When thinking about planning a trip to Thailand, you must be sure to do everything you need to do before you leave your house. Did you pack enough clothes? Bring your camera? How about sunscreen? Did you make arrangements for your pets?
When you plan your trip for a longer journey, such as to Thailand, it takes especially careful thought that should start at least two months before your departure date. Following are some important details to carefully consider when you begin to plan your trip.
Do Your Research As You Are Planning a Trip to Thailand
A beautiful pagoda in Ayutthaya, Thailand
This is one of the most fun steps of the process you plan a trip to Thailand.
<p”>It’s important to have at least a basic sketch of where you want to go, how long you will stay, general costs of the trip, interesting things to do in the various places, whether you will need a visa to enter Thailand, and a brief history and the cultural perspectives of nation.
Draw up a basic list, but keep in mind that it may change as you do further research. What are the costs of accommodations where you want to go? What is the food like? Will you need to have any vaccinations to travel to Thailand?
Draw up a basic list, but keep in mind that it may change as you do further research. What are the costs of accommodations where you want to go? What is the food like? Will you need to have any vaccinations to travel to Thailand?
To help plan for accommodations, I highly recommend the hotel booking service Agoda, which is the one I use exclusively to find the best prices on hotels.
These are just some of the questions that you should ask yourself in the early stages when you plan a trip to Southeast Asia.
Read plenty of blogs and reviews from travelers who have been to the places you would like to visit. One of my favorite sources of travel information is TripAdvisor, where you can read millions of reviews on everything from hotels to restaurants to things to do while you are there. It’s a great general purpose travel information resource.
Purchase Your Flight Tickets Well in Advance
Flights will primarily be into Bangkok, Thailand’s capital and by far largest city and it’s cultural center. Carefully planning for the purchase of your flight tickets is important because prices will vary depending on various factors.
These may include, for example, how long in advance you make your purchase, from whom you purchase them, and the days of the week that you want to travel.
The Best Time to Purchase Airline Tickets in Advance
Purchasing your airline tickets at the right amount of time in advance will help ensure you get the best prices. You don’t want to purchase too early, but waiting until too soon before your departure date is also not a good idea. Sometimes you can find great last-minute deals. This will be the case when it’s only a few weeks before the flight and the flight is only half booked. The airlines become desperate to sell more seats, so the prices drop significantly.
But…if there are only a few seats left on the flight, the airlines know that somebody will need a last-minute flight and so will jack the price up really high to get as much as they can on those last remaining seats. You don’t want to take this gamble.
Flights will almost certainly be your single-most expensive purchase for your trip, so it’s important to shop wisely.
The Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC) is a data tracking service that monitors airfare prices throughout the year. I find their articles on when to purchase flights interesting to read.
According to their most recent research (October 2022), Expedia’s Air Travel Hacks Report suggests that you can save up to 15 percent on international airfares if you are booking flights from the US on a Sunday. You may be able to enjoy a savings of 10 percent on international airfares by booking at least 6 months in advance.
Flights will almost certainly be your single-most expensive purchase for your trip, so it’s important to shop wisely.
Obtain a Visa, If Needed
If you are a passport holder from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, as well as most European Union nations, from October 2022 until the end of 2023, you can stay in Thailand for up to 45 days with the need of a tourist visa. It’s hard to say exactly how long this deal will last, but it’s a good deal.
Ordinarily, the time limit is 30 days, but the Tourism Authority of Thailand has prolonged the 45-day visa-free policy for foreign tourists in order to boost the recovery of tourism, a critical industry for the Thai economy.
The best sources of information on visa requirements are the official websites of the Thai embassies or consulates within your country.
For nationals or citizens of other countries, obtaining information on whether you need a visa for specific countries is not difficult. It’s also pretty painless to obtain the visa itself. The requirements vary greatly depending on which country you are from.
The best sources of information on visa requirements are the official websites of the Thai embassies or consulates within your country.
Book Your Hotel Accommodations
Depending on where you will go, you can sometimes find suitable accommodations upon your arrival. I don’t recommend this approach, however. I like to have my hotel reservations made in advance when I plan a trip to Southeast Asia, so I can relax and not have to worry about it during the trip.
As mentioned above, accommodation types, locations, and prices can vary greatly, so it’s best to have some idea of what you want during the planning stage of your trip. You can use an online booking service to help you choose your hotels.
I highly recommend Agoda, where you can find great prices for your hotel accommodations and read reviews from thousands of travelers.
Make Your Tour Plans
For your first time visiting Southeast Asia, I recommend booking tours through a reputable tour agency. This way, they will take care of booking transportation, arranging meals, securing admission tickets for attractions, and even booking your hotel rooms for you.
A tour is a good way of making sure you see the best that a place has to offer. On my subsequent visits to a locale, though, I do like to venture through on my own.
Make Sure Your Vaccinations Are Up to Date
For the most part, chances are you are already up-to-date on any vaccinations that you would require for traveling to most counties. However, there are some places where diseases such as cholera, hepatitis, typhoid, and rarely, malaria, are still a risk.
If you have any concerns or questions about which vaccinations you may need or your trip, please consult with your physician well in advance of your trip.
I would advise you to check to see which vaccinations are recommended for the places you plan to travel. The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has an excellent and informative website where you can read up on health tips for the specific countries to which you plan to travel.
If you have any concerns or questions about which vaccinations you may need or your trip, please consult with your physician well in advance of your trip, so that in the event you may need a booster, you can get it taken care of before your departure.
Pack Your Bags!
The Emerald Buddha at Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok
After all the careful planning that has gone into your trip, one more exciting part remains: packing your bags! To me, this is when I know the trip is imminent and when I really start to feel the excitement of the upcoming adventure.
It’s not a step that should be taken lightly, however. Beginning a few weeks before your trip, start making a list of things you will need to pack, items you still need to buy, tasks that you will need to accomplish before you leave, and anything you want to do last minute around the house.
After all the careful planning that has gone into your trip, one more exciting part remains: packing your bags! To me, this is when I know the trip is imminent and when I really start to feel the excitement of the upcoming adventure.
Be sure you have suitcases appropriate for your trip. If yours are old, worn out, or too small, I recommend that you upgrade in order to accommodate all the extra clothing, accessories, digital gadgets, and other essentials you will need to make your trip more enjoyable.
If you are in need of new luggage, you can’t beat Solgaard Luggage for price and selection. Take a look at their options that have a device battery recharging option. You can use this while at the airport waiting to board your flight or while on a long train ride.
Include the Essentials
Do you take any medication? Well, it may not be easy for you to find it overseas. Each country may have different medications available, so you may not be able to get exactly what you need. Be sure you have an adequate supply of the medications you need well in advance of your departure date, especially if it’s a prescription medication.
Free WiFi can be found almost everywhere in Southeast Asian nations, especially in cafes and hotels, but it’s a good idea to invest in a data plan when you buy your SIM card.
Another essential is an unlocked mobile phone. You can purchase an inexpensive SIM card in Southeast Asian nations, but it will not work if your phone is locked. Free WiFi can be found almost everywhere in Southeast Asian nations, especially in cafes and hotels, but it’s a good idea to invest in a data plan when you buy your SIM card.
Bring the Appropriate Attire
Thailand has many beautiful pagodas to visit.
Even if you are traveling to an area with a warm climate, I recommend taking a light jacket. Often, in the tropics, buildings are overly air-conditioned and you may find yourself chilly. Planes and trains also tend to be a bit too cold at times.
Of highest importance is a comfortable pair of shoes. These should be versatile, being able to serve you in a variety of climates, rain, snow, etc., and comfortable enough for you to wear all day, even when doing a lot of walking.
One important point to keep in mind is, when visiting pagodas and other buildings of religious or political significance, to always dress respectfully. This means long pants — absolutely no shorts! — and a shirt that will cover shoulders and the top of your arms.
Of course, you will want to bring more than one pair, so pack a variety, for example, one pair of sturdy shoes, one pair of lightweight casuals, and a pair of sandals, especially when traveling to warmer areas.
One important point to keep in mind is, when visiting pagodas and other buildings of religious or political significance, to always dress respectfully. This means long pants — absolutely no shorts! — and a shirt that will cover shoulders and the top of your arms.
I have personally witnessed travelers being turned away from pagodas and the Royal Palace in Bangkok due to inappropriate attire.
If you forget and show up at a palace or pagoda in shorts and a tank-top, don’t despair. You can usually find shops selling inexpensive bohemian pants, t-shits with sleeves, and wraps to cover up appropriately.
Don’t Forget Your Pets
Do you have pets? If so, it’s important to plan for their care while you are away. Can you leave them in the care of family, friends or neighbors? If not, is there a boarding service in your city? Are their shots up to date?
The further in advance you begin to think of your furry friends the better. Sometimes pet boarding places fill up, so you may have to check elsewhere. Also, friends and family will appreciate advance notice so they can make arrangements.
If your pets’ vaccinations will come due while you are traveling, be sure to go ahead and have them done early, unless your vet says it’s OK to wait until your return.
If your pets’ vaccinations will come due while you are traveling, be sure to go ahead and have them done early, unless your vet says it’s OK to wait until your return.
Also, be sure to stock up on food and treats so that their supply will last the duration of your time away on your adventure. Don’t forget the toys.
Remember Those Last-Minute Items
Wat Chedi Luang in Chiang Mai
Ah, the day of the trip has arrived! You’re excited, and…well, maybe a little apprehensive at the same time. This is perfectly normal.
Just don’t forget the last-minute items you need to do around the house so that you don’t worry about anything while you are enjoying your adventure. Did you remember to ask a neighbor to check for mail and package deliveries? Did you pay all your bills that may come due while you are away?
Also, don’t forget to do things to help secure your house or apartment. Check to make sure all the windows and doors are locked, turn off and un-plug any large items that aren’t needed, such as televisions, computers, ovens, etc. Double check that all the doors are locked and that the security alarm has been activated.
Just don’t forget the last-minute items you need to do around the house so that you don’t worry about anything while you are enjoying your adventure.
Finally, make sure you have the most important items with you before you leave your house. Forgetting your toothbrush is no big deal, as you can buy one anywhere. But leaving your passport behind is a deal breaker.
Keep a list of essential items and check one last time to make sure you have everything on the list just before you walk out the door to head to the airport.
Now, take a deep breath, relax, and go ahead and enjoy your trip to Thailand!
Wes is originally from Florida, but has been living and working in Vietnam since 2008. He has traveled extensively throughout Southeast Asia and enjoys taking photographs and writing about his experiences in order to share with others. See his story or feel free to contact him.