TH15.0°N · 100.0°EPhoto: Preecha.MJ · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsSouth-eastern Asia travel guide
Thailand
Temples at dawn, islands by afternoon, street food all night
Thailand is the default first foreign trip for many Indians, and it earns the spot. Bangkok's markets and temples, the old northern capital of Chiang Mai, and the Andaman islands give you three very different trips in one country, with easy domestic flights between them.
For Indian travellers. Many Indian restaurants operate in Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket, and Indian rupees are exchangeable at larger money changers.
Places worth your time
Photo: Mastertongapollo · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons Grand Palace and Wat Pho
Bangkok
The royal complex and the temple of the 46-metre reclining Buddha sit a short walk apart. Cover shoulders and knees.
Photo: Nawit science · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons Old City temples
Chiang Mai
Walled old town with hundreds of temples, Sunday walking street market and day trips to Doi Suthep.
Photo: Luxure · CC BY 3.0 au · Wikimedia Commons Phi Phi Islands and Maya Bay
Krabi / Phuket
Limestone cliffs and clear water. Maya Bay closes for part of the year to let the reef recover.
Photo: Nina R from Africa · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons Ayutthaya Historical Park
Near Bangkok
Ruined former capital and UNESCO site, an easy day trip by train or road.
Photo: kallerna · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons Railay Beach
Krabi
Reached only by boat, known for rock climbing and sunset views.
Know before you go
- Use metered taxis or ride-hailing apps in Bangkok rather than fixed-price tuk-tuks.
- Vegetarian food is easy to find: look for the yellow 'jay' flags at stalls.
- Never speak disrespectfully about the monarchy; it is a criminal offence.
Key facts
- Official name
- Kingdom of Thailand
- Capital
- Bangkok
- Currency
- Thai baht (THB ฿)
- Languages
- Thai
- Calling code
- +66
- Area
- 5,13,120 km²
- Region
- South-eastern Asia
Who can get in easily
107 of 198 passports can enter Thailand without arranging a visa in advance.
- Visa-free
- Visa on arrival
- eTA
- eVisa
- Visa required
Visa requirements for Thailand by passport
IndiaVisa-free30 days
United StatesVisa-free30 days
United KingdomVisa-free30 days
United Arab EmiratesVisa-free60 days
ChinaVisa-free60 days
SingaporeVisa-free30 days
PakistaneVisa
BangladesheVisa
Sri LankaVisa-free60 days
NepaleVisa
NigeriaeVisa
PhilippinesVisa-free60 days
CanadaVisa-free30 days
AustraliaVisa-free60 days
GermanyVisa-free60 days
Pick any passport above to see the full requirements, or use the selector at the top.
Nearby countries
Myanmar
Cambodia
Laos
MalaysiaSource: Wikipedia contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0). Updated weekly. Cover photo: Preecha.MJ · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons.