Thailand is easy to travel — until it isn’t. Most problems visitors run into here are not about safety, but about money, scams, transport, and assumptions that “everything will just work”.

This page focuses on practical travel systems in Thailand, not attractions or experiences.

What trips people up in Thailand

Thailand looks simple on the surface. In reality:

  • cash still dominates daily payments
  • card acceptance is inconsistent
  • ATM fees are high and unavoidable
  • transport rules change by city
  • scams target unprepared tourists, not reckless ones

Understanding these systems upfront saves both money and frustration.

Money, ATMs, and card usage

Thailand is largely cash-based. Credit cards work in hotels, malls, and chain businesses, but street-level spending still runs on cash.

The biggest issue for travelers is ATM fees. Every withdrawal comes with a flat local fee, regardless of your bank.

→ See: Cash vs card in Thailand
→ See: ATM fees in Thailand and how to reduce them
→ See: Best travel cards for Thailand

Internet and SIM cards

Getting online in Thailand is easy — if you know what to buy. Tourist SIMs, local SIMs, and eSIMs all exist, with different trade-offs in speed, price, and coverage.

→ See: Best SIM cards for tourists in Thailand
→ See: eSIM vs physical SIM in Thailand

Transport and getting around

Thailand has no single transport system. What works in Bangkok won’t apply in Phuket or Chiang Mai. Ride-hailing, local taxis, trains, and buses all behave differently depending on location.

→ See: How transport works in Thailand
→ See: Best transport apps for Thailand

Entry rules and length of stay

Thailand frequently adjusts visa exemptions and stay durations. Many travelers misunderstand extension rules or overstay penalties.

→ See: Thailand entry rules explained
→ See: How long can you stay in Thailand

Safety and common scams

Thailand is generally safe, but heavily optimized to extract money from tourists who don’t know the rules. Scams are repetitive and avoidable — if you recognize the patterns.

→ See: Common scams in Thailand
→ See: Is Thailand safe for solo travelers?

Apps that make travel easier

Daily life in Thailand depends on apps for transport, food, navigation, and payments. Not having them installed puts you at an unnecessary disadvantage.

→ See: Must-have apps for traveling in Thailand

This page is designed to prevent mistakes before they happen. Each linked guide goes deeper into one system, without filler.