Experience the Magic of Thailand – A Land of Contrasts Awaits!

Welcome to Thailand, a land of vibrant cities, ancient temples, exotic cuisine, and stunning natural landscapes.

At SL Travel, we invite you to immerse yourself in the rich cultural tapestry and diverse experiences this Southeast Asian gem has to offer.

Marvel at the majestic beauty of Bangkok, where towering skyscrapers stand alongside ornate temples. Explore the bustling markets, taste the tantalizing street food, or indulge in a rejuvenating Thai massage.

Embark on a journey to the ancient city of Chiang Mai, where centuries-old temples and lush mountains beckon you to explore.

Unwind on Thailand’s breathtaking islands, from the world-famous Phi Phi Islands to the tranquil shores of Krabi. Immerse yourself in the azure waters, go snorkeling in vibrant coral reefs, or simply bask in the sun on pristine beaches.

Discover luxurious accommodations that showcase Thai hospitality at its finest. From opulent city hotels to beachfront resorts, our expert advisors will help you find the perfect sanctuary for your Thai adventure.

Let SL Travel be your guide to Thailand, curating a personalized itinerary that showcases the best of this captivating country. Embark on a journey of cultural immersion, natural wonders, and unforgettable experiences.

Book your Thailand getaway today and let SL Travel take you on an extraordinary adventure through the Land of Smiles.

Country Information

  Airport taxes

• There is no airport tax for departing passengers. However, the Bangkok Airport Tax is levied on transit passengers who decide to leave the transit area if the tax has not been included in the ticket. Fee: THB730 (payable in THB only) before their departure.
• Thailand will implement a 53% airport tax hike in 2026. The Passenger Service Charge (PSC) will increase from BHT730 to THB1 120. The levy for domestic flights will remain unchanged at THB130.

  Security

• Thailand is generally safe for tourists, but petty crime such as pickpocketing and bag-snatching can occur in crowded areas, markets, and on public transport. • Violent crime against tourists is rare, but incidents can happen in nightlife districts; avoid confrontations and stay in well-lit areas. • Keep valuables in hotel safes and avoid carrying large amounts of cash or expensive items when out. • Be alert when using ATMs and watch for credit card fraud. • Road safety can be a concern; traffic accidents are common, especially involving motorbikes. Avoid driving at night in rural areas. • Drug offences carry severe penalties, including long prison sentences or the death penalty. • Emergency services are generally reliable in cities; the emergency number is 191 for police and 1669 for medical assistance. • Terrorism risk exists in some southern provinces; avoid high-risk areas. • The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office advises against all but essential travel to Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, and the districts of Chana, Thepa, Na Thawi and Saba Yoi in Songkhla Province near the Thai-Malaysia border due to ongoing insurgent activity. Note to LGBT travellers: Thailand is widely considered LGBT-friendly, especially in major cities and tourist areas, but discretion is advised in rural regions. Note to women travellers: Thailand is generally safe for women, but standard precautions apply, especially when out late at night or in isolated areas.

  Health Precautions

Vaccinations

Compulsory:
None

Recommended:
• Routine vaccines (including MMR and diphtheria–tetanus–polio)
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Typhoid
• Influenza (seasonal)
• COVID‑19 (up to date)
• Japanese encephalitis (recommended for rural travel, long stays, or monsoon‑season exposure)
• Rabies (consider for long stays, rural travel, or potential animal exposure)
• Cholera (consider for high‑risk areas or during outbreaks)

Additional Health Considerations
• Yellow fever: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required only for travellers arriving from, or transiting through, any country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
• Malaria: Present in some rural and forested border regions; antimalarial medication and mosquito‑bite precautions may be required depending on itinerary.
• Dengue, Zika and chikungunya: Widespread risk; strict mosquito‑bite prevention is essential.
• Gastrointestinal diseases: Moderate to high risk; maintain strict food and water hygiene.
• Air quality: Seasonal haze, especially in northern regions, may affect respiratory health.
• Extreme weather: Monsoons, flooding and tropical storms can affect travel and healthcare access.
• Healthcare quality: Good in major cities; more limited in rural areas. Upfront payment may be required.
• Medical evacuation: Travel insurance with evacuation cover is recommended, especially for remote travel.
• Medication availability: Generally good in cities; bring essential prescriptions for rural travel.

  Currency

1 Baht (THB) = 100 satang. Latest exchange rate: THB1 = ZAR0,5135 (25 Feb 2026 05:00).  Exchange currency at international airports, banks, bureaux de change and hotels. Major credit cards can be used and there are ATMs available in cities. Check with your bank whether your card will be accepted. Carry small denomination notes if travelling outside urban areas. Banking hours: Monday to Friday 08h30 to 15h30.

  Language

The official language is Thai. Some English is spoken in tourist areas and main urban areas only.
 

  Electricity

230 volts, 50Hz (same as SA). Plugs are 2-pin flat, but some have an extra prong for grounding (similar to North American plug), European 2-pin round, Schuko 2-pin round, and Thai 3-pin round.

  Telecoms/Internet

The fast and reliable WiFi coverage is provided by three of the biggest mobile networks in Thailand – AIS, True Move and DTAC. WiFi is free in most public spaces. The best alternatives to public WiFi hotspots are buying a Thai SIM card or a pocket WiFi rental. If you plan to buy a Thai SIM card ensure that your phone is unlocked, by checking with your service provider before leaving SA. Be aware that to access services like Grab Taxi, Foodpanda and others you will need a local phone number. Another option is to buy a cheap phone and a Thai SIM card to use as a mobile hotspot. Most areas will have an Internet café available.

  Public Holidays

2026: New Year’s Day (01-02 Jan); Chinese New Year (Lunar New Year) (10 Feb); Makha Bucha Day (24-26 Feb); Chakri Day (06-08 Apr); Eid al-Fitr (10 Apr); Songkran Festival (13-16 Apr); Labour Day (01 May); Coronation of King Vajiralongkorn (04-06 May); Royal Ploughing Ceremony (13 May); Visakha Bucha Day (22 May); Queen Suthida’s Birthday (03 Jun); Asahna Bucha Day (20-22 Jul); Khao Phansa Day (21-23 Jul); King Vajiralongkorn’s Birthday (28-29 Jul); Her Majesty the Queen Mother’s Birthday (12 Aug); Passing of His Majesty the Late King (13-14 Oct); Chulalongkorn Memorial Day (23 Oct); His Majesty the Late King’s Birthday (05 Dec); Constitution Day (10 Dec); Christmas Day (25 Dec); New Year’s Eve (31 Dec). 

  Customs

Visas: South Africans do not require a visa. Duty-free allowances: 200 cigarettes or 250g of tobacco or equal weight of cigars 1 litre of alcoholic beverages Free import for non-residents: for holders of transit visas or who can obtain a visa on arrival: up to THB10 000 per person or THB20 000 per family for holders of tourist visas: up to THB20 000 per person or THB40 000 per family Prohibited goods: Gold bullion: if no import licence is available, it can be left in Customs bond at the airport of entry to be retrieved on departure Narcotics Meat from any country affected by Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) or mad cow disease; and foot-and-mouth disease, including all EU Member States Any kind of pork and pork products without permission from the Director-General or authorised person within the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives. The quarantine officer or customs officer at the airport must be informed in advance. Import of Pitbull Terrier and American Staffordshire Terrier dogs. Export restrictions: The following items may not be exported without a licence: Antiques or objects of art, whether officially registered as art or not. Religious articles (excluding one small Buddha image normally carried on a person). Special notes: Duty-free allowances apply to passengers with their own passport, irrespective of age. Arms and ammunition: Firearms and ammunition including explosive articles and fireworks require a firearm transport permit. The import of certain endangered species of plant, live animals and their products is prohibited or restricted under CITES. A declaration of goods acquired abroad is required if the total value exceeds THB10 000 per person. Plants and parts of plants require a license issued by the Department of Agriculture. Free export of tobacco products and/or tobacco: any quantity. Pet regulations: Pets must be accompanied by an Import Permit obtained in advance from the Department of Livestock Development and a health certificate completed in English and signed or further endorsed by a full-time authorised veterinary official of the government of the exporting country. The health certificate must state all required vaccinations. All pets are subject to quarantine at approved premises for a period of at least 30 days upon arrival at the expense of importer/owner. Pets may enter as passenger’s checked baggage, in the cabin or as cargo. Birds: the country of origin must be free from Avian Influenza and the bird must have been resident in the country of origin for a period not less than six weeks or since hatching. Baggage clearance regulations: Baggage is cleared at the first airport of entry in Thailand. Currency import/export regulations: Local currency: up to THB50 000 per person or THB100 000 per family holding one passport. Foreign currencies: unlimited. However, amounts of foreign currency exceeding USD20 000 (or equivalent) must be declared to a Customs Officer on arrival or departure by all travellers. Global liquid ban regulations apply. See below.  NB! This is only a brief overview of Customs requirements. If you need additional information, please contact the Embassy of Thailand on (012) 342 5470. GLOBAL LIQUID BAN REGULATIONS Global security guidelines have been issued by the International Civil Aviation Organisation implementing restrictions on liquids, gels, pastes and aerosols that passengers are allowed to carry in their hand luggage. The following rules will apply throughout most airports world-wide: Passengers may only carry small quantities (max. 100 ml per container) of liquids, gels, pastes and aerosols in their hand baggage. The packaging of these products must also meet specific requirements. The new rules apply for liquids such as water, drinks, cream, lotion, oil, perfume, spray, hair gel, bath gel, various types of foam, toothpaste, deodorant, lip gloss or any product of similar substance. Exceptions will be made for baby milk, special dietary foods and medication, for which prescriptions are required. The following rules apply for liquids in hand baggage: – Passengers are only allowed to carry liquids and gels in containers with a volume of 100 ml or less. – These containers may only be carried in a transparent plastic bag. – Each passenger may only carry one such transparent plastic bag. – The volume of the transparent plastic bag may not exceed 1 litre. – The transparent plastic bag must be re-sealable. – You may bring a transparent plastic bag from home. Liquids and gels that you purchase after passing through passport control or aboard the aircraft will be packed and sealed for you in the shop or on board, if necessary. The package seal will remain valid for 24 hours. If you have to catch a connecting flight, you will not be allowed to break the seal until you have reached your final destination. Note: Please consult relevant airline for hand baggage rules regarding liquid ban.

  Doing business

Office hours: Monday to Friday 08:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 16:30.

Dress: Formal, conservative dress is appropriate for doing business and socialising after business meetings.  

Greeting: The greeting among Thais is the traditional bow called the ‘wai’. Thai people appreciate it if a foreigner attempts the wai but will often greet foreigners with a handshake.

Communication and etiquette: Most people are Theravada Buddhist. As many Buddhist holidays are in April and May a number of businesses go on holiday then so the best months to do business in Thailand are between November and March, which also means avoiding the extreme heat of summer and monsoon rains. Meetings should be arranged well in advance and confirmed the day before. Be on time as this shows respect for your hosts. Do not forget to factor in the traffic congestion in the bigger cities. Business relationships develop slowly in Thailand, as Thais will want to get to know you well, so it can take many meetings over months or even years to forge a successful partnership – a one-off visit, or merely video-conferencing – will not be sufficient. Forging relationships over drinks or dinner is important. The bill will be paid by your Thai host as this is a sign of respect and authority so accept it graciously. Women should take care not to touch a monk or have any other close contact with him. Dress conservatively when visiting temples, keeping arms and legs covered. Do not touch people on the head, even children. Do not point your feet toward anyone or anything, including depictions of Buddha, or touch anything with them. Point using the whole hand rather than only a single finger. Dress is generally modest and Thais dress neatly and smartly. Shorts are not generally worn by adults and swimwear should not be worn away from the beach. Topless tanning is not acceptable. Remove shoes before going into temples or houses. The Royal family are highly revered, and criticising or insulting them in any way is a serious offence. Do not deface or stand on Thai coins or notes, as they have the King’s image on them. ‘The King and I’ and ‘Anna and the King’ are also seen as insulting to the Monarchy. Stand in silence during the national anthem, which is played in public areas at 08:00 and 18:00, and the King’s anthem before films. Hierarchy and status are important. Be polite, smile and keep calm at all times. Avoid criticising or showing anger as this is not polite and will cause embarrassment. Refrain from showing affection in public. If visiting a local home for a meal, take a small gift. The utensils for eating are fork and spoon. Be careful about admiring a host’s belongings, as it is an old custom for them to give you the object. Smoking is prohibited in public areas. The drinking age is 20.

  Getting around

• Driving is on the left; roads are generally good in cities and tourist areas, but rural roads may be less maintained.
• International driving permits are accepted and required for car or motorbike rentals.
• Car and scooter rentals are widely available; scooters are popular for short-distance travel, especially on islands.
• Public transport includes buses, trains, metro systems (in Bangkok), and songthaews (shared pickup trucks).
• The MySawasdee cross-border tourist train, operated jointly by Thailand and Malaysia, is scheduled to launch regular service by December. A route from Bangkok (Thailand) to Butterworth (Malaysia) is being planned.
• Bangkok has an efficient BTS Skytrain and MRT subway system; both are clean and affordable.
• Long-distance buses and trains connect major cities and regions; trains offer scenic routes but can be slow.
• Domestic flights are frequent and affordable, useful for reaching distant regions and islands.
• Ferries operate between the mainland and islands like Koh Samui, Koh Phi Phi, and Phuket; schedules vary by season.
• Taxis are available in cities; metered taxis are recommended, though not always used. Ride-hailing apps like Grab are widely used.
• Tuk-tuks are common in urban areas; fares should be negotiated before boarding.
• No specific customs or restrictions for women; modest dress is recommended in temples and rural areas.

  Accommodation

• International hotel chains can be found at all major centres around the country. There is a five-star grading system.
• There are also numerous boutique hotels and resorts offering unique experiences.
• Guesthouses and hostels range from very basic to more upmarket but travellers of all budget types will find the accommodation comfortable and clean.
• Making reservations at hotels and resorts is recommended. Accommodation can also be booked on arrival at Bangkok Airport.

  Useful tips

• Most hotels and restaurants add a 10% service charge and 7% government tax to the bill. If not, tip about 10%. Round up taxi fares and give massage parlour assistants, porters, etc. a tip.
• Thailand has incredible festivals around the year, the biggest being Songkran (the water festival and New Year – April) and Loi Krathong (the festival of floating baskets and lanterns – November). While the towns and cities can become chaotic during these festivals, they are amazing to see and be a part of. The Thais love sharing their festivals with visitors and are very welcoming.
• The government in Thailand has launched a crypto-payment scheme for tourists. The programme allows foreign tourists to convert cryptocurrency into Thai Baht for electronic payments.Tourists must open an account with a regulated digital asset and e-wallet provider in Thailand and pass customer and anti-money-laundering checks.

  Disability awareness

Thailand can be challenging for those living with disabilities as the streets and pavements are uneven and few buildings provide ramps and handrails for disabled access. Guide dogs are rare and there are few audio signals for the blind at traffic crossings. The larger resorts, hotels and tourist attractions provide facilities for those with disabilities but in rural areas public transport is limited and often inaccessible for wheelchair users. However, the Thais will go out of their way to ensure travellers with disabilities are accommodated and many tour operators are prepared to assist. More and more attractions are becoming disability-friendly so ask ahead and plan your itinerary accordingly.