Travel to Thailand from the UK: Must-know travel advice

Key takeaways:

• UK tourists can stay in Thailand for up to 60 days without a visa, with the option to extend for an additional 30 days if needed.
• Travelers should be up-to-date with standard UK vaccinations and take precautions against mosquito bites to avoid malaria and dengue.
• Thailand is generally safe for tourists, but the UK Government advises against travel to certain provinces, including Pattani and Yala.
• The flight time from London to Bangkok is approximately 12 hours for a direct flight.
• The official currency is the Thai baht (THB), and while Thailand is cash-centric, cards are accepted in major cities and tourist areas.

Table of contents
Visas and entry requirements for Thailand Health and vaccinations in Thailand Safety tips for travelling in Thailand - including emergency contacts Transport in Thailand - how to get around Laws, rules and customs in Thailand Money and currency in Thailand Pack the Wise card for low-fee spending in Thai baht

Planning the trip of a lifetime to Thailand? We’re here to help, with a handy guide for UK travellers covering everything you need to know. This includes info on visas and entry requirements, health and safety essentials, money and currency, laws and customs, and much more.

We’ll also show you a convenient and cost-effective way to spend in Thailand – the Wise debit card. It’s designed for low-cost spending in 150+ countries. This clever international debit card automatically converts your pounds to Thai baht (THB) whenever you spend, for low, transparent fees* and mid-market exchange rates.

Learn more about the Wise debit card 💳

Visas and entry requirements for Thailand

Let’s start with a look at visas and entry requirements for Thailand for UK nationals - essential to know before you book your flights and accommodation.

The good news is that you don’t need to apply for a visa in advance to visit Thailand as a tourist from the UK. You can stay for up to 60 days without a visa, with the possibility to extend for another 30 days if needed.¹

During this period, you’re also permitted to do urgent or ad-hoc work, or carry out business engagements.¹ For any other activities though or to stay in the country for longer, you’ll need to apply for a visa.

You’ll also need to make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after the date you plan to leave Thailand. And you’ll need to have at least 1 blank page in it.¹

Is Thailand safe to visit?

Many parts of Thailand are generally considered to be safe for tourists and foreign visitors, provided you take sensible precautions to ensure your safety. We’ll cover some safety tips, including emergency contact information, later in this guide.

However, the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) does warn against travel to the following regions:²

• Pattani Province
• Yala Province
• Narathiwat Province
• Southern Songkhla Province
• The Hat Yai to Padang Besar train line that runs through the above provinces.

How long is the flight from the UK to Thailand?

Flight times from the UK to Thailand vary depending where you’re travelling to and from in both countries.

But to give you an idea, the flight time between London Heathrow and Bangkok in Thailand is around 12 hours (direct).³

Health and vaccinations in Thailand

It’s always a sensible idea to read up on health information before visiting a foreign country. The last thing you want is for your dream holiday to be ruined by illness, or to be turned away at the border because you don’t have the required vaccinations.

According to Travel Health Pro, travellers to Thailand should ensure they are up-to-date with all the usual recommended UK vaccinations. This includes the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and diphtheria-tetanus-polio vaccine.⁴

Vaccinations for tetanus and hepatitis A are also recommended. If you’re travelling from a country with a yellow fever risk (this doesn’t include the UK), then you’ll also need a certificate of yellow fever vaccination.⁴

There is a low risk of malaria and dengue in parts of Thailand, so you should take all preventative measures possible to avoid mosquito bites. And make sure you’re aware of the symptoms of both illnesses.⁴

Here are some additional health tips to bear in mind when travelling to Thailand:

• Wear adequate sun protection
• Make sure you have suitable health/travel insurance before you travel
• The tap water isn’t safe to drink in all areas, so it could be safest to stick to bottled water.

Safety tips for travelling in Thailand - including emergency contacts

We’ve looked at health advice for Thailand, but it’s also important to think about how you’ll stay safe during your trip.

Here are some tips to remember:⁵

• Be careful with money and valuables. Use a money belt under your clothes to avoid pickpockets, be extra vigilant when using ATMs and use the hotel safe to store your valuables. Be extra vigilant when travelling in tuk-tuks and other open transport.
• Never hand over your passport, such as to a car hire rental company.
• Avoid walking through isolated areas alone at night.
• Research your destination in advance, and follow local advice when you’re there.
• Avoid unmarked/unlicensed taxis, and don’t accept lifts from strangers
• Avoid leaving drinks unattended in case of drink spiking - and be aware that drinks in Thailand’s bars may be stronger than you’re used to back in the UK.

Emergency contacts

If you experience an emergency situation during your trip, here are the numbers to call:⁶

• 191 - the emergency number for ambulance, fire and police
• 199 - the dedicated number for fire services
• 1669 - the dedicated number for ambulance services
• 1155 - the number for the Thailand Tourist Police

Make sure you have the number of your travel insurance provider too, in case you need to make a claim or seek assistance.

Transport in Thailand - how to get around

If you’re planning on travelling around the city you’re visiting or even different parts of the country, it’s useful to know about Thailand’s public transport system.

Within cities, you’ll have a choice of buses, tuk-tuks, motorbike taxis and shared taxis called Songthaews. In Bangkok, you can also take the MRT Subway or the BTS Skytrain - the city’s overground railway system.

And for travel between towns and cities, buses and trains are the most common means of transport.

How to hire a car in Thailand

Want to get out of the city and explore some of Thailand’s famously beautiful beaches, bays and wild natural landscapes? You might need to hire a car.

You’ll need to be at least 21 years old to hire a car, although some hire companies have a lower minimum driver age of 20 years old.⁷

You’ll also need an International Driving Permit (IDP).⁷ A UK driving licence will not be sufficient on its own, so you’ll need to apply for an IDP before your trip. You can get one from certain UK shops that have PayPoint for a cost of £5.50.⁸

Before setting off, you’ll need to make sure you know the rules of the road in Thailand. Helpfully, vehicles drive on the left there - just like in the UK.

Laws, rules and customs in Thailand

It’s always recommended to brush up on local rules, laws and customs in the country you’re visiting. Thai culture is quite different to what you’re used to in the UK, as are the country’s rules and laws.

Here are some important things you need to know:⁵

• It is illegal to criticise the Thai monarchy, and the law can be interpreted to include anything from sharing articles online to making political comments in public. Anyone found guilty of this crime could be subject to a long prison sentence.
• It can also be against the law to post images on social media of people drinking alcohol or wearing ‘inappropriate’ clothing while in the country, so be careful what you post during your trip.
• Always carry your passport with you (safely), in case the police ask to see it.
• It’s illegal to smoke or vape in public, and you could be fined up to 5,000 THB if you break the rules.
• Thailand has strict anti-drugs laws, and even possessing a small quantity of illegal substances could lead to imprisonment.
• Thailand is generally considered a safe place for LGBTQIA+ travellers. The UK Government has further advice here.

Tipping isn’t widespread or expected in Thailand, as a service charge is often included in the bill. However, leaving a small amount or rounding up the total may be appreciated.

What languages are spoken in Thailand?

The main language spoken in Thailand is Thai, but many people also speak English - especially in major cities and tourist areas.

Other languages spoken in Thailand include Chinese, Burmese, Malay, Lao, Vietnamese and Cambodian.⁹

Money and currency in Thailand

Now, you’ll need to know the best way to spend while in Thailand, as well as how to manage and convert your money.

The first crucial thing to know is the official currency, which is the Thai baht (THB).

The symbol for it is ฿.

You can change your British pounds for Thai baht here in the UK, or when you arrive. Just make sure to get the best exchange rate and watch out for fees/commission, to make sure you’re getting a good deal.

It’s usually best to avoid changing currency in airports or hotels, as they are notorious for offering very poor deals in exchange for the convenience they offer.

Spending on a debit or credit card is also an option - you’ll just need to check whether your bank or card provider charges fees for spending in foreign currencies.

Thailand is quite cash-centric, although cards are accepted in larger hotels, shops and businesses located in major cities and tourist areas. So, it’s a good idea to have a mix of cash and cards with you, so you’ll have all bases covered.

You’ll find plenty of ATMs in Thailand, usually located in shopping centres, main streets, central plazas and outside Thai banks. And most ATMs should accept international cards along with locally-issued ones.

💡 Read more: Money in Thailand: Banks, ATMs, cards & currency exchange

Pack the Wise card for low-fee spending in Thai baht

Open a Wise account online and you can order the Wise debit card for a one-time fee of £7. You can use this clever card in 150+ countries, including Thailand. It automatically converts your pounds to local currency whenever you spend using the mid-market exchange rate, only adding a tiny, transparent conversion fee* – or it’s free if you already have the local currency in your Wise account.

You also get two free ATM withdrawals for up to 200 GBP (or currency equivalent) each month. Wise will not charge you for these withdrawals, but additional charges may occur from independent ATM networks.

Sign up with Wise for free 🚀

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And that’s about it - everything you need to know about travelling to Thailand from the UK.

We’ve looked at all the essentials, including visas and entry requirements, health and safety, transport, money, currency and language.

You should be all set to pack your suitcase and have an amazing trip. Bon voyage!

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Sources used:

1. GOV.UK - Foreign Travel Advice - Thailand - Entry Requirements
2. GOV.UK - Foreign Travel Advice - Thailand
3. Skyscanner - Search - London to Bangkok
4. Travel Health Pro - Thailand
5. GOV.UK - Foreign Travel Advice - Thailand - Safety and Security
6. GOV.UK - Foreign Travel Advice - Thailand - Getting Help
7. Kayak - Thailand Car Hire
8. GOV.UK - Driving abroad
9. Thai Solutions - What Are the Most Spoken Languages in Thailand?

Sources last checked on date: 28-Mar-2025