Thailand travel, checked
Travel Thailand the approved way
Approved Thailand explains the official rules for visiting Thailand, from entry and licensed transport to scams, laws, emergencies and money, and links each one to its Thai government source. As of September 2026, most visitors get 30 days visa-free and must file the free TDAC arrival card within the 3 days before they land.
Updated · Checked against official sources
Before you fly
Your Thailand travel checklist for 2026
Six things to settle before departure. Each links to the guide with the rule, the date it took effect and the official source.
File the TDAC, free
The Thailand Digital Arrival Card is mandatory for every foreign arrival, children included. File it at tdac.immigration.go.th within 3 days before arrival; sites that charge are not official. How to file
Count your days: 30, not 60
Since 15 September 2026, visa-free tourists from 60 countries get 30 days, extendable once by up to 30 days at immigration. Who gets how long
Passport valid 6 months
Plus proof of onward travel within your permitted stay, and about 20,000 THB per person in funds in case an officer asks. Documents to carry
Travel insurance with medical cover
Private hospitals may ask for a deposit or an insurer's guarantee. Check motorbike, diving and evacuation cover. What to check
A licensed ride from the airport
Use the official taxi rank (meter + 50 THB + tolls), the airport train, a certified app, or a transfer booked in writing at a fixed price. Compare the options
Mobile data on landing
An eSIM or local SIM for maps, ride apps and calls; note that a data-only eSIM has no Thai number for SMS codes. eSIM options
Numbers to save
Emergency numbers in Thailand
There is no single emergency number. Save these before you travel; the Tourist Police line works 24 hours.
Guides
The rules, checked and dated
Each guide answers the questions travelers actually ask, with the exact numbers and the official source. All guides and recent changes
Entry requirements
The 30-day visa exemption, the TDAC, passport and funds, and what customs confiscates.
Licensed taxis and transfers
Airport taxi ranks and surcharges, rail links, Grab, licence plates and pre-booking safely.
Tourist scams
Nine common tricks, how each works, and the approved alternative.
Laws for tourists
Vapes, cannabis, the new alcohol hours, drones, the monarchy and temple dress.
Emergency numbers
Who to call, public or private hospital, and a lost passport step by step.
Money
ATM fees of 250–350 THB, exchange, tipping, the VAT refund and cash limits.
Destinations
Where to go, by region
Nineteen destinations with realistic drive times from Bangkok, UNESCO and national park status, and the best months to visit.
Bangkok and the central plains
Bangkok, Ayutthaya (UNESCO), Damnoen Saduak and Hua Hin, all within about 3 hours.
The west
Kanchanaburi's River Kwai history and the raft houses of Sai Yok.
The Eastern Seaboard
Pattaya, Koh Samet via Ban Phe pier, and Koh Chang.
The north
Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Sukhothai (UNESCO).
Isan, the northeast
Khao Yai, Korat and Phimai, Khon Kaen, the Red Lotus Sea and the Mekong.
The south
Phuket and Krabi on the Andaman coast, best from November to April.
Trusted services
What we check before we list a service
We do not certify anyone. We list transfers, mobile data and a few hotels and tours only when you can check the basics yourself:
- Prices published before you book, per vehicle or per person
- Clear cancellation terms and a person you can reach
- A licence where Thai law requires one, such as a Department of Tourism number for tour operators
- No prepayment traps and no passport deposits
For airport transfers we list the Smile Taxi Service network: fixed prices per vehicle with tolls included, nothing charged when you book, and free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup.
Transparency: Smile Taxi Service and its regional transfer sites are affiliated with Approved Thailand. What we say about them comes from the operator's published terms.
Frequently asked questions
Is Thailand safe for tourists in 2026?
The risks most travelers need to plan for are everyday ones: scams, road traffic, heat and mosquito-borne dengue. Use licensed transport, never leave your passport as a deposit, get travel insurance, and save the Tourist Police number, 1155.
What do I need to enter Thailand as a tourist?
A passport valid for 6 months, the free TDAC filed within 3 days before arrival, proof of onward travel within your permitted stay, and access to about 20,000 THB per person. Most Western passport holders get 30 days visa-free since 15 September 2026.
How do I know a taxi in Thailand is licensed?
Licensed for-hire vehicles carry yellow licence plates; registered transfer and tour cars carry green plates with white characters. App-booked ride-hailing cars keep white plates but must show DLT stickers and be booked in a certified app.
What does "approved" mean on this site?
Official, licensed or checkable by you. We are a privately run guide, not a government body, and we do not issue certificates; every rule links to its official Thai source.
Is there a tourist entry fee in Thailand?
Not as of September 2026. A 450 THB fee is a draft still awaiting Cabinet approval, with collection targeted for early 2027 at the earliest.
What is the best month to visit Thailand?
November to February, the cool season, suits most of the country. The Andaman coast around Phuket and Krabi is best from November to April.