thailand travel guide

Thailand and tourism are two words that go hand in hand for many years and only alienate times when the country goes through a phase of political instability. In the first months of 2014 there have been occupying parts of Bangkok protesters peacefully. Tourists who have decided to come despite the protests have not had problems. At present there is no problem in traveling around Thailand.

Thailand is a very safe, accessible and easy for the traveler country. It is a country that satisfied both he who comes seeking quiet beaches or unfrequented places far from the tourist crowds, and the more eager backpacking holiday.

Overview of Thailand
Map TailandiaCapital: Bangkok
Population: 65,000,000
Area: 514,000 km2 (slightly more than Spain)
Currency: Bath (43B for 1 € to date 04/2014)
Economy: $ 8,000 GDP per capita (higher in Bangkok)
Other information:
- First rice exporter in the world
- Doi Inthanon 2565m. is the highest mountain
- The King live longest (60 years in power)
- The only country in Southeast Asia that was not colonized
- Here began the drink Red Bull
- More trivia about Thailand here

Prices in Thailand
Sleep: In Bangkok you can have a clean room in a Guest House by a 300-600 THB (7-14 €) and less so in other parts of the country. Many Guest House near parks in the north or in islands offer cabins at a great price. An air conditioner is around 500 THB (12.5 €). The hotels have rates from 700 THB (18.5 €). 4 Star Hotels normalitos typically cost about 2000-3000 THB night (50-75 €). More info in 15 of the best hostels to stay in Bangkok.

Food: The food in Thailand is very cheap. On the street you can eat a plate of fried rice, for example, only 40 THB (€ 1). An iced coffee on the street costs about 35 THB (€ 0.90), a Starbucks 120 THB (€ 3). A plate in a good Thai restaurant round the 120-400 THB (3-10 €). Considered the third best restaurant in Asia by Asia's 50 Best Restaurants List 2014, Gaggan Bangkok restaurant has a menu for about 3000 THB (75 €).

Travel: A bill MRT (subway) or BTS Skytrain (elevated train) in Bangkok costs between 15 and 60 THB (0.35 to 1.5 €). The bus is around 10 THB (0.25 €) but it is very slow. Rarely pay more than 80 THB (€ 2) if you take a taxi in the city (when they put the meter, according the going price to pay more). A taxi from the airport to the hotel Bangkok usually costs about 300-450 THB (7.5-11 €). Forget the tuk tuk in Bangkok, unless you do grace, since there are metered and charge what you want as a tourist (the normal price would be about 40-80 THB per way). In other parts of the country tuk tuk are very useful. A train ticket from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, 16 hours in bed, costs about 600-1000 THB (1-25 €). Boats to the islands between 300 and 1000 THB (7.5 to 25 €). If you're flying within the country or Nok Air Airasia look at yourself and find flights from 50-150 €. You can also find my article on how to find cheap flights.

Shopping: Buying clothes is highly recommended because, for example, a hippie shirt in a tourist market cost between 80 and 300 THB (2 to 7.5 €), depending on your haggling art (see article on how to haggle if you've never done). There are hundreds of markets across the country, as the Chatuchak Market, which make the weekend in Bangkok. The technology is worth as much or more than in Europe.


Going to the doctor: There are private hospitals (some discounts and other extremely expensive) and very cheap public hospitals but where the wait can be infinite. I recommend the Christian Hospital in Bangkok as the price is reasonable and the staff is good. Dentists are good and cheaper than in many countries there are people who come to Thailand just to straighten his teeth.


See more on prices in Southeast Asia

Main attractions for travelers
• Bangkok: The Capital of Thailand is a point of arrival and departure of backpackers and tourists constantly. That happens at the situation of the city, in the heart of Southeast Asia, and the size of the airport. Bangkok may therefore seem a crossing but actually has a lot to offer. It is a city that can scare at first because of the traffic, noise and odors, but you learn to appreciate. Seize to discover the Thai culture in palaces, temples, with thousands of restaurants, food on the streets, museums, markets, massages, muay thai and the most modern part of the city where there are Most malls and skyscrapers. If you are going to come here do not forget to read the article: 10 ideas about things to do and see in Bangkok.

• Chiang Mai: The old city of Chiang Mai is a good place to start traveling through northern Thailand. From there many trekking tours are organized courses of all kinds are made: meditation, massage, Thai cooking and even muay thai. In the evening make a market that will satisfy anyone looking for clothes and souvenirs to take home. I recommend renting a scooter and explore the city and its surroundings (always carefully), and arrive at Doi Inthanon nearby park to do some hiking. More info about Chiang Mai.

• National Parks and Sanctuaries wildlifes: You did not come to Thailand just for the beaches? Out there are countless parks with incredible forests and great animal fauna. Where you can do hiking, rafting, elephant rides, explore caves, waterfalls, lakes, etc. Some of the many parks are Khao Yai, just 3 hours from Bangkok, Khao Sok, in the south, it is highly recommended, especially its lake. Doi Inthanon, the highest mountain where the country is. And finally one that especially recommend Um Phang Wildlife Sanctuary, about 10h of Bangkok, where you can take a trip or go rafting to the Ler Her Pretty Tee Waterfall, the largest waterfall in the country, knowing the way to Karen, a tribe living between Thailand and Myanmar. You can make excursions on your own or with a guide.

• Islands: Have you ever been on a perfect tropical beach sleeping in a cabin? If the answer is no ... What are you waiting for? There are many in Thailand! Find islands on both sides of the south and in the east near Cambodia. Some are full of tourists and hotels while others are quieter and less developed. Some that I recommend are Ko Chang, Ko Samet, Koh Lipe, Ko Lanta, Koh Tao, Koh Maak, the Similan Islands, Koh Phi Phi (filled excursions for tourists is where the movie The Beach was filmed) and, large, Koh Samui. You have the items on the top 10 best islands and beaches of Thailand miss.


The Full Moon Party is one of the most famous festivals in the world among backpackers. Each month is done once, if lluna full day on the island of Ko Pha-Ngan.


• The history: Sukhothai was the capital of a great empire, the Kingdom of Sukhothai. Today is part of the list of World Heritage sites by UNESCO making it one of the most visited historic sites in the country. There are over 200 ruins spread over 70 km2 of forest. Ayuttahya was the second capital of ancient Thailand and also has many temples to visit. It is only 2 hours from Bangkok so it's a good getaway day.


Want more information? Discover what to visit in Thailand

How the Thai tourist visa work?
The Spanish nationality and most Latin American nationalities do not require visas. Many Latin American nations such as Argentina, receive a stay permit almost three months to enter Thailand. With Spanish nationality permit one month to enter without a visa is received. In the case of Spanish:

• If you arrive by air without a visa you get 30 days of legal stay.
• If you arrive by land without a visa you get 15 days.
• If tramitas in any Thai embassy, ​​tourist visa is for 60 days + 30 days possible extension (paying immigration offices in Thailand).
• If you want to stay for long, it is best to ask for a tourist visa with 2 inputs because you can be almost 6 months. First 60 days + 30 days possible extension (ie 90 days), then you go to the border, you leave the country and re-enter and get 60 more days. Upon completion of these 60 days you can still extend 30 additional days. So 60 + 30 + 60 + 30 = 180 days.