Information about Thailand

Thailand is vast and offers the most beautiful beaches, exciting cultural experiences and an unforgettable and addictive cuisine. Whether you want to dive for exotic fish and colorful corals, hike in the tropical rainforest or have outstanding experiences at sea or have outstanding experiences at sea, Thailand is a country that impresses travelers of all ages.

On this page you will find practical information and facts about Thailand.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION ABOUT TRAVELING IN THAILAND

Climate and best travel time
You can visit Thailand all year round, but the best period is between November and March, when it is dry and the temperature is comfortable. Bring a warm sweater as it can get cool in the evenings in the northernmost and mountainous regions such as Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son and Nan. In April and May, the heat can be strenuous and the temperature can reach up to 40 degrees.

The rainy season lasts from June to October and August – September are generally the wettest months. Keep in mind that the weather may differ between the east and west coasts. The best period to visit the east coast is between May and October. The west coast, on the other hand, is best between October and April. Visit sportsqna.com for Thailand a beach paradise of sun and smiles.

Our recommendations on when it is best to travel in Thailand are based on how the climate has been last year. The weather in Thailand can be very changeable and unpredictable and therefore our recommendations are for guidance only.

Money
The Thai currency is the baht (THB). In Thailand, Visa cards are often used and there are ATMs in the cities and on the most visited islands, but it is a good idea to have a little extra US dollars in cash as a reserve. Remember to withdraw plenty of cash before you travel to the countryside and out to the small islands.

Visa
conditions NOTE! The visa rules can be changed at short notice so We recommend that you check the current conditions at the country’s embassy or at The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website. The following information may change.

Please note that all children of all ages must present their own passport upon entry into Thailand.

Swedish citizens receive a free 30-day tourist visa on arrival in Thailand if they arrive by plane. A 15-day visa is issued on arrival by road. However, you can make a maximum of three entries in a maximum of 30 days without a visa to Thailand within 180 days. Please note that your passport must be valid for at least six months after departure. The visa can be extended by a maximum of ten days at the immigration office in Bangkok. You can also choose to apply for a 60-day visa from home.

Important! When you fly from Sweden directly to Thailand, you must apply for a visa from home if you want to stay longer than 30 days in the country. When checking in in Sweden, you must present either a visa or a flight ticket home from Thailand that is valid within 30 days.

Transport
Please note that in Thailand you drive on the left side of the road.

Bus
The standard of buses varies greatly. From worn-out fifties cars that are tormented on neck-breaking mountain roads to 24-seater superVIP buses, with sleeping places and meals along the way. The advantage of using the local buses instead of VIP buses, in addition to the lower price, is that you stay in many places and thus have the opportunity to meet a larger part of the population. On many routes, local buses are the only option. The luxury buses, which are available in several variants, run directly from Bangkok to destinations in both the north and south, with food breaks along the way, refreshments and air conditioning, so that you arrive rested.

Songthaew
A Songthaew is the uncrowned queen of the most peripheral regions and gravel roads that connects even the smallest villages. A Songthaew is a small pickup that with small adjustments and a little forging has been transformed into a useful means of transport. Here you sit facing each other on two benches with hard seats and often with vegetables, fruits and small animals between the legs. It’s slow with a SONGTHAEW that makes an unusual number of stops, but it’s cheap.

Train
Thailand’s trains are excellent and especially the sleeping compartments are a good solution if you want to travel at night. The second-class sleeping compartments, especially the lower ones, are ideal if you have children with you or want to lie down comfortably, as the sleeping places are quite spacious. The railway network has its hub in Bangkok. From here, a western route goes towards Kanchanaburi and the Myanmar border, a northern one goes up to Chiang Mai, a northeastern one to Nong Khai and a southern one via Surat Thani to the Malaysian border. If you want to go from Bangkok to the beach, you can buy a so-called joint ticket, where you take a train to Surat Thani, a bus to the coast and then take the boat out to, for example, Ko Samui at a very reasonable price.

Flight
Flights are the solution if you have limited time and would like to see more parts of Thailand in a short time. It is of course more expensive than going by bus or train, but still cheap compared to Swedish prices. But We recommend that you try to travel by train or local bus at least once during your trip to Thailand, to get to know the country, even if you have limited time. There are daily flights between Bangkok and most major cities in the country.

Boat
Thailand is surrounded by sea and along the southern shore are a number of smaller islands that are usually only reached by boat. The boats vary in size and standard from small noisy longtail boats with the propeller on a long rod that protrudes from the stern of the boat, to larger hydrofoils. Boat is a convenient and cool means of transport when the heat gets too high, but avoid the fast motorboats if you are prone to seasickness.

Tuk tuk and motorcycle taxi
If you are in a hurry, or if you just want a little excitement, you will find tuk tuk (three-wheeled taxis) and motorcycle taxis in most cities. With a motorcycle, you get there quickly, which can really be an advantage especially in Bangkok, where you are often stuck in long queues by taxi. A tuk tuk is more charming but in return does not arrive as fast as a motorcycle taxi. The tuk tuk can not be missed and the motorcycle taxi drivers have uniform vests, so they can be distinguished from the other motorcycle traffic. The prices of motorcycle taxi and tuk tuk are about the same, a little cheaper than regular taxis.

Rent bikes and motorcycles
It is cheap to rent scooters and motorcycles in Thailand. It usually costs about 50 kroner for a day. Motorcycles can be rented anywhere in Thailand and are often the best means of transportation to experience the countryside, while it can be a groundbreaking deal in Bangkok. For many, it often becomes too much of a good thing and ends really badly. So it is better to take it easy or rent a regular bike, which also works well in most places. It is both cheaper and much safer.

We recommend that you check whether your travel insurance applies to rental of motor vehicles, as you can not be sure whether, for example, hull and liability insurance is included.

Thailand for families with children:
Traveling with children in Thailand is easy. The Thais are a very hospitable and open and they love children. It is very cheap to live in Thailand. For a family with two adults and two children, it costs about 1,000-1,200 SEK per day. In addition, there are plenty of exciting activities and areas that are perfect for families with children, where you get “off the beaten track” and enjoy the strange and fun experiences along the way – those that give you unique and unforgettable travel memories.

Tip
In most countries, tips are part of the salaries of employees in the service industry. Therefore, it is good practice (and sometimes directly necessary) to give tips to, for example, cleaning staff, waiters, guides, drivers, etc. depending on the country you are visiting. Therefore, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with how much is normally given in tips and to whom before you embark on your journey. Find information on tips in Lonely Planet’s guidebooks.

Links
www.tourismthailand.org – the official website of the Thai Tourist Board contains a comprehensive overview guide with attractions and activities in different parts of Thailand as well as travel-related articles and news.

www.bangkokpost.com – Thailand’s largest English-language newspaper is a reliable source for news about Thai society. The online edition also contains a lot of good travel articles that you can use as inspiration for planning your trip.

FACTS

CAPITAL: BANGKOK

POPULATION:AROUND 64 MILLION

LANGUAGE: THAI

CLIMATE: TROPICAL

CURRENCY: BAHT

RELIGION: BUDDHISM, ISLAM AND OTHERS

INFORMATION THAILAND

Thailand – Land of smiles
The proud humility and social etiquette of Thais is rooted in the traditions of Buddhism and the warm and hospitable Thai lives in many ways according to the religious mantra of Buddhism. The capital Bangkok is really noisy and polluted, but also absolutely amazing. For example, feel the pulse of the city in the legendary tuk-tuks or take a bike ride in Bangkok’s green area. Discover Chinatown which has a unique atmosphere and good snacks such as grasshoppers and cockroaches and enjoy quiet mornings in Lumpini Park, where Thais practice today’s Tai Chi, aerobics or badminton.

Soft and friendly culture and nature
Thailand’s nature is like the people – incredibly welcoming. In northern Thailand is, among other things, Umphang National Park, which with its lush and beautiful nature is the starting point for some of the most interesting and beautiful hikes in Thailand. Sail the beautiful rivers on bamboo rafts, experience Thailand’s highest waterfall and ride an elephant through the rainforest. And if you are looking for beautiful nature experiences at sea, then there is both Lake House Adventure in northwestern Thailand’s magnificent scenery and Sea Safari in eastern Thailand’s beautiful archipelago. You can also go to Sukhothai, an incredibly exciting UNESCO-protected city, surrounded by beautiful temples, monks and huge Buddha statues. Explore the small villages in the area around Ayutaya where you can get a unique insight into the traditional Thai culture. Enjoy the tranquility as the sun slowly sets.

Tropiska Thailand
In Thailand, you can always find a beach that suits your travel plans, mood and pace. For relaxation, Koh Kood Island is a great choice. Here are beautiful waterfalls, playful dolphins and fantastic opportunities to snorkel, dive and go on diving courses. Koh Kood is also a good starting point for a beer luff in Koh Chang National Marine Park, which offers a string of pearls of small islands and beautiful resorts. If you like remote paradise and pristine, deserted beaches, the mini island of Koh Lipe is just right for you. If you prefer partying and entertainment, you can go to Koh Pha Ngan, famous for its Full Moon Party. For families with children, there are many wonderful places. A place with lots of activities and good beaches is Krabi, but Krabi is also a very popular place.