Arrival into Thailand - Passport, visa, currency & health

Thailand visa - border crossing

Passport and visa

All travellers should hold a valid passport with at least 6 months validity left on it, beyond your expected departure date. For more information about UK passports click here: http://www.ukpi.org/  

Arrival by air: When you arrive into Thailand by air you will receive a free standard 30-day visa, as long as your passport is valid for six months after your intended departure date. If you want to stay longer than 30 days, you should contact the Thai embassy in London. Landing forms will be handed out on the flight if arriving by air, it's useful to complete this before disembarking, as this can save a lot of time at the customs desk.

Arrival by land: When arriving into Thailand by land, you'll be issued a free 15-day visa automatically, but if you're staying any longer than this you'll need to look into arranging your visa in advance.   

You can start building your own Thailand trip using our travel modules or suggested itineraries. Click here for our Quote Request Form.

Money matters

The Thai currency is the Baht (pronounced Bart). The current exchange rate (September 2009) is £1 (GBP) to 55 Baht. The exchange rate is fluctuating at the moment so you might want to check the most up to date rates just before you leave. Remember to make sure you have 700 Baht ready at the end of your holiday for the airport departure tax that you have to pay when you leave Thailand.

Cash machines are the best way to get cash whilst in Thailand. Cash machines where you can use your normal bank card (with Cirrus logo) are widely available throughout the country, with the exception of some of the smaller islands which may not have cash points. If in doubt, just ask one of our travel specialists. Keep some cash in your wallet just in case the ATM network crashes. The UK pound is accepted in almost every money exchange office, and currently offers a better exchange rate than the US dollar. You can also change money in the smaller currency exchange shops and hotels when the banks are closed. Visa, MasterCard and to some extent American Express credit cards are widely accepted in larger establishments.

Money, passports and travellers' cheques are best left in the hotel safe. Almost all the hotels we use have a safe. Never leave valuables or money in your hotel room. Hotel & cleaning staff usually have a key to your room. We also advise you not to carry all your valuables with you when you go out in the evening.
Thailand visa and Thailand currency

Flights and transfers

The flight from the UK to Bangkok takes about 11 hours. On arrival at the airport you’ve pick up your bags and walk into the arrivals hall where you’ll see lots of Thai men holding up name signs. If you’ve arranged a local transfer through us, your name should be among them. Before walking out to the car he’ll point out the ATM to you so you can your first stash of Thai baht. You’ll then be transferred to to your hotel where you can recover from the long flight and jet lag. You’ll have crossed three time zones to get here, so you may feel a bit tired and groggy for the first few days until your biological clock has adjusted. If you’re arriving in Bangkok in the morning it’s a good idea to have a quick nap when you arrive, stay awake until the evening. If you’re arriving in the afternoon, don’t have a nap at all but just have an early night.

If you like you can also book your flights through us to fit your land itinerary. Click on our flights page for more information.

Health

There are no compulsory vaccinations for Thailand, though Hepatitis A and DTP are recommended. Vaccination for yellow fever is only required if you’re travelling from a yellow fever infected area. For the most up to date health information please contact your local GP or travel clinic. Thailand has two types of hospital: public and private. Should you need to go to a hospital in Thailand it’s best to go to a private clinic.

Thailand is a clean country especially compared to other Asian countries, which means you have a lower risk of becoming ill than in most other countries. Still, you’ll need to be careful. Don’t drink tap water or ice cubes, but stick to bottled water with sealed caps. Food should be well-cooked or fried to kill off any nasty bacteria. Fruit should be washed in (clean!) water. For more detailed information on vaccinations and staying healthy in Thailand, click on our health page.