For Canadians, no visa is required for tourist stays of less than 60 days. Upon arrival, you receive an entry stamp directly.

All travelers must also complete the digital arrival card (TDAC) online within 72 hours before departure. This is a mandatory form with your travel details and a QR code that must be presented upon arrival. You can fill it out Here.

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after entry.

At immigration, you may also be asked to show a return or onward ticket, as well as proof of sufficient funds for your stay.

Important: Thailand is very strict about overstay rules. Staying beyond your allowed period can result in fines, immigration issues, and even restrictions on re-entry.

Crossing the land border between Laos and Thailand is generally very simple and well organized. The most commonly used crossings are Vientiane ↔ Nong Khai or routes from Luang Prabang via bus to the northeastern Thai border.

The process is straightforward: you first get your exit stamp from Laos, then take a shuttle or walk to the Thai immigration checkpoint. There, you enter using your visa exemption or visa if required. A small fee or shuttle cost may apply on site, usually just a few dollars in cash. Overall, it is a smooth and easy border crossing for travelers.

The best time to visit Thailand is generally during the dry season, when the weather is more stable and ideal for travel.

The rainy season usually runs from June to November, with heavy rainfall that can sometimes cause flooding and make travel more difficult. This is also when most typhoons occur, especially between April and November, and they can sometimes intensify quickly into stronger storms.

Outside of this period, the climate is generally drier and more pleasant for traveling across the country.

Thailand is an affordable destination that easily adapts to different travel styles.

On a backpacker budget, you can expect to spend around 40 to 70 CAD per day, including simple accommodation, local food, and transportation.

For a more comfortable trip (private hotels, domestic flights, activities, and island hopping), you should plan for around 70 to 120 CAD per day, depending on your pace and the places you visit.

The local currency is the Thai baht (THB).

For accommodation in Thailand, the most practical apps are Booking.com and Agoda, which offer a wide range of options and often good prices. Hostelworld is also widely used.

Transportation in Thailand is well developed.

For intercity and island travel, the most useful platforms are 12Go Asia and sometimes BusOnlineTicket, which are convenient for booking buses, trains, and ferries in advance.

In cities, the main taxi app is Grab, which is very reliable and easy to use (similar to Uber). Bolt is also available in some cities.

The local transport network is quite comprehensive: urban buses, MRT, and the BTS Skytrain in Bangkok are very efficient for avoiding traffic.

In Thailand, it is important to use only official taxis from authorized stands, licensed limousine services, or reliable apps like Grab. Upon arrival at the airport, it is best to choose hotel shuttles, official transport, airport rail links, or trusted apps rather than unsolicited offers. Avoid unauthorized vehicles (often with black-and-white plates), as they may not have insurance or meters.

Roads are generally in good condition, but traffic can be very heavy in large cities. Travel times can also be misleading due to congestion.

To drive, you need an International Driving Permit in addition to your Canadian driver’s license. Checks are common, and Thai authorities are strict about this, so it is best to always be properly documented.

ATMs in Thailand are generally very reliable, especially in cities and tourist areas. Most accept Visa and Mastercard without any issues.

However, ATM withdrawals are often limited to relatively low amounts, which may require multiple transactions and therefore multiple fees.

In major cities and tourist islands, ATMs are easy to find, but in more remote areas they can be scarce, sometimes out of service, or unavailable altogether. It is therefore best to withdraw cash in advance before leaving main areas.

Always decline the ATM conversion (choose the local currency).

In Thailand, scams are generally quite classic, especially in tourist areas, but they are easy to avoid with a bit of caution.

For taxis, be careful with drivers who refuse to use the meter or offer an overly high fixed price. It’s better to use Grab or only take official metered taxis.

Sometimes, you may be told that a temple, attraction, or site is “closed” when it is not, in order to redirect you to paid tours or partner shops.

For scooters, always check the condition of the vehicle and take photos before renting. Some rental shops may try to charge for pre-existing damage.

Other common traps include overpriced street-sold tours, fake guides, or unofficial “special deals.”

For travel to Thailand, no vaccines are mandatory, but it is generally recommended to be up to date with routine vaccines such as hepatitis A, typhoid, and tetanus.

No risk of yellow fever. However, proof of yellow fever vaccination is required if you are arriving from a country, even in transit, where the disease is present. To see the list of countries at risk of yellow fever transmission and countries requiring yellow fever vaccination Here.

Regarding malaria, there is a risk in certain areas and at certain times of the year. Malaria is a serious mosquito-borne disease. Preventive medication may be recommended depending on your itinerary and travel period. It is advised to consult a pharmacist or travel clinic before departure to determine whether medication is necessary in your case.

As in many tourist destinations, there can be petty crimes such as pickpocketing or bag snatching, especially in busy areas. Some thieves may also use sharp objects to discreetly cut bags.

Areas to be more cautious in include certain streets very late at night in large cities, poorly lit areas, and crowded tourist spots where theft is more common.

For women traveling alone, most experiences are positive, especially in tourist areas, but it is still important to stay alert, particularly at night and in more isolated places.

Overall, Thailand is a destination where I have always felt safe, even when traveling alone and going out in the evening. I never experienced any situation where I felt in danger. That said, this is only my personal experience and it may not reflect everyone’s reality, so staying cautious is still important.

In Thailand, it is very easy to stay connected. Mobile coverage is good across most of the country, especially in cities, tourist islands, and along major roads. In some rural or mountainous areas, the signal can be weaker.

Upon arrival, you can buy a local SIM card directly at the airport or at many kiosks (the main providers are AIS, TrueMove, and Dtac). Data plans are affordable and easy to activate.

eSIMs are also a convenient option if your phone is compatible, as they allow you to have service as soon as you arrive without needing a physical SIM card.

In Thailand, it is important to respect certain cultural and local rules.

In temples, appropriate dress is required: shoulders and knees should be covered, and shoes must be removed before entering. Some Buddhist temples also have more specific rules and may restrict certain areas or practices to men in some contexts. In a few places, it may also be culturally frowned upon for women during menstruation to enter certain sacred areas, even if this is not always clearly indicated.

Buddha tattoos are also very sensitive: they must be treated with respect and should never be used as simple decorative imagery (for example, avoid displaying them inappropriately or sitting with a Buddha image in a disrespectful position).

The legal drinking age is 20. Alcohol-related promotion or advertising may be regulated, and sales are prohibited at certain times of the day depending on local rules.

Gambling is largely illegal, except for a few state-regulated exceptions.

Thailand also enforces very strict laws regarding the monarchy: any criticism or offensive comments toward the king, the royal family, or institutions can result in severe criminal penalties, including online.

Finally, feeding fish is prohibited in certain marine areas, with significant fines.

To travel in Thailand on a budget, a few simple habits can make a big difference.

Eating at small local restaurants or street food stalls helps reduce costs significantly while still enjoying very good food. Markets are often the cheapest option.

For transportation, prioritize buses, trains, and Bangkok’s metro system, which are much cheaper than taxis. In cities, Grab is still useful to avoid inflated prices.

Booking accommodation in advance through Booking or Agoda can help you find good deals, especially during high season, and local guesthouses are usually the most affordable options.

For islands and long-distance travel, comparing buses and ferries on 12Go Asia often helps save money.

Traveling slowly is also a major advantage: fewer domestic flights and fewer island transfers mean a much lower overall budget.

Finally, withdrawing larger amounts at once helps reduce ATM fees, and avoiding overly touristy areas can also help keep prices lower.

Thailand is generally considered a fairly open and welcoming destination for 2ELGBTQI+ people, especially in major cities like Bangkok and in tourist areas.

There is good visibility, an active LGBTQ+ scene, and a generally tolerant attitude in everyday life.

That said, as elsewhere, attitudes can be more conservative in some rural or traditional regions. It is therefore always advisable to adapt your behavior to the local context.

For intercity and inter-island travel, I mainly used 12Go Asia to book buses, trains, and ferries, or I bought tickets directly at the station.

In cities, I preferred local transport whenever possible, and Grab for faster and more reliable rides.

For accommodation, I mostly used Booking.com.

For scooter rentals, I relied on Google Maps and reviews to choose rental shops directly on site (I don’t remember the exact names, so it’s best to always check reviews before renting).

For excursions, I often booked directly through my hostels or on the street. This can be convenient and cheaper, but it’s important to always compare prices and negotiate. You should also make sure the activity is trustworthy, check what’s included, and ensure it’s not a scam or an offer that seems too good to be true.