Thailand: a complete guide for first-time visitors

Thailand hits all your senses at once: the smell of lemongrass from street carts, Buddhist temples a few steps away from night markets, and sea in a color that looks painted. It's one of the few destinations where a budget of 3,000–4,000 rubles per day covers food, accommodation, and entertainment.

🌤 When to Go

Thailand is divided into two monsoon coasts, and this changes everything. The Andaman Coast (Phuket, Krabi) — best season from November to April. The Gulf of Thailand (Samui, Phangan) — from December to August. Bangkok and Chiang Mai are comfortable from November to March: no rain, temperature 26–32 °C.

April is the hottest month, reaching 40 °C. But during Songkran (Thai New Year, April 13–15), massive water fights take place throughout the country — unforgettable.

🛂 Visa

Russians don't need a visa for stays up to 30 days — the stamp is placed at passport control. Since November 2023, the visa-free period has been extended to 60 days — check the current status on the embassy website before your flight.

• Visa-free entry — 0 rubles, just a round-trip ticket
• Tourist visa TR — around 2,700 rubles (30 USD), obtained at the consulate in advance
• A single visa-free entry cannot be extended — exit and re-entry ("border run") solves the issue
• Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry

🚌 Transport and Accommodation

Budget airlines AirAsia and Nok Air fly within the country: a Bangkok–Phuket ticket costs from 890 rubles with early booking. Overnight buses between cities — from 530 rubles, trains — from 445 rubles.

Get around Bangkok on BTS Skytrain (single ticket around 55–160 rubles) and MRT metro. Taxi via the Grab app — fixed price, no haggling: a 20-minute ride will cost 160–270 rubles.

🍜 Food and Places

Eat on the street — that's rule number one. A portion of pad thai from a street vendor costs 80–130 rubles (35–60 baht), tom yam soup at a café — 130–180 rubles. A restaurant with air conditioning and waiters — add 50% to the price.

• Street markets: Chatuchak in Bangkok (weekends), Night Bazaar in Chiang Mai — a must
• Wat Phra Kaew Temple in Bangkok — entrance 535 rubles (500 baht), the main attraction in the country
• Phi Phi Islands — day tour from Krabi from 1,600 rubles, includes mask and snorkel
• Elephant sanctuaries in Chiang Mai — choose only ethical sanctuaries, without elephant rides

Haggle at markets: starting prices for tourists are inflated 1.5–2 times. Smile, name your price calmly — it works almost always.

📋 Practical Tips

MIR cards don't work in Thailand — bring cash rubles and exchange them for baht at the airport or Superrich exchange booths (better rate than banks). Exchanges with "No Commission" signs often compensate with a poor rate — compare the numbers.

A few more important details:

• In temples — covered shoulders and knees, otherwise they won't let you in or will sell you a sarong for 90 rubles
• Insurance with 50,000 USD coverage — mandatory: treatment at private clinics is expensive
• Anti-diarrhea pills and repellent — in your first aid kit, especially if you're going to the jungle or islands

Thailand forgives only one thing — rush. Plan no more than two or three spots per trip, and the country will truly reveal itself.