In general
Currency
Thai baht (THB): 1 euro is worth about 38 baht (June 2026). Cards work in hotels, malls and mid-to-upper restaurants; for street food, markets, taxis and the islands you need cash. ATMs are everywhere but charge a fixed fee (~220 baht per withdrawal): a few large withdrawals beat many small ones.
Language
Thai. English works wherever there are tourists — hotels, tours, restaurants — and gestures plus smiles get you everywhere: Thailand isn't called the 'land of smiles' for nothing. A 'sawasdee' (hello) and a 'khop khun' (thank you) with a wai open every door.
Documents / Visa / TDAC
Citizens of Italy and most European countries (plus many others) enter visa-free for tourism up to 60 days: a passport with at least 6 months' validity is enough — check the rules for your own nationality. COMPULSORY for everyone, however, is the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC): filled in online for free up to 3 days before arrival (official site tdac.immigration.go.th) with personal data, flight and accommodation address — it replaced the old paper form.
Health / Vaccines
No mandatory vaccines arriving from non-risk countries; hepatitis A and typhoid are recommended (not required). Dengue is present year-round: wear repellent, especially at dusk. Bottled water only. Health insurance is essential: private hospitals (Bumrungrad, Bangkok Hospital) are excellent but expensive.
e-SIM / Connectivity
EU roaming does not cover Thailand, and other visitors should expect high roaming rates too. Tourist SIMs from AIS or TrueMove at the airport (8-15 day packages, cheap and unlimited) or an international e-SIM (Airalo, Holafly) activated before departure. Excellent 4G/5G almost everywhere, islands included.
Electricity
230V, 50Hz, type A, B, C and O sockets: two-pin European plugs fit almost everywhere without an adapter; travellers from the UK and elsewhere need an adapter, and a universal one never hurts.
Time zone
UTC+7 all year round, with no daylight saving.
Climate
Three seasons: cool and dry November to February (the best, everywhere), scorching March to May, monsoon June to October (short downpours, low prices). Mind the coasts: the Andaman Sea (Krabi, Phuket, Phi Phi) peaks November to April; the Gulf (Samui, Tao) January to September.
Payments
Cash for the street and markets, card for hotels and malls, and everywhere the PromptPay QR — which only works with Thai accounts though. Keep banknotes in good condition and never step on or crumple money bearing the king's image: it is a criminal offence.
Good to know
Temples: golden rules
Shoulders and knees covered (checks at the Grand Palace are very strict), shoes off before entering, never point your feet at the Buddha or touch anyone's head. Women must not touch monks or hand them objects directly. A sarong in your daypack solves any dress-code emergency.
Respect for the monarchy
The lèse-majesté law is extremely strict and applies to foreigners too: never make negative comments about the king or royal family, not even in jest or on social media. At 8 am and 6 pm the anthem plays in public places: stop as everyone does.
Transport and tuk-tuks
In Bangkok use the BTS/MRT (fast, air-conditioned) and the river boats; Grab (Asia's Uber) is cheap and ends all haggling. In taxis insist on the meter ('meter, please'); with tuk-tuks agree the price BEFORE. Distrust anyone telling you a temple 'is closed' and offering an alternative tour: it is the classic scam.
Elephants and animals
Choose only ethical sanctuaries: no riding, no shows, no photos with sedated tigers. The serious places (like Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai) let you observe, feed and walk alongside the animals — a far better experience.
Street food without fear
Thai street food is among the safest and best on earth: pick stalls crowded with locals and with fast turnover, dishes cooked fresh to order. 'Mai phet' = not spicy, if chilli scares you — but a little courage pays off.
Tipping
Not compulsory but appreciated: round up the bill, leave 20-50 baht after a massage and something for guides. In upscale restaurants a 10% service charge is often already included.
Useful numbers
- 191 — Police
- 1669 — Medical emergency / ambulance
- 1155 — Tourist police (English spoken)
- +66 2 250 4970 — Your country's embassy in Bangkok (number shown: Italian embassy)
💡 Fill in the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online within 3 days of your flight — it is free and you cannot enter without it — and always keep a sarong in your daypack for temples. For any trouble in the street, call the tourist police: 1155, English spoken.