Thailand Travel Guide for Indians: Bangkok to Phuket

Thailand is one of the easiest foreign trips for Indian travellers: short flights, no visa needed for a holiday, great street food and a mix of big-city Bangkok and island beaches. This guide covers the new entry rules, how to get there, where to go, how many days you need, money, costs and a 7-day plan.

Do Indians need a visa for Thailand?

No, not for a short holiday. From 15 September 2026, Indian passport holders can enter Thailand visa-free for tourism and stay up to 30 days. This replaced the earlier 60-day visa exemption. You still need to fill the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online before you arrive.

Here is what the official sources say (checked 20 September 2026):

• 30-day visa exemption: India is on the list of 60 countries and territories published in Thailand's Royal Gazette, effective 15 September 2026, as reported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
• Land borders: entry overland under this exemption is generally limited to twice per calendar year. Flying in is not affected by this limit.
• TDAC: every foreign passport holder must submit the Thailand Digital Arrival Card on the official TDAC website. It is free, and you can submit it up to three days before your arrival date.
• Proof of funds: officers can ask to see money for your trip. TAT's July 2026 reminder lists 10,000 baht per person or 20,000 baht per family for certain visa-exempt entries, in cash, another currency or proof of payment. Children under 12 are exempt.
• Also carry: a valid passport, your hotel details and your return or onward ticket.

How do you reach Thailand from India?

Most Indian travellers fly into Bangkok, which has the most flights from India and two airports, Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang. Phuket and Krabi also receive international flights, which suits a beach-first trip. From Coimbatore you usually connect through Bangalore or Chennai, so plan for a longer travel day.

Fares change every week, so we do not print a fixed flight price. Send us your city and dates and we will check live routes and fares.

When is the best time to visit Thailand?

November to February is the best time for most Indians. It is Thailand's cool, dry season, with pleasant days in Bangkok and calm seas for Phuket, Krabi and Phi Phi boat trips. March to May is very hot. June to October brings monsoon rain on the Andaman coast, with lower prices and rougher seas.

Koh Samui on the Gulf side has a different rain pattern, so the right beach depends on your month. Ask us before you book.

What are the best places to visit in Thailand?

For a first trip, combine Bangkok with one beach region. The best places to visit in Thailand are the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun in Bangkok, the Phi Phi Islands and Phang Nga Bay from Phuket, Railay and the islands off Krabi, Coral Island near Pattaya, and the temples of Chiang Mai.

Bangkok

• Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew: Thailand's most important temple complex. Dress modestly.
• Wat Pho: the giant reclining Buddha, and a famous Thai massage school.
• Wat Arun: the riverside Temple of Dawn, beautiful at sunset from across the river.
• Chao Phraya river boats: the easy way to hop between the main temples.
• Chatuchak Weekend Market: huge weekend market for clothes, gifts and food.
• Yaowarat (Chinatown): street food at night. Vegetarians should ask for no fish sauce.
• Safari World and SEA LIFE Bangkok: easy wins with children.

Pattaya

• Coral Island (Koh Larn): clearer water and beaches a short boat ride away.
• Sanctuary of Truth: a vast hand-carved wooden temple by the sea.
• Walking Street: Pattaya's nightlife strip, better for groups of friends than families.

Phuket

• Phi Phi Islands: the classic day trip for Maya Bay views, snorkelling and white sand.
• Phang Nga Bay: limestone islands, sea caves and James Bond Island by boat.
• Old Phuket Town: colourful shophouses, cafes and a Sunday walking market.
• Big Buddha: hilltop statue with wide views over the island.
• Kata and Karon beaches: calmer, family-friendly alternatives to busy Patong.

Planning mostly beaches? Read our Phuket travel guide.

Krabi

• Railay Beach: cliffs, beaches and rock climbing, reached only by longtail boat.
• Four Islands and Hong Islands tours: sandbars, lagoons and snorkelling.
• Ao Nang: easy base with restaurants and boat piers.

Chiang Mai

• Wat Phra That Doi Suthep: golden mountain temple above the city.
• Old City temples and the Sunday Walking Street: culture by day, crafts and food by night.
• Ethical elephant sanctuaries: choose ones where you watch and feed, with no riding.
• Thai cooking classes: a fun half-day with market visit.

Koh Samui

• Ang Thong National Marine Park: day trip for kayaking and island viewpoints.
• Chaweng and Lamai beaches: the island's main beaches, with good resorts.

How many days are enough for Thailand?

Six to seven nights is enough for a first Thailand trip: two or three nights in Bangkok and four nights on one beach, either Phuket or Krabi. With five nights, pick Bangkok and Pattaya, or Phuket alone. With ten nights or more, add Chiang Mai or a second island. Avoid changing hotels every night.

How do you get around Thailand?

In Bangkok, use the BTS Skytrain and MRT metro to beat traffic, and the Grab app for taxis. Between regions, short domestic flights are the fastest option. On the islands, you move by pre-booked transfers, taxis and boats. Always agree a tuk-tuk fare before you get in.

Book boat trips with licensed operators, check life jackets are on board, and skip speedboats in rough weather.

What money should Indians carry to Thailand?

Thailand uses the Thai baht (THB). Carry a forex card for hotels, malls and bigger restaurants, plus baht in cash for street food, markets, tuk-tuks and temple entry. Keep the proof-of-funds amount accessible when you land, as immigration can ask for it. Indian rupees are not accepted in shops.

Exchange booths in Bangkok and Phuket are easy to find. Our forex guide for Indian travellers explains when a card beats cash.

How much does a Thailand trip cost from India?

A self-planned 7-night Thailand trip costs about ₹44,500 to ₹57,200 per person, including return flights. That is the full breakdown in our Thailand on a budget guide: return flights around ₹12,000, seven nights in hostels or guesthouses ₹10,000, food ₹8,000, internal transport ₹6,000, activities ₹7,000, travel insurance ₹1,500, and ₹0 for the visa now that Indians enter visa-free for 30 days.

Three things move that number the most:

• Hotel category: the budget figure assumes hostels and guesthouses. A private room or a beach resort is where most of the extra money goes.
• Boat tours: Phi Phi, Phang Nga Bay and the Krabi island tours are paid day trips. Two or three of them add up quickly.
• Flight dates: fares are cheapest on sale weeks booked 6 to 8 weeks ahead, and highest in the May–June and December school holidays.

We do not sell a fixed-price Thailand package today, so we will not show you one. Every Thailand trip we plan is quoted for your dates, your city and your hotel choice, with the hotels named before you pay. Our current packages page lists only the trips we hold at a fixed price.

How do you plan a Thailand trip from Bangalore or Coimbatore?

From Bangalore, fly straight to Bangkok. Our budget guide tracks sale fares on the direct Bangalore to Bangkok (Don Mueang) route at ₹10,000 to ₹14,000 return. From Coimbatore, you usually connect through Bangalore or Chennai, so the first day is a long travel day and it is worth keeping Day 1 in Bangkok free.

Curate Your Vacation plans Thailand from two offices in South India:

• Bangalore office: call or WhatsApp 9945534012.
• Coimbatore office: No 23, M.S. Palaniappan Nagar, P N Pudur, Coimbatore 641041. Call or WhatsApp 9994042247.

Tell us your travel month, how many nights and who is travelling. We send back a day-by-day plan in the shape of the 7-day table above, with named hotels in Bangkok and your chosen beach, airport transfers, the boat tours you want and the TDAC and proof-of-funds checklist, so nothing is left for the airport.

Is Thailand safe, and what etiquette should Indians know?

Thailand is safe and welcoming for Indian families, couples and friends' groups. Most problems are small scams and accidents: overpriced tuk-tuks, "the palace is closed today" touts, jet-ski damage claims and scooter falls. Use Grab, book tours through trusted operators, and buy travel insurance before you go.

• Respect the royal family: Thais hold the monarchy in very high regard, and criticism is a serious offence.
• Temples: cover shoulders and knees, and take off shoes before entering halls.
• Body language: do not touch people's heads or point your feet at people or Buddha images.
• E-cigarettes: vapes are illegal in Thailand. Do not pack them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do children need to fill the TDAC?

Yes. The TDAC is required for every foreign passport holder, including children. The official portal allows group submissions, so one adult can fill it in for the whole family.

Is Thailand good for vegetarians?

Yes. Say "jay" or "mangsawirat" for vegetarian food and ask for no fish sauce or oyster sauce. Indian restaurants are common in Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket, and most cooking classes teach vegetarian versions.

Which is better for a first trip, Phuket or Krabi?

Choose Phuket for more hotels, nightlife, shopping and easy day trips to Phi Phi and Phang Nga Bay. Choose Krabi for a quieter stay with limestone cliffs, Railay Beach and island-hopping tours.

Is Thailand good for a family trip?

Yes. Bangkok has easy family outings such as Safari World and SEA LIFE Bangkok, and Phuket's Kata and Karon beaches are calmer than Patong. Keep boat trips short for small children and choose hotels with pools.

Should I choose Thailand or Bali for my first trip abroad?

Choose Thailand for city life, shopping, island hopping and visa-free entry. Choose Bali for villas, temples and a slower pace. Both are easy one-trip holidays from South India.

Can I combine Thailand and Bali in one trip?

Yes. Flights connect Bali with Bangkok, and TAT reported a new direct Bali to Phuket service in September 2026. Remember Indonesia needs its own e-VoA, while Indians enter Thailand visa-free.

How much does a 7-day Thailand trip cost from India?

About ₹44,500 to ₹57,200 per person for a self-planned 7-night trip, including return flights, per our Thailand on a budget guide. Private rooms, beach resorts and extra boat tours raise it. We quote planned trips for your exact dates.

Can Curate Your Vacation plan a Thailand trip from Coimbatore?

Yes. Our Coimbatore office at P N Pudur (9994042247) and our Bangalore office (9945534012) both plan Thailand trips. From Coimbatore the flight usually connects through Bangalore or Chennai.

Read next: Bali vs Thailand for Indians.