave but do you want to go straight through or are you going in high season? Then buy your tickets online. We use the website of 12Go.Asia!
Bus: Both within cities and for longer distances, this is an easy way to get around. Buses in Thailand are often the fastest way to get from A to B. It is not yet widely used by travellers but we recommend everyone to take the local bus within a city, like in Bangkok. If you want to know more about public transport in Bangkok, read the blog below.
Buying bus tickets: Bus tickets for a short journey in the city can be bought on the bus itself. If you want to travel a longer distance, buy your bus tickets at a travel agency or at the bus station. You can also buy online via 12Go.Asia buy a bus ticket in advance, this will save you some more time in Thailand!
Read also: Opt for the local bus! Public transport Bangkok | Thailand
Taxi or TukTuk
Taxi: In big cities, the taxi is often the best way to get around. Although a bus is a lot cheaper, a taxi will also get you to your destination for a few euros. However, there are some points to watch out for so you don't overpay. Read our blog on Taxis in Thailand For all the tips.
We recommend using the app “Grab” to use. You can compare this app with that of Uber. You see right away how much the ride costs and how long it takes. As a result, you don't have to negotiate the price and there can be no miscommunication about the destination either.
TukTuk: For short distances, a tuktuk is also a good options! Besides, it is a very cool experience. Just keep in mind that this will not be cheaper than a taxi, often this option is even a bit more expensive. Good bargaining is therefore necessary. Read our blog on Tuktuks in Thailand and go on your trip prepared!
Thai cuisine
Thai cuisine is great if you ask us. This is true of many countries in Asia, by the way. With dishes like Pad Thai, spicy curries and coconut soups, Thailand offers a wide range of options. They make great use of fresh vegetables, ginger and coconut milk. While many dishes can be ‘spicy’, there are plenty of mild alternatives. In addition, they always consider tourists. Street food and local restaurants are everywhere, and you can eat great food in many places!