Thailand uses Thai baht, THB. Cash still runs a lot of daily travel, street food, markets, songthaews, tuk-tuks, and smaller guesthouses, especially outside Bangkok. ATMs are everywhere, even at airports, but foreign cards usually get hit with a 220 THB fee each withdrawal, so take larger amounts less often. Always decline the ATM conversion and pay in baht. Cards work in malls, chain stores, and many tourist restaurants. If exchanging cash, SuperRich style booths usually beat airport counters, and at BKK the basement booths near the train are much better than arrivals level.

Thailand splits into three useful zones. North, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, is coolest from November to February, around 15°C to 30°C, then gets very hot and smoky from January to April, with April often worst for heat. Central Thailand, including Bangkok, stays hot most of the year, roughly 25°C to 35°C, with the heaviest rain from May to October. The south splits again, Andaman side is best November to April, Gulf islands often work better later, with wetter months tending to hit around October to December.

Thailand is one of the easier countries in the region for day-to-day safety. The real risk is the road, especially scooters and motorbikes. Plenty of travellers end up in casts, so skip renting unless fully licensed, insured, and actually confident. After that, the usual issues are tuk-tuk and taxi scams, fake detours, and nightlife overcharging in Bangkok party areas. Use Grab, agree prices first, and watch drinks in bars. Take extra care near the Cambodia border and avoid the far southern provinces of Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat.

Grab is the everyday lifesaver in cities, especially if Thai is limited. For long trips, buses cover almost everywhere. Useful names are Transport Co. (BKS), Nakhonchai Air, Sombat Tour, and Greenbus in the north. Book on 12Go, operator sites, or through hostels, many sell tickets with pickup. SRT trains are great for Bangkok to Chiang Mai, especially sleepers, but popular berths sell out. AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air, and Thai Vietjet are good for long hops. Minivans save time but can feel packed and chaotic.

Biggest health risks are traffic crashes, heat, mosquitoes, stomach issues, and animal bites. Tap water is best avoided for drinking, stick to sealed bottled water. Food poisoning happens, so choose busy stalls and carry rehydration tablets and anti-diarrheal meds. Dengue is a real issue, use repellent. Avoid dogs and monkeys because of rabies risk. Bangkok and the north can get rough air pollution, especially during smoke season. Private hospitals in big cities are good but can be expensive, and serious treatment may need upfront payment, so insurance is not optional.

A local physical SIM is usually cheaper than travel eSIMs, especially if staying more than a week. AIS is the safest pick for coverage, including rural areas and the north. True and dtac are also common. Airport kiosks are often pricier, so buy in town at an AIS store or even some 7-Elevens. Useful local numbers from travellers are around 250 to 300 THB per month on AIS, plus about 50 THB for the SIM, or around 300 THB for 30 days unlimited data at capped speed. Bring passport for registration.

Thai is the main language, with regional languages like Isan and Northern Thai in daily life. English is common in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, islands, hostels, airports, and tourist transport. It drops fast in local markets, small towns, and on some buses. A few words help, even just hello and thank you. Keep sentences simple, use Google Translate, and do not expect long English conversations outside the main travel route.

Thailand runs on calm, politeness, and saving face. Loud public behavior looks bad fast, and getting angry rarely helps. Dress modestly for temples, cover shoulders and knees, and take shoes off where expected. Tipping is light, rounding up or a small extra is enough, big North American style tipping can feel strange. Haggling is normal in markets and for tuk-tuks, but not for food stalls. Do not touch heads, do not point feet at people or Buddha images, and do not joke about the royal family. Saying Thailand is 'so cheap' in front of staff is bad form.

Thailand is built for budget eating if street food is the plan. Good anchors are pad thai around 40 to 60 THB, som tam around 35 to 60 THB, and many street dishes around 40 to 80 THB. Water from 7-Eleven is often 7 to 15 THB, and a cheap snack run can stay under 100 THB. Eat where turnover is fast and tables are full. In the north, khao soi is the classic order. Markets are best for grazing cheap, while islands and tourist beaches can push prices up fast, especially in places like Koh Lipe.