Rehearse your Thailand trip before you go

Entry rules by passport

Checked Oct 2026. Rules change: check the embassy or official site before you travel.

Traps travellers fall into

In the game these hide among the recommendations. See if you can spot them.

• Damnoen Saduak floating market tour BangkokThe famous floating market is staged for tourists. For the real thing try Bangkok's canals or Khlong Lat Mayom at weekends
• Elephant-riding camp Chiang MaiRiding and performing elephants raise serious welfare concerns. Choose a no-riding sanctuary
• Jet ski on Patong Beach PhuketBeach jet skis are notorious for bogus damage claims. Photograph everything first, or skip it
• A show tout on Bangla Road PhuketDon't follow 'free show' touts on Bangla Road; get prices in writing before you go in
• “The palace is closed today” Bangkok“It's closed today” is a famous scam. Walk to the official gate and see for yourself
• A tuk-tuk driver calls out BangkokAgree the fare before you ride, or use Grab

Month by month

• JanuaryJanuary stays dry: Bangkok about 32°C, Chiang Mai mornings down to about 13°C.
• FebruaryFebruary is dry and sunny: Bangkok about 33°C. Smoke from crop burning starts to haze the north.
• MarchMarch is the hot season: Bangkok 34°C. Chiang Mai is hazy with burning-season smoke.
• AprilApril is the hottest month (35–36°C). Songkran (13–15 April) turns every street into a water fight.
• MayMay reaches 35°C; the rains start mid-month with evening downpours, and the Andaman Sea gets rough.
• JuneJune is the rainy season: 33°C with near-daily downpours and more cancelled island boats.
• JulyJuly is wet at 33°C. On the Buddhist holy days (19–20 July) no alcohol is sold.
• AugustAugust is wet at 33°C, with a rough Andaman Sea.
• SeptemberSeptember is the wettest month; even Bangkok's streets flood some days.
• OctoberOctober ends the rains: still wet early on, brighter later.
• NovemberNovember starts the dry season: Bangkok about 33°C, cooler northern mornings. Loy Krathong lanterns on the full moon.
• DecemberDecember is the cool dry season: Bangkok about 32°C, northern mornings around 15°C.

Sample routes

• ClassicClassic: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, PhuketTemple-and-street-food capital, northern old town, southern sea.Bangkok → Chiang Mai → Phuket
• DetourDetour: the Andaman coastAfter Bangkok, Krabi's limestone and Phuket's beaches.Bangkok → Krabi → Phuket
• Off the pathOff the path: the old kingdoms of the northCycle Sukhothai's ruins, find Chiang Mai's jungle temple, then Chiang Rai's art temples.Bangkok → Sukhothai → Chiang Mai → Chiang Rai

Hidden gems

• Talat Noi lanes BangkokSouth of Chinatown: old Chinese houses, auto-parts workshops and murals.
• Wat Pha Lat (the jungle temple) Chiang MaiA 40-minute climb up the Monk's Trail to a mossy temple by a waterfall.
• Baan Dam (Black House) Chiang RaiA strange, beautiful museum of black wooden buildings.
• Wat Si Chum SukhothaiThrough a narrow slit in the wall, a giant Buddha's fingertips.
• Lard Yai Sunday walking street PhuketOld Town's main street becomes a market on Sundays.
• Tiger Cave Temple (1,260 steps) Krabi1,260 steep steps to a hilltop Buddha and a 360-degree view.
• Khlong Bang Luang Artist House BangkokAn old wooden canal house with traditional puppet shows in the afternoon.
• Northern food at Warorot Market Chiang MaiThe city's big everyday market: northern sausage, sticky rice and chilli dips.

10 more to find in the game.

Before you go

• Install a travel eSIMEssential for Grab and maps
• Install the Grab appNo haggling with taxis
• Pack long trousers and sleeves for templesTemple and palace dress codes