Traveling to Thailand is straightforward, as the country boasts a tourist-friendly policy and a well-developed network of infrastructure and hotels that cater to both business and leisure travelers. Before planning your next trip to Thailand, however, you should gather all the essential information about the country: When is the best time to travel? What should you pack? What's the best way to get around? What are the cultural customs? Which emergency numbers are important? And all the other facts that will make your trip as pleasant as possible.

Thailand covers an area of ​​514,000 km² (2/3 the area of ​​New South Wales) and is divided into 5 regions and 77 provinces.

Central Thailand is known for its fertile floodplains along the Chao Phraya River. This region forms the agricultural heart of the country and is crisscrossed by a network of rivers and canals. It encompasses 17 provinces, including the capital Bangkok, the former capital and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ayutthaya, and the World War II historical site of Kanchanaburi. This region is the center of Thai history and rich in ancient temples and ruins.

Northern Thailand is known for its lush, forested mountains with numerous waterfalls and is home to many hill tribes. The region comprises 17 provinces, including Chiang Mai, Thailand's second-largest city. Chiang Rai, home to the infamous Golden Triangle, lies on the border with Myanmar and Laos. Other provinces include Sukhothai, the former capital and UNESCO World Heritage Site; Mae Hong Son, the City of Mist; and Nan, a true hidden gem.

Northeast Thailand (Isan) lies on a vast plateau bordering Laos and Cambodia. The region encompasses 20 provinces and is known for its intercultural blend of Thai, Laotian, and Khmer influences, dating back to the time of Angkor Wat. Lower Isan is primarily known for its Khmer-influenced ruins, while Upper Isan, with its mountain peaks, offers ideal trekking opportunities. It is the most populous region but the least popular with foreign tourists. This region is home to Thailand's first national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site – Khao Yai in Nakhon Ratchasima – as well as Ubon Ratchathani, where Thailand's most elaborate candlelit procession festival takes place annually to mark the beginning of the Buddhist Lent. Loei is home to one of Thailand's best trekking areas and the site of the grand Phi Ta Khon merit festival.

Eastern Thailand is the smallest region and consists of 9 provinces, including the vibrant resort city of Pattaya in Chonburi, Ko Samet in Rayong and Ko Chang in Trat.

Southern Thailand is famous for its long coastlines dotted with numerous small islands. To the west lies the Andaman Sea with its rugged and striking limestone formations, while to the east is the Gulf of Thailand with its wide bays and shallower beaches. The region comprises 14 provinces, including the popular holiday destinations of Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Khao Sok in Surat Thani; Koh Similan in Phang-Nga; Koh Phi Phi in Krabi; and Phuket, Thailand's most popular tourist destination.

Flights to Thailand from Australia and New Zealand

The best time to visit Thailand is between November and February, when the climate is relatively cool and dry (25–32°C). While the temperature drop in Bangkok is usually minimal, it can get quite cold in the northern and northeastern provinces. If you're planning a trip to the mountains, be sure to pack a sweater or warm jacket. December, as in the West, is the festive season. Some of the most colorful festivals, such as Loy Krathong, Trooping the Colour, and New Year's, take place during this time. Major shopping streets, especially in Bangkok, contribute to the end-of-year atmosphere with festive lights and Christmas decorations. The only downside to traveling at this time is that popular destinations are crowded and hotel rooms are scarce. Prices for accommodation, tours, transportation, and certain goods are generally higher to capitalize on the influx of tourists. If you travel between March and May, you'll experience the Thai summer, with temperatures that can exceed 40°C. Combined with the high humidity, it feels like being inside a giant, overheated oven with no escape—except for occasional visits to air-conditioned shopping malls and restaurants. The monsoon season (June to September) is generally very wet and humid. The good news, however, is that you can always find refuge from the heavy downpours in a shopping mall, spa, or restaurant, which usually last no more than a few hours. Moreover, the rain brings the landscape to life, transforming it into a tapestry of rice paddies and trees. National parks and waterfalls reveal their most beautiful side at this time.

Thailand is relatively warm year-round, although it officially has three main seasons. In summer (March to June), temperatures, especially in the northeast and Bangkok, can exceed 40 degrees Celsius. The Thai New Year festival, Songkran, falls in April, the hottest month. To cool off from the heat, Thais splash each other with water during the three-day Songkran festival. The rainy season (July to October) brings frequent downpours and heavy rainfall, usually in the late afternoon or early morning. Temperatures are moderately high but can feel very uncomfortable due to the high humidity. The cooler season (November to February) is the most welcome, offering a relatively dry and pleasant climate. Daytime temperatures rarely exceed 35 degrees Celsius.

Tourist Visas: Tourists from many countries (including the USA, UK, Germany, France, and Singapore) do not require a visa to enter Thailand and may stay for up to 30 days. In many of these countries (including the USA, UK, Australia, Germany, France, and Singapore), a 60-day tourist visa can be obtained before departure. Holders of Brazilian, Peruvian, or South Korean passports are visa-exempt and may stay in Thailand for up to 90 days. Nationals of some other countries must apply for a 15-day visa upon arrival, while others must do so before departure. The exact regulations depend on Thailand's visa requirements for your home country. It is best to check with the Thai Immigration Bureau or the Thai embassy/consulate in your home country. Business travel to Thailand is subject to different regulations. See the "Legal" section of our "Business Essentials" guide for information on the visas required for those wishing to work or seek employment in Thailand.

Holders of Australian, New Zealand, and EU passports do not require a visa for stays in Thailand of up to 30 days. (Thai authorities require that the passport be valid for at least six months beyond the date of issue.)

For inquiries regarding entry requirements, longer stays or visas, please contact:

Australia The Royal Thai Embassy Canberra 111 Empire Circuit Yarralumla, ACT 2600 Tel.: (61-2) 6206 0100 Fax: (61-2) 6206 0123 E-Mail: [email protected] Website: http://canberra.thaiembassy.org

Royal Thai Consulate General, Level 8, 131 Macquarie St, Sydney, NSW 2000, Tel.: (61-2) 9241 2542 – 3, Fax: (61-2) 9247 8312, E-Mail: [email protected], Website: www.thaiconsulatesydney.org/

New Zealand The Royal Thai Embassy Wellington 110 Molesworth Street Thorndon, Wellington 6144 Tel.: (64-4) 496 2900 Fax: (64-4) 476 3677 E-Mail: [email protected] Website: www.thaiembassy.org/wellington

Thailand's international airports: Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok is the main aviation hub in Thailand. It is served by over 50 international airlines, including all the world's major carriers. In addition to Suvarnabhumi Airport, regional airports such as Chiang Mai International Airport, Phuket International Airport, and the privately owned Samui International Airport offer a small number of direct international arrivals and departures daily. Other airports in Thailand include Suvarnabhumi International Airport (Bangkok), Chiang Mai International Airport, Chiang Rai International Airport, Phuket International Airport, Samui International Airport, Hat Yai International Airport (Song Khla), U-Tapao International Airport (Rayong), and Udon Thani International Airport.

The following airlines offer direct flights from Australia to Thailand:

– Thai Airways to Bangkok (www.thaiairways.com.au) – Qantas to Bangkok (www.qantas.com.au) – Jetstar from Sydney to Phuket and from Melbourne to Bangkok and Phuket (www.jetstar.com/au) – Emirates to Bangkok (www.emirates.com) Other major airlines with convenient connections from Australia to Thailand include: – Singapore Airlines – Malaysia Airlines – Scoot – AirAsia

From New Zealand, Thai Airways offers direct flights from Auckland to Bangkok. Most travelers fly via Australia to catch connecting flights to Thailand.

The main airlines offering domestic flights in Thailand:

– Thai Airways International (www.thaiairways.com) – Bangkok Airways (www.bangkokair.com) – Nok Air (www.nokair.com) – Air Asia (www.airasia.com/th) – Thai Smile (www.thaimileair.com)

Major international airports in Thailand:

– Bangkok Suvarnabhumi – Bangkok Don Mueang – Chiang Mai – Chiang Rai – Phuket – Hat Yai – Krabi – Ko Samui

With over 20 domestic airports in the country's major cities, Thailand is well-connected by air. Thai Airways serves most destinations, while the privately owned Bangkok Airways and low-cost carriers such as Nok Air, Air Asia, and One-to-Go serve fewer destinations and operate less frequent flights. If you have a layover in Bangkok, be aware that some Nok Air and One-to-Go flights depart from Don Mueang Airport.

By train: All major train lines begin in Bangkok, specifically in Hua Lamphong, and traverse Thailand's four regions. Faster and more comfortable than buses, the train is the second-best option for traveling around the country. There are generally three classes of service. First class offers private two-berth compartments with air conditioning and a sink, though the toilet is shared. Second class has both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned compartments with upholstered seats that convert into bunk beds. Third-class compartments are not air-conditioned, usually have wooden benches, and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Note that not all three classes are available on all routes. First-class compartments are generally found on long-distance lines, while trains to eastern Thailand typically only offer third-class seating. In addition to the different classes of service, there are various types of trains, from regional trains (usually only with third-class seating and stopping at every station) to fast trains, express trains, special trains, and diesel multiple units. When traveling by train during major festivals and holidays, you should always buy your tickets well in advance.

By bus: Long-distance buses reach destinations inaccessible by train. The state-owned bus company Bor Kor Sor is the largest and offers various types of buses. Several private companies serve similar destinations. Standard buses are suitable for short distances, as they lack air conditioning and stop at almost every stop. More comfortable buses range from basic, air-conditioned buses to comfortable coaches with reclining seats and beverage service. The four main regional routes each depart from different bus stations. Ekamai Bus Station serves routes along the east coast, while Sai Tai Mai (Borom-Ratchahonnani Road) serves the southern routes. Mor Chit Song serves both the northern and northeastern routes. As with train travel, it is advisable to book tickets in advance during peak travel times. By car: A rental car is a good option for those seeking more privacy and comfort and wishing to travel off the beaten track. Major international car rental companies operate in popular tourist cities. Local providers are often cheaper and offer more flexible rental terms. Be warned, however: driving in Bangkok is not for the faint of heart.

The mains voltage is 220 volts. The sockets are equipped with either two flat prongs (NEMA 1-15 or JIS C 8303) or round two-prong plugs (Europlug CEE 7/16). Adapters for razors, laptops, mobile phone chargers, etc., can be purchased upon arrival at most department stores.

Traveling in Thailand is quite easy, but these phone numbers might come in handy. Write them down and keep them in your wallet for safekeeping. Tourist Police 1155 (English, French, and German) Tourist Service Center 1672 Telephone Directory Assistance 1133 Yellow Pages Thailand 1188 Highway Police 1193 Tourism Authority of Thailand 1672 Immigration Bureau +66 (0)2 287 3101 to 10 Suvarnabhumi International Airport +66 (0)2 132 1888 Thai Airways 1566 Bangkok Taxi Call Center 1681, 1661, +66 (0)2 424 2222 Emergency numbers can be found below in the "Emergencies" section.

Standard time zone: UTC/GMT +7 hours.

Thailand's postal services are generally reliable and efficient. Post offices are typically open Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with some also open on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Regular mail delivery and collection take place twice daily – in the morning and afternoon. However, in some areas, there is only one delivery per day. Several shops offer reliable postal services, charging a small service fee in addition to postage. Large hotels offer basic postal services on their premises. International courier services such as DHL, FedEx, TNT, UPS, and Airborne are also available.

Since September 1, 2006, all telephone numbers in Thailand have consisted of ten digits, including the area code. The international dialing code for Thailand is 66; the leading zero of the area code is omitted. Direct international calls (IDD) to almost all countries are provided by the Communications Authority of Thailand (CAT). For directory assistance in the greater Bangkok area, dial 13. For directory assistance in the provinces, dial 183. For long-distance calls requiring operator intervention, dial 101 for domestic calls and 100 for international calls.

Using your mobile phone in Thailand shouldn't be a problem if you set up roaming. Calls from your home country to the destination number are usually charged separately and can be very expensive. While AIS and DTAC are the leading mobile providers, if you're staying in Thailand for an extended period, it's worth buying a prepaid SIM card. This is significantly cheaper than roaming and makes it easier for locals to reach you. Prepaid cards are available nationwide in supermarkets (e.g., 7-Eleven). A good place to buy a local SIM card or mobile phone is MBK, which has an entire floor dedicated to mobile communications.

Business hours in Thailand vary depending on the industry. Shopping malls typically open around 10:00 AM and close between 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM. Banks are open from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday, except for those located in shopping malls, which open and close slightly later, but generally no later than 10:30 AM to 8:00 PM (daily). Smaller shops have individual opening hours. Pubs and bars open at varying times but close at 1:00 AM, except for those in designated entertainment zones. Government offices open at 8:30 AM and close at 4:30 PM, with a one-hour lunch break from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM.

The sale of alcohol is strictly regulated in Thailand. It is only permitted between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM and between 5:00 PM and midnight. Alcohol sales are prohibited on the birthdays of the King and Queen, election weekends, and special religious holidays.

English is widely spoken and understood in most tourist areas. Bilingual Thai-English street signs can be found everywhere, at BTS Skytrain and MRT subway stations, and on some local buses.

Let's hope you never find yourself in a situation where you need emergency services, but if you do, rest assured that Bangkok's numerous hospitals can help you in urgent cases.

Bumrungrad International (Emergency Call): +66 (0)2 667 2999

Samitivej Sukhumvit Ambulance Hotline: +66 (0)2 712 7007

Bangkok Hospital Emergency Department: +66 (0)2 310 3102