Frequently asked Question’s

1. Do we need a visa to enter Thailand?

  • No, Irish passport holders can enter Thailand without a visa for up to 60 days. You just need a valid passport (with at least 6 months left before expiry) and an outward flight ticket.

  • Please ensure your passport is not damaged as Thai immigration authorities are known to adopt a strict approach to accepting damaged passports.

  • From May 1 2025, all non-Thai nationals entering Thailand are required to complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card within 3 days of their date of arrival. The official application portal and further details can be found here on the Thailand Digital Arrival Card website.

2. What vaccinations or health precautions should we consider?

No compulsory vaccines are required, but it’s recommended to be up to date on routine ones (tetanus, hepatitis A, typhoid). Mosquito spray can be found in convince stores such as 7/11.

3. What’s the weather like in Bangkok?

Bangkok is hot and humid year-round, typically 28–35°C. Light, breathable clothes are best. Regarding temples, I’ve never had a problem whilst wearing shorts but it is advised to bring something modest for temples (shoulders and knees covered).

4. How to get into Bangkok City from Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) ?

  • Airport Rail Link : The Airport Rail Link is the fastest and cheapest option to reach the centre of Bangkok. The train runs from 6:00 – 24:00.

  • Grab/Bolt : These apps are the Uber of Asia and I highly recommend downloading them before you arrive. Grab has a designated Pickup area which can’t be missed and is located on Level 1. However this can become quite busy at times and wait times can be very long.

  • Taxis : Taxis can be found on Level 1 between gate 4 & 7 by following the signs for public taxis. You have 3 lines you can go into.

    1. Short Distance: Taxi service around Suvarnabhumi Airport for distances not exceeding 20 kilometres.

    2. Normal Distance : Taxi service around Suvarnabhumi Airport for distances exceeding 20 kilometres.

    3. Large Taxi’s : Large taxis if you are a big group or have a lot of bags

  • Once you have decided which taxi is suitable for you, get into that line and you will see self service kiosk’s where you will receive a receipt with a lane number. Then go to the corresponding lane where your taxi will be waiting for you.

  • Please be aware that there is a 50฿ airport surcharge that you must pay on top of your fare price. Depending on the size of your bag you may also have to pay an extra fee of 20฿.

  • more details can be found at this link https://suvarnabhumi.airportthai.co.th/service/transportation/detail/304.

  • Best option is to have the location you’re going to already on google maps so you can show them the correct location as sometimes their English isn’t great.

  • They may also ask you if you want to go via the toll’s which may be faster, but you will need cash on you, as you will have to pay it as you pass.

  • Ensure that you insist on using the meter in the taxi before leaving the airport as you’ll always find a chancer somewhere.

  • Private Transfer : If you’re feeling ✨bougie✨ you can also find a lot of private transfer companies online for a cheap price.

5. What currency is used and how do we handle money?

  • Thailand use’s the Thai Baht (THB). ATMs are widely available and these will charge you a fixed fee everywhere of 220฿ (€5.90). So we advise getting out a large amount at once to avoid more fee’s.

  • Although beware of this mistake some people make when using ATM’s. the ATM will ask you would you like to use their conversion rate, always decline this as it is usually much worse than the conversion rate that your own bank will provide.

  • You can also exchange Euro’s for Baht at banks or exchange counters. We recommend “SuperRich” which usually has the best rate’s.

  • Credit/Debit cards work in most hotels, malls, and restaurants, but cash is a must for taxis, markets, and smaller shops.

6. How do we get around in Bangkok?

  • BTS Skytrain / MRT Metro – Cheap, fast, and air-conditioned. Google or Apple Maps are pretty good for telling you exactly which trains you needed to get on and off. You will be given either a token or card which will need to be put into a machine to get out so don’t lose it!

  • Taxis/Grab/Motorbikes : Pretty much the same as the directions from the airport but slightly different as now you can avail of motorbikes. The one issue you will see pretty quickly, is the traffic jams in Bangkok. Sometimes it will be fine but definitely during rush hour’s you could get stuck in a taxi for over an hour only going a couple of Km’s. This is where motorbikes come in handy. The Thai police have increased the fines for not wearing a helmet, so most drivers will now provide you with a helmet. To be double sure you can send them this message once the ride is confirmed on the app to make sure they bring you one “กรุณาเตรียมหมวกกันน๊อคให้ด้วยครับ/ค่ะ (หากไม่มีหมวกรบกวนยกเลิกการจองนี้)

  • Tuk-tuks – fun for short rides, but agree on a price first.

7. What about food and water?

  • Thai food is the highlight of the trip - flavourful, fresh, and varied. If you’re not used to spicy dishes, just ask for “mild” or “not spicy” and most places will adjust. If you want to try and impress the locals you can say “Khaw Mai Phed Ka(Female)/ Khrab (Male)” which is “please not spicy” in Thai.

  • Drink bottled water only, and avoid drinking from the tap. Ice is usually fine in restaurants, cafés, and hotels, but best avoided from unknown street vendors. Another thing to note is that some water bottles sold in shop’s like 7/11 for example are de-mineralised and are usually the cheapest one’s. so you can start to feel dehydrated even after drinking some. keep an eye out for “Mineralised” on the packaging.

8. What’s the time difference?

Bangkok is +6 hours ahead of Ireland in winter

9. Any cultural tips we should know?

  • Always be respectful of temples (cover shoulders/knees).

  • Remember that you will have to remove your shoes when entering a temple.

  • Avoid touching people’s heads or pointing with feet, especially at a buddha.

  • A “Wai” (hands pressed together with a small bow) is a polite Thai greeting, but a smile goes a long way.

  • Don’t call a waiter with an upward-pointed finger, a wave is more polite.

  • Be respectful when speaking about the King or the Royal Family as this is taken very seriously.

  • For any smokers, Vaping is strictly illegal in Thailand. Don’t be fooled as they will still sell it to you but if you are caught you will be in trouble.

10. SIM cards for travelling in Thailand

There are a variety of SIM cards/E-sims which you can avail of to stay connected during your travels.

SIM cards

  • Physical SIM cards are available in the airport, but as you may suspect these may be more expensive than elsewhere.

  • You can find SIM cards for tourists in 7/11 shops. You will require to bring your passport with you if you are availing of this service. They have options for 8 days (฿399/€10.60), 15 days (฿699/€18.70) or 30 days for (฿999/€26.70).

  • you can also find options at local Thai carriers such as AIS, Dtac, True. here you will also need your passport but you may be able to find some better options

ESIM’S

  • For extra peace of mind you can purchase an Esim before you arrive in Thailand.

  • you can use apps such as Airalo, MobiMatter and Saily.

  • Revolut also provide an E-sim option now as well