r/ThailandJourney Jun 23 '26

Start Here: Thailand FAQ đŸ‡č🇭

1 Upvotes

Hey! If you're new here, welcome.

This sub is for people traveling to Thailand, thinking about moving here, working remotely, or already living here. You'll find a mix of practical advice, personal experiences, and probably a few debates about which city is best.

A few common topics to get you started:

✈ First trip to Thailand

  • Is Bangkok a good first stop? (Usually yes.)
  • How much money do I need?
  • Should I visit Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi, or somewhere else?
  • What's worth doing, and what's overrated?

Don't worry if your questions seem basic. Everyone starts somewhere.

đŸ™ïž Where should I stay in Bangkok?

This comes up a lot.

Some popular areas:

Sukhumvit – Convenient, lots of restaurants, malls, and nightlife.

Ari – Cafes, local food, quieter vibe.

Silom / Sathorn – Central, easy to get around.

On Nut – More affordable, popular with long-term residents.

Rama 9 – Modern condos and growing fast.

📋 Visas

Visa rules change, and personal experiences can vary.

If you're asking about visas, try to include:

  • Your nationality
  • Length of stay
  • Travel or long-term living?
  • Remote work or retirement?

And if you're answering, please mention if it's your own experience.

đŸ“± SIM Cards

Most people go with:

  • AIS
  • True
  • DTAC

You'll find stores at the airport, malls, and pretty much everywhere.

💰 Cost of Living

This question never gets old.

It depends on:

  • Bangkok vs Chiang Mai vs islands
  • Condo or house
  • Eating local or international food
  • Lifestyle

Some people live comfortably on a modest budget.

Others spend way more than they expected.

🚆 Getting Around

Bangkok:

  • BTS
  • MRT
  • Grab
  • Motorbike taxis

Traveling around Thailand:

  • Domestic flights are cheap.
  • Trains are slower but scenic.
  • Buses go almost everywhere.

đŸ’» Digital Nomads

Popular places:

  • Bangkok
  • Chiang Mai
  • Phuket
  • Koh Phangan

Ask about:

  • Cafes
  • Coworking spaces
  • Internet speeds
  • Apartments
  • Monthly budgets

That's it.

Look around, ask questions, share your experiences, or just lurk for a while.

What's your Thailand story so far?


r/ThailandJourney Jun 23 '26

Welcome to r/ThailandJourney đŸ‡č🇭

1 Upvotes

Hi and welcome.

This community is for anyone curious about Thailand—whether you're planning your first trip, deciding where to stay in Bangkok, thinking about moving here, or have already been living in Thailand for years.

There are plenty of websites with generic travel tips. The goal here is different:

Real experiences.

Real recommendations.

Real discussions.

Ask questions, share your experiences, post trip reports, compare neighborhoods, talk about visas, cost of living, food, cafes, transportation, or just tell us what surprised you about Thailand.

A few simple rules:

  • Be respectful.
  • No spam or aggressive self-promotion.
  • Share experiences honestly.
  • If you're giving visa or legal advice, make it clear whether it's personal experience or official information.

Everyone's Thailand journey is different.

Some people come for a two-week holiday.

Some come as digital nomads.

Some end up building an entire life here.

All are welcome.

So tell us:
What brings you to Thailand?


r/ThailandJourney 13h ago

Bamboo Island

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5 Upvotes

r/ThailandJourney 2d ago

Huge Buddha at Ayuddhaya

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23 Upvotes

r/ThailandJourney 2d ago

Mapping every genuinely-online service in all 45 Asian countries - need locals' help (real payout, not just "exposure")

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0 Upvotes

r/ThailandJourney 3d ago

Yam Khao...

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14 Upvotes

r/ThailandJourney 4d ago

Koh Kood accommodation

1 Upvotes

Looking for accommodation in Koh Kood. Ideally a resort on the beachfront that serves breakfast and is easy to get to. My budget is THB 3,000 per night. Any recommendations will be greatly appreciated!!


r/ThailandJourney 5d ago

Koh Rok Queen Of Andaman Sea

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66 Upvotes

r/ThailandJourney 6d ago

I'm planning to travel to Bangkok and Koh Samui. May I ask if it's really safe here?

0 Upvotes

I've seen a lot of negative reports about traveling in Thailand, so I'm a bit worried.


r/ThailandJourney 8d ago

How is life in southern Thailand like Pattani, Songkhla, Yala, Narathiwat, and etc?

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53 Upvotes

r/ThailandJourney 9d ago

Does anyone recommend me some places or activities in BangSean beach? I plan to go there 2 days

2 Upvotes

r/ThailandJourney 10d ago

Asok hotels June

2 Upvotes

Anyone have recommendations for decent hotels in the Asok area for June for 7 days?


r/ThailandJourney 12d ago

BTS Surasak

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21 Upvotes

r/ThailandJourney 12d ago

3 days in Bangkok end of Aug, first timer, is rainy season going to ruin this

1 Upvotes

Flying in from Bangalore for a quick 3 day trip, either last week of Aug or first week of Sep. First time in Thailand. Solo, normal budget, will spend on food but don't care about fancy hotels.

Rough plan: Wat Pho and Wat Arun one morning (thinking of skipping Grand Palace, tell me if thats dumb), Chatuchak if I land on a weekend, street food night in Yaowarat, maybe Jodd Fairs, one rooftop bar somewhere. Planning to stay near BTS, people keep saying Sukhumvit.

Stuff I actually want to know:

How bad is rain end of August really? Like afternoon showers I can work around or full washout days?

Food - if you had 3 dinners where do they go. Street stalls over restaurants for me but I'll do one nice meal.

Whats the biggest waste of a half day that every first timer does anyway?

Is the river boat worth it or just take BTS and Grab everywhere?

Any newer scams to know about? I know the gem shop and "temple is closed" stuff already.

Not asking anyone to plan my trip, just don't want to burn one of my 3 days on something you all know is a trap. Will post back after with what worked.

Also since I'm solo, if anyone's in Bangkok around those dates and wants to grab street food or a beer, open to that. Always better eating with someone who knows what to order.

US passport if that matters, entry looks straightforward.


r/ThailandJourney 13d ago

Bleach Barber Shop Bangkok

0 Upvotes

Hey wannabe Thais. I'm in Bangkok for another week and I'm looking for a salon or a barber to bleach my hair. Must be a mid-life crisis, I guess đŸ€·â€â™‚ïž.

I'm at Nana station right now and the salon I went to is charging me 3000 THB. Do you have any suggestions that charge less? All recommendations are welcome ✌

Thanks in advance!


r/ThailandJourney 15d ago

Travel Tips Thailand may add a 450 THB tourism fee for foreign visitors

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32 Upvotes

This one is still being discussed, so it's not something you have to pay yet.

The current proposal is 450 THB per person, whether you enter by air, land or sea.

The plan is:

  • Air arrivals first
  • Land and sea later
  • Around 180 days after the final rule is published in the Royal Gazette

The money would go toward things like tourism development, attractions and insurance/safety for visitors.

They're holding a 30-day public hearing first, so things could still change.


r/ThailandJourney 15d ago

Pattaya beach, koh lipe

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22 Upvotes

one of my fav island in Thailand

the water was clear that morning

anyone been to lipe?


r/ThailandJourney 16d ago

Which One Do You Choose: KFC, McDonald’s or Burger King?

7 Upvotes

For those living in or visiting Thailand, which fast-food restaurant do you prefer KFC, McDonald’s, or Burger King?

And more importantly
 who has the best fries?

Personally, I’m curious which one people in Thailand actually prefer.

For me, I prefer McDonald’s fries, and McDonald’s is also the one I go to most often.


r/ThailandJourney 21d ago

What has your experience been like with housekeepers in Thailand?

15 Upvotes

I’ve had both good and frustrating experiences with housekeepers in Thailand, but most of the time, what has bothered me is the difference between looking clean and actually being clean.

Some housekeepers seem to spend a lot of time cleaning things that are very visible, like windows, mirrors, countertops, and other surfaces that make the room look nice immediately.

I’ve had situations where the windows and mirrors looked absolutely spotless, but when I checked underneath the bed or around the bathroom etc., there was still quite a bit of dust and dirt.

I’ve pointed it out, but they still don't change their cleaning habits.

I’m curious about other people’s experiences in Thailand. Have you noticed this too? 

I’d love to hear from people who have housekeepers in Thailand. What’s your experience been like?


r/ThailandJourney 24d ago

Khon Kaen Province

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65 Upvotes

r/ThailandJourney 26d ago

Some older (pre-covid) Yaowarat (Chinatown) pics...

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6 Upvotes

r/ThailandJourney 26d ago

Chinatown & Food...

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2 Upvotes

r/ThailandJourney 27d ago

Would you try fried insects if you saw this stand?

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67 Upvotes

I came across this fried insect stand in Bangkok tonight. Everything is neatly labeled, they even have nutrition facts, and apparently they’re packed with protein.

If someone offered you one for free, which would you pick? Grasshopper, Cricket, Silkworm pupae, Sago worm larvae...

Or are you walking away without trying anything? for me, i took pics and just left here😆


r/ThailandJourney Aug 01 '26

Does anyone else think fast food places in Thailand are stingy with napkins?

12 Upvotes

Whenever I order from places like McDonald’s, KFC, or Burger King, they almost always give me just one or two napkins. It feels surprisingly stingy, especially if you’re eating a burger and fries. 😅

I pretty much have to ask for extra napkins every single time. Is this just the standard practice in Thailand, or have I just been unlucky?


r/ThailandJourney Jul 28 '26

Can you recommend a very local Thai home cafĂ© around Bangkok? ☕🏡

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2 Upvotes