Few tips for Thailand holiday please

notabob

We have booked for three people (two adults, one child) return flights to Thailand from the UK in April. We are changing in India each way, not "self-transfer". This was all done in one transaction on the airline's website (Indigo) (so 12 flights in total) But we have not yet booked any accomodation.

In general I am looking to not spend too much when there but still do things, so really trying to cut down avoidable waste of money stuff.

1. Money - I'm getting a balance transfer card for the cost of the flights I paid. Bt we will need money there, but don't know how much yet. Presumably this will be a mixture of cash and card payments. Is it best getting say £1,000-£2,000 out in THB before I travel from wherever I can find the best rate? And then paying on card for some stuff there. Are the credit cards with no foreign transaction fees any good or do they just make up money some other way? Do you get charged from the moment you spend or from statement date etc?
   
   2. Phone. Is it best to use an old phone and put a simcard in which we buy in Thailand?

3. cancellations. Given the details in the intro, do I need to be at all worried about the war in the middle-east having a knock-on effect on me? For example is there any chance the airline could randomly cancel my flights and decide to resell at a much higher price to people who were meant to fly via UAE etc but can't?

4.Think there's a 1 litre limit of taking wine in. Is this volume of liquid i.e. 1.333 standard size wine bottles? It's not based on alcohol content is it (so I can't take say 7 litres or whatever it works out if c13% alcohol). What if I take more than the allowance and "declare" it, will this be fine? Also , I hear local spirits are fairly cheap when there, are they safe? In other nearby countries there has been poisoning in bars etc?

5. Anything else, feel free to comment? THANKS!

Worried_fool

Money: best to take a stash of pound notes and change there (money-changer not bank). ATM fees are high, and many places only accept cash. Ask which money-changer to use (there always used to be a good one in the basement of the airport).

Accommodation: you can book online a day or so in advance. Most of the main booking sites (eg Agoda, Hotels, Expedia…) accept card payments in pounds sterling so you can use the same cards you use at home.

Cancellations: don't worry, but do have a plan.

I would not bother taking wine all that way: such a nuisance and you would only save pennies.

Keithy13

You will get a better rate for cash in Thailand than here. Just take enough for first couple of days.

If you take cash, then best exchange rate is usually "Super rich" kiosks. `You will need your passport.

Most places accept cards. Many in shopping malls do not accept cash. Everywhere even street food vendors accept phone payment via QR codes.

ATM's charge 200-400THB per transaction.

Get a local PAYG SIM card. Can be topped up at any 7/11. These are on every street.

Don't bother with the wine.

As for flight cancellations that's anyones guess.

One you didn't metion, taxis are cheap. Make sure they use the meter.

Ayr_Rage

Change enough GBP in the UK for the first couple of days, rates are pants here, if going to a large resort there are plenty of money changers which offer better rates than Thai banks.

Credit cards are accepted in hotels but not many restaurants, charges go on your statement as normal but be aware there are quite often minimum spend requirements and extra charges for using one are not unusual.

Get a tourist SIM, widely available.

I hope you are aware that one of the biggest holidays of the year, Songkran is in the middle of April (13th - 15th) and accommodation may already be fully booked, some cities have their celebrations for a week, be prepared to get soaked, do your research if planning to be there at that time.

I disagree with @Worried_fool , decent imported wine is extortionately expensive due to the tax, I wouldn't even think of taking in excess of the limit though, dealing with Thai officialdom can be very stressful and time consuming.

Local spirits are rough and cheap, imported spirits are reasonably priced but with the current exchange rate not that much of a bargain.

The places to avoid are where you get buckets of indeterminate alcohol and backpacker type places, that is where tainted alcohol seems to be more prevalent.

Check your travel vaccinations are up to date, never pet animals, there is a small rabies risk.

Don't ask for spicy versions of any food, you will regret that decision.

Some lower end accommodation may not permit flushing of toilet paper, use the bum gun first then tissue to finish off and dry yourself, put the used tissue in the bin.

ALWAYS have some tissue on your person, it's not always provided when out and about.

Best of luck with Indigo and transiting in India, especially of you have a tight connection, read the reviews.

MyRealNameToo

Don't ask for spicy versions of any food, you will regret that decision.

I'd more say that be aware that their scale is very different to the UK including the 99% of Thai restaurants here who have adjusted their spicing and terms for the UK pallet palate. If you like very spicy then go for it, if you avoid Naga, Phalli and Vindaloo because of the spice levels here then certainly dont go for spicy there.

Ayr_Rage

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81924597#Comment_81924597

UK pallet, best laugh of the day so far.

MyRealNameToo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81924650#Comment_81924650

Council and Counsel is the one that I know I always get wrong which is annoying as I deal with lawyers all the time so you would have thought I'd have remembered by now.

maman

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81924650#Comment_81924650

I thought it referred to the amount of wine OP planned to take with him. 🤣

Angelica123

Regarding SIM - I tend to just buy an e-SIM. Whether you bring an old phone or your normal phone depends on your comfort levels.

Make sure you have travel insurance! (Good rule for all travels!)

The alcohol poisoning in SE Asia primarily occurs in the type of bar/clubs attracting backpackers. The safest and cheapest alcohol options would be drinking bottles of beer. My personal preference as someone who does a lot of solo travel is just not to have alcohol - but everyone's priorities will vary. I certainly wouldn't deal with bureaucracy of bringing in excess. Also, Thailand can be so hot and humid - not sure wine would even hit the spot.

I have always found the Thai people as a whole, very friendly and helpful. I know it can always feel a bit frustrating if you feel you are constantly being hassled to buy things - but I think always important to remember your privilege in being able to travel! I have watched such dehumanising behaviour sometimes from tourists.

Given that you are travelling with a child - I presume you are travelling in school holidays - in which case, definitely wise to sort out accomodation ahead of time.

phatbear

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6659850/few-tips-for-thailand-holiday-please

Ive been lucky enough to travel to Thailand a few times in the past few years and…..

1. I withdraw limited cash, probably £100-£200 on arrival using a starling card, which gives interbank transfer rates and no withdrawal fees, and then use a fee free credit card for the rest of the trip, im always surprised how accepting they are of credit cards compared to more "advanced" countries such as Japan.

2. why take an old phone? i tend to use e-sims, some older phones may not accept these.

3. Pay with a credit card and make sure you have good travel insurance

4. the most recent instance of alcohol poisoning that hit the news was in Laos. so worrying about that is like someone in the UK worrying about something going in France.

5. thailand is one of the most welcoming countries ive ever been to, and thus far only been, almost, ripped off once on my journeys and that was a low key tuktuk scam.

Enjoy your trip

Westin

Phatbear - I think ATM’s in Thailand all charge a 250Bht withdrawal fee - about GBP £5.80, per withdrawal.

I was there two weeks ago and also used my Starling Bank card for cash withdrawals. All the ATM’s I used charged 250Bht. Talking to others out there this seemed to be across the board with ATM’s. Did you find a certain bank ATM that differed?