Reminders & Tips
🛂Visas and Entry Requirements
Most passport holders from the U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia, and EU countries can enter Thailand visa-free for up to 30 days. However, they do need to fill out the Thailand Arrival Card available to apply within 3 days of arrival: https://tdac.immigration.go.th/arrival-card/#/tac/arrival-card/add. TDAC IS FREE TO APPLY SO DO NOT USE ANY WEBSITES THAT CHARGES YOU. TDAC Fill out Tips: Use a computer rather than your phone. Fill out country fields with "USA" instead of United States. The country fields typically errored out which meant you have to redo the entire form again. You can print out or show snapshots on your phone Passport must be valid at least 6 months from your travel date. If staying longer than 30 days, or entering from countries that require a visa, you can apply for a Thai Tourist Visa. Proof of onward ticket may be required at entry. Use the wedding hotel as your place of accommodation for the visa (province: Bangkok, district/area: Phra Nakhon)
🛺 Transportation
The most affordable and reliable form of transportation is subway, MRT or BTS within the city and Airport Rail Link (ARL) between airport and as far as Phaya Thai station. The ARL is located in the basement floor of the BKK airport where they accept Visa and Master physical cards (no Apple Pay) or cash. Max of 45 THB ($1-2) one way city to airport. No tolls to pay. See this link for diff between MRT and BTS: https://thai-gohan.com/en/20250621-2/ The next form of transportation recommend is Grab (Bangkok version of Uber Lyft). You can use all credit cards for payment, including American Express, but on the way to the airport, you might need cash to pay for the tolls with the drivers. Typically 300-450 THB ($9-15) one way city to airport. In the city, tuk tuks are available everywhere but beware of the tourist price trap. Hotels and Airbnbs often are free tuk tuks from their place to the nearby BTS.
💉 Health & Safety Tips
The CDC recommends being up-to-date on the following vaccines: Hepatitis A & B Typhoid (especially if you’ll eat street food) Routine vaccines (MMR, Tetanus, Flu, Covid-19)
🍹🍜Food and Restaurant Tips
While Bangkok tap water is treated to meet WHO standards, we don’t recommend drinking it. Stick to bottled water. Be cautious with street food or drinks using unfiltered ice. Ease into eating local / street food when you arrive. Bring food poisoning or nausea medicine (Dramamine, Pepto, Imodium). Thailand is hot and humid, hydrate often! For motion sickness or avoid mosquito feasting, the locals swear by Flower Oil or Tiger Balm found at 7:11 Convenience Stores Mosquito repellent is helpful for evenings. Thai food can be spicy — say “mai phet” (not spicy) if needed. Street food is part of the experience but EASE into eating this — go for busy stalls with high turnover.
💵 Money & Payments
Many places accept credit cards (Visa/Mastercard; less accepted with Amex), but small vendors, taxis, and markets often prefer cash. ATMs are widely available; withdraw Thai Baht (THB) locally for best rates. Order of best exchange rates: FX free credit cards > withdraw from local ATM > exchange USD for THB in the city > exchange USD in the airport > withdraw from US Tipping is not required, but rounding up small amounts (5–10%) is appreciated. Exchange Rates: ~32-33 THB = 1 USD (as of late 2025). Watch for small service fees at some currency exchange booths. To stay safe when exchanging currency, use exchange booths in public areas such as malls and do during the day. You need to bring passport or photocopy, not phone photos.
📱 Phones, Apps & Connectivity
T-Mobile has unlimited data On Us up to 256k bps plus unlimited texts at no extra costs. Calls including listening to voicemails cost $0.25/min. SIM Cards & eSIMs: Buy a DTAC, AIS, or TrueMove at the airport for local data. We’ll use WhatsApp for group communication (each group will have a point-of-contact). For taxi and food delivery services, use Grab for transportation or food delivery. Grab offers multi-ride “Travel Passes” that save money on longer stays. Download before you travel. Traffic often takes twice estimated time — plan ahead! Most hotels and cafés have free Wi-Fi. And wifi in Thailand is fast! YouTube TV works abroad, but Netflix may be restricted. Thailand uses 220V, most modern electronics can handle this and a plug adapter for U.S. devices is all you need. Otherwise, double check your device for 110V that may need a converter (e.g. heat products like portable steamers, hair iron.)
🎒 Packing Essentials
Comfortable walking shoes (sidewalks can be uneven). Recommend for shoes that dry easily. Light, breathable clothing — and modest cover-up for temples. In temple everybody must wear polite outfit especially for women (need to cover knee and shoulder). The sun is bright and strong. Use hat, sunglasses, sunscreen. Expect the unexpected rain, so keep watch of the sky when you're outside. Nausea medicine and basic first aid. In Thailand it is easy to find pharmacy as well or for basic aid such as pain killer are avaliable in 7:11. You'll need a voltage converter for single-voltage 110V devices (like older hair dryers, curling irons) because Thailand uses 220V and US uses 110-120; however, most modern electronics (laptops, phones, cameras) are dual-voltage (100-240V) and only need a simple plug adapter (for Types A, B, C, F, O sockets) to fit the outlets. Always check your device's label for voltage (e.g., "INPUT: 110-240V") to know if you need a converter or just an adapter.
🥘 Mark Wein's Food Vlogs/Tours
🍜 China Town Top5 Must! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRLVrfIBS1k 🏪 Chatuchak Weekend Market BEST FOOD! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpd6uGHpoYY 🍽️ TOP 5 of Thai Dishes in Bangkok! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNDSX8RPw4w 🍴 5 Must Eat Thai Food in Bangkok! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUEMXUMwiAw
👩🍳The World's Top 50 Best Restaurants - In Bangkok!
#13 Potong Bangkok - Highest New Entry (Owned by Best Female Chef in the world!) 422 Vanich 1 Rd, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100, Thailand #6 Gaggan Bangkok 68 Sukhumvit 31, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand #22 Sühring Bangkok 10 Soi Yen Akat 3, Chong Nonsi, Yan Nawa, Bangkok 10120, Thailand #30 Le Du Bangkok [We've been here and loved it!] 399/3 Silom 7 Alley, Si Lom, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand #35 Nusara Bangkok 336 Maha Rat Rd, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Khet Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
🍽️ Michelin Guide Rated Restaurants in Bangkok!
https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/bangkok-region/bangkok/restaurants?sort=distance
Thai Basic Words & Phrases
Hello : Sawaddee Thank you : Khob Khun Sorry : khor tod Yes : chain No : mai Refuse or don't want something : Mai aow Delicious : Aroi No worries : Mai pen rai Don't understand : Mai kao jai Toilet : Hong nam Where's toilet : Hong nam yuu nai Not spicy : Mai phed Add "kub" (male identified speakers) or "kaa" (female identified speakers) at the end of your sentences to be more polite e.g., "Khob Khun Kaa" (thank you!) Muan = Have fun (From NorthEast of Thailand) Saab = Very delicious, many Flavour in mouth (From NorthEast also but use as Thai normal Language) = also colloquial: hot and sexy!
Thai Customs
7-11 have almost everything for daily :) Small electric fan would help a lot for travelling in the afternoons when it gets hottest around 3-5PM. Metro and skytrain can go around tourist attraction place easily so you can checkout the route Avoid taxi that didn't use price meters Avoid random street food with spicy. No need to tip except if you truly like their services. Beware of fake and overprice stuff when going to markets. Most stuff in the mall are fine with the exception in MBK and Fashion Platinum Mall. BARGAIN when shopping at street market -you can try it :) In the mall some stores might not accept cash but credit is fine Do not criticize or disrespect the royal family. It against the law. Better to carry cash with you, suggest around 1000 THB for convenience Tuk Tuk normally is more expensive but for best experience,try it out! You can bargain the price. Remember: smiles go a long way here. Thailand truly lives up to its name — the Land of Smiles. 😊