Thailand

Thailand is a welcoming mix of buzzing cities, island beaches, and quiet temples, and a little planning makes your first days much smoother. Most visitors start in Bangkok, where you’ll meet the country’s classic trio: heat, traffic, and incredible street food. Aim to arrive with accommodation and your first 2–3 days loosely planned, then leave room for spontaneity.

Use the Hello trip planning tools to keep all your bookings, temple opening times, and flight details in one place, so you’re not digging through emails at the airport. Buying and activating a Hello eSIM before you land means you can order a taxi, check maps, and message your guesthouse the moment you clear immigration.

Dress is generally casual, but temples such as Wat Pho or Wat Phra Kaew require covered shoulders and knees, so pack a light scarf or shawl. ATMs are widely available and dispense Thai baht; many charge a fixed withdrawal fee, so it’s efficient to take out larger amounts less frequently.

The pace can be intense at first. Plan an easy early activity, like a sunset walk along the Chao Phraya River or a massage at a reputable spa, to settle in before tackling bigger adventures like weekend markets or day trips to Ayutthaya.

Thailand is one of the world’s great food destinations, from 30 THB noodle bowls (about 0.80–1 USD) to refined tasting menus in Bangkok. Start with classics like pad thai, tom yum goong (spicy shrimp soup), som tam (papaya salad), and green curry. Street food is usually fresh and fast; look for stalls with high turnover and lots of locals, and watch your meal being cooked to order.

For night markets, Chiang Mai’s Saturday Night Market and Bangkok’s Chinatown (Yaowarat) are fantastic for grazing on skewers, mango sticky rice, and grilled seafood. If you’re travelling with friends, bills can add up quickly in trendy areas like Thonglor or Nimmanhaemin; use Hello’s expense splitting to divide shared meals and bar tabs fairly without awkward math.

A few practical tips:

• Spice levels: Say "pet noi" for "a little spicy" if you’re unsure.
• Dietary needs: Vegetarian and vegan options are increasingly common; dishes like pad kra pao tofu or massaman curry are easy wins.
• Hygiene: Stick to busy stalls, avoid food that’s been sitting out, and drink bottled or filtered water.

When you discover a favorite dish or restaurant, add it to your Hello trip plan, so you can find it again or recommend it to others.

Thailand’s transport network is varied and generally straightforward once you know the basics. In cities like Bangkok, the BTS Skytrain and MRT metro are the fastest way to dodge traffic; fares start around 16–20 THB (about 0.50 USD). Buy a stored-value card if you’ll be in town a few days. Grab taxis and ride-hailing are handy for door-to-door rides, but always check that the driver is using the meter in regular taxis.

For shorter hops, tuk-tuks are fun but often more expensive; agree on the fare beforehand and be firm if drivers suggest “shopping detours.” In the north, songthaews (shared red trucks) are a cheap way to get around Chiang Mai, while in the islands you’ll use longtail boats and ferries—keep schedules in your Hello trip planning so you don’t miss departures.

Staying online makes navigation easier. With a Hello eSIM, you can load maps, translate place names, and check real-time transport options without hunting for local SIM kiosks or worrying about roaming charges.

For longer distances, domestic flights connect major hubs, while buses and trains are budget-friendly. Night trains between Bangkok and Chiang Mai offer sleepers that save both time and a hotel night; book ahead during busy seasons and note departure times in your itinerary.

Thailand is generally affordable, but costs vary between backpacker areas, upscale neighborhoods, and remote islands. A simple street-food meal can be 40–60 THB (1–2 USD), while sit-down restaurants in central Bangkok or Phuket may charge 200–400 THB (6–11 USD) per dish. Keep an eye on your spending by using Hello’s budget tracking, which lets you log expenses directly in Thai baht and monitor categories like food, transport, and activities.

Cash is still common at markets, street vendors, and small guesthouses, though many mid-range hotels and cafes accept cards. ATMs are plentiful but often charge a flat withdrawal fee; withdrawing larger amounts less frequently can reduce total charges. Store receipts and note bigger purchases in your Hello budget, especially if you’re planning a multi-city trip.

Reliable internet makes it easier to manage money and bookings on the go. Activating a Hello eSIM before arrival gives you data as soon as you land, useful for checking exchange rates, confirming hotel reservations, or using mobile banking.

When travelling with others, shared costs like boat transfers, villa rentals, and group dinners can get confusing; use Hello’s expense splitting to keep things transparent. That way, everyone knows who paid for the island-hopping tour in Krabi and who still needs to settle up.