Thailand

Thailand is a country in Southeast Asia and likely the most popular tourist destination in the region.

Visas

If Flying

Stays of up to 30 days don't require visas for citizens of many countries including:

• Australia
• Canada
• EU Countries
• Singapore
• South Africa
• USA
• ...more

If Crossing Overland

As of Dec 2008, when crossing into Thailand via a neighboring country, people will only be able to receive a 15-day visa.

Weather

Thailand has a distinct wet season and dry season. The peak tourist season in Thailand (Nov - Feb) is part of dry season and it's considerably quieter during wet season.

I've visited Thailand about 4 times in the wet season, and once in the dry season. To be honest, the rain wasn't that much of an issue. I don't recall any single day when it poured all day long, though there were several days with sudden torrential downpours (for an hour or so) and once a pretty crazy storm on Phi Phi that I was sure was going to destroy the hut I was staying in. A word of warning: don't stay in huts with tin rooves under coconut palms during storms - the sounds of coconuts smacking the tin rooves is pretty terrifying!!

Getting there

By Air

A tonne of airlines fly to Thailand. Main international airports are Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai.

• Thai Air

  A fabulous airline. Great staff, great service, awesome food. Flies to a stack of destinations abroad (and within Thailand)

• Air Asia

  A great budget carrier. Much nicer than Ryan Air in Europe!!. Air Asia flies to several places across Asia. It's hub is in KL, Malaysia, and you can into a number of destinations in Thailand from there. Flights to a number of cities in Asia also fly from Bangkok (e.g. Singapore, Bali, Hong Kong, Siem Reap). If you are having trouble finding a cheap flight to Thailand, consider flying through KL and picking up a cheap flight with Air Asia.

• JAL

  Has the most flights between Japan and Thailand. I've never flown them!

• Korean Air

  Fly through Incheon, South Korea. They are a fabulous airline though obviously not direct.

Money

Currency is the Baht. ATMs are pretty widely available all over Thailand though if you're going somewhere really rural, you may need to take whatever baht you'll need with you. Even a fairly popular spot like Railay/Ton Sai in Krabi doesn't have ATMs (2008).