South of Thailand Ultimate Travel Guide (2024)

Temperature

Water temperature

Rainy days

The following rules apply for entry into Thailand as of October 2022 for people traveling to Thailand for leisure:

• Your passport must have at least 6 months left until the expiry date and you may be refused entry if your passport has been badly damaged or has pages missing.
• All travelers entering Thailand require a valid visa to stay in the country which can be obtained from your local Immigration Office or the Thai Immigration Website. There are several countries whose residents can enter Thailand for up to 30 days without a visa. Please check the information on the Thai Immigration Website to see which countries this applies to.

If you do need a visa to enter Thailand you will need the following documents to apply:

• Passport with an expiry date of no less than 6 months
• Visa application form (filled out)
• One recent 4 x 6cm. photograph of the applicant
• Return plane ticket or e-ticket paid in full
• Financial proof (10,000 baht per person/20,000 baht per family)
• Proof of accommodation booking either with a hotel or private accommodation.

You will need to provide these documents to your local Immigration Office and pay a small fee for the visa if you require one.

Additional information for travel:

It is advised that all travelers should book an appointment with their health provider to discuss vaccine requirements before traveling to Thailand.

All adult travelers should be up to date with their vaccinations and should have received the Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine and Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Polio vaccine.

It is advised that all travelers should receive the Tetanus vaccine booster before traveling to Thailand. For people under the age of 18 please discuss this with your healthcare provider.

• There is also advice on receiving other vaccinations before traveling to Thailand and more information can be found on the TravelHealthPro.org website
• Travelers from certain countries may need to provide a yellow-fever certificate when entering Thailand. More information can be found on the TravelHealthPro.org website.

Updated 15.10.2022

Type A, B and C plugs

Compatible adaptors can be easily bought online or at the airport before departure to Thailand. The common voltage for sockets in Thailand is 220v.

In Thailand, the local currency is the Thai Baht (THB).

Exchange Rate Converter

It is easy to find ATMs in Thailand, which are located in airports, shopping malls, convenience stores, and bank branches, although the more rural areas and the smaller islands will have fewer options, so make sure you carry some cash when traveling to the smaller neighboring islands.

The five main banks in Thailand are

• Bangkok Bank
• Krungthai Bank
• Aeon Bank
• Bank of Ayudhya (Krungsri)
• Siam Commercial Bank

You can withdraw from any of these banks or ATM machines if you have a Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, or Cirrus credit or debit card.

Withdrawals from ATMs in Thailand are converted at the mid-market exchange rate, which is considered to be the fairest rate. To avoid high conversion fees choose to be charged in the local currency (Baht) and make sure you do not choose to be charged in the ‘home currency’ when paying in restaurants or shops with your card.

You will also have to pay a withdrawal fee for using ATMs which is usually around 150 Baht per transaction. You will also likely be charged a fee back home with your bank which can make withdrawing money an expensive task.

One way to avoid large withdrawal and transaction fees is to see if your bank has a corresponding Thai bank partner that will allow you to make withdrawals for free. Citibank is an example of a bank that allows free withdrawals for its customers in Thailand.

Also, I would recommend using online banks like Wise, as it has one of the best conversion rates.

The cost of living in Thailand on the island of Phuket is low in comparison to the high cost of living in the US or Europe. Groceries from the local supermarket or farmers market are low priced and eating out in Thailand can be very cheap if you go to food markets or locally run restaurants.

The below table shows the cost of popular items and essentials in Thailand, based on the cost of items in the popular region of Phuket.

Communication:

Line

Food:

FoodPanda

Taxi & Food:

Grab

Line is Thailand’s equivalent to WhatsApp, it is used to send messages and offers free messaging, image sharing, and video calling.

FoodPanda is a food delivery app that is used throughout Thailand. It is more popular in larger cities, and you can choose from a wide range of restaurants including Thai and Indian food.

Grab is the app to use for booking taxis in Thailand and has replaced Uber. Choose from different transport options such as regular taxis or larger people carriers.

The following phone operators are the most popular in Thailand and you can easily buy a SIM card to use during your trip.

• AIS or Advanced Info Service – the largest mobile network provider in Thailand.
• DTAC
• TrueMove H

These providers offer a selection of pay-as-you-go options for travelers and support 3G and 4G. Top-ups can be bought throughout Thailand from most convenience stores.

All the mobile providers mentioned above will have good service while you are in the cities and on mainland Thailand, however, if you plan to island hop you should use AIS as it covers distant areas.

Another option is to use eSim like Airalo.

You can fly directly to Phuket International Airport and then take a private taxi or join a shared taxi bus to connect from the airport to the area you are staying in. From Phuket, you can then travel onwards to the smaller islands.

The below table shows private taxi prices from Phuket International Airport to popular destinations in Phuket using Klook.com

Getting to Krabi

You can arrive at Krabi by taking a flight from Bangkok directly to Krabi Airport and then catching a private taxi to your resort or accommodation. It is possible to take a bus from Bangkok or a train but flying is the quickest and most direct route.

You can also get to Krabi by ferry from Phuket, Ko Lanta, and Koh Yao Yai.

The below table shows private taxi prices in USD from Krabi Airport to popular destinations in Krabi using Klook.com

Thailand can be a safe place to visit as long as you are careful and take precautions when moving around. Phuket and Krabi attract many tourists and are known for their lively nightlife, better to avoid walking alone at night, especially in unlit deserted spaces.

Muggings and robberies are common in Thailand, and you should avoid any type of confrontation, especially at bars and clubs.

Under no circumstances make any negative remarks or gestures regarding the Thai Royal family, as this is illegal in Thailand, and locals will be deeply offended and may even attack you based on comments you make. This includes not making any negative comments about the Thai currency that bears the image of the King.

The biggest danger in Thailand comes from motorbike or moped use, with many foreigners sustaining injuries from improper use or being involved in a traffic accident. Many of the roads in Thailand are unlit and often people drive at night without their lights on. Always wear a helmet when riding.

If you are traveling (especially in Asia), I would say insurance is a must. I saw so many times when people get injuries and health problems, and their relatives/friends needing to organize fundraising campaigns for the treatments.

The health system here is very expensive. So it’s better be safe than sorry. Hopefully, you won’t need to use it.

I personally buy for $45/month (can have a daily option) SafetyWings travel insurance. That gives me a peace of mind. It has $250 deductible, with $250 000 max limit. I had 2 claims, and both of them got covered.

*This is affiliate link. Meaning I will get commission if you use it. But as I mentioned before I am using this insurance myself.

Phuket Coworking spaces

LetsWork Phuket – Rawai Beach – South Phuket

Located on Rawai beachfront, this coworking space has views over the ocean, a weekly business, and social events, and comfortable modern office space. Facilities include an office and conferencing room, high-speed internet, and free parking.

The Project – Rawai Beach – South Phuket

The Project offers 24-hour access to its hot desking facilities based in the Rawai Beach area. Facilities include well-designed office spaces, excellent wifi service, and private call booths.

Grind Time – locations in Chalong Bay and Rawai Beach

A creative and interesting coworking office space that includes private meeting rooms, quirky British-style phone booths for private calls, and quiet working areas. Grind Time also has social areas, relaxation areas, and 24-hour access.

Bayaco – Wichit

A spacious co-working space with flexible desk options, air-conditioning, and private rooms for video conferencing. Bayaco also rents out spaces for office training days and includes relaxation spaces.

CoCoVille – Chalong

CoCoVille is located in a boutique hotel resort with excellent internet and open working spaces. The office is located on the second floor and is one of the few co-working spaces in the area.

Krabi Co-Working spaces

KoHub – Koh Lanta

Located on the island of Ko Lanta, this co-working area is located next to the beach and has a high-speed internet, spacious working environment and a pledge to become one the most sustainable co-working environments. KoHub is a two-hour ferry journey from Krabi.

Lekker Cafe – Krabi

Located in Krabi Town, the central location of this co-working cafe is one of its appeals. The cafe of course offers food and drinks to its working customers, although this co-working space can get noisy when the cafe gets busy.

FB Groups

We Love Phuket – Thailand Groupies

Phuket Events and Activities

Phuket Travel and Tours

Backpacker Adventure Group: Krabi Thailand

KRABI EXPATS

Phuket

If you are staying in Phuket, most of the popular resorts are based along the southern tip of the island with many activities, and excursions available.

Phuket Town

Phuket Town is the capital of Phuket and the largest city on the island. It is an interesting place full of historic architecture, modern cafes, and excellent restaurants. Phuket Town is popular for its night market where you can experience some of Thailand’s delicacies. You can also catch a local bus from there to the popular beaches, such as Patong and Karon Beach.

Patong

Patong is known as the party destination of Phuket and has many lively bars, nightclubs, and restaurants. It also has shopping malls, a cinema and a beautiful beach.

Karon Beach

Karon Beach is located south of Patong along the western coast of Phuket. Unlike Patong, Karon is quieter and has a mile-long stretch of beach with beautiful crystal-clear waters. Karon has many activities including dinosaur-themed crazy golf, some wonderful restaurants, and high-end resorts. 

Kata Noi

Is a trendy location, popular with surfers and people looking for a laid-back relaxing vacation. There are many high-end resorts in Kata Noi, quirky bars, and the smaller beach has beautiful white sands and turquoise waters.

Krabi

With beautiful white sand beaches, Krabi is popular with sun-seekers.

Ao Nang is the most popular tourist destination in Krabi with one of the most popular beaches. There is excellent accommodation in this area from affordable hostels, AirBnBs and luxury resorts.

Railay Beach. A stunning beach surrounded by limestone cliffs with many caves to explore and rock climbing activities. There are many accommodation options available in this area.

Krabi Town. The capital of Krabi is a hub for tourists with many amenities available. Although it is not on the beach, it is the perfect central location if you plan to visit many places around Krabi.

Koh Phi Phi. A truly spectacular set of six islands that can be reached from Krabi or Phuket by boat. Many tourists come to Koh Phi Phi islands to marvel at their beauty and only one island is inhabited and open for tourists to stay and is known as a party island.

Here is the list of things you can do in Thailand:

Here are some of the things you can do while staying in South Thailand. This itinerary includes seeing Phuket, Krabi, and the nearby islands by day.

1. Fly into Phuket and head to Kata Noi where you can stay in some beautiful accommodations near the stunning white sandy beach.
2. While you are recovering from jet lag, take a day to relax at Kata Noi beach and enjoy the trendy vibe of the area. Make sure to visit the local Kata night market.
3. Take a walk, or catch a tuk-tuk to Karon beach, where you can visit the beautiful mile-long beach. While you are in Karon you can visit the Big Buddha Temple, where you can see the impressive giant Buddha statue.
4. Catch a local bus or take a private taxi to Phuket Old Town and stroll around the pretty pastel-colored streets and enjoy the interesting architecture of this historic town. Before returning to Kata Noi, make sure to stop off at the infamous Phuket Night Market – Naka Market to experience some authentic Thai food and even try fried insects.
5. Take a boat trip to Ko He Island, also known as Coral Island, located off the south coast of Phuket, where you can spend the day snorkeling and enjoying the tranquility of the island. During your trip, you may also be able to see wild dolphins and whales.
6. Visit Thailand’s beautiful elephants in a safe and ethical way at the Phuket Green Elephant Sanctuary Park, where you can meet rescued elephants in their natural habitat. You can not ride the elephants but you can spend a day interacting with them, feeding them, and making some wonderful memories. There are half-day visits to the elephant sanctuary which include pick-up and drop-off, and a Thai buffet lunch.
7. Take either the public ferry or a private boat from Phuket to Koh Yao Yai and spend the day on this idyllic island. Enjoy a break from the hustle and bustle of Phuket and enjoy the peace and quiet of this small island. Continue your journey from Koh Yao Yai to Krabi, by catching a 50-minute ferry or a 30-minute private boat and arriving at Ao Nang Pier.
8. When arriving at Krabi head to the popular Ao Nang area which has a beautiful beach and many hotels and resorts, and take a break to explore the local area spotting traditional long-tail boats along the beach.
9. Start the day in Krabi by heading to Railay Beach, this secluded small cove can only be accessed by a short boat ride from Ao Nang. Here you will find a picturesque beach with interesting caves to explore. After lunch take a tuk-tuk to Wat Tham Sua or ‘Tiger Cave‘ which is another famous cave area of Krabi, which is also home to a temple. Climb the 1272 steps to view the ‘footprint of Buddha’ which is a popular tourist attraction.
10. Book a boat trip excursion to the famous and iconic Ko Phi Phi islands. The Phi Phi islands were made famous when they appeared in the year 2000 Hollywood movie ‘The Beach’. Since then it has been a popular destination for tourists due to its impressive limestone cliffs, white sand beaches, and excellent coral reefs perfect for snorkeling. *Check before booking that the Phi Phi islands are open as they close to tourists every few months, to conserve and protect the delicate coral reef.
11. Visit Krabi Town by tuk-tuk or local bus and have a relaxed day exploring the historic Old town of Krabi. There are plenty of restaurants and bars to enjoy and you can also walk around the dockside.
12. Immerse yourself in nature with a trip to Thung Teao Forest Natural Park. This scenic forest has lush vegetation and shining jewel-like lagoons providing the ultimate opportunity to take some breathtaking photos. There is a waterfall in the center of the National Park and you should visit the beautiful Emerald Pool of pure green-blue water.
13. Finish your trip to Thailand with a visit to the Khlong Thom hot springs where the warm thermal springs are said to have healing properties.
14. Take a flight home or to a new destination from Krabi Airport.

As of October 2022, Thailand has reclassified Covid-19 from a dangerous communicable disease to a communicable disease under surveillance. All travelers arriving in Thailand will no longer need to provide Covid-19 documents such as vaccination proof or Covid-19 test results. These rules are valid for all travelers regardless of their country of origin.

Mask-wearing is voluntary within the country, however, masks are requested to be worn inside certain buildings.

• Thailand has many free-roaming dogs, cats, and monkeys in popular areas like Phuket and Krabi. Avoid these animals and consider getting a rabies shot before as these animals carry viral diseases.
• Buddhism is the national religion of Thailand. If you decide to visit a Buddhist temple you will be expected to remove your shoes before entering. You should also cover your shoulders, upper arms, and upper legs to show respect.
• Avoid stomach upsets when traveling by only drinking bottled water and avoid adding ice to your drinks.
• Mosquitos are a common pest in Thailand and many hotels and accommodations provide mosquito nets. Make sure to take a strong bug repellant to wear during the day and the night.
• Taking a taxi or a tuk-tuk is becoming more regulated in Thailand but prices can still fluctuate for tourists. When taking them, agree on a price before traveling to avoid a hefty fee at your destination.
• You will be approached by vendors of all forms while in Thailand, this can include vendors selling tourist items like sunglasses, and drinks and even children may approach you offering flowers and necklaces. Remember nothing is free and if you are offered something, regardless of who it is, you will be expected to pay for it. A polite ‘no thank you’ is enough to decline their offer.
• Do not talk about the King or the Royal family when in Thailand.
• Be aware that certain bars, restaurants, and massage parlors can sometimes be a front for sex workers. Typical signs that a place is offering more than what is advertised are red lighting, scantily clad female staff, and signs that are suggestive. Avoid these places.
• To get the best deals around Thailand is better to book ahead with a reputable travel agent as tours can sell out quickly. So, book in advance to avoid disappointment. 
• Avoid animal tourism. There are many elephant and wild animal experiences in Thailand, however, these animals are usually ill-treated, and in the case of dangerous animals like tigers and lions, are often drugged for the purpose of making money from tourists. Many tourists sustain injuries from such attractions when the ill-treated overworked animals lash out. It is best to avoid such places and instead observe these animals in sanctuaries that care for their well-being.
• Don’t be afraid to bargain in Thailand markets. It is common for people to negotiate the price if they are buying at a street market. Always be polite and don’t be afraid to make an offer on the initial price. If you are in a store, however, you will be expected to pay the price on the tag.