Welcome to our 'Getting Started' guide, a page of information and links specifically designed for first-time visitors to Thailand. On this page, we cover the basics of when to go, how to get there and we even have some suggestions for what to pack.

When To Go

There really isn't a bad time to visit Thailand. Traditionally, the high season is when the weather is generally at its coolest and driest, from October to April. This is when hotel rates are at their highest, and the main tourist destinations at their most crowded.

Tradition also has it that the worst time to visit is during the rainy season which starts in earnest in May or June and lasts until September or so. This particular piece of traditional wisdom is not entirely accurate. During the rainy season, it may rain for only an hour or less each day, usually in the late afternoon. Yes, the downpours are drenching, but they are short lived and you get up to an hour's notice that they are coming -- if it starts to get dark at 4:00 in the afternoon, run for cover! We're not talking cold showers here either. The rainy season is still quite hot, so the rains can sometimes be warmer than you might be used to in your bath at home.

The rainy season is actually an annual monsoon that moves east and northward in the first half of the year before shifting south and west in the second half. This means that when the rains are their heaviest on Phuket in May they are still rather light in Samui and haven't even started in Chiang Mai.

Holidays & Events

It's good to be aware of the national holidays and festivals that may be happening during your trip. The major tourist sights remain open on most of the holidays. The days they are most likely to be closed are New Years Day (1 January) and Songkran (13 to 15 April). If you visit during Songkran, it's good to know that this is the time when many Thais also take to the road, so Bangkok can be a little empty, but hotels outside of Bangkok are often booked full for months in advance.

Visas

Before you book your trip, you'll want to check to see if a visa is required. Thailand has traditionally been rather free with visas, and most westerners still receive 30 day entry stamps on arrival. However, like just about every other country since 2001, security concerns have lead to a reduction in the number of countries automatically granted visas. For a current list of countries entitled to visa-free entry, visit the Tourism Authority of Thailand's web site.

If you do need a visa, or plan to stay longer than 30 days, you can generally easily get a 60 or 90 day visa at most Thai embassies and consulates. This can usually be done by mail if there's no consulate in your city.

Getting There

Most people arrive in Thailand by plane. Bangkok is a major air hub, with almost every international carrier landing at Bangkok's international airport. Since the trip from western countries to Thailand is usually quite long -- nine to 15 hours -- you'll want to check out comfort as well as price when booking your ticket.

Thailand can also be reached by train from Singapore and Malaysia.

Money and Financial Matters

The Thai currency is called the "Baht" and is pronounced to rhyme with 'hot'. There are several currency exchanges at Bangkok's international airport, and around most major tourist areas. After being allowed to float freely in July 1997 — precipitating the Asian financial crises — the Baht has settled in around Baht to the US Dollar.

As in most countries, you do not want to change money at hotels, as their rates will be significantly lower than you will get from a bank exchange. Travelers Checks can be changed at exchanges, but are not generally accepted elsewhere.

Major credit cards — Visa, Mastercard and American Express — are accepted at most hotels and restaurants. Department stores and other large shops will also generally accept all cards. However, smaller merchants may not accept any cards, or add on the credit card processing fee (3% for Visa and Mastercard, 5% for American Express) to the price of items purchased.

Packing - What to Bring

Packing is mostly a matter of common sense. Keep in mind that Thailand is a tropical country where any kind of jacket is rarely required. However, dressing in shorts all the time is not a good idea either. In addition to the dangers of too much sun and mosquitos, you also need to keep in mind that most temples and palaces require visitors to wear long pants.

Natural fabrics such as cotton breath better and so will keep you cooler than artificial cloth. Having laundry done at hotels in Thailand is generally inexpensive, so you can assume that you can have items cleaned if needed.

Aside from sensible clothing, you'll probably want to bring a camera.

We'd also suggest you bring an inexpensive rain poncho. The lightweight plastic kind take up almost no room in your camera bag or backpack, but can really come in handy if you get stuck in the rain.

Cultural Notes

Thailand is a very welcoming country, and the Thais themselves are generally very forgiving. That said, you'll have a better time, and get better treatment from those you deal with if you just keep in mind a few basic rules. The most important is: Take it easy, you're on vacation! Taking things in stride with a smile will ensure you have a good time and get the best service. Keeping one's cool is considered basic good manners in Thailand, and Thais will often choose to simply not deal with someone who appears visibly angry rather than try to solve their problems.

Many people also have the impression that 'anything goes' in Thailand. Its actually hard to argue with this, but the important thing to remember is that it only applies to things done in private. In public, Thais are rather conservative. This is why one must wear long pants and shirts that aren't too revealing to enter palaces and major temples. Showing too much skin in public anywhere is generally unacceptable. There are very, very few 'nude' beaches in Thailand.