thai tourist visa checklist

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Single Entry Tourist Visa for Thailand

Thailand has always been a popular holiday destination. Tourists return year after year to enjoy the rich culture, exquisite food, long warm beaches, and natural getaways in the mountains. Holidaymakers can enjoy short-term getaways of up to 60 days with a Single Entry Tourist Visa. The visa is easy to obtain and this article will provide all the information you need to simplify the process.

There are many ways for foreigners to visit Thailand. If they want to visit for up to 30 days, certain nationalities can enter the country under the bilateral-agreement Visa Exemption scheme. This scheme is open to 64 nationalities from around the world. If someone is not eligible for visa exemption, they may apply for a 15-day Visa on Arrival.

If you are entering Thailand for tourism, leisure, or medical purposes, are not intending to visit other Asian countries, and know that 30 days will not be long enough, then you can apply for a 60-day Single Entry Tourist Visa.

What is a Single Entry Tourist Visa?

A Single Entry Tourist Visa allows foreign nationals one entry into Thailand for tourism, leisure, or medical reasons. It is perfect for those who are looking to relax or maybe complete a scuba diving or Muay Thai training course. People can enter either by air, land, or sea.

The visa has a 3-month validity from the time of approval. This means that people have 3 months to use and enter Thailand from the date their visa is approved. People often confuse validity and the time they can spend in Thailand. Validity is how long you have to use or utilize the visa. When arriving in Thailand, a permit to stay stamp will be placed in your passport for 60 days, so a visitor can arrive on the last day of their valid time frame and still receive the full 60 days permit to stay.

How to apply for a Single Entry Tourist Visa

Many nationalities can now apply for their Thailand Tourist Visa online at https://thaievisa.go.th/home . When applying for a visa online, applicants need to create an account and apply as individuals. Once the account is created, individuals will need the following documents:

• A current passport with no less than 6 months validity and at least 2 blank pages. Applicants must fill in online visa applications with their given name(s) and surname as it appears on their passports.
• Printout of visa application form submitted online, with barcode
• Travel booking confirmation
• Proof of accommodation in Thailand, e.g. hotel booking, invitation letter from family or friend in Thailand
• Financial evidence, e.g. bank statements, proof of earnings, sponsorship letter
• Confirmation of legal residence in the country where you apply for the visa (if applicants are not nationals of these countries) e.g. long stay visa, residence permit, BRP card

E-Visa applicants do not need to submit their passport and original supporting documents in person at a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate. After the e-Visa application has been approved, a confirmation email is sent to applicants. It is best practice to print a copy of the confirmation email to present to airlines and Thai Immigration officials when traveling to Thailand.

There are certain countries not eligible to apply for an E-Visa, as additional documents are needed for approval.

If you are unsure if eligible for an online visa or do not have access to the online application process, you can contact your local Thai Embassy and organize an appointment. Many embassies will not allow walk-ins, and immigration requirements may change without notice, so it is best to contact them beforehand and confirm what documents you need to provide.

Minimum documents needed:

• Passport with 6 months validity and at least 2 empty pages.
• Completed and signed visa application form
• Proof of travel booking
• Proof of Accommodation
• Financial evidence – Bank statement or proof of earnings (equivalent to 10,000 Thai Baht for individuals or 20,000 Thai Baht for families.)
• Letter of acceptance from institutes or companies organizing activities (if traveling for the purpose of scuba diving, martial arts, or culinary learning) 

All documents in a foreign language must be translated into English or Thai and certified before they will be approved.

The cost of a single-entry tourist visa can vary from country to country, but an estimated cost is $30 – $50 USD. It is important to note that many embassies will only accept payment in $USD. Confirm cost and currency with your local Embassy or Consulate when making an initial query.

If you are applying online, the E-Visa system will confirm the payment due and process the payment through their secure payment portal.

Assistance with Visa Applications

The process for applying is straightforward and can be done yourself. If you would like to confirm documents are correct or wish to receive approval without going back and forth to embassy appointments, you can enlist the services of a visa assistance agent . These agents are aware of all current immigration requirements and can confirm the correct details before lodging your application. They will liaise with embassies and consulates on your behalf.

Agents charge a fee for their service but will often save you time and money in the long run. They can streamline your application process and speed up your approval. Agents can assist with online applications, though you may be required to pay the visa fee directly through e-Visa’s secure payment portal.

Tourist Visa Restrictions

As noted above, Single Entry Tourist Visas are for tourism, leisure, or medical purposes only. Foreigners cannot earn income, study long-term, or conduct volunteer activities while in Thailand if they have entered with a tourist visa.

If you intend to take part in any of the above activities, there are long-term visa options available. You can contact your local Thai embassy to discuss options, or seek assistance from a Visa Agent to apply for a long-term visa.

Arriving in Thailand

When you arrive in Thailand, you will need to provide the following documents at Passport Control:

• Passport with approved visa attached (if you applied at an Embassy)
• Confirmation letter of visa approval (if you applied online)
• Confirmed exit flight from the country
• Confirmed accommodation (at least for the first night in the country)
• Financial statement or bank statement showing funds available (10,000 or 20,000 Thai Baht equivalent)

A good practice is to print copies of these documents. Entry approval is at the discretion of immigration officers and presenting hard copies of these documents will speed your processing through Passport Control and help ease congestion at the airport.

Extending your Tourist Visa

For some people, 60 days is never enough. If you enjoy your time in Thailand, it is possible to extend your stay. Visitors with a Single Entry Tourist visa can extend their time in the country by 30 days by visiting a local Thai Immigration Office. An extension of stay will cost 1900 Thai Baht and must be paid in cash (Thai Baht) when applying for the extension. 

You will need to visit the office before your tourist visa expires. Staying in the country past your exit date will cause an “overstay” and you will be fined 500 baht per day after your official exit date. An overstay is noted in your passport and can affect future visa applications. This extension of stay is only available once within the country.

Thai Immigration offices are not open on weekends.

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Visa Traveler

Exploring the world one country at a time

Thailand tourist visa: Requirements and application procedure

Updated: April 6, 2023

Thailand has a liberal visa policy offering Visa EXEMPTION and Visa ON ARRIVAL to many nationalities in the world. For those who REQUIRE a visa, Thailand tourist visa is the easiest to obtain if you understand and follow the visa requirements properly.

There 5 ways you can enter Thailand as a tourist.

• Visa Exemption
• Visa on Arrival (VOA)
• Pre-approved visa from Thai embassy

A Thailand tourist visa is only for visiting Thailand for the purpose of tourism for a short period of time. If you plan to stay longer, look into Thai ED Visa , which allows you to study and live in Thailand for up to one year.

Without further delay, let’s dive into Thailand visa requirements, eligibility, application procedure and entry-exit formalities at the airport.

Table of Contents

Thailand tourist visa requirements by nationality.

Minimum passport validity required to enter Thailand as a tourist

For visa EXEMPT and visa REQUIRED nationalities, the passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the day of arrival in Thailand.

For visa ON ARRIVAL eligible nationalities, the passport must be valid for at least 30 days from the day of arrival in Thailand. 

VISA EXEMPT nationalities

90-day entry.

• South Korea

30-day entry

• Czech Republic
• Liechtenstein
• Myanmar (* only if entering by air)
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Philippines
• South Africa
• Switzerland
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom
• United States

Visa ON ARRIVAL or e-VOA eligible nationalities

15-day entry.

• Papua New Guinea
• Saudi Arabia

E-VISA eligible nationalities

60-day entry.

• Citizens or permanent residents of the following countries are eligible for E-Visa.
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Congo, Rep. of
• Congo, Dem. Rep. of
• Dominican Republic
• North Korea
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Vatican City

Visa REQUIRED nationalities

• Afghanistan
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Burkina Faso
• Cayman Islands
• Central African Republic
• Cote d’Ivoire
• El Salvador
• Equatorial Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• Marshall Islands
• North Macedonia
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Lucia
• Saint Vincent And The Grenadines
• Sao Tome and Principe
• Sierra Leone
• Sint Maarten
• Solomon Islands
• South Sudan
• Timor-Leste
• Turkmenistan

THAILAND VISA EXEMPTION

Currently, Thailand offers visa exemption to 64 countries. Most countries in that list get a 30-day entry. Just a handful of countries in South America and South Korea get 90-day entry.

How long can you stay in Thailand with visa exemption

Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru and South Korea nationals can stay up to 90 days in Thailand. All other visa-exempt nationalities can stay up to 30 days in Thailand. 

Except for G7 countries (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom, and the United States), all other nationalities will be granted only a 30-day entry if entering by land.

Malaysia passport holders are granted 30-day entry when entering by land from Malaysia.

How many times can you enter Thailand with visa exemption

There are no restrictions on entering Thailand by air. But you can only enter 2 times in a given year by land.

Passport validity required for visa exemption

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the day of arrival in Thailand.

Documents to carry for visa exemption

• Original passport
• Proof of onward ticket
• Proof of funds (20,000 THB for individuals and 40,000 THB for families)

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the day of arrival in Thailand. 

Your proof of onward ticket can be a print or a copy on your phone. This cannot be a bus or train ticket. This must a flight ticket. If you are traveling on a one-way ticket or planning to take a bus or train to Laos or Cambodia, get a dummy proof of an onward flight ticket .

Proof of funds can be cash, ATM cards or credit cards. There were incidents where tourists were forced to show proof of funds in the form of cash. To avoid unnecessary trouble, I suggest carrying a bit of cash on you in Thai Baht or any major currency.

THAILAND VISA ON ARRIVAL (VOA)

Thailand is a popular tourist destination in South East Asia, partly due to its liberal visa-exemption and Visa on Arrival policies. Currently, 18 nationalities can obtain Thailand Visa on Arrival at all international airports and land checkpoints with minimal documentation.

How long can you stay in Thailand with Visa on Arrival (VOA)

You can stay up to 15 days on Visa on Arrival (VOA). No visa extensions are allowed.

How many times can you obtain Visa on Arrival (VOA)

If you are traveling to many countries in South East Asia, you may have to enter Thailand multiple times. You can obtain Visa on Arrival multiple times on your trip without any problems. 

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE I obtained Visa on Arrival (VOA) at the airport and later at a land border in Thailand on my South East Asia trip and I was fine.

Passport validity required for Visa on Arrival (VOA)

Your passport must be valid for at least 30 days from the day of arrival in Thailand.

Documents required for Visa on Arrival (VOA)

The following documents are required for Visa on Arrival (VOA).

• Completed Thailand Visa on Arrival application form
• One passport-size photo (4×6 cm)
• Return/onward flight ticket (must be within 15 days of arrival in Thailand)
• Hotel booking confirmation (minimum 5 nights)
• Proof of funds (10,000 THB for individuals and 20,000 THB for families)

Print and complete your Thailand Visa on Arrival application form before heading on your trip to Thailand. If you can’t print it, you can always grab one at the airport and fill it out.

A return/onward flight ticket is mandatory and it must be within 15 days of arrival in Thailand. If your return ticket is over 15 days, you will be forced to rebook another flight ticket by the Visa on Arrival staff. You will end up spending a lot on rebooking so make sure your flight ticket is within 15 days.

Your return or onward ticket must be a flight ticket. Bus or train tickets are not acceptable. If you plan to travel to a neighboring country by land, you must still provide a flight ticket as proof of onward travel .

If you plan on traveling to a neighboring country by bus or train, get a dummy onward flight ticket for your Visa on Arrival. 

Hotel booking is mandatory. A minimum of 5 nights or more is required. Booking a hotel for the first 1 or 2 nights will not work. You will be forced to book the remaining nights by the VOA staff at the airport.

Proof of funds must be a minimum of 10,000 THB for individuals and 20,000 THB for families. You would need to show proof of funds in cash. You can get away by saying that you have your debit and credit cards on you. But, I strongly suggest you have at least 5,000 THB on your and for the remaining, you can show your debit card, credit card and bank statements.

Visa on Arrival (VOA) photo size

The photo must be of size 4 x 6 cm. It must have been taken within the last 6 months. You may need 1-2 photos for your visa depending on the checkpoint. Carry at least 2 photos for Visa on Arrival at the land borders.

Visa on Arrival (VOA) fee

Thailand Visa ON ARRIVAL fee is 2,000 THB. This fee must be paid in cash in Thai Baht (THB) only. 

You may be forced to pay an additional 200 THB as an express fee for fast processing of your VOA. Sometimes you will not have a choice but to pay this express fee.

Money exchanges are available near the Visa on Arrival sections in the airports. No ATMs are available, so make sure to carry cash in THB or any major currency.

Visa on Arrival (VOA) processing time

Visa on Arrival process at airports is quick these days. It used to take at least an hour before. Either way, account for an additional one hour for your Visa on Arrival process at the airport just in case.

To save time, you can download and fill out the Visa on Arrival application form prior to your arrival.

RELATED: How to get a 15-day Thailand Visa on Arrival (VOA) in 2023 – A complete guide

THAILAND ONLINE VISA ON ARRIVAL (e-VOA)

Thailand e-VOA speeds up the process of obtaining Visa on Arrival (VOA) at the airport. If you hold an e-VOA, you can skip the regular Visa on Arrival lines at the airports. 

All 18 nationalities that are eligible for Visa on Arrival can obtain e-VOA online. 

There are special counters set up at the airports just for e-VOA holders for obtaining Visa on Arrival. You do not need to carry supporting documents or the visa fee. All you need is your original passport, e-VOA approval and proof of funds.

IMPORTANT e-VOA is NOT eVISA. Even with an e-VOA, you still have to go through the Visa on Arrival process and obtain your VOA stamp at the airport. It ONLY speeds up the process of obtaining Visa on Arrival at the airport since your document check and visa fee payment were already done online.

Hong long can you stay in Thailand with e-VOA

You can stay up to 15 days using e-VOA. No visa extensions are allowed.

Passport validity required for e-VOA

Blank pages needed in the passport for e-voa.

You must have at least 1 blank page in your passport.

Where to enter Thailand with e-VOA

With an approved e-VOA, you can only enter Thailand from the below 4 international airports. 

• Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok (BKK)
• Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok (DMK)
• Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX)
• Phuket International Airport (HKT)

NOTE If you plan to enter Thailand from an airport other than the above 4 or from a land border, you must opt for the regular Visa on Arrival. You CANNOT use e-VOA.

Thailand e-VOA application procedure

To obtain Thailand e-VOA, you must fill out an online visa application and upload the required documents. Pay the Visa on Arrival fee, service charge and tax. You will receive your e-VOA result in 1-3 working days.

Once your e-VOA is approved, print your e-VOA approval. You must present your passport, e-VOA approval and arrival/departure card at the Visa on Arrival counters at the airport. The 15-day Visa on Arrival will be stamped in your passport.

You can apply for e-VOA from any one of the two authorized visa agents. These are the only 2 agents authorized by Thai immigration.

• eVisa Thailand E-Visa on Arrival | THB 495.33 processing fee plus 7% VAT
• Thailand eVisa on Arrival by VFS Global | THB 500 processing fee

Documents required for e-VOA

The following documents are required for e-VOA.

• Passport cover page
• Passport ID page
• Digital photo (4×6 cm)
• Round trip flight tickets (return flight must be within 15 days of arrival in Thailand)
• Hotel booking confirmations for the entire stay

Thailand e-VOA fee

The fee for e-VOA is 2,000 THB. The visa agent will charge a service fee of 500 THB and tax on top of the visa fee. The visa fee can only be paid in Thai Baht using a credit/debit card. 

The additional THB 500 service fee is non-refundable in case of e-VOA rejection.

e-VOA processing time

The processing time for e-VOA is 1-3 working days. Express processing is also available for an additional fee where the application will be processed within 24 hours.

e-VOA application tracking

Both eVisa Thailand and VFS Global offer visa application status tracking. 

THAILAND E-VISA

Thailand E-Visa is an initiative from Thai immigration to move the Thai visa process online. The idea is to replace the regular pre-approved visa from the embassy with the new E-Visa. The visa validity and entry are exactly the same as the pre-approved visa from the embassy. 

Thailand’s E-Visa portal offers both single and multiple-entry visas. You can apply for either one. But if the officers are not convinced that you need a multiple-entry visa, they may simply issue a single-entry visa. The fee for the multiple-entry visa is not refunded in that case.

Validity of Thailand E-Visa

Thailand E-Visa is valid for 3 months or 6 months depending on the entry type. 

• Single-Entry: Valid for 3 months
• Multiple-Entry: Valid for 6 months

When to apply for E-Visa

You can apply for a Thai E-Visa up to 3 months prior to your trip. The processing takes about 3-10 working days, so it’s recommended to apply at least a month prior to your trip.

How long can stay in Thailand on E-Visa

You can stay up to 60 days in Thailand on your single-entry Thailand E-Visa. 

With a multiple-entry E-Visa, you can stay up to 60 days on each entry. All entries must be made within the validity of your multiple-entry E-Visa. Meaning, even if you enter Thailand on the last day of your E-Visa, you will still receive a 60-day entry.

Both single-entry and multiple-entry E-Visas are extendable for additional 30 days at the local immigration office. 

Passport validity required for E-Visa

At the time of lodging your E-Visa application, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months for a single-entry E-Visa and 1 year for a multiple-entry E-Visa.

E-Visa application procedure

You can apply for your E-Visa on the Thai E-Visa portal . You must fill out the online application, upload the required documents and pay the required visa fee.

The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs has created a nice step-by-step video guide and a PDF guide on how to apply for your E-Visa using the Thai E-Visa portal.

Documents required

The following documents are required for the Thai E-Visa.

• A scan of your passport ID page
• A digital photo (4×6 cm)
• Fully paid round-trip flight tickets
• Proof of residence (if not a citizen of the country where you are applying from)

All scanned documents must be in JPG format only. Max allowed file size is 3MB.

Photo requirements

The digital photo must meet the following requirements.

• Photo must have been taken in the last 6-months
• Must be 4×6 cm in dimensions
• Must be in JPG format only 
• Max file size allowed is 3MB

The Thailand E-Visa fee is $40 USD for a single-entry tourist visa, paid in the local currency of the Thai consulate you have selected in your E-Visa application. E-Visa fees can only be paid using a credit/debit card. 

Processing time

The processing time for E-Visa is 3-10 working days. 

Application tracking

The application can be tracked within the dashboard of your account in the E-Visa portal.

THAILAND TOURIST VISA FROM THE EMBASSY

The following are eligible to apply for a pre-approved tourist visa. 

• Visa REQUIRED nationality that are not eligible for Thai E-VISA
• Visa ON ARRIVAL eligible nationality that would need to stay longer than 15 days and are not eligible for Thai E-Visa
• Visa EXEMPT nationality that would need to stay longer than 30 days and are not eligible for Thai E-Visa

Validity of Thailand tourist visa

A single-entry Thailand tourist visa is valid for 3 months. You must enter Thailand within the validity of this visa.

A multiple-entry Thailand tourist visa is valid for 6 months. You can enter Thailand unlimited times on this type of visa and all entries must be within the validity of the visa. 

When to apply for Thailand tourist visa

You can apply for a Thailand tourist visa up to 3 months prior to your trip. The processing can take from 3-10 working days so it’s recommended to apply at least one month prior to your trip.

How long can you stay in Thailand on a tourist visa

You can stay up to 60 days on a single-entry Thailand tourist visa. A 30-day extension is possible from the local immigration office.

You can stay up to 60 days for each entry on a multiple-entry tourist visa. A 30-day extension is possible from the local immigration office.

Passport validity required for tourist visa

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months at the time of applying for your tourist visa.

Blank pages needed in the passport for tourist visa

You must have at least two blank pages in your passport for the tourist visa. One page for the visa sticker and one page for entry and exit stamps.

Thailand tourist visa application procedure

You can apply for a Thailand tourist visa in person at your nearest Royal Thai embassy or using an authorized visa agent such as VFS Global.

Here is an informational video made by the Royal Thai consulate in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on how to fill and arrange the documents for your Thailand tourist visa.

IMPORTANT If you are a Visa REQUIRED nationality, you can ONLY apply for a Thailand tourist visa in your country of passport or residence. That means You CANNOT apply for a Thailand tourist visa while traveling.

If you do not have a Thai mission in your country of passport or residence, you must apply at a Thai mission in a neighboring country that is specifically designated for applicants from your country. 

The following documents are required for Thailand tourist visa.

• Completed Thailand tourist visa application form (you can download it from your nearest Royal Thai embassy website)
• Original passport with at least 6 months of validity with 2 blank pages
• Copies of your passport data/ID page and last page (2-3 copies depending on the Thai embassy where you are applying from)
• Passport size photos (1-4 photos depending on the Thai embassy where you are applying from)
• Roundtrip flight tickets (fully paid and confirmed for certain Thai embassies)
• Hotel reservations for the entire trip 
• Full itinerary (full itinerary of your entire stay on a sheet of paper)
• Bank statements (last 6 months showing at least $700 USD per individual or $1,400 USD per family)
• Proof of residence (if applying from a country other than the country of passport)

The passport photo for the visa application must meet the following requirements.

• Must be of size 3.5 x 4.5 cm
• Must be latest taken in the last 3 months
• Must be on a white background without glasses or a hat

You may need 1-4 photos for your visa depending on the nationality. Carry about 4 photos when heading to the embassy.

Thailand tourist visa fee is 1,000 THB ($30 USD) for a single-entry tourist visa and 5,000 THB ($145 USD) for a multiple-entry tourist visa. You have to pay the visa fee in your local currency, so the visa fee may vary a bit due to currency exchange rates. 

Visa agents such as VFS Global charge an additional service fee, courier fee, handling charges, etc. on top of the visa fee.

Thailand tourist visa processing time is 3 to 10 working days. Most applications are processed within 3 working days but if the embassy requires additional documents from you, it can take up to 10 working days.

Thai consulates, embassies, and authorized visa agents provide visa status updates via email. VFS Global provides online visa application tracking for its applicants.

ENTRY AND EXIT PROCEDURE AT THE AIRPORT

Entering Thailand by air

If you are a visa-exempt nationality, hold an E-Visa or a pre-approved Thailand tourist visa, head straight to immigration.

If you need to obtain Visa on Arrival (VOA), head to the Visa on Arrival section first. To speed up the Visa on Arrival process, you can either opt for e-VOA or express lanes at the airport. You can also download and fill out the Visa on Arrival application form before you arrive at the airport. 

If you don’t have a completed Visa on Arrival form with you, grab one at the Visa on Arrival section. There will be examples of completed application forms on the wall to assist you with filling out the application form.

IMPORTANT Visa on Arrival fee can only be paid in THB. There are NO ATMs at the Visa on Arrival sections in any of the Thailand airports. So, make sure to carry enough cash in THB (Thai Baht) or major currency. There are currency exchanges at Visa on Arrival sections. So if you have some major currency on you, you can change it into THB.

After you complete your Visa on Arrival procedure, head to the immigration area.

Leaving Thailand by air

On exiting Thailand, you will have to go through passport control. You must present the following documents

• Your original passport
• Airline boarding pass

If flying out of Bangkok (BKK and DMK), long lines at check-in counters and passport control are common. Arrive at least 2 hours before your departure time.

ENTRY AND EXIT PROCEDURE AT THE LAND BORDER

Entering thailand by land.

If you are a visa-exempt nationality, hold an E-Visa or a pre-approved Thailand visa, head straight to immigration.

If you have to obtain Visa on Arrival (VOA), head to the Visa on Arrival section first. To speed up the Visa on Arrival process, you can download and fill out the Visa on Arrival application form before you arrive at the land border. 

IMPORTANT The Visa on Arrival fee can only be paid in THB. ATMs and currency exchanges are very rare at the land borders. So, make sure to carry enough cash in THB (Thai Baht).

Leaving Thailand by land

On exiting Thailand by land, you must go through passport control. You must present the following documents

• Visa to the next country

If the next country you will be entering requires a visa, you must present the visa of that country. Otherwise, you will not be allowed to leave Thailand. If you will be obtaining Visa on Arrival in the next country, just say that you will obtain Visa on Arrival and you will be fine.

Thailand offers Visa EXEMPTION and Visa ON ARRIVAL to many nationalities. For those who REQUIRE a visa, a Thailand tourist visa is quite easy to obtain. Currently, 18 nationalities are eligible to obtain Visa on Arrival (VOA) and over 50 nationalities can obtain E-Visa. Rest requires a pre-approved visa from the embassy.

WRITTEN BY THIRUMAL MOTATI

Thirumal Motati is an expert in tourist visa matters. He has been traveling the world on tourist visas for more than a decade. With his expertise, he has obtained several tourist visas, including the most strenuous ones such as the US, UK, Canada, and Schengen, some of which were granted multiple times. He has also set foot inside US consulates on numerous occasions. Mr. Motati has uncovered the secrets to successful visa applications. His guidance has enabled countless individuals to obtain their visas and fulfill their travel dreams. His statements have been mentioned in publications like Yahoo, BBC, The Hindu, and Travel Zoo.

PLAN YOUR TRAVEL WITH VISA TRAVELER

I highly recommend using these websites to plan your trip. I use these websites myself to apply for my visas, book my flights and hotels and purchase my travel insurance.

01. Apply for your visa

Get a verifiable flight itinerary for your visa application from DummyTicket247 . DummyTicket247 is a flight search engine to search and book flight itineraries for visas instantly. These flight itineraries are guaranteed to be valid for 2 weeks and work for all visa applications.

02. Book your fight

Find the cheapest flight tickets using Skyscanner . Skyscanner includes all budget airlines and you are guaranteed to find the cheapest flight to your destination.

03. Book your hotel

Book your hotel from Booking.com . Booking.com has pretty much every hotel, hostel and guesthouse from every destination.

04. Get your onward ticket

If traveling on a one-way ticket, use BestOnwardTicket to get proof of onward ticket for just $12, valid for 48 hours.

05. Purchase your insurance

Purchase travel medical insurance for your trip from SafetyWing . Insurance from SafetyWing covers COVID-19 and also comes with a visa letter which you can use for your visas.

Need more? Check out my travel resources page  for the best websites to plan your trip.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER We are not affiliated with immigration, embassies or governments of any country. The content in this article is for educational and general informational purposes only, and shall not be understood or construed as, visa, immigration or legal advice. Your use of information provided in this article is solely at your own risk and you expressly agree not to rely upon any information contained in this article as a substitute for professional visa or immigration advice. Under no circumstance shall be held liable or responsible for any errors or omissions in this article or for any damage you may suffer in respect to any actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the information in this article. Please refer to our full disclaimer for further information.

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please refer to our full disclosure for further information.

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Thailand Vacation Checklist: What You Need to Organize & Pack

Planning a vacation to Thailand can be an exciting experience, but with so many details to consider, it's easy to forget something important and panic at the last minute.

But don't worry! In this post, I will provide you with helpful tips and essential considerations to ensure that you can plan, pack and embark on your adventure to Thailand with confidence.

As a side note, I highly recommend traveling light, as it can be a long journey, especially if you plan on exploring multiple parts of the country.

Plus, with the hot climate, you won't need to pack too many clothes anyway. Leaving room in your luggage will free up much-needed space for souvenirs and gifts on your return trip.

So, without further ado, let's start ticking off your Thailand to-do list and make sure you're well-prepared for your travels.

Samujana Villa, Koh Samui

The Ultimate Thailand Vacation Checklist

The first thing you should consider, well in advance of your trip, is whether or not you will need a visa.

If you're visiting Thailand for under 30 days then you won't, because you'll enter on a 30-day exemption stamp, which is stamped in your passport on arrival.

Please note that at the time of writing Thailand is providing tourists with a 45-day entry stamp as a way of boosting tourism post the pandemic period.

If you're planning to stay longer than 30 days you can get a Tourist Visa from your local Thai embassy.

A single entry Tourist Visa will give you a 60-day stay, and a multiple entry Tourist Visa is valid for 6 months, with permitted stays of 60 days at a time.

With the multiple entry visa you can leave after 60 days to a neighboring country, and then re-enter to activate a further 60-day stay on the visa.

Other visas are available for volunteering, education, retirement and more.

+ A guide to visas can be found here

2. Passport (plus copies)

Sounds obvious, but if I had a pound for every person who realized they'd forgotten their passport at the airport I'd be a millionaire.

You'll need at least 6 months left on your passport to travel to Thailand, so check it now in case you need to apply for a new one.

Make a couple of photocopies of your passport, too, as you may need these to provide the hotel, or bike or car rental places, etc. As a side note: never leave your real passport with any company; always provide a copy.

It's also a requirement in Thailand for foreign nationals to carry their passport at all times.

However, I don't advise carrying your passport around with you. The safest place for it is in your hotel room's safe. Instead, carry a color photocopy with you when out and about. This will suffice should a police officer ask to see it.

You can also carry your driver's license or ID card, as proof of identification.

Another good idea is photocopy the page of your passport with the entry stamp you receive upon entry. In addition to your passport showing your identification, this will show when you arrived in the country.

3. Vaccinations

Depending on your medical history, or your stance on vaccination, you may want to get the recommended vaccines for traveling to Thailand.

Note that Yellow Fever vaccine is required for those traveling from a country with risk of transmission.

+ More on the vaccine schedule here

4. Return Flight Information

When entering as a tourist it is a legal requirement to have a return or onward flight booked.

Print out a copy of your flight information and keep it in your rucksack or travel wallet.

You may or may not be asked for this information, but you do need it. If you are staying in Thailand longer than 30 days and you will need a visa.

5. Hotel Reservation Information

When you're on the plane you will be given an arrival card to fill out. This can also be done on arrival (at immigration), but to save time they give out the cards on the plane.

You will need to fill in the name and address of the hotel you are going to stay in.

So that you have it handy, print out your hotel reservation information before you travel and keep it in your rucksack or travel wallet.

Of course, this kind of information is easily stored on your phone, but if your battery dies or you can't get reception to access your email, having a hard copy will save you a lot of hassle.

You'll also want to carry a copy of the hotel address around with you. If you are traveling as a family, each member should have this information, just in case you are separated at any point and lose contact, such as when out shopping. Having the address is useful for showing a taxi driver or member of the public to help you get home.

Pro Tip: Always carry a pen. You'll need one to fill out your arrival card, but a pen will also come in handy if you need to quickly jot something down.

6. Carry-On Cash

All foreigners traveling to Thailand must be able to provide proof of adequate finances for their duration of stay. This can be in the form of traveller’s cheques or cash equivalent to 10,000 Baht per person and 20,000 Baht per family.

People are rarely asked to prove that they have access to this money, but best practice is to carry this as a minimum amount of cash.

If you're not carrying Baht, take the exchange rate of your local currency into consideration to make sure it converts to cover the amount required.

7. Emergency Numbers

Hopefully you won't need these, but make a note of these emergency service numbers for your holiday in Thailand.

• Tourist Police – 1155
• Police and general emergency – 191
• Ambulance and Rescue: 1669
• Highway Patrol: 1193
• Immigration Bureau: 1178

8. Sunscreen

Thailand has a tropical climate and it gets very hot. Even if you're a sun lover and can't wait to get your bronze on, don't neglect the use of sunscreen. Even when it's cloudy, you can still burn, believe me!

Be sensible and allow yourself to tan gradually. By all means get your fill of vitamin D, but be careful not to overexpose yourself. Sun stroke is very real and can see you hospitalized. The very hot weather can also dehydrate you very quickly, so keep topping up with water and ice lollys.

Hats are a must for baldies like me!

9. Beach Shoes

Flip flops are great for the beach, but even then I prefer waterproof shoes (like the ones surfers wear). With beach shoes you can go in and out of the sea and up and down the beach without constantly having to slip flip flops on and off.

The beach shoes tend to be better for walking, with less chance of tripping over as the flop bends and gets caught under your foot.

10. Breathable Walking Shoes

Traipsing round town in socks and shoes/trainers can be uncomfortable because it's so darn hot. Socks just get sweaty and make you feel hotter, and the trainers/ shoes you wear back home may not feel comfortable without socks on.

Instead, bring a pair of good quality sandals, comfy loafers or other type of breathable walking shoes that you can happily walk around in all day.

Pro tip: Break in the shoes before you travel, as you don't want to find out that the shoes cause blisters half way through a shopping trip.

+ More on clothes for Thailand here

11. Good Quality Backpack

If you're backpacking around Thailand, or even just planning on a bit of island hopping, investing in a comfortable, lightweight backpack will be a God send.

Suitcases can be awkward to lift on and off boats and trains and taxis, though do make a good seat at an airport.

+ See my backpack recommendations here

If you find yourself stuck with your baggage and you want to go off shopping for the day perhaps in between a hotel change or on the day you leave, you can always use a baggage storage company.

+ See the best baggage storage companies here

12. Plug Adapter

Some hotels have plugs to suit US and European devices, and if not they generally have adapters at reception that you can borrow.

However, if you're staying on an island in a bungalow, or even in Bangkok in cheaper accommodation, you may find yourself short of an adapter. Bring a couple with you, just in case.

An adapter will also come in handy at the airport if you want to charge your phone, tablet, or computer.

13. Credit Card with Zero Transaction Fees

Cash  is generally needed for food stalls and markets, but every chain restaurant and mall shop takes cards. So get yourself a credit or debit card that doesn't charge for foreign transactions or ATM withdrawals.

Note that ATMs in Thailand charge per withdrawal, anywhere from 3-7 USD per withdrawal. This is unavoidable, as it's a local charge.

+ I recommend Wise. See here

14. Keeping Your Money Safe

With horrible bank fees in mind, if you do withdraw money, it is better to withdraw a substantial amount in one go so that you don't wrack up too many fees during your stay.

Most ATMs have a 20,000 Baht withdrawal limit, but that's still a lot to carry around, and carrying a large amount of cash is never wise.

So leave some in the safe of the hotel room and only take out what you think you will need. If you're a couple, split the money you carry between you. That way, if one person is parted with their cash for some reason, the impact is only half as bad.

Use a money wallet or some form of holdall that sits at the front of your body. Never store your wallet in a bag or backpack that can be accessed from behind or the side.

15. Exchanging Cash

Always exchange your money inside Thailand. It's almost always favorable to do so.

You can exchange at the airport when you arrive. Use the exchange kiosks in the arrivals hall after you collect your bags, as they have a better rate than the ones near immigration or at an exchange in town.

The Super Rich exchange usually has good rates; see Floor B at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

16. Sim Card

By all means travel with your current sim card, but make sure you check international rates with your provider before you leave.

Depending on the cost of calls and SMS while you are abroad, you may want to get a local Thai sim card when you arrive and pop that into your phone.

You can get a sim card for a couple of Dollars and top it up as and when you need credit. It may work out much cheaper for you.

If you have a dual Sim phone, or a phone that takes an eSim, bring that along to make life easier.

+ More on Sim Cards here

17. Travel Insurance

I don't want to be pessimistic, but no one wants to get stuck in Thailand with a huge medical bill they can't pay. It's not worth tempting fate.

The way to avoid this is to get travel insurance. I recommend Safetywing and have been using them for the past 3 years.

+ Here's an overview of the policy they offer

18. Book Hotels & Trips in Advance

Booking hotels and travel tickets in advance is a very good idea.

As a popular tourist destination, during peak seasons, hotels and transportation options can fill up quickly. By booking in advance, you can secure your desired travel plans without stressing at the last moment because your preferred hotel or flight route is fully booked.

By booking in advance, you may secure better deals. Early bird discounts and package deals are often available in advance of peak season.

And then there's the convenience. You don't have to worry about last-minute planning or making changes to your itinerary. Instead, you can focus on enjoying your trip knowing that all your travel arrangements have been taken care of.

See the links in the box below for recommended providers.

Taking the time to plan and pack for your trip to Thailand is crucial to ensure a stress-free and enjoyable vacation.

By following the tips and suggestions in this article, you can make sure you have everything you need for your journey and avoid any last-minute mishaps.

It's a good idea to bookmark this page in your browser for future reference, or copy the link down in a document. That way you can refer back to this list and tick of things as you go.

More Tips to Plan Your Trip:

Get great travel insurance cover.

I use Safetywing, and so do many of my readers. Get a quote here

Book Your Accommodation

Best hotel rates are found at Agoda and Hotels.com .

Buy Bus, Train, Ferry Tickets In Advance

For all available routes in Thailand, check out 12Go here .

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Last Updated on May 29, 2023

Comments Sort by : newest | oldest

JamesE says

May 22, 2021 at 12:01 am

TheThailandLife says

May 22, 2021 at 6:24 pm

May 22, 2021 at 11:48 pm

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