First trip to Thailand: tips for Indian travellers

Thailand is an easy and welcoming first international trip for Indian travellers. It is close, affordable, well connected by flights, and full of beaches and temples that feel completely different from home. With a little planning, you can enjoy your first visit without stress. This guide covers the basics: getting around, eating well (including vegetarian food), local customs, staying connected and staying safe.

Getting around Thailand

Your first decision is where to land. Most Indian travellers start in Bangkok, then move on to islands or beach towns such as Phuket, Krabi or Pattaya. Bangkok has two airports, and both have good links to the city centre. Domestic flights are a practical way to reach the islands quickly, but buses and trains also connect the major cities if you have more time and want to save money.

Inside cities, tuk-tuks are fun but agree on the fare before you get in. Metered taxis are common in Bangkok, and you should ask the driver to switch the meter on. For short trips and local areas, songthaews are shared pickup trucks with fixed routes. In beach towns, renting a scooter is popular, but only do this if you have experience and a valid licence, and always wear a helmet.

• Agree on a tuk-tuk fare before you start the ride
• Ask for the meter in taxis
• Use domestic flights to reach islands quickly
• Only rent a scooter if you have a proper licence
• Keep small notes handy for transport and street food

Food, including vegetarian options

Thai food is a highlight of any visit, and it is more flexible than many travellers expect. Street food is everywhere, cheap and usually safe if you pick stalls with a steady stream of local customers and food cooked fresh in front of you. Popular dishes include pad thai, green curry, tom yum soup and mango sticky rice.

If you are vegetarian, you can manage well with a few key phrases. Many Thai dishes use fish sauce or shrimp paste even when they look vegetable-only, so always ask. The word jay refers to strict vegetarian food, often served at restaurants with a yellow and red flag. Learn to say, in Thai, that you do not eat meat, fish, eggs or fish sauce, and write it down or show it on your phone if needed. Indian vegetarian restaurants are common in tourist areas such as Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya, so you will rarely be far from a familiar meal.

• Look for jay restaurants with the yellow and red flag for strict vegetarian food
• Ask whether a dish contains fish sauce or shrimp paste
• Carry a note on your phone saying what you do not eat
• Pick busy street stalls where food is cooked fresh
• Try fresh fruit and coconut water from local markets

Local customs and etiquette

Thais are warm and polite, and a few simple habits will help you fit in. The wai, a slight bow with palms pressed together near your chest, is the standard greeting and thank-you gesture. A smile goes a long way in almost any situation.

Temples are a big part of Thai life and a major reason many Indians visit. Dress modestly: cover your shoulders and knees, and remove your shoes before entering. Do not touch or point your feet at Buddha images, monks or other people, as the feet are considered the lowest part of the body. Likewise, avoid touching anyone on the head. Keep your voice low inside temples, and ask before taking photos of monks or worshippers. The royal family is treated with deep respect in Thailand, so speak about it carefully or not at all.

Staying connected

Staying online in Thailand is simple and inexpensive. The easiest option for most travellers is to buy a local tourist SIM card at the airport after you land. You will need your passport to register it. These tourist SIMs usually come with a data allowance that is more than enough for maps, translation apps and messaging for a short trip.

Before you leave India, check that your phone is unlocked and will accept a foreign SIM. Save offline maps of the areas you plan to visit so you can navigate even without data. Download a translation app and keep your hotel address written in Thai on your phone. Most hotels, cafes and shopping malls also have Wi-Fi, so you can often go online without using your data.

Staying safe

Thailand is generally safe for tourists, and common sense will cover most situations. Keep your passport, extra cash and cards in the hotel safe, and carry only what you need for the day. Use a cross-body bag and keep it in front of you in crowded markets and on public transport. Be careful when swimming, especially during the monsoon months when currents can be strong; always follow the beach flags and lifeguard advice.

Drink bottled water and avoid tap water. Carry a small first-aid kit with basics such as bandages, rehydration salts and any personal medicines, with prescriptions where required. Be cautious with strangers offering unsolicited deals on tours or gems, and book excursions through your hotel or a reliable operator. Tuk-tuk drivers sometimes offer very cheap tours that detour to shops; if a deal sounds too good, it usually comes with a catch. At night, stay in well-lit areas and keep a note of your hotel name and address in Thai.

A first trip that is easy to plan

As a first-time visitor, a common and comfortable starting point is a package that combines two nearby beach destinations. One sample option on this website starts at ₹28,199 per person, twin sharing, international flights not included for 4 nights, priced on 8 Oct 2026, valid through 7 Nov 2026. This particular package covers 2 nights in Phuket and 2 nights in Krabi, with a Phi Phi Islands speedboat trip with lunch, a Krabi 4 Islands speedboat trip with lunch and a Phuket city tour. International flights, travel insurance, meals not listed in the inclusions, airport transfers not listed in the inclusions and personal spending are all separate.

Thailand rewards travellers who arrive with a little preparation. Learn a few polite phrases, keep your documents and money secure, and stay flexible about time. Once you land, the food, the temples and the beaches tend to take care of the rest.