Thailand - The destination that always remains in the mind of Indians. With low flight fares and low expenses, Thailand is one of the affordable foreign destinations for Indians.
Here, we will provide some tips which will help travellers plan their trip to Thailand.
First of all, there is no Visa headache to account for. Visa is easily available as "Visa on Arrival" or it can also be applied beforehand as a paper visa in India. You just need your passport to be valid for minimum of 6 months from your date of travel, return flight tickets, hotel bookings and money to get the Visa. It is recommended to have at least 10000 Thai Baht per person or 20000 Thai Baht per family.
The best months to visit Thailand is from November to March. This is the main tourist season and the temperatures are also somewhat bearable and with low rainfall during this time, the country can be explored properly. April to October is the lean season and you will be able to get hotels and other things at discounted rates. But there is a high possibility of rain during this time and hence it is not recommended to visit Thailand during this time. If budget is a concern for you, then only travel during this period.
Flights are cheapest from Kolkata and ranges around Rs 5000 to Rs 8000 per ticket one way. if you are travelling from Mumbai or Delhi, then expect to pay higher prices.
Hotels are also available in a variety of prices. If you are short of budget, then it is recommended to stay in hostels or you can even stay using couch surfing and stay for free with locals! There are many hostels and they are very safe. If you are uncomfortable staying in a dormitory, you can even book a single room in a hostel at prices lower than a hotel. Keep in mind that there are "party hostels" and "simple hostels". If you are not comfortable with loud noise and constant partying, then I would suggest you to avoid party hostels and stay in other hostels instead. Keep in mind that some party hostels has an age limit. If you are older than say 35 years, you will not be permitted to stay!
Food in Thailand is a gastronomic delight. You will get all kinds of food starting from the humble street food to high end chains. I would recommend to try out the street foods because that's where the essence lies. Food prices are somewhat costlier than prices in India. Even the street foods are of high quality and does not come that cheap.
Beer is very cheap there. All supermarkets sell it.
Taxi fares are more than Indian prices. Use metered taxis or app based taxis. In case metered taxis disagree to go by the meter, leave them and search for another cab. The traffic can be really horrible in many places of Bangkok and elsewhere. Always keep some extra time with you always. Travel times are never guaranteed.
Take a universal power converter adapter. Some appliances may not get inside the plug points.
Most importantly, do not think of seeing everything in a week or so. Thailand is huge and has lots of things to offer. You need at least a month to experience the beauty and culture of Thailand. Once you visit Thailand, i assure you that you will want to visit the country for a second time again.
Recommended minimum number of days to stay in Thailand:
Bangkok : 3-4 days
Phuket: 4-5 days
Krabi 2-3 days
Pattaya: 4-5 days
Koh Samui: 2-3 days
Some of the most beautiful islands like Phi Phi Islands, James Bond Island, Koh Samui etc are present in Thailand. The beautiful white sand beaches are really a beautiful sight for the eyes.
How many days do you recommend staying in Thailand. Do leave a comment below. And do share your holiday experiences.