Before you travel to Thailand: a checklist

Juha Thai Club [Editor] 19/10/2026, 06:03 #57

Here is a checklist of things to sort out before your trip to Thailand. Add your own tips below! 👇

Passport – check the expiry date in good time (recommended: at least 6 months from entry).
Visa or visa exemption – from 15 September 2026 the visa-free stay for most nationalities is 30 days. For longer trips you need an extension or a visa – see the Visas & Immigration section.
TDAC arrival card – mandatory, free and completed before arrival: tdac.immigration.go.th. Beware of paid look-alike sites.
Register your trip with your own country's foreign ministry if it offers travel registration, so you can be reached in an emergency.

Travel insurance is essential – private hospitals are good but expensive. Check whether your policy covers riding a scooter.
Bring prescription medicines in their original packaging, with a doctor's note if needed.

Thai ATMs usually charge a withdrawal fee for foreign cards – withdraw larger amounts less often.
Cards work in bigger places, but markets, street food stalls and small shops need cash.

A SIM card or eSIM is easy to get at the airport or in town (bring your passport).
Grab and Bolt are the most convenient ride-hailing apps.
Scooters: you need a motorcycle licence and a helmet. Without a licence your insurance may not cover an accident, and the police issue fines.

E-cigarettes and vapes are illegal in Thailand – possession can lead to a fine.
Drug laws are very strict.
Laws protecting the monarchy are strict – avoid criticising the royal family, including on social media.
At temples, cover your shoulders and knees and take off your shoes.

What else should be on the list?

📌Before you travel to Thailand: a checklist