Thailand travel FAQ: visas, TDAC, costs, where to stay and safety

As of 16 September 2026, travellers from 60 countries and territories, including the UK, US, Canada, Australia, France, Spain, Switzerland and Germany, can enter Thailand without a visa for tourism and stay up to 30 days. This 30-day exemption replaced the former 60-day one on 15 September 2026. You still need a Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), and for a longer stay you should apply for a visa on the official e-Visa portal before flying.

Read more: Which Visa Do You Need for Thailand? The Complete Guide · Sources: Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT News), UK government travel advice

Yes: Thailand's 60-day visa exemption ended on 15 September 2026 and was replaced by a 30-day exemption for 60 countries and territories, plus a 15-day exemption for Seychelles and Mauritius. The Ministry of Interior announcements were published in the Royal Gazette on 31 August 2026. According to UK government advice, travellers who entered before 15 September are usually allowed to stay for the period granted on arrival.

Read more: Which Visa Do You Need for Thailand? The Complete Guide · Sources: Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT News), UK government travel advice

Not under the new 30-day scheme: the list of 60 countries and territories published on 1 September 2026 includes Spain but no Latin American country. TAT adds that separate bilateral arrangements still give some nationalities visa exemptions of 90, 30 or 14 days, depending on the agreement. Latin American travellers should therefore check their own nationality with the Royal Thai Embassy or the official Thai e-Visa portal before booking flights.

Read more: Which Visa Do You Need for Thailand? The Complete Guide · Source: Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT News)

Possibly, but it is not automatic: Spain's foreign ministry says visitors on the 30-day exemption can request one further 30 days at a Thai immigration office, subject to the officers' decision, and UK advice refers to applying for an extension 'if eligible'. If you already know you need more than 30 days, the safer route is a tourist visa obtained on the official e-Visa portal before departure.

Read more: Which Visa Do You Need for Thailand? The Complete Guide · Sources: Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, UK government travel advice

Overstaying is fined 500 baht per day up to a maximum of 20,000 baht, according to UK government travel advice, and you also risk detention, deportation at your own expense and a ban on re-entering Thailand for up to 10 years. Spain's foreign ministry adds that overstays of more than 42 days always lead to detention and deportation. Check the permitted-stay date on your entry stamp, especially now that most exemptions are only 30 days.

Read more: Which Visa Do You Need for Thailand? The Complete Guide · Sources: UK government travel advice, Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Under the 30-day exemption in force since 15 September 2026, travellers entering at land-border checkpoints can generally use it no more than twice per calendar year, except nationals of Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Singapore. Air arrivals have no formal cap, but Spain's foreign ministry notes Thai immigration can refuse entry to people it believes are living in Thailand through repeated visa runs. Long stays need a proper visa such as the DTV.

Read more: Working Remotely from Thailand: Legal Setup, Coworkings and Ground Truth · Sources: Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT News), Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs

You may be asked to: Thai immigration can request proof of funds of 10,000 baht per person or 20,000 baht per family for certain visa-exempt entries, and 20,000 or 40,000 baht for tourist-visa holders; children under 12 are exempt. UK advice adds evidence of onward or return travel, noting British nationals have been refused entry without it, and a passport valid at least six months after arrival with one blank page.

Read more: Which Visa Do You Need for Thailand? The Complete Guide · Sources: Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT News), UK government travel advice

Apply for a Tourist Visa (TR) on the official Thai e-Visa portal before you travel: it allows a stay of up to 60 days, which can be extended with the Immigration Bureau. The portal lists a single-entry version valid three months and a multiple-entry version valid six months, and asks for financial evidence of at least 20,000 baht, a travel booking and proof of accommodation. The 30-day exemption alone will not cover a two-month trip.

Read more: Which Visa Do You Need for Thailand? The Complete Guide · Source: Thailand e-Visa, official portal

Yes: every non-Thai national entering Thailand by air, land or sea must submit a TDAC on the Immigration Bureau's site, tdac.immigration.go.th, whatever their visa or exemption. It can be filed within the three days before arrival, including the arrival date, takes about three to five minutes, and a new card is needed for every entry. A June 2026 TAT notice says the pilot THIM immigration app does not replace the TDAC.

Read more: Which Visa Do You Need for Thailand? The Complete Guide · Sources: Thailand Digital Arrival Card, official, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT News)

The TDAC is free: the Immigration Bureau's official site, tdac.immigration.go.th, is titled 'No Fees Required', so paying a website for it only buys a private agency's help. After submitting you receive a QR code by email that you can show on your phone; printing is optional. If you arrive without one, kiosks are available at Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Hat Yai airports, though filling it in beforehand avoids delays.

Read more: Which Visa Do You Need for Thailand? The Complete Guide · Sources: Thailand Digital Arrival Card, official, Thailand Digital Arrival Card, official

Every traveller needs their own TDAC, including infants and children, and one person can submit for up to 10 travellers in a single application. If you transit without passing through immigration, no TDAC is required, but if you leave the airport you need one. Technical-landing and transit flights are also exempt, according to the Immigration Bureau's official TDAC FAQ.

Read more: Where to Stay in Thailand with Children: Khao Lak, Koh Samui or Hua Hin · Source: Thailand Digital Arrival Card, official

No: possessing or using any vape, e-cigarette, pod, e-liquid or heat-not-burn device is illegal in Thailand, with no exception for tourists or personal use, according to current UK government travel advice. Offences can bring confiscation, fines typically of 5,000 to 30,000 baht, detention and court proceedings. Thai Customs also limits duty-free imports to 200 cigarettes or 250 g of tobacco and 1 litre of alcohol per person.

Read more: Things to Do in Thailand: The Experiences Actually Worth It · Sources: UK government travel advice, Thai Customs Department

By day with light luggage, the Airport Rail Link is the cheapest and most predictable option because it avoids road traffic, though it ends at Phaya Thai, where you change to the BTS Skytrain. With heavy bags, children or a late-night arrival, a car booked in advance removes the taxi queue and price negotiation. Metered taxis from the official rank are fine if the meter is on. Don Mueang, Bangkok's other airport, has no Airport Rail Link but a station on the SRT Red Line.

Read more: Getting from Bangkok Airport to the City · Source: SRT Electrified Train (Red Line)

Pre-booking makes sense for a late arrival, a family or a lot of luggage: Phuket has no train, the airport sits in the north of the island and taxis are expensive by Thai standards. Bang Tao is close to the terminal, Patong is roughly an hour away and southern beaches such as Kata and Karon take longer, so factor the transfer time into which beach you choose to stay on.

Read more: Where to Stay in Phuket: Which Beach Suits You

We found no tourist entry fee in force on 16 September 2026: it does not appear in the UK government's Thailand entry requirements or in TAT's 1 September notice on the new visa rules. What did rise is the departure charge: international passengers leaving the six AOT airports pay a 1,120-baht Passenger Service Charge on tickets issued from 20 June 2026, already included in the airfare, so nothing is paid at the airport.

Read more: Which Visa Do You Need for Thailand? The Complete Guide · Sources: Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT News), UK government travel advice

There is no single figure, because accommodation dominates and varies widely by island and season, but a few anchors help. Our 2026 cost-of-living guide puts street-food and food-court meals at 50 to 80 baht, domestic flights between hubs at 30 to 80 dollars when booked early, and Western-style brunches at 12 to 20 dollars. At the border, visa-exempt visitors can be asked to show 10,000 baht per person or 20,000 per family.

Read more: Cost of Living in Thailand: Real Budgets for 2026 · Source: Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT News)

Our 2026 cost-of-living guide puts a single person at roughly 900 to 1,400 US dollars a month living frugally, 1,800 to 2,800 dollars for a comfortable life and 4,000 dollars or more for a premium one; a family with two children in international school spends about 4,000 to 7,000 dollars comfortably. Rent drives the gap: a one-bedroom condo costs 300 to 600 dollars in Chiang Mai versus 500 to 1,000 in Bangkok or Phuket.

Read more: Cost of Living in Thailand: Real Budgets for 2026

Carry some baht in cash for street food, markets and small shops, and use cards in city hotels, malls and larger restaurants, where Spain's foreign ministry notes most establishments accept them. Thai ATMs can add their own charge on foreign cards on top of your bank's fees, so read the fee shown on screen before confirming, withdraw larger amounts less often, decline dynamic currency conversion, and prefer ATMs inside bank branches to limit skimming.

Read more: Banking and Money Transfers in Thailand · Sources: Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, UK government travel advice

Tipping is not mandatory in Thailand, but it is appreciated, especially in tourist areas. Common practice is to round up or leave small change at casual restaurants and in taxis, give a modest tip for a massage, a hotel porter or a good guide, and skip it where a service charge already appears on the bill, as it often does in hotels and upscale restaurants. Tip in cash, directly to the person.

Read more: Cost of Living in Thailand: Real Budgets for 2026

Sukhumvit is the simplest first-visit base because it sits on the BTS Skytrain and has hotels at every price, and in Bangkok a hotel near a rail station matters more than one that looks central on a map. Choose Silom and Sathorn for rooftops and both BTS and MRT lines, the Riverside for calm upmarket hotels with boat shuttles, or Rattanakosin near the Grand Palace if temples matter more than transport.

Read more: Where to Stay in Bangkok: Which District Suits You

Kata and Karon are the usual first-stay compromise in Phuket: calmer than Patong but with enough restaurants and shops within walking distance. Patong suits one or two nights if nightlife is the goal, Bang Tao on the north-west coast is best for large resorts and longer, calmer stays, and Phuket Old Town offers Sino-Portuguese architecture and the island's best food, but no beach. The Andaman coast is at its best from November to April.

Read more: Where to Stay in Phuket: Which Beach Suits You

Phuket is easier for a first beach trip: it has its own international airport, the widest choice of hotels and the most infrastructure. Krabi wins on scenery, with limestone cliffs, longtail boats to Railay and island hopping from Ao Nang, and a calmer feel, but less nightlife and shopping. Both follow the Andaman calendar, best from November to April, and many itineraries spend a few days in each, linked by boat or road.

Read more: Where to Stay in Phuket: Which Beach Suits You

Stay in Ao Nang for convenience: road access, the widest choice of hotels and restaurants, and the pier for island trips. Choose Railay if the setting is the point: a peninsula with no road, reached only by longtail boat, with limestone cliffs, rock climbing and quiet evenings once day-trippers leave. Railay is harder with young children or heavy luggage because of the boat transfers and steps, and boats run in daylight.

Read more: Where to Stay in Krabi: Ao Nang or Railay

Chaweng is Koh Samui's liveliest beach, with the widest choice of hotels and the most nightlife; Bophut, around Fisherman's Village on the north coast, is calmer, has the best concentration of restaurants and suits couples; Lamai, south of Chaweng, offers a good beach at noticeably lower prices. Most first visits work well in Chaweng or Bophut, but note that Bophut's water is shallow at low tide.

Read more: Where to Stay in Koh Samui: Chaweng, Bophut or Lamai

Choose Koh Samui for comfort: it has its own airport, more resorts and more infrastructure, but costs more, largely because of the flights. Koh Phangan is cheaper and more relaxed outside full moon party weeks, with a large wellness and long-stay community around Srithanu on the west coast. Phangan has no airport, so most visitors fly to Samui and take the ferry, which also makes the two islands easy to combine.

Read more: Where to Stay in Koh Phangan: Which Area Suits You

Stay in the Old City, inside the moat, if you want to walk to temples and markets and spend less; it is the easiest first-visit base. Choose Nimman, west of the Old City near the university, if you work remotely or care about cafés, coworking and newer rooms. The Riverside along the Ping river suits travellers who want space and quiet and don't mind needing transport to get around.

Read more: Where to Stay in Chiang Mai: Old City, Nimman or Riverside

Khao Lak, an hour north of Phuket airport, is a strong family base from November to April, with long, quiet beaches and family resorts. For the rest of the year, Bophut on Koh Samui offers calm water, Fisherman's Village and an airport twenty minutes away, while Hua Hin works in any month without a flight from Bangkok. In Phuket, Kata and Bang Tao suit children far better than Patong. Pre-book transfers, as taxis rarely have car seats.

Read more: Where to Stay in Thailand with Children: Khao Lak, Koh Samui or Hua Hin

Nimman in Chiang Mai is Thailand's most established remote-work base, with most of the city's coworking spaces, laptop cafés and long-stay apartments at the lowest cost for the comfort. Ari in Bangkok suits a city month on the BTS away from the tourist strip, Srithanu on Koh Phangan is the island option with a real long-stay community, and Sairee on Koh Tao works if diving is half the plan. From 28 nights, monthly rentals usually beat hotel rates.

Read more: Where to Stay in Thailand as a Digital Nomad: Chiang Mai, Bangkok or an Island

In December, pick the Andaman coast (Phuket, Krabi, Koh Lanta, Khao Lak), which is at its best from roughly November to April while the Gulf islands take their main rain. In July, the Gulf islands (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao) are usually the safer bet, because the Andaman side is in its southwest monsoon from May to October, with rough seas and red-flag beaches. Hua Hin, drivable from Bangkok, works year-round.

Read more: Beachfront Stays in Thailand: Which Coast, Which Season · Sources: Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT News), UK government travel advice

The classic first trip is two or three nights in Bangkok, three or four in Chiang Mai and the rest on one beach. Stay on Sukhumvit in Bangkok for the Skytrain and in Chiang Mai's Old City to walk to temples, then pick the beach by month: Kata in Phuket or Ao Nang in Krabi from November to April, Bophut on Koh Samui the rest of the year. Ten days works if you drop the north or the beach.

Read more: Where to Stay in Thailand on a First Trip: Bangkok, Chiang Mai and One Beach

For a honeymoon, a private pool villa often gives more for the money than a resort room. On Koh Samui, Bophut combines romance and restaurants while Maenam offers quieter beachfront for less; on the Andaman side, Khao Lak north of Phuket has long empty beaches and top-end resorts, and Kamala or Surin are Phuket's gentler west-coast picks. A common plan is two nights in Bangkok, then around eight in a villa on the coast that is dry for your dates.

Read more: Where to Stay in Thailand: The Right Base for Your Trip

Usually not: foreigners need a Thai licence, an International Driving Permit or an ASEAN licence, and Spain's foreign ministry states Thailand does not accept a European car-only (B) licence for motorcycles. UK advice says to carry the 1968-convention IDP with your UK licence and warns that riding without a valid licence can invalidate travel insurance. Helmets are compulsory, and many scooters for hire in tourist areas are unregistered.

Read more: Health Insurance in Thailand: What Expats Actually Need · Sources: Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT News), Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, UK government travel advice

Yes, Grab operates in Thailand for rides, airport transfers and food, and it spares you fare negotiation because the price is set in the app before you ride. TAT and Grab launched an Amazing Thailand Grab Travel Pass for international visitors in April 2026, priced at 30 baht for four weeks, with discounts on rides and airport transfers. In Bangkok at rush hour, the BTS and MRT are often faster than any car.

Read more: Where to Stay in Bangkok: Which District Suits You · Source: Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT News)

Fly if time matters: the flight takes about an hour, and our cost-of-living guide puts domestic fares between hubs at 30 to 80 dollars when booked early. Take the overnight sleeper train if you have a spare evening and want the experience; it costs a night on the rails rather than a day. Pai, about three hours beyond Chiang Mai, is reached by minivan or private car on a famously winding mountain road.

Read more: Where to Stay in Chiang Mai: Old City, Nimman or Riverside

By ferry: neither Koh Phangan nor Koh Tao has an airport. The usual route to Phangan is a flight to Koh Samui and a boat to Thong Sala pier, or overland to Surat Thani and across; Koh Tao is reached by ferry from Chumphon or Surat Thani on the mainland, or from Samui and Phangan. Ferries stop by early evening, so avoid chaining an international flight, a domestic flight and a boat on the same day.

Read more: Where to Stay in Koh Tao: Which Area Suits You

Mostly yes, but island-hopping and tour boats can be cancelled or delayed at short notice in bad weather, and on the Andaman side Thai national parks close several islands, including the Similan and Surin islands, each year from around May to October. UK advice notes passenger-boat accidents are usually linked to overloading, poor maintenance or rough monsoon seas, so choose established operators, check the forecast and keep a buffer day.

Read more: Beachfront Stays in Thailand: Which Coast, Which Season · Sources: Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT News), Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT News), UK government travel advice

Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi and the Gulf islands lie outside the areas governments advise against as of mid-September 2026, but two border zones do not. The UK advises against all but essential travel to Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and parts of Songkhla near Malaysia, and within 20 km of the Cambodian border, where land crossings remain suspended; France's red zone extends 50 km from that border. Check your own government's advice before booking.

Read more: Where to Stay in Thailand: Choosing Your Route · Sources: UK government travel advice, French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs

It is best not to drink tap water in Thailand: Spain's foreign ministry recommends bottled, filtered or otherwise treated water, and advises washing produce with water and a disinfectant or peeling it. Sealed bottled water is sold widely, including in convenience stores. If you have a sensitive stomach, also use bottled water to brush your teeth during the first days of the trip.

Read more: Hospitals and Clinics in Thailand: Where to Go, and When · Source: Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs

No vaccine is required to enter Thailand unless you arrive from a yellow-fever risk country, in which case a certificate is mandatory. The US CDC recommends routine vaccines including measles (MMR), plus hepatitis A and typhoid for most travellers; Japanese encephalitis and rabies are considered for long or rural stays. Dengue is common, especially in the rainy season, so use mosquito repellent. UK advice is to check at least 8 weeks before travel.

Read more: Hospitals and Clinics in Thailand: Where to Go, and When · Sources: UK government travel advice, US CDC travel health, Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, UK government travel advice

Travel insurance is not listed among the entry requirements for visa-exempt tourists in the official guidance we checked, but it is strongly advised: UK advice says Thai hospitals require a guarantee of payment before treating patients, and private hospitals, though high-standard, are expensive. Check that a policy covers medical evacuation, scooter riding and diving if relevant. The O-A long-stay retirement visa does require health insurance of at least 3,000,000 baht.

Read more: Health Insurance in Thailand: What Expats Actually Need · Sources: UK government travel advice, Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thailand e-Visa, official portal

No: since 23 June 2025 cannabis flower is a controlled substance, and tourists may not use, buy, carry or transport it without a prescription issued in Thailand by a licensed practitioner, limited to a 30-day supply. Recreational use has never been legal, and shops selling to walk-in customers may be operating outside the law. Taking cannabis out of Thailand is illegal; France reports systematic 30,000-baht-per-kilo customs fines at departure since June 2026.

Read more: Things to Do in Thailand: The Experiences Actually Worth It · Sources: Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT News), UK government travel advice, French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs

Thailand can be travelled solo as a woman with specific precautions, because UK government advice points to particular risks rather than general danger: sexual assaults and drink spiking happen in tourist areas, most often around full moon parties and bars late at night. Don't leave drinks unattended, arrange your transport home in advance rather than accepting lifts in unlicensed vehicles, and be aware of methanol-tainted alcohol. The free Tourist Police app connects to the 1155 hotline.

Read more: Where to Stay in Thailand: Choosing Your Route · Sources: UK government travel advice, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT News)

The scams UK government advice highlights are rental businesses holding your passport as a deposit and then claiming damage, typically with jet skis and motorbikes, card skimming at ATMs, and too-good-to-be-true job offers that lead to scam operations in neighbouring countries. Spain's foreign ministry adds inflated repair bills when returning rental vehicles and card fraud in some Bangkok and Chiang Mai nightclubs. Never leave your passport as a guarantee, and insist on the taxi meter.

Read more: Getting from Bangkok Airport to the City · Sources: UK government travel advice, Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Often not: during the southwest monsoon, from May to October, large waves and rip currents make swimming dangerous on Phuket and the Andaman coast, and a red flag means do not swim. Yellow flags signal medium risk, and a red-and-yellow flag marks areas with lifeguards on duty. Box jellyfish and other stingers are more common near shore in the rainy months; TAT advises pouring vinegar on a sting and calling the 1669 emergency number.

Read more: Where to Stay in Phuket: Which Beach Suits You · Sources: Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT News), Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT News)

For most of Thailand, the best time is the cool season from November to February, followed by the hot season from March to May; the rainy season runs from May to October. The main exception is Koh Samui and the Gulf islands, whose wettest weather comes later in the year, so a Thailand beach trip can be planned in almost any month by choosing the coast that is dry for your dates.

Read more: Where to Stay in Thailand: Choosing Your Route · Sources: Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT News), UK government travel advice

Yes, it is different: Koh Samui and the Gulf islands take their main rain late in the year, while Phuket and the Andaman coast get the southwest monsoon from May to October. Sources differ on the exact Gulf window: our Samui guide places the heaviest rain around October to December, while UK government advice says Koh Samui's rainy season usually runs from November to March. Mid-year is generally when Samui is drier than Phuket.

Read more: Where to Stay in Koh Samui: Chaweng, Bophut or Lamai · Sources: UK government travel advice, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT News)

It is low season: September and October fall within the Andaman coast's southwest monsoon, which runs from May to October, so expect rain, rough seas, red-flag beaches and occasional boat-trip cancellations, though TAT notes the rain typically lasts one to two hours in the afternoon or early evening rather than all day. In September, the Gulf islands such as Koh Samui are usually the better beach bet; October is a transition month on both coasts.

Read more: Where to Stay in Phuket: Which Beach Suits You · Source: Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT News)

Chiang Mai's burning season falls in the late dry season, roughly January or February to April, when farmers' fires and regional smoke haze push air pollution to levels that can be dangerous and worsen asthma, sinus and bronchial conditions. Spain's foreign ministry cites January to March as the worst months, and our Chiang Mai pages put the peak at February to April. Check live air-quality readings before booking a long stay.

Read more: Where to Stay in Chiang Mai: Old City, Nimman or Riverside · Sources: UK government travel advice, Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Either works, but an eSIM bought before departure gives you data the moment you land, which helps with Grab, maps and showing your TDAC QR code, provided your phone is unlocked and eSIM-compatible. Tourist SIM cards and eSIMs are also sold on arrival at major airports. For stays longer than a month, a local prepaid plan with a Thai number is usually better value and easier for deliveries and local services.

Read more: Working Remotely from Thailand: Legal Setup, Coworkings and Ground Truth

In Bangkok and Chiang Mai, generally yes: condos and the many coworking spaces in areas such as Nimman and Ari are set up for remote workers. On the islands, quality varies from one building to the next, so ask the host for a recent speed test before a long booking and keep mobile data as a backup; our Koh Phangan pages advise checking before committing to video-heavy work in Srithanu. Thailand's UTC+7 time zone overlaps with European mornings.

Read more: Working Remotely from Thailand: Legal Setup, Coworkings and Ground Truth

Cover your shoulders and knees: TAT advises men to wear a shirt with sleeves and long trousers or knee-length shorts, and women a top with sleeves (no spaghetti straps) and a skirt longer than knee length. Remove your shoes and hat before entering, step over rather than on the threshold, keep your feet pointed away from Buddha images, and women should not touch monks or their robes.

Read more: Things to Do in Thailand: The Experiences Actually Worth It · Source: Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT News)

Yes, they apply to everyone: criticising the Thai monarchy (lèse-majesté) is illegal, the law is interpreted broadly, covers past and present members of the royal family and carries long prison sentences, according to UK government advice. France's foreign ministry warns that even sharing a social-media post can lead to criminal proceedings, and asks visitors to respect the King's image, including on banknotes. Avoid comments about the monarchy, online and offline.

Read more: Things to Do in Thailand: The Experiences Actually Worth It · Sources: UK government travel advice, French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs

Since 29 May 2026, alcohol can generally be sold in Thailand from 11:00 to midnight, after the former afternoon ban from 14:00 to 17:00 became part of the regular sales window. Hotels, international airport areas and licensed entertainment venues may follow different hours. The legal drinking age is 20, drinking is restricted at temples, petrol stations, public parks and on public transport, and sales can be banned on election and major religious days.

Read more: Things to Do in Thailand: The Experiences Actually Worth It · Source: Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT News)

Yes, with the right visa: the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) has a Workcation category for digital nomads, remote workers, foreign talent and freelancers. A tourist entry does not authorise work, and Spain's foreign ministry reminds that living and working in Thailand without the appropriate visa and work permit is illegal. Taking a Thai job or serving Thai clients requires a work permit rather than a DTV, as our remote-work guide explains.

Read more: Working Remotely from Thailand: Legal Setup, Coworkings and Ground Truth · Sources: Thailand e-Visa, official portal, Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, UK government travel advice

According to the official Thai e-Visa portal, a DTV Workcation applicant needs a passport, recent photo, proof of residence in the country of application, three months of bank statements showing at least 500,000 baht (or a sponsorship letter), an employment contract or portfolio proving remote-work or freelance status, and a criminal record certificate. The visa is valid five years with multiple entries; TAT's 2024 launch notice set 180 days per entry, extendable by 180, and a 10,000-baht fee.

Read more: Working Remotely from Thailand: Legal Setup, Coworkings and Ground Truth · Sources: Thailand e-Visa, official portal, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT News)

From age 50, Thailand's retirement visas require either a monthly income of at least 65,000 baht or a bank balance of at least 800,000 baht, according to the official e-Visa portal. The Non-Immigrant O-A long-stay visa, applied for from your country of residence, also requires a medical certificate, a criminal record certificate and health insurance of at least 100,000 US dollars or 3,000,000 baht. Wealthier retirees can look at the 10-year LTR Wealthy Pensioner visa.

Read more: Which Visa Do You Need for Thailand? The Complete Guide · Source: Thailand e-Visa, official portal

The Board of Investment's LTR visa targets four profiles: Wealthy Global Citizens (USD 1 million in assets and USD 500,000 invested in Thailand), Wealthy Pensioners aged 50+ (USD 80,000 a year in passive income, or USD 40,000 plus a USD 250,000 investment), Work-from-Thailand Professionals and Highly-Skilled Professionals (generally USD 80,000 average income). Holders get a renewable 10-year permit, a digital work permit and a tax exemption for overseas income, among other privileges.

Read more: Which Visa Do You Need for Thailand? The Complete Guide · Source: Thailand Board of Investment, LTR visa

Potentially: anyone in Thailand for more than 180 days in a calendar year is a tax resident, and residents are taxed on Thai-source income plus the portion of foreign income that is brought into Thailand, according to the Revenue Department. Foreign income never brought into Thailand falls outside that provision. Specific statuses change the picture, for example LTR visa holders benefit from a tax exemption on overseas income. Our tax guide explains remittance rules; check details with a qualified adviser.

Read more: Taxes in Thailand: The 2026 Expat Guide · Sources: Thai Revenue Department, Thailand Board of Investment, LTR visa

Foreigners can hold property in their own name, and Thailand's Board of Investment accepts freehold condominiums, buildings or houses, as well as leaseholds with at least 10 years remaining, as qualifying LTR investments. Land is the sticking point: our property guide explains why villas are usually held through registered leases and why nominee structures are illegal. UK government advice warns that buying property 'is not straightforward' and recommends consulting a lawyer first.

Read more: Buying Property in Thailand: What Foreigners Can Actually Own · Sources: Thailand Board of Investment, LTR visa, UK government travel advice