Is Thailand Safe? Yes, Thailand is generally safe for tourists. Violent crime is rare, but petty theft and scams can occur, especially in touristy areas. Some important safety tips: • Watch your belongings, especially in crowded places like markets and beaches. • Rent scooters only from trusted companies and take photos/videos of any existing damage. • Be cautious of scams – avoid too-good-to-be-true offers like cheap gems or “free tours”. • During monsoon season, be aware of flooding or landslides in certain areas. • Police are generally friendly, but never try to bribe — it’s illegal and risky.

• Visa-exempt entry (up to 60 days) Thailand grants visa exemption to citizens of 93 countries/territories, typically allowing 60-day stay. This includes: • Europe: all EU & EFTA countries, UK, Russia, Georgia, Turkey, etc. • Asia-Pacific: Japan, South Korea, China, India, Singapore, Malaysia, etc. • Americas: USA, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Chile, etc. — some with 90-day exemption • Middle East: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, etc. • Africa & Oceania: South Africa, Morocco, Australia, New Zealand, etc. • 90-day visa-free stays Citizens of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, and South Korea enjoy up to 90 days visa-free stay. • 14-day visa-free entry Cambodia and Myanmar allow 14-day visa-free access if entering via an international airport. • Visa required in advance Citizens of other countries not listed must obtain an appropriate visa (e.g., tourist or business) before traveling to Thailand.

1. Disrespecting the King or Royal Family • Any criticism, jokes, or negative comments about the King or Royal Family are strictly illegal and can lead to up to 15 years in prison. • Thai banknotes have the King’s image — stepping on money is considered a serious offense. 2. Drugs • Possession or use of illegal drugs, even in small amounts, can result in heavy fines, imprisonment, or deportation. • Medical marijuana is only legal with a doctor’s prescription and at licensed clinics. 3. Indecent behavior in public • Walking around in swimwear outside of the beach, nudity, or overly revealing clothing in public is considered inappropriate. • Nude beaches are illegal in Thailand. 4. Disrespect toward Buddha and temples • Never touch or climb on Buddha statues, and don’t take disrespectful photos (e.g., turning your back to them). • Exporting Buddha statues or images without permission is illegal. • When entering a temple, remove your shoes and wear modest clothing (shoulders and knees must be covered). 5. Breaking traffic rules • Riding a motorbike without a helmet or valid license can lead to fines or police trouble. • Always carry identification when renting or driving vehicles. 6. Aggressive or inappropriate social behavior • Fighting, yelling, or causing disturbances in public places, and drinking alcohol in public can lead to police involvement. • Never touch a Thai person’s head — it’s considered disrespectful. • Avoid physical contact with local women, especially without clear consent. 7. Electronic cigarettes (vapes) • Vaping is banned in Thailand. Importing, selling, or using e-cigarettes can result in fines or jail time. 8. National Anthem and Flag • The Thai national anthem plays daily at 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM in public places — you must stop walking and stand still as a sign of respect. • Disrespecting the Thai flag is a criminal offense.

🏝 How much money do you need to take to Thailand for a 2-week trip (as a tourist): 1. Flights: • Round-trip ticket from Baku to Bangkok or Phuket: $700–1000 USD 2. Accommodation: • Budget hostel: $10–20 USD per night • Mid-range hotel/apartment: $25–60 USD per night • Luxury hotel: $100+ USD per night For 2 weeks (mid-range stay): approximately $500–800 USD 3. Food: • Street food: $1–3 USD • Restaurant meals: $5–15 USD Daily food budget: $10–20 USD For 2 weeks: $150–300 USD 4. Transportation: • Scooter rental: $5–8 USD per day • Taxi/Grab/Bolt rides: $2–10 USD • Island tours/excursions: $20–50 USD per tour Total for 2 weeks: $100–200 USD 5. Extra expenses (souvenirs, massages, shopping, entrance tickets, etc.): $100–200 USD ⸻ ✅ Total budget for 2 weeks: • Budget trip: $1200–1500 USD • Mid-range comfort: $1600–2000 USD • Luxury trip: $2200 USD and above

1. 👕 Dress modestly when visiting temples • Shoulders and knees must be covered. • Women should avoid short skirts, shorts, and sleeveless tops. • Men should also avoid tank tops and very short shorts. 2. 🩳 Beachwear is only for the beach • Swimsuits and shorts are fine at the beach or pool. • Walking around the city in just swimwear is considered disrespectful. 3. 🥿 Remove shoes before entering homes or temples • Always check what locals do — removing shoes is a sign of respect. 4. 👚 In public — be clean and appropriate • Avoid dirty, overly revealing, or torn clothes. • Walking shirtless in the city is considered rude. 5. 👑 Respect for the King and national symbols • Do not wear clothing with inappropriate images or text related to the royal family.

Best tips for buying a ticket to Thailand: 1️⃣ Compare prices, but not in just one place 🔍 • Start with Skyscanner, Google Flights, or Kayak — they show fares from many airlines. • Sometimes the cheapest ticket is only on the airline’s official website (Thai Airways, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, AirAsia, etc.). 2️⃣ Keep your travel dates flexible 📅 • Midweek flights (Wednesday, Thursday) are often cheaper. • High season (November–March) means higher prices, while rainy season (May–October) is cheaper. 3️⃣ Look for flights with layovers 🌏 • Direct flights are usually more expensive. Layovers in Doha, Dubai, or Kuala Lumpur can be cheaper and more interesting. • Low-cost airlines like AirAsia, Scoot, VietJet often run promotions to Bangkok, Phuket, and Krabi. 4️⃣ Watch out for extra costs 💼 • Cheap tickets often exclude checked baggage — 20–30 kg of luggage can cost more than the ticket itself. • Always read the cancellation and change policies before booking. 5️⃣ Check local agencies 🏝️ • Thai travel agencies and platforms like 12Go Asia and Traveloka sometimes offer local discounts not found on international websites.

Thai cuisine is flavorful, colorful, and unforgettable. Here are must-try dishes: 1️⃣ Pad Thai 🍤🍜 — Stir-fried rice noodles with chicken, shrimp, or tofu, peanuts, and signature sauce. 2️⃣ Tom Yum Goong 🍲🔥 — Spicy and sour shrimp soup with lemongrass and galangal. 3️⃣ Som Tam 🥗🌶️ — Green papaya salad with a balance of spicy, sweet, and salty flavors. 4️⃣ Massaman Curry 🍛🥔 — Mild curry with chicken or beef, influenced by Indian flavors. 5️⃣ Mango Sticky Rice 🥭🍚 — Sweet coconut sticky rice served with ripe mango. 💡 Tip: Thai food can be very spicy — say “mai phet” to request no chili.

The official currency in Thailand, including Phuket Island, is the Thai Baht (THB). 💵💳 • 1 baht = 100 satang (smallest unit). • Common banknotes: 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000 baht. • Coins: 1, 2, 5, 10 baht and smaller satang coins. • In Phuket, most shops, hotels, and restaurants accept cash (in baht), but in tourist areas, Visa and Mastercard are also widely accepted. • US dollars, euros, and other currencies are only accepted at exchange offices and banks. 💡 Tip: It’s a good idea to carry some baht with you or exchange money at official counters at the airport.

The official language of Thailand is Thai (Thai language). 🇹🇭 • Thai has its own script and is a tonal language, meaning tone changes can alter the word’s meaning. • The most common dialect is Central Thai, used in official documents and media. • Other regional dialects include Isan (Lao-based), Northern Thai, Southern Thai. • In tourist destinations (Phuket, Bangkok, Pattaya), English is widely spoken. • In some areas, you may also hear Chinese, Malay, and Burmese. 💡 Tip: Learning a few simple Thai phrases helps a lot when interacting with locals. For example, “Sawasdee” – hello, “Khop Khun” – thank you.

Monthly rental prices in Phuket vary widely depending on the location, property type, and amenities: • Budget options (studios, inland areas): Around 8,000–15,000 THB per month  . • Mid-range 1-bedroom condos: Typically 15,000–25,000 THB per month  . • Overall market median: Median monthly rent is about 28,200–30,600 THB  . • By area breakdown: • Phuket Town: Average for one-bedroom condos around 28,900–30,400 THB  . • Patong / Kathu: Studios can start from 12,000 THB, while luxury one-bedrooms can exceed 40,000 THB  . • Thalang (Bang Tao, etc.): Median rent around 40,100 THB, with upscale two-bedroom condos ranging 60,000–100,000 THB . • Real-life Reddit insights: One user pays 17,500 THB for a one-bedroom, utility bills extra . Another reports paying 22,000 THB/month (including utilities) for a 40 m² one-bedroom in Chalong . Rent ranges from 5,000 to 50,000 THB depending on quality and location . Type of Accommodation Approx. Monthly Rent (THB) Budget studio (inland areas) 8,000 – 15,000 Mid-range 1-bedroom 15,000 – 30,000 Central condos (median) ~28,000 – 30,000 Beach/coastal luxury 40,000 – 100,000+

Thailand offers an endless variety of unique gifts and keepsakes. Popular choices include: 1. Thai spices and curry pastes – red, green curry, Tom Yum soup mix. 2. Coconut-based products – oil, sugar, chips. 3. Natural cosmetics – aloe vera gel, herbal balms, massage oils. 4. Jewelry & handicrafts – silver items, wooden carvings, handwoven scarves. 5. Silk products – scarves, dresses made from Thai silk. 6. Dried tropical fruits – mango, pineapple, rambutan, longan. 7. Tea & coffee – especially “Thai tea” and Arabica coffee from the north. 8. Elephant figurines & Buddha statues – note: Buddha images may require an export permit. 9. Traditional Thai clothing – lightweight cotton shirts, “elephant pants”. 💡 Tip: Always check your country’s customs regulations before bringing alcohol, spices, or animal-derived items.

1️⃣ Budget (Backpacker) 💼 • Hotel/Hostel: $10–20/night → 7 nights ≈ $105 • Food: Street food & local eateries – ≈ $8–12/day → ≈ $70 • Transport: Scooter rental ≈ $7–8/day → ≈ $55 + fuel ≈ $10 • Excursions: ≈ $80–100 • Total: $320–350 (excluding flights) 2️⃣ Mid-range (Comfort) 🏖️ • Hotel: 3★–4★, ≈ $40–70/night → ≈ $350–450 • Food: Mix of restaurants & street food – ≈ $20–30/day → ≈ $150–200 • Transport: Taxi/Grab + scooter ≈ $80–100 • Excursions: ≈ $150–200 • Total: $700–950 3️⃣ Luxury 🌴 • Hotel: 5★ or villa, ≈ $150–400/night → ≈ $1000–2500 • Food: High-end dining – ≈ $50–100/day → ≈ $350–700 • Transport: Private driver ≈ $200–300 • Excursions: Private boat trips, spa, golf – ≈ $400–800 • Total: $2000–4300 💡 Note: • Prices are based on 2025 averages. • High season (Dec–Mar) can increase rates by 20–40%. • Flights are not included.

🌆 Bangkok — City life & culture • Thailand’s capital, vibrant and bustling. • Highlights: Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun. • Shopping: Chatuchak Market, Siam Paragon, MBK. • Nightlife: rooftop bars, night markets, clubs. • Cons: traffic, noise, air pollution. 🏝 Phuket — Tropical island & beaches • Famous beaches: Patong, Kata, Karon. • Water sports and island tours (Phi Phi, Similan Islands). • Accommodation from budget hostels to luxury resorts. • Rainy season (May–Oct) can bring rough seas. 🏖 Pattaya — Convenient seaside getaway • Only 2 hours from Bangkok. • Active nightlife, shows, entertainment. • Family attractions: Nong Nooch Garden, Sanctuary of Truth. • Beaches not as clean as Phuket. 💡 Tip: • For culture & big city vibe — Bangkok • For tropical paradise & diving — Phuket • For quick beach escape from Bangkok — Pattaya

The best time to visit Thailand is usually November to May. ✅ During this period: • The weather is dry and pleasant — low humidity, little rain. • Temperatures are generally 27–35°C. • Beaches and islands have calm seas and crystal-clear water. ⚠️ Keep in mind: • December – March is peak tourist season — prices are higher, places are busier. • April – May is very hot (35–40°C), but the famous Songkran Water Festival (11–13 April) takes place. • June – October is the rainy season, but showers are usually short, and there are often sunny days. Prices are lower, fewer tourists. 💡 Tip: • For calm seas and perfect weather — November–March. • For fewer tourists and cheaper prices — May or September. • In fact, Thailand is beautiful all year round. 😊