Thailand

• Thailand's natural wonders are matched only by its cultural marvels. You could spend years just doing experiencing the following attractions and activities: beaches, cruises, cultural events, Thai boxing, learning history, golf, medical tourism, meditation, shopping, Thai cooking classes, camping, trekking, and home stays with local villagers.


• An adventurous trip may include white water rafting, mountain biking, rock climbing, trekking, and nature study, bird-watching, sailing, canoeing, yachting, sea kayaking, diving and snorkeling. Moreover, you can enjoy Thai culture by attending Thai festivals, entertainment activities, and romantic activities, such as the Loy Kratong holiday.


• You can go on different kinds of tours depending on your preference such as boat tour, cruise, helicopter tour, nature tour, family tour, and national park tour. You can also enjoy Thai wellbeing through Thai massage, yoga, destination spas and Buddhist meditation.


• Bangkok features the following attractions: Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Emerald Buddha Temple, National Museum, and Floating Market.


• Ayutthaya attractions are the Bang Pa In palace, Ayutthaya historical park, and Wat Chaiwatthanaram. Chiangmai features Doi Inthanon and Wat Phra That Doi Suthep as their attractions. Phuket has Patong Beach and many secluded, romantic beach resorts as its major attractions.


• Krabi and Phan Nga have Rock Climbing, Koh Phi Phi, James Bond Island, and the Similan Islands as their premier attractions. Kanchanaburi is home to the bridge of River Khwai and the seven-tiered Erawan waterfall.


• Nakhon Ratchasima has the national park Khao Yai as its famous attraction. Ko Samui is an attraction of itself with the nearby islands of Koh Tao and Koh Pha Ngan, along with kayaking around Mu Ang Thong Marine National Park. Not even last but certainly not the least is Pattaya, which features Koh Lan, underwater world, and mini-Siam as its most popular attractions.


• However, this is not yet the end of Thailand’s attractions; Thailand has lots more to explore. There are many more attractions in lots of destinations all over the nation which can only be explored by visiting and exploring the country.

Depending on your travel interests, the best time to visit Thailand will differ. Ultimately, the cool season between November and February is the most pleasant time to visit as temperatures sit pleasantly around the late 20s.

Yes! It is very simple to rent a car or motorbike in Thailand, with many roads and vehicles up to modern standards. To drive in Thailand, you must possess a valid international licence or a driver's licence in English from your home country. As in Australia and the UK, vehicles drive on the left-hand side of the road in Thailand. Read more about hiring a car on our Thailand driving page.

Thailand is not considered an expensive country and can be enjoyed on a very moderate budget. Of course, you can spend big in Thailand but even those seeking luxury will find the prices in Thailand very agreeable.

The Thai Baht is the official currency of Thailand. Each Baht is divided into 100 satang. A typical meal will cost approximately 150 baht.

In Thailand, the sale of alcohol is only permitted between the hours of 11am and 2pm and between 5pm and midnight. On religious holidays the sale of alcohol is forbidden. You must be at least 20 years old to drink and purchase alcohol in Thailand.

Travel insurance is always a good idea. Whether your kind of holiday is found within the secure grounds of your beachside resort or diving deep beneath the waves, small accidents can become catastrophic without insurance. Whether your bag is lost in transit, goods are stolen or you fall ill, travel insurance is worth it for peace of mind alone.

Thailand is home to a number of Indian restaurants offering great hospitality and cuisine. Here are some famous Indian restaurants in Bangkok where you can feel the warmth of home.

Amritsr - Designed in traditional Indian style, the restaurant offers delicious North-Indian food and dessert. This Indian restaurant in Bangkok is famous for its delicious kulcha that you shouldn't miss during your stay here.

Indus Restaurant - This high-class Indian restaurant in Bangkok is famous for serving Mughlai cuisine in its finest form. The decorated dining area, large bar, and a tropical garden make for a royal ambiance offering all fun and comfort to its guests.

Gaggan - This is one of the most famous restaurants not only in Bangkok but in entire Asia. The delicious cuisine offered by this luxurious restaurant is developed by Chef Gaggan Anand.

Rang Mahal Restaurant - Melodious tune, delicious cuisine, and superb views make it the most visited Indian restaurant in Bangkok. Located on the rooftop of the hotel Rembrandt, Rang Mahal tops among five other high-end restaurants in the same complex.

Thailand is an all-in-one destination offering endless activities for the tourists. Here are what you must do things during your Thailand visit.

Visit the Wat Arun Temple - This Buddhist temple on the bank of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok is named after the Hindu God Arun or the sun. Amongst 31,000 Buddhist temples in Thailand, this is the most famous temple.

Witness Thailand Water Festival - This festival is observed during the Thai New Year Songkran from 13th to the 15th of April every year. During the festival, water is traditionally sprinkled so be prepared to be wet as you cannot escape the water fights on the streets.

Try Thai Cuisine - Thailand is home to mouth-watering dishes that are famous worldwide. Street food is popular in Thailand and in every corner of the streets you will find a stall offering grilled meats, spicy salads or a steamed dish.

Take a tour to Koh Phi Phi - Located in between Phuket and the Straits of Malacca coast, this island offers the most beautiful beaches in the world. Here you can relax on the sandy beaches, indulge in watersports or just treat your eyes to the stunning scenery.

Get a Thai massage - Thai massage these days is popular all over the world. This unique style of massage works on the pressure points of your body making you refreshed and more balanced.

Thailand is a great family holiday destination. Dotted with stunning beaches, beautiful nature, and kid-friendly activities, Thailand has an enormous number of choices for a family trip.

There is no language issue in Thailand. The locals understand English and they can speak it as well.

The 2,000 miles long coastline makes for the main tourist attraction in Thailand, its beaches. Here are the famous beaches of Thailand that stretch under the blue sky.

Phra Nang Beach - Located at the southern tip of Railay on the Andaman Coast, this stunning beach is blessed with clear, emerald waters and beautiful white sands. The main attraction of the beach is to climb the huge limestone cliffs.

Maya Bay - This gorgeous beach on Ko Phi Phi Island is now a traveler's dream destination. The three sides of the beach are surrounded by tall cliffs and the place is ideal for diving and snorkeling.

Patong Beach - Spotted with nightclubs, restaurants, bars and tourist shops, this vibrant spot is known as the party capital of Phuket. Here you can also indulge in parasailing and Jet Ski.

White Sand Beach - This charming beach is famous for a family vacation on the long stretch of the white sand. This is a bustling but peaceful resort area in Phuket.

There are two kinds of visas which Indian can apply. The first one is a simple one in which one can obtain the visa on arrival at the Thailand International Airport. The Thailand visa permits one-time entry and remains valid for 15 days to stay in the country and you need a passport with a minimum validity of 30 days from the day of arrival. If one needs to stay for more than 30 days in Thailand then they have to apply for the visa before the visit. You can pre-emptively apply for the visa to the Royal Thai Embassy.

• To reach Thailand by air is the most convenient option for anyone traveling from most of the Indian cities such as New Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad to offer direct flights to the country's capital- Bangkok.
• One can either book Delhi to Thailand flight up to Bangkok or Phuket from the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi.

Indian passport holders can avail Visa on Arrival service from and of the 32 designated channels of Immigration checkpoints including Phuket International Airport.

Thailand has loads of family activities that kids will enjoy during their vacation. The best kid’s activities in Thailand are:

• Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World – Aquatic Wonderland
• Art in Paradise – 3D Museum
• Dream World – A Theme Park
• Siam Amazing Park – A Water Park
• Safari World – Open Zoo

Thailand is a year-round destination but to enjoy to the fullest one should learn about the varied climate of the country. The best time to visit Thailand is considered to be from November to April when the climate is dry and cool. The ideal time for a visit depends on which part of the country you will travel to and what activities you are interested in. For sunbathing, snorkeling and diving, travelers head to the west coast where winter is the most comfortable season. Thailand receives the highest number of travelers from November to February. During this time pleasant weather accompanies you on sightseeing. Also, you can witness the grand Christmas and New Year celebration in the land of smiles. If you visit the northern and gulf coast, summer (March to May )is the best time to go when the Thailand water festival and Songkran are observed.

Every country has its customs and traditions. While traveling to another country, it is important to learn about them so that you will not disrespect them unintentionally. Some of the dos and don’ts in Thailand are:
Thailand do’s

• Respect all Buddha images.
• Dress properly while visiting temples.
• Remove shoes when visiting the temple, someone’s house, and even some shops.
• Treat monks with the highest respect.
• Learn some of the basic phrases in Thai.

Thailand don’ts

• Do not show disrespect towards the Thai Royal Family.
• Do not cross your legs in the presence of monks.
• Do not touch Thai women without consent.
• Do not sunbathe nude as this is offensive to most Thai people.
• Do not take Buddha's image out of the country. It is against the law to take or send the Buddha image out of the country.

Thailand is among the best places in the world to experience the nightlife due to its vibrant clubs, markets, beaches, and bars. Tourists can also enjoy safaris and cruises here to make their vacation memorable. Here are some of the most thriving nightlife activities in Thailand are:

Beach parties – Paradise Beach (Patong), Haad Rin Beach (Ban Tai), Chaweng Beach (Koh Samui), Tonsai Beach (Krabi)

Night Clubs – Insanity Night Club (Bangkok), 808 Night Club (Pattaya), EQ Late Night Club (Bangkok)

Night Markets – Rod Fai Market (Bangkok), JJ Green Night Market (Bangkok), Cicada Market (Hua Hin), Phuket Weekend Night Market

Dinner Cruises - Apsara Dinner Cruise by Banyan Tree and Chao Phraya Princess Cruise in Bangkok.

Night Safaris - Chiang Mai Night Safari, Khao Yai Night Safari (Hin Tung)

Sky Bars - Sky Bar Lebua (Bangkok), Vanilla Sky (Bangkok), Three Sixty (Bangkok), Vertigo and Octave (Bangkok), and Horizon Bar (Pattaya)

Pool Parties – Hard Rock Hotel (Pattaya), Aqua Bar (Pattaya), SO Sofitel (Bangkok), DoubleTree by Hilton (Phuket)

One of the best things to do in Thailand is trekking on the back of an elephant. It is popular among families and couples as they love to spend some quality time in nature while enjoying the elephant ride. Some of the places where you can enjoy elephant trekking in Thailand are:

• Kok Chang Elephant Camp, Rawai
• Sea View Elephant Camp, Phuket
• Camp Chang Kalim, Patong
• Phuket Trekking Club
• Safari Elephant Club, Phuket
• Siam Safari, Phuket

There are several adventure activities in Thailand that are famous among adrenaline junkies. They can indulge in a plethora of thrilling activities to satiate their adventurous soul. Some of the popular places to indulge in adventure activities are:

Scuba Diving with Sharks – Surin Islands, Similan Island

Rock Climbing - Ao Nang, Railey, Ton Sai, Phra Nang

White River Rafting - Chiang Mai, Kanchanaburi, Krabi, Phang Nga

Kiteboarding - Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Phuket, Hua Hin, Pattaya

Wakeboarding - Koh Phangan, Rayong Province, Bangkok

Surfing – Phuket, Bangkok, Pa Tong, Khao Lak

Bungee Jumping - Koh Samui, Chiang Mai, Pattaya

Mountain Biking – Chiang Mia

Indian passport holders who are traveling to Thailand for not more than 15 days for tourism purposes can obtain a visa on arrival from designated Immigration checkpoints. The online visa arrival can be obtained up to 24-hours prior to the date of entry in Thailand. If someone wishes to stay more than 15 days in Thailand, then they have to apply for a visa to the Royal Thai Embassy, which is in three cities in India – New Delhi, Chennai, and Kolkata.

There are a plethora of places in Thailand where money can be exchanged without a hassle. These are categorized into three groups including exchange booths operated by banks, currency exchange chains, and independent money changers. The safest options for money exchange in Thailand are exchange booths operated by banks or reputed exchange centres as they are reliable and offer the best exchange rate. Some of the best places in Thailand for money exchange:

• Bangkok Bank
• Siam Commercial Bank
• Super Rich Thailand
• Super Rich 1965
• Vasu Exchange
• Sia Money Exchange
• X-One Money Exchange Centre

Thailand has a decent rail network, which covers almost 4,500 km. It is one of the best and cheapest ways to travel in Thailand. Buses are the second-best way to get around in Thailand and you can travel anywhere in the country by bus. To explore the islands, ferries are the best way to travel. They are simpler to book and hotels can also help you to book the ferries.

The distance between Bangkok and Pattaya is 149 km.