Thailand

Thailand sits at the centre of the Indochinese peninsula, sharing borders with Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia, with coastlines on both the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. Bangkok serves as the capital and economic engine. Thai is the official language, and the baht the currency. The country blends Theravada Buddhist tradition with a constitutional monarchy, shaping everything from architecture and festivals to daily social customs.

Many nationalities — including most European, North American, and Australian passport holders — receive visa-free entry for stays of up to 60 days. Travellers requiring prior authorisation can apply through Thailand's official e-Visa system. Requirements and permitted durations vary by nationality, so consulting the Royal Thai Embassy or the official immigration portal before travel is advisable.

All non-Thai nationals must also complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online before entering Thailand. It can be submitted within the 3 days before your arrival date. Use only the official Immigration Bureau site below: the official TDAC is free, and look-alike sites that charge a fee are not the official service.

• Submit the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) — official online form from the Thai Immigration Bureau
• TDAC user guide with video walkthrough — step-by-step manual, with videos on submitting and updating a TDAC

Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok's Grand Palace complex houses the revered Emerald Buddha, carved from a single block of jade-green jasper. Chiang Mai's Old City contains dozens of working temples within a square moat. Ayutthaya Historical Park preserves the weathered ruins of a 14th-century royal capital. Khao Sok National Park shelters one of the world's oldest rainforests alongside a vast lake studded with limestone pinnacles. In the south, the Phi Phi Islands and Railay Beach in Krabi are defined by dramatic karst cliffs rising from turquoise water.

Thailand has a tropical climate with three broad seasons: a hot season (March–May, up to 38 °C), a monsoon season (June–October), and a cooler, drier season (November–February, averaging 20–28 °C in most regions). The Andaman coast and Gulf coast receive monsoon rains at different times, so the best beach destination shifts by month. The cool season is generally the most comfortable for travel. Light, breathable clothing is essential year-round; a light layer helps in heavily air-conditioned interiors.

• Never colonised by a European power.
• Bangkok's full ceremonial name is 168 characters long.
• Home to the world's largest solid-gold Buddha statue.
• Muay Thai boxing is recognised as an intangible cultural heritage.
• Thailand is the world's leading exporter of natural rubber.

• tourismthailand.org — Tourism Authority of Thailand official visitor information
• thaievisa.go.th — official Thai e-Visa application portal
• immigration.go.th — Royal Thai Immigration Bureau for visa and entry rules
• tdac.immigration.go.th — Thailand Digital Arrival Card, required online before entry
• tmd.go.th — Thai Meteorological Department for weather and climate data
• railway.co.th — State Railway of Thailand for national train schedules and booking