Private Luxury Thailand Tours & Vacations

Passport holders from 39 countries, including the US, do not require a visa when entering Thailand for tourism purposes for stays not exceeding 30 days. Any foreigner seeking entry into the Kingdom of Thailand for business, investment, study, medical treatment, mass media, religion, employment and other purposes is required to apply for a visa. Please refer to the Thai Embassy Website for more information. 

New Year’s Day : Jan 1st
Chakri Day : Apr 6th
Songkran (Thai New Year): April 13-15
National Labour Day : May 1st
Coronation Day : May 5th/6th
Visakha Bucha Day : May
Asanha Bucha Day : July
Khao Phansa (Buddhist Lent) : July
HM the Queen’s Birthday : Aug 12th
Chulalongkorn Day: Oct 23rd
Loy Krathong: early November
HM the King’s Birthday : Dec 5th
Constitution Day : Dec 10th
New Year’s Eve : Dec 31st

All airport departure taxes are now included in your international and domestic air tickets. 

On Domestic flights, passengers are allowed 20kg (44 pounds of luggage per person) in economy class for most carriers. Low fare carriers will charge a fee for checked baggage. The cost varies depending on the city pair and method of purchase (prepaid vs at check-in) When booking these flights on your own, be sure to pre-purchase this service before arriving at the airport as they will be much more expensive at check-in. If you’re booked on one of our Thailand tours, checked baggage service of up to 20kg is always included. 

On International flights, passengers are allowed two pieces of checked luggage but weight allowance will vary depending on your carrier.

Excess luggage fees will be charged if you check more than the stated allowances, and these charges are your responsibility. 

Thailand enjoys a tropical climate with three distinct seasons-hot and dry from February to May (average temperature 34 degrees Celsius and 75% humidity); rainy with plenty of sunshine from June to October (average day temperature 29 degrees Celsius and 87% humidity); and cool from November to January (temperatures range from 32 degrees Celsius to 20 degrees Celsius with a drop in humidity).

Much lower temperatures are experienced in the North and Northeast during nighttime. The South has a tropical rainforest climate with temperatures averaging 28 degrees Celsius almost all year round.

Light, cool clothes are sensible and a jacket is needed for formal meetings and dining in top restaurants. Shorts (except knee length walking shorts), sleeveless shirts, tank tops and other beach-style attire are considered inappropriate when entering temples and heritage sites. 

International Direct Dialing (IDD) service is provided at all hotels featured in our Thailand tour packages. SIM Cards for your mobile phones are also widely available. You may also check with your mobile service provider if an international plan may be available. 

Internet Access will be available at all hotels  in your Thailand tour, although charges may apply. Wifi is widely available in public areas including restaurants and hotel lobby. Mobile Apps such as WhatsApp, Skype and Facebook Messenger provide free/cheap and convenient ways to stay connected. 

Most hotels provide postal services for documents and small packages. 

The Thai unit of currency is the baht. The current exchange rate of US$1= 31 Baht (April 2020).

Major foreign currency bills can be exchanged for THB easily at hotels, tourist shops, all provincial banks, shopping centers and money changers. ATMs are available throughout Thailand though transactions can be expensive ($5-$8 per withdrawal), depending on your bank. If you’re bringing cash for local currency exchange, larger bills (US$50s & $US100s) tend to get better exchange rates at currency exchange booths. Bringing ample US$1 bills will also come in handy for misc. tips and small purchases (water, snacks, souvenirs, etc.) 

Credit cards are widely accepted at hotels, larger shops and restaurants though Thailand remains a cash-based society where many places still only accept cash (THB). 

According to related laws and regulations, the luggage of inbound and outbound passengers must come under customs supervision and control. Passengers should make accurate declarations to customs officials regarding the luggage they carry into or out of the territory.

Any amount of foreign currency may be brought into the country. Visitors may take foreign currency out of Thailand, but no more than the amount stated in the customs declaration made on arrival. Travelers leaving Thailand may take out no more than 50,000 baht per person in Thai currency.

Buddha images, antiques and objects of art cannot leave Thailand without a Fine Arts Department permit, although the rules for this are unclear. It is unlikely that cheap souvenirs fall under such restrictions, but expensive pieces from select showrooms may do so: ask the salesperson and get a receipt. Take note: Illicit drugs, pornography and firearms are forbidden, and penalties for lawbreakers are often severe.

Voltage in Thailand is 220 volts although most portable electronic devices such as phones, laptops and cameras do not require an electrical converter. However, we do suggest bringing a set of adapters that can change the shape of the plug prongs. 

Nearly all hotels featured in your Thailand tour package  (other than rustic homestays or adventure lodges) provide hair dryers and other amenities expected in an international standard 4 or 5-star hotel. 

While tap water is considered clean in Thailand, we do not recommend drinking from it directly. Bottled water is inexpensive and readily available throughout Thailand. 

There are no vaccinations required for entering Thailand from anywhere around the world. All tourism destinations and provincial capitals have hospitals and clinics staffed by well-trained doctors and nurse. In the case of an emergency, an ambulance can be summoned from any private hospital.

For more details and most up to date information for Thailand travel, please visit the U.S. Center of Disease Control (C.D.C). 

Tipping is a customary practice (even expected) in Thailand. From guides to drivers to bellmen. Most hotels and restaurants add a 10% service charge to the bill. Taxi drivers do not require a tip, but the gesture is appreciated. For local restaurants, a ~10% tip is adequate and greatly appreciated.

For your transfers and sightseeing included in your Thailand tour package itinerary, we recommend tipping between $10-$15 per person per full day of service. This amount is to be split between the guide and driver at a 2:1 ration. You may, of course, adjust this amount up or down depending on the level of service you received. 

All airport and sightseeing transportation are included in our Thailand tours. Airport transfers and most sightseeing are provided via private cars. While on your own,  you are free to explore on your own through a variety of transportation. Thailand is generally safe for tourists.

Taxis: Only major tourist cities such as Bangkok and Chiang Mai have taxis with meters. For taxis or tuk-tuks in other towns, the fare must be negotiated BEFORE getting in.

Rickshaws/ Samlors: These three-wheeled bicycles are used to transport 1-2 people a short distance. Prices should be negotiated BEFORE getting in. 

Tuk-tuks: The motorized version of the samlors were introduced here by the Japanese during WWII. These are always popular with tourists, though they are uncomfortable in heavy traffic (carbon monoxide indulgence) and the rainy season, and are extremely noisy. Prices should be negotiated BEFORE getting in. 

Car Rental: If you wish to explore on your own, there are many car rental companies in Thailand, including international rental companies such as Hertz and Avis. The road system is good and well sign – posted. An international driving license is required.

Hired Mopeds: Mopeds and motorbikes are extremely popular and highly available in most provincial towns, especially the seaside resort towns. Average price for one day’s rent may be as low as 300 Baht, depending on the type of moped/motorbike. 

Bring light clothing that is easy to wash and iron. Sandals and light shoes are adequate. A sweater is handy for cool season nights and drastically air-conditioned buildings. Top hotel restaurants usually require a tie, sometimes a jacket.

Other essential items include: Valid Passport. Copy of Your Airline Ticket. Your Medicines. Departure documents. Camera(s) and portable electronic devices such as tablets, mobile phones or laptops. Sunscreen/Tan lotion.  Pocket size Kleenex. Extra luggage locks/keys. Folding Umbrella.  Comfortable walking shoes.