Do I need a TDAC to enter Thailand?
Yes. Every non-Thai traveler, children included, files the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card at tdac.immigration.go.th within the 3 days before arrival.
Asia Travel Forum · Q&A knowledge base
Asia travel questions, answered, starting with Thailand
Short answers first, with the numbers, the official source and the date we checked: entry rules, airports, drive times, mobile data and money.
Updated · Checked against official sources
Asia Travel Forum answers the questions travelers type into search engines and AI assistants, such as "do I need a TDAC?" or "how far is Sukhothai from Bangkok?", with a direct answer first and the official source and date underneath. Despite the name, it is not a discussion forum: there are no accounts, user posts, replies or votes. Every answer is written by our editors and rechecked when the rules change.
Most-asked questions
The answers people look up most, each linked to the full explanation.
How long can I stay in Thailand without a visa?
30 days for tourism for passport holders of 60 countries and territories since 15 September 2026, extendable once by up to 30 days.
How do I get from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok?
Meter taxi from Level 1 (meter plus 50 THB plus tolls), the Airport Rail Link (45 THB to Phaya Thai, about 30 minutes) or a pre-booked car.
How long is Suvarnabhumi to Pattaya by car?
About 1.5 to 2 hours by road. A pre-booked car is priced per vehicle, with expressway tolls included.
How do I get from Udon Thani Airport to Nong Khai?
About 55–60 km, roughly an hour by road. A shared van runs until about 17:00, and Thai taxis stop at Thai immigration on the Friendship Bridge.
How far is Sukhothai from Bangkok?
About 440 km, 5.5 to 6 hours by road; or fly to Sukhothai (THS) from Suvarnabhumi or to Phitsanulok (PHS) from Don Mueang.
How long is the drive from Bangkok to Chiang Mai?
About 685–700 km and 8 to 9 hours, so most travelers fly or take the overnight train.
Which eSIM should I get for Thailand?
A data-only eSIM that runs on AIS, TrueMove H or dtac; install it before you fly and switch on data roaming for it when you land.
How much do Thai ATMs charge foreign cards?
250 THB per withdrawal with Visa, UnionPay or JCB, and 350 THB with Mastercard, plus your own bank's fees.
When is the rainy season in Thailand?
Mid-May to mid-October for most of the country; the Gulf islands such as Koh Samui are wettest from about October to December.
Thailand, region by region
Thailand is covered in the most depth: the Thailand Q&A for entry, money, laws and seasons, every major airport, and drive times from Bangkok.
Bangkok, Ayutthaya and the floating markets
Ayutthaya is about 80 km north of Bangkok; Damnoen Saduak about 100 km south-west.
Chiang Mai and Sukhothai
Mountains, old capitals and cooler nights; Chiang Mai is 685–700 km from Bangkok by road.
Isan: Korat, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Ubon
Khmer temples, the Mekong and the Friendship Bridge to Laos, with airports at KKC, UTH and UBP.
Pattaya, Koh Samet and Koh Chang
Beaches within a half-day of Bangkok; the islands are reached by boat from Ban Phe and Trat.
Phuket, Krabi and the islands
Fly to Phuket (HKT) or Krabi (KBV); Ao Nang is 2.5 to 3 hours from Phuket Airport by road.
Kanchanaburi and the River Kwai
About 130 km from Bangkok; the Sai Yok raft-house resorts lie further along Highway 323.
Ten destinations, the practical basics
Currency, plugs, emergency numbers, time zone and driving side for each, plus the official arrival portal where there is one.
Tools for the trip: eSIMs, transfers, official sites
The resources directory lists eSIM stores for all ten destinations, the private-transfer sites that cover each region of Thailand, and the official government sites for arrival cards, trains and tour licences. The eSIM guide explains how to check your phone and set it up before you fly.
Transparency: the eSIM stores and the Smile Taxi Service transfer sites listed on this site are affiliated with Asia Travel Forum. What we say about them comes from their published terms.
Where do I buy an eSIM for Japan, Korea or Vietnam?
One data-only store per country, plus regional plans.
Who can drive me from the airport to Khao Yai or Sukhothai?
22 regional transfer sites, grouped by area.
Which Thai government sites are the real ones?
TDAC, Immigration, TAT, airports, railway and licence checks.
How are these answers checked?
Official sources, dated, and rechecked when rules change.
Frequently asked questions
What is Asia Travel Forum?
A travel Q&A knowledge base for Asia, starting with Thailand. Each page answers common questions directly, then gives the detail, the tables and the official sources, with the date each answer was checked.
Can I post a question or reply to other travelers here?
No. Despite its name, the site is not a discussion forum: there are no accounts, posts, replies or votes. All answers are written and maintained by the editors.
How up to date are the answers?
Every page shows the date it was last checked; the current pages were checked on 27 September 2026, after Thailand's visa-free stay changed from 60 to 30 days on 15 September 2026. Rules and prices change, so follow the linked official sources before you travel.
Which countries does the site cover?
Thailand in depth, plus the practical basics for Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia.
Are any of the services mentioned on this site affiliated with it?
Yes: the eSIM stores and the Smile Taxi Service transfer sites are affiliated with Asia Travel Forum, and every page that lists them says so. Government sites and third-party tools are independent.