Thailand
Before you go
Visa
Indian passport holders get Visa on Arrival — up to 15 days for a THB 2,000 cash fee, after a May 2026 Thai Cabinet decision ended the previous 60-day visa-exemption scheme. You'll also need a passport valid 6+ months, the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC, filed online within 72 hours of arrival), proof of onward travel and accommodation, and at least THB 10,000 in funds. This has changed twice in two years — reconfirm on the official Thai immigration site before you fly.
Best time to visit
November to February is the cool, dry season (28–32°C, low humidity) and the best window for full days of temple- and market-hopping, though December–January is also the busiest and priciest stretch. March to May gets brutally hot (up to 40°C) — push outdoor stops to early morning or after 5pm. May to October is the rainy low season: fewer crowds, but expect a heavy afternoon downpour most days.
Getting around
BTS Skytrain and MRT cover most tourist areas and skip Bangkok's traffic — a rechargeable Rabbit card is worth it for more than a couple of rides. Grab, or a metered taxi (insist on the meter), fills in everywhere the rail lines don't reach. Tuk-tuks are fun for a short hop but agree the fare first, and treat any tuk-tuk driver offering a "cheap tour" as a detour to a commission shop.
Currency
Thai Baht (THB). Skip airport counters and hotels — they consistently give the worst rates; a bank counter or a known exchange chain (e.g. Superrich) in the city gets you much closer to the market rate. ATMs charge a flat ~THB 200 withdrawal fee regardless of amount, and always decline the "pay in your home currency" prompt at the terminal — that dynamic conversion rate is worse than letting your own bank convert it.
Things to keep in mind
⚠ "The Grand Palace is closed today" touts
A decades-old, well-documented scam near the palace gates: touts (sometimes posing as officials) tell tourists the palace is closed and offer a "special" tuk-tuk tour that ends at commission-paying gem or tailor shops. The palace is open daily 8:30am-3:30pm; ignore anyone who says otherwise at the entrance.
Itineraries
These itineraries assume cool-season comfort (Nov–Feb) for the early-start, full-day plans below — if you're travelling March–May, push the temple and floating-market days even earlier and expect the afternoon heat to slow you down.
Must / can / avoid
Photo by Jayanth Muppaneni on Unsplash
Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew
Thailand's most important royal and religious complex, home to the Emerald Buddha. Go early (opens 8:30am, last entry ~3:30pm) — it's hot, crowded, and strictly enforces covered shoulders/knees.
Official tickets ↗External link — leaves Pack My Thepla; no partnership or commission on this one.
Photo by Alejandro Cartagena on Unsplash
Wat Pho
The 46-metre gold Reclining Buddha, right next to the Grand Palace, plus Thailand's oldest traditional massage school if you want a foot massage afterwards.
Official tickets ↗External link — leaves Pack My Thepla; no partnership or commission on this one.
Photo by SHAN LU on Unsplash
Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)
A short cross-river ferry from Tha Tien pier, its porcelain-encrusted central prang is climbable and gives the best river views in the old city, especially near sunset.
Photo by Lucas T. on Unsplash
Chatuchak Weekend Market
One of the largest markets in the world (over 8,000 stalls) — genuinely useful for clothes, crafts, and food, not just a tourist photo-op. Open Saturday and Sunday only, 9am-6pm.
Photo by Waranont (Joe) on Unsplash
Chinatown (Yaowarat Road)
Worth it if you like street food and neon-lit chaos in the evening — grilled seafood and noodle stalls line the main road, but it gets very crowded and isn't essential if time is tight.
Photo by Stacy Ropati on Unsplash
Jim Thompson House
A well-preserved traditional teak house and silk museum with guided tours — a calm, informative stop if you want a break from temples, skippable if you're short on days.
Photo by Manuela Kuhlmann Greiner on Unsplash
Lumpini Park
Good for an early-morning or late-afternoon walk, paddle boats, and the occasional monitor lizard — pleasant but not a must if your schedule is packed with temples and markets.
Photo by Waranont (Joe) on Unsplash
Asiatique The Riverfront
An evening riverside night market (opens ~4pm) with a Ferris wheel and a free shuttle boat from Sathorn pier — pleasant but more mall-like than authentic; fine as an evening add-on, not a priority.
Khao San Road
The famous backpacker strip is worth a quick walk-through out of curiosity, but the food and souvenirs are priced for tourists and it doesn't reflect how Bangkok actually eats or shops.
Siam Ocean World
A generic aquarium that charges premium prices for an experience you can find equal or better versions of elsewhere — skip unless traveling with young kids who specifically want it.
Tiger Kingdom and similar animal tourism
Tiger photo-ops, elephant riding camps, and similar attractions rely on animals that are drugged, chained, or otherwise mistreated to be safe for tourist photos. Not an ethical or authentic experience — skip entirely.
Patpong Night Market hard-sell stalls
Mostly counterfeit goods at inflated starting prices, paired with aggressive touting for adjacent shows. The hassle and haggling isn't worth it — Chatuchak or Yaowarat give a far better market experience.