Thailand

2 city guides — for Indian travellers

City guides

Bangkok

Thailand

Phuket

Thailand

Before you go

Visa & entry

Type
Visa-free entry
Fee
₹0
Validity days
30
Processing days
0 (on arrival)
Documents
  • Passport (6 months validity)
  • Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) — fill online within 72h before arrival
  • Confirmed return/onward ticket within 30 days
  • Proof of funds ~THB 20,000 per person (rarely checked, keep a statement)
  • First night's hotel booking
Steps
  • No visa application needed — Indians get a free 30-day visa-exempt stamp
  • Complete the TDAC at tdac.immigration.go.th before flying (replaces the paper TM6)
  • Carry printed return ticket + hotel booking for immigration
Alternatives
  • Tourist e-Visa (60 days, extendable) — ₹3,500 · Only worth it if the visa-free window shrinks or you plan 60+ days

Money

Currency
THB (Thai Baht)
Forex cards
  • Niyo Global — Zero forex markup; wide ATM support (ATMs charge ~THB 220/withdrawal)
  • Scapia — No forex markup; good for card payments at malls
  • BookMyForex card — Load THB directly to dodge dynamic conversion
Upi supported
Yes
Upi note
UPI works at many tourist merchants via PromptPay QR interoperability (NIPL tie-up) — but coverage is patchy; treat it as a bonus, not a plan.
Cash vs card
Thailand runs on cash outside malls. Street food, tuk-tuks, markets = THB cash. Withdraw larger amounts to amortise the flat ATM fee.

Customs

Into india
  • Duty-free allowance ₹50,000 (returning resident)
  • 1L alcohol duty-free; Thai fruit like durian is banned on most airlines
  • Buddha images/antiques need an export permit from Thailand — don't buy without one
Into destination
  • 1L alcohol + 200 cigarettes per adult; heavy fines for excess cigarettes
  • E-cigarettes/vapes are ILLEGAL in Thailand — fines and confiscation, do not carry
  • Drones must be registered with NBTC before flying

Language

Official
  • Thai
English prevalence
Good in Bangkok/Phuket tourist areas; thin elsewhere. Menus in tourist zones have English.
Key phrases
  • Sawasdee khrap/kha — Hello (male/female speaker)
  • Khop khun khrap/kha — Thank you
  • Mai phet — Not spicy
  • Mangsawirat — Vegetarian
  • Tao rai? — How much?