Thailand
Costs
Accommodation:
Budget: Around ฿10,000 - ฿24,000 per month for a one-bedroom apartment in major cities.
Mid-range: Approximately ฿34,000 per month for a luxury condo.
Utilities: About ฿2,000 - ฿3,000 per month.
Food:
Street Food: Around ฿60 per meal.
Local Restaurants: About ฿150 for a filling meal.
Western Food: Typically ฿300 - ฿400 for a meal.
Transportation:
Local Transport: One-way ticket costs around ฿10 - ฿20.
Monthly Pass: Approximately ฿15,000 - ฿90,000.
Taxi: Starting fare around ฿12, with an additional ฿20 per mile.
Other Expenses:
Alcohol: Beer costs about ฿25 - ฿50 per small bottle.
Cigarettes: Around ฿35 - ฿140 per pack.
Groceries: Basic items like milk, bread, and eggs are relatively inexpensive.
Estimated Monthly Costs:
Single Person: Around ฿18,000 - ฿20,000 without rent.
Family of Four: Approximately ฿68,000 - ฿72,000 without rent.
Thailand is known for its vibrant and diverse festivals. Here are some of the most popular ones:
Songkran Festival (Thai New Year): Celebrated in April, this water festival marks the Thai New Year with water fights, parades, and temple visits.
Yi Peng Lantern Festival: Held in November in Chiang Mai, this festival features thousands of lanterns released into the sky, symbolizing letting go of the past year's misfortunes.
Loi Krathong: Also in November, this "festival of lights" involves floating decorated baskets on waterways to pay respects to the water spirits.
Phi Ta Khon (Ghost Festival): Celebrated in June in Dan Sai, this festival features colorful masks and parades, blending Buddhist and animist traditions.
Phuket Vegetarian Festival: Held in October, this festival involves nine days of vegetarian food, religious rituals, and street processions.
Boon Bang Fai (Rocket Festival): Celebrated in May, this festival involves launching rockets to ensure a good harvest and ward off evil spirits.
Surin Elephant Festival: Held in November, this festival celebrates elephants with parades, cultural performances, and elephant shows.
Lopburi Monkey Banquet: Celebrated in November, this festival involves feeding thousands of monkeys in Lopburi.
Full Moon Parties: Popular on the islands of Ko Pha Ngan, these parties are held monthly on the night of the full moon and feature music, dancing, and beach parties.
Wonderfruit Music and Arts Festival: Held in December, this festival combines music, art, and sustainability in a unique cultural experience.
About:
The most traveled in South East Asia, relaxing Tropical climate.
Money:
Thailand Money
The official currency of Malaysia is the Thailand Baht (THB). The symbol for the Malaysian Ringgit is ฿. Here are some key points about the Thai Baht:
Coins:
25 Satang
50 Satang
1 Baht
2 Baht
5 Baht
10 Baht
Banknotes:
20 Baht (Green)
50 Baht (Blue)
100 Baht (Red)
500 Baht (Purple)
1,000 Baht (Grey)
Safety Tips:
Exercise Caution: While Thailand is welcoming to tourists, it's important to stay vigilant, especially in crowded areas where pickpockets may operate.
Avoid High-Risk Areas: Certain southern provinces like Narathiwat, Pattani, Songkhla, and Yala have ongoing security concerns due to separatist insurgencies. It's best to avoid these areas3.
Transportation Safety: Be cautious when using motorbikes and public transportation. Motorbike accidents are a common cause of injury among tourists2.
Natural Disasters: Thailand is prone to natural disasters such as tsunamis, severe storms, and occasional earthquakes. Stay informed about weather conditions and heed local warnings.
Political Tensions: Political instability can lead to sporadic demonstrations and unrest, particularly in Bangkok. Stay updated on local news and avoid large gatherings.
Health Precautions: Ensure you have travel insurance and take necessary health precautions, such as vaccinations and mosquito repellent, to avoid tropical diseases.
Common Scams:
Overpriced Taxis: Be wary of taxi drivers who may take longer routes or inflate fares.
Fake Attractions: Some touts may try to lure tourists to overpriced or non-existent attractions.
Bogus Travel Agencies: Always book through reputable agencies to avoid scams.
General Advice:
Respect Local Customs: Dress modestly, especially when visiting temples and religious sites.
Stay Informed: Keep up with travel advisories and local news.
Travel Insurance: It's essential to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies and unexpected events.
Tops Market: Known for its variety and convenience, Tops Market has around 147 outlets across the country, with many located in Bangkok.
Big C: A leading supermarket chain with over 2,000 locations in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.
7-Eleven: A well-known convenience store chain with numerous locations throughout Thailand.
Gourmet Market: Offers a wide range of high-quality and specialty food items.
Fresh Mart: Focuses on supporting local communities with fresh produce and groceries.
Foodland: Combines quality and affordability in its offerings.
Lawson: Brings Japanese-style convenience stores to Thailand.
108 Shop: A chain of convenience stores offering a variety of daily essentials.
Rimping Supermarket: Known for its fresh produce and quality goods.
Villa Market: Offers a mix of local and international product
Thailand
has 7 train lines
Bangkok Metropolitan Region:
BTS Skytrain: Consists of three lines - the Sukhumvit Line, Silom Line, and Gold Line.
Metropolitan Rapid Transit (MRT): Includes the Blue Line, Purple Line, and Yellow Line.
Light Red Line: Provides commuter rail service.
Dark Red Line: Another commuter rail line, with plans for extension.
Airport Rail Link (ARL): Connects Suvarnabhumi Airport to the city.
Other Regions:
Phitsanulok: Plans to build a tramway system modeled on the Sydney tramway network.
Pattaya: A proposed monorail line with 10 stations.
Chiang Mai: Discussions for an electric rail system, with a proposed 35 km tramway.
Khon Kaen: Plans for a 26 km light rail lin
Tip:
Bartering for items is a part of life, be aware and knowledge of price range.
Language
English proficiency in Thailand is relatively low compared to other countries. According to the EF English Proficiency Index 2023, Thailand ranks 101st out of 113 countries with a score of 416, which falls under the "very low" proficiency category.
In the ASEAN region, Thailand ranks 8th out of 10 countries, with only Cambodia and Laos ranking lower. The proficiency levels vary across different regions and age groups within Thailand, with Bangkok and younger age groups generally showing higher proficiency.
Thai (Central Thai):
The official national language.
Spoken by the majority of the population.
2. Isan (Northeastern Thai):
Spoken in the northeastern region.
Closely related to Lao.
3. Northern Thai (Kham Mueang):
Used in the northern provinces.
Also known as Lanna.
4. Southern Thai (Pak Tai):
Spoken in the southern part of Thailand.
5. Other Minority Languages:
Malay: Spoken in the southern provinces bordering Malaysia.
Karen languages: Used by the Karen ethnic group, mainly in the northern and western regions.
Hmong, Lahu, Akha, and other Hill Tribe languages: Found in the mountainous regions.
6. Foreign Languages:
English: Widely taught in schools and used in tourism and business sectors.
Chinese: Increasingly important due to Thailand's economic ties with China.