Twenty questions.
One confident trip.

Thailand announced a move to a 30-day visa-exemption framework for Indian passport holders in July 2026, but the official notice said implementation depended on Royal Gazette publication. Treat old ‘60-day visa-free’ and ‘visa on arrival’ articles as potentially stale. Confirm the rule that is effective on your travel date and keep passport, return/onward travel and first-stay details accessible.

TDAC is a mandatory arrival form for non-Thai nationals; it is not a visa. Submit it through the official Immigration Bureau portal within the three-day window before arrival, including the arrival date. It is required for each entry and for children as well.

November to February is the broadest cool-and-dry window, but Thailand is not one weather system. Phuket and Krabi on the Andaman coast, Koh Samui in the Gulf, Bangkok and northern Thailand can have different rain and heat patterns in the same month.

Seven days is a practical first-trip baseline. Use five days for Bangkok plus one nearby destination; seven days for Bangkok plus one beach base; and ten days when adding the north or a second region. Each flight, ferry or long road transfer consumes part of a day.

The answer depends mainly on departure city, dates, room sharing, region mix and activities. Compare complete trip cost—not only airfare—including rooms, movement, connectivity, insurance, activities and a contingency buffer.

Bangkok suits first-time city, food and culture; Pattaya is a short road transfer with mixed resort and nightlife appeal; Phuket offers the widest resort and activity inventory; Krabi is a calmer limestone-and-island base; Chiang Mai adds northern culture; Koh Samui can suit months when the Andaman coast is wetter.

A strong route minimises backtracking. Five days: Bangkok plus Pattaya or Ayutthaya. Seven days: Bangkok plus Phuket, Krabi or Chiang Mai. Ten days: Bangkok plus one northern and one coastal base, provided flight times are efficient.

Suvarnabhumi (BKK) handles most long-haul and many full-service flights; Don Mueang (DMK) is a major low-cost and regional airport. A cheaper fare can lose value if it adds an airport change, overnight stay, long transfer or paid baggage. Direct Phuket service can be efficient for a beach-first route.

Choose an area before choosing a hotel. In Bangkok, prioritise BTS/MRT or river access based on the itinerary. In Phuket, Patong, Kata, Karon and quieter resort zones serve different needs. Families should weight transfer time and walkability; couples may prioritise setting; solo travellers often benefit from transport and social access.

Packages can reduce coordination and bundle transfers, breakfast and baggage; self-booking provides more control over areas, flight times and cancellation. The cheaper option is unknowable until inclusions are normalised.

Thai Baht is the working currency and cash remains useful for small merchants, local transport and markets. Cards are common at hotels, malls and larger businesses. ATM fees, foreign card charges and dynamic currency conversion can materially change the effective rate.

An eSIM offers pre-departure setup on compatible unlocked phones; a Thai tourist SIM offers local operator support and often a local number; Indian roaming preserves the existing line with the least setup change but may cost more.

Comprehensive travel insurance is prudent for overseas medical treatment, cancellation and disruption. Health needs depend on itinerary and personal circumstances. Medicines should remain in original labelled packaging, with prescriptions where appropriate, and restricted products must be checked with Thai authorities.

For central Bangkok, compare the Airport Rail Link from BKK with taxi or ride-hail based on group size, luggage and hotel location. For Pattaya, the scheduled airport coach is the solo-value benchmark; a taxi or pre-booked vehicle becomes more competitive when shared.

Use domestic flights for long north–south jumps, rail where the journey and overnight timing add value, buses or vans for shorter corridors, and ferries only after checking seasonal operation and connection buffers. Bangkok has two airports, so domestic connections may require a transfer.

Bangkok’s BTS and MRT are predictable for many urban trips. Metered taxis, ride-hail, tuk-tuks, songthaews and local boats fill different gaps. Availability varies outside major cities, and price should be agreed or confirmed in the app before travel.

Pre-book experiences constrained by capacity, timed entry, hotel pickup, boats or a scarce date. Keep open attractions and neighbourhood time flexible. One high-confidence experience per destination is usually more resilient than a fully ticketed schedule.

Vegetarian and Indian food is widely available in major tourist centres, but ‘vegetarian’ can still involve fish sauce, oyster sauce or shared preparation. Jain requirements need explicit communication and advance checking. Markets, malls and convenience stores offer different levels of certainty.

Most trips are routine, but travellers should manage road risk, drink and nightlife decisions, valuables, unlicensed tours, inflated transport offers and ‘attraction closed’ approaches. Thai laws can differ sharply from assumptions made at home. Tourist Police assistance is available on 1155.

Pack light, breathable clothing, a modest layer for temples, a compact rain strategy, comfortable footwear and only itinerary-specific gear. Thailand uses 220V; plug compatibility varies, so verify device and accommodation needs. Keep medicines labelled and documents accessible.