Important note: Tap water must not be drunk in the Kingdom of Thailand! Hotels provide drinking water free of charge. In addition, you can buy bottled water in shops.
Due to the tropical climate, light clothing made of natural fabrics is recommended. However, Thai traditions do not welcome excessive exposure in public areas. When visiting temples, knees, elbows, and shoulders must be covered, and footwear should cover the heels. Sunbathing without swimwear is prohibited on public beaches.
Thailand is a shopping paradise! You can buy almost anything here – from souvenirs to live crocodiles (though you should definitely check the export and import regulations before buying animals or plants). The large number of shops, boutiques, markets, and shopping centers is impressive. They offer a huge selection of souvenir items, handicrafts, jewelry, clothing, shoes, leather goods, household appliances, and much more.
According to the international tourism rating CBI, Thailand is in first place in the “price-performance” category for the fifth time in a row.
You can haggle at markets and in small private shops, whereas prices are fixed in shopping centers. We do not recommend buying jewelry or gemstones on the street or at the beach, as they may be fake. For jewelry, you should visit factories or specialized shops. For expensive purchases (from 2,000 Baht), you should have your passport with you so that the receipt is issued correctly – this allows for a VAT refund at the airport.
We recommend exchanging money only at bank branches or official exchange offices marked with the sign EXCHANGE. Banks are open from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. without days off. Many hotels also offer exchange services, but at less favorable rates.
At all Thai ATMs, only the local currency, the Baht, can be withdrawn. ATMs can be found in shopping centers, on streets, and in banks. International credit cards such as American Express, MasterCard, and Visa are accepted in most banks, shops, and hotels.
The laws of Thailand are strict and protect morals and customs. It is forbidden to import drugs (penalties range from life imprisonment to the death penalty), weapons and ammunition (without a permit), printed and video material of an erotic or pornographic nature, as well as meat products.
You are not allowed to export religious Buddha statues. Special permits are required for antiques, works of art, gold bars, gemstones, and jewelry. Anyone wishing to take a pet out of the country must inform themselves at the customs authority beforehand.
The VAT refund (7%) is well organized in Thailand. When purchasing in shops with the sign “VAT REFUND FOR TOURISTS” and a purchase value over 2,000 Baht, you must have a special form filled out. The total sum of all tax-free receipts must be over 5,000 Baht to receive a refund. At Bangkok airport, you must first have the receipts stamped at the “CUSTOMS CHECK FOR VAT REFUND” counter. After that, you will receive the money at the “VAT REFUND” counter after passport control.
If you are late for an international flight, you should contact the airline representative immediately. For domestic Thai flights, you can rebook the ticket at the airline’s counter for the next available flight, provided there are seats available and the airline allows it.
You should use well-known rental companies like Budget or Avis – all vehicles are insured and in perfect technical condition. A passport, international driver’s license, and credit card are required. Private landlords only ask for cash, but their vehicles are usually not insured – even minor damage can cause enormous costs.
Particular caution is advised with motorcycles, as traffic in Thailand is intense and motorcycles are considered high-risk.
The risk of injury with jet skis is high – caused by high speed, poor visibility due to spray, and often alcohol. Fun can easily turn into a hospital stay and claims for damages.
In bars and restaurants, it is customary to tip 10–20 Baht per person or approx. 10% of the bill. Porters at the hotel can also be given 10–20 Baht.
Please do not talk to strangers on the street and do not accept questionable offers. Get all information only from your tour guide. Many Thais hardly speak English or Russian – therefore, you should always have the hotel’s business card with you.
Thais do not shake hands; they greet with the “Wai” – hands pressed together in front of the chest. Younger people greet elders first. It is considered impolite to point at someone with your foot. The soles of the feet must not be pointed at other people. The head is considered a sacred part of the body, so you should not touch it. Excessive displays of affection in public are not welcomed. Being loud or losing your temper is considered unrefined – staying calm is more convincing. Thais address each other by their first name, preceded by the word “khun” (Mr./Ms.).
Clothing must be neat and modest – no shorts, miniskirts, or revealing clothing. You must take off your shoes before entering the temple interior. Monks must not touch women or accept anything from their hands. All Buddha statues are sacred – you must not climb on them or touch them.
Thailand is one of the most exotic maritime countries. The diving centers are mainly located on Phuket and Phi Phi (Andaman Sea). Beginners can also dive in Pattaya. The sea has a pleasant 27–29 °C all year round.
Bangkok Hospital Medical Center Tel: +66-2-310-30-00 Emergency: +66-2-310-34-56
Thailand Tourist Police: 1155 Bangkok: +66-22-34-02-42 Pattaya: +66-38-42-93-71 Phuket: +66-76-25-46-93, +66-76-22-53-61 Samui: +66-77-42-12-81
03.07.2026 
