Summer is two months away (21 June- 23 September 2019). If you’re still wondering where to go for your anticipated vacation, why not travel to Thailand in Summer! Thailand is one of the most popular world destinations for travelers. The “Land of Smiles” has friendly people, beautiful tropical beaches, delicious cuisine, stunning royal palaces, a bustling nightlife, and good weather most of the year. So what do you need to know if you decide to travel to Thailand in the summer? Here are some tips to keep in mind as you prepare for your trip.
Important Things to Know About Travel to Thailand in Summer
During summer in Thailand, days are characterized by short bouts of rain, hot and humid weather. I know you’re asking why you would take a holiday to a destination when it’s raining. Don’t worry will tell you why.
- Summer is low season in the Thailand tourism calendar. That means you’ll get cheaper rates. You could, for example, stay in a luxury hotel for more than half the usual price.
- The high season which is from November to March usually has large crowds. These large crowds make it uncomfortable when visiting the sights around Thailand. Traveling in summer you’ll see fewer tourists hence you’ll have more elbow room when touring the temples, palaces, and the beach. That should make your holiday experience less chaotic.
- While it rains during summer the downpour rarely lasts for more than 30 minutes and it occurs once a day, then the skies clear. And at times it only rains at night so you can still enjoy your holiday just be sure to carry an umbrella when moving around. There are also a lot of indoor activities you can indulge in when it rains. These include visiting the temples and palaces, doing some shopping at the many shopping and entertainment complexes around Thailand and so on.
- Despite being the low season the party scene in popular islands like Koh Tao, Koh Phi Phi, and at Haad Rin on Koh Phangan is still lit. Hundreds of university students from around the world backpack to Thailand during summer to party hard on the islands. With the children out of school families also take advantage of lower prices to travel to Thailand.
- Thailand is a beautiful place. You’ll want to take lots of videos and photos while you are there. Plan to have a lot of photos and holiday video editing when you get home.
Thailand Travel Requirements
You’ll need to apply for a visa to gain entry into Thailand. Depend on which country you’re traveling from you can apply for a Thailand evisa on arrival online or at your point of entry. To get the visa your passport must be valid, you must show you have sufficient funds for your visit and a return ticket.
The fee charged for a Thailand visa on arrival fee is approximately 2,000 Baht ($62). I recommend applying for your visa online to avoid wasting time at the airport. You can take more than 2 hours waiting for your visa at the airport.
Have Cash on You at All Times When You Travel to Thailand in Summer (or any season really)
Most of the locals in Thailand, for example, the taxi operators, sellers at the markets prefer being paid in cash. So it would be good if you carried some money. The Thai Baht is the currency in Thailand and the exchange rate to the US dollar is $1 for 30 Baht.
Key Cities to Visit in Thailand
Thailand has several cities which are popular with tourists and you should visit them if you have the time. Most tourists fly into the country through Bangkok, which is the country’s capital city before they travel to other parts. You could, therefore, spend some time rooftop bar hopping and shopping at the floating markets in Bangkok. Then move to Koh Tao to relax on the beach before heading to Chiang Mai to pet elephants.
Other popular cities among travelers are Ayutthaya, Chiang Rai, Kanchanaburi, Pattaya, Koh Samui, and Phuket.
Food Tips
One of the pleasures of traveling is that you get to try different foods when you travel to new places. Thai dishes are mouthwatering and when you taste some you’ll be asking for more. Popular dishes to try are:
- Guay Teow (Noodle Soup) which is Thailand’s most popular dish. It can be cooked using chicken, pork, or beef. If you are vegetarian you will have to skip this meal which is sold everywhere by street vendors to high-end restaurants.
- Other dishes that will your make taste buds wet are Khao Pad (Fried Rice), Pad Krapow (Fried Basil) and Panang (Thai Curry). Most Thai dishes have strong aromatic components and a spicy edge. When eating your food don’t put your fork in your mouth doing so will be considered rude. If using a fork only use it to push food to your spoon.
Watch What You Wear When You Travel to Thailand in Summer
When parking for your trip carry clothes that will cover your knees and shoulders. Such clothing will come in handy when you’re visiting the cultural sites and museums which require you to dress in a certain way to gain entry. For ladies remember to carry a scarf to use to cover your head when visiting temples.
Beware of Con Artists
Many tourists have been tricked of their money by scammers in Thailand. For example, in Bangkok, the tuk-tuk drivers are known to scam tourists. The city also has a wide network of scammers who can sell you anything from fake jewelry to useless tour tickets.
In Koh Tao, the best way to see the whole island is by using a motorbike. When hiring a set of wheels some shops can try to take advantage of you and charge you more you should pay for so be careful.
Don’t Talk About the Royal Family
Like Britain, Thailand has a monarchy. Members of the Royal Family are revered for the role they have played over the years to keep the country united during difficult times. As you move around the country you’ll see many photos of the royal family.
It is important to be polite. If you don’t want to get into trouble keep your mouth shut if you don’t have any positive comments about the Thailand monarch. Disparaging the monarch could land you in jail cutting short your holiday.
Conclusion
Travel to Thailand in Summer is one you’re sure to remember. After all, who wouldn’t want to spend time in “the Land of Smiles”? The summer rain may cause you some discomfort but the savings you will make on your trip will be worth the small discomfort. When you travel, keep these tips in mind and I hope you have an amazing trip to Thailand!
