Thailand travel guide: what to pack, what to eat & entry rules

What to pack for Thailand

Thailand is hot all year. Broadly there is a hot season, a rainy monsoon season and a cooler, drier season, though timing differs between the Andaman and Gulf coasts. Showers in the rainy season are often heavy but short.

That is the long-term pattern, not a forecast. Weather in any given week can be warmer, colder or wetter than usual, so check the forecast a few days before you leave — Wayfold does this automatically and adjusts the packing list for your actual dates.

Pack with Thailand in mind

• Light, loose, quick-drying clothes
• Clothing that covers shoulders and knees for temples
• Insect repellent and sun protection
• A light rain jacket or poncho in the rainy season

Start from a full checklist

Combine the points above with a complete list for the kind of trip you are taking:

• Beach vacation packing list · 51 items
• Carry-on only packing list · 45 items
• Bachelor & bachelorette party packing list · 49 items

What to eat in Thailand

These are dishes most visitors to Thailand will meet, with the usual recipe’s diet flags. Use them as a starting point for menus and for asking questions — not as a guarantee of what is in a particular plate.

• Pad thai

  Stir-fried rice noodles with egg, tamarind, fish sauce and peanuts.

  EggFishNuts & peanutsShellfish

• Tom yum goong

  Hot and sour prawn soup with lemongrass and lime leaves.

  ShellfishFish

• Green curry

  Coconut curry with green chiles and Thai basil.

  FishShellfish

• Som tam

  Green papaya salad with lime, chiles, fish sauce and peanuts.

  FishShellfishNuts & peanuts

• Massaman curry

  Mild, rich curry with potatoes and peanuts.

  Nuts & peanutsFishShellfish

• Moo ping

  Grilled marinated pork skewers.

  Contains porkSoyFish

• Mango sticky rice

  Sweet sticky rice with coconut milk and ripe mango.

  Vegetarian-friendly

Avoiding pork? In this list, Moo ping usually contains pork.

Meal times, tipping and water

Street food is available throughout the day.

• Fish sauce and shrimp paste are in most savoury dishes; ask for "no fish sauce" if vegetarian.

Local chains you will see

Well-known local names — handy for a quick, predictable meal or coffee:

• MK Restaurants — Thai-style suki hot pot.
• Café Amazon — Coffee shop chain, often at petrol stations.
• After You — Dessert cafés known for shaved-ice desserts.
• S&P — Thai restaurants and bakery.
• 7-Eleven — Convenience stores everywhere, with toasties and snacks.

General guidance — check locally. Recipes vary between kitchens; always ask about allergens. Checked 30 September 2026. In the app, the food guide marks which dishes fit each traveller’s diet and can show a diet and allergy card in the local language.

Entry rules for US and UK passport holders

A summary of the passport and travel-authorisation rules Wayfold reminds travellers about for Thailand. Rules change, and your exact situation (other nationalities, long stays, work or study) may differ.

This is general guidance, not legal advice. Rules change — always check the official source before you travel. Rules last reviewed 29 September 2026. For the bigger picture, read what ESTA, the UK ETA and ETIAS are.

Quick answers

Is tap water safe to drink in Thailand?

Drink bottled or filtered water. Most visitors drink bottled or filtered water and avoid ice of unknown origin. General guidance — check locally. Recipes vary between kitchens; always ask about allergens.

Do you tip in Thailand?

Not traditionally expected. Leaving small change is appreciated; upscale places may add a 10% service charge.

Is it easy to eat halal or vegetarian in Thailand?

Halal food: moderate. Vegetarian food: moderate. Vegetarian-friendly classics include Mango sticky rice. Recipes vary between kitchens, so always ask.