First trip to Thailand: what to sort before you land

Thailand is one of the most visitor-friendly countries in the world. A lot of first-trip anxiety is unnecessary. But there are a handful of things worth getting right before you arrive — here's what they are.

Things to sort before you go

Check which Bangkok airport your flight uses. Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Mueang (DMK) are 30 km apart. They are served by different airlines and have completely different transport connections. Get this wrong and you'll be in a taxi for an hour and a half instead of on the Airport Rail Link.

Arrange onward transport from the airport. You don't need to pre-book a taxi, but you should know which option you're taking before you land. At Suvarnabhumi: the Airport Rail Link to central Bangkok (45 baht), a metered taxi (250–350 THB to most hotels), or a pre-booked Grab from Level 1. At Don Mueang: taxi, Grab, or the No. 29 public bus to Mo Chit BTS.

Get a SIM card or eSIM. Mobile data is essential the moment you arrive — for Grab, Google Maps, hotel navigation, and basic translation. You can buy at the airport (convenient, slightly pricier) or from an official carrier shop in the city (better value). Or buy an eSIM before you leave home; AIS and True both sell them.

Exchange some cash. Many places in Thailand are cash-only: street food stalls, markets, temple entry fees, local transport. Arrive with enough baht for your first day. The airport rate is poor — exchange just enough to get into the city, then use SuperRich or an ATM. If you have a Revolut or Wise card, you can skip this entirely for card-accepting places.

Check your visa situation. Most nationalities get 60 days on arrival. Some get less. Check the Thai Immigration website or your country's foreign travel advice before you go. If you're staying longer or returning frequently, look into the Tourist Visa on Arrival vs e-Visa options.

Download these apps before you board. Once you're through security you have time on the plane to set them up: Grab (rides and food), LINE (Thai businesses love it), Google Maps (download your destination offline), Google Translate (camera mode for menus).

Things you don't need to stress about

Cash at the destination. Beyond your first day, ATMs are everywhere. The 220 THB foreign ATM fee stings but is manageable. Or just use your travel card.

Adapters. Thailand uses Type A (flat two-pin) and Type C (round two-pin) sockets. Most modern Thai hotels have universal sockets. A single universal adapter is plenty.

Language. English signage in airports, malls, tourist areas, and BTS stations is good. You won't need Thai to navigate the basics. Google Translate camera handles the rest.

Bargaining. You do not need to be a fierce negotiator. Fixed-price shops, air-conditioned malls, Grab, and most sit-down restaurants have no bargaining. For markets and tuk-tuks, gentle negotiation is fine — accept the first counter-offer if it seems reasonable and move on with your life.

Safety. Thailand is a low-risk destination for tourists. The usual common-sense rules apply — don't leave bags unattended, use Grab rather than unmarked taxis, don't accept drinks from strangers. Petty theft exists but is not rampant.

The actual pre-departure checklist

• [ ] Confirm which airport (BKK or DMK)
• [ ] Know how you're getting from the airport to your hotel
• [ ] SIM / eSIM sorted, or have a plan for getting one on arrival
• [ ] Cash: enough baht for day one
• [ ] Visa: confirmed you're covered for your intended stay
• [ ] Apps installed: Grab, LINE, Google Maps (offline map downloaded), Google Translate

That's it. The rest sorts itself out.