📋 Checklist of the first 48 hours in Thailand

✈️ Last updated: April 2025 | Reading time: 3 min

Have you just landed in Thailand? Welcome. Now that you’ve survived the long-haul flight, it’s time for reality: heat, jet lag, sunburns, lousy taxis… or total chill, if you make the right choices.

Here is a simple, practical and 100% field checklist to optimize your first 48 hours in the land of smiles.

🛬 1. Have your passport, visa and proof of exit

Upon arrival, you will sometimes be asked for proof of a return flight or departure from the territory. Be ready to show it (printed or on your phone). And check your entry buffer (30 or 60 days).

📱 2. Buy a local SIM card

Essential to order a Grab, find your hotel, or translate a sentence at the restaurant. You can buy them at the airport (AIS, DTAC or TrueMove) or at any 7-Eleven.

• Price: from 100–200฿
• Recommended plan: unlimited internet for 8 days (299฿)

💸 3. Withdrawing money or exchanging euros

ATMs take a fixed commission (220฿ per withdrawal), so it’s better to withdraw big at once. Otherwise, change a part at the airport to help out, and the rest in town (SuperRich in Bangkok = good rate).

🚕 4. Avoid trap taxis at the airport

In Bangkok, forget about the guys who shout “Taxi! Taxi!” in the lobby. Go straight to the official counter, or order a Grab. In Chiang Mai or Phuket, it’s the same: beware of inflated fixed prices.

🔗 Tip: Download Grab, Bolt or InDrive before you go.

🧳 Article 5. Check-in at the hotel or at your accommodation

Do a quick first inspection of the room: air conditioning, wifi, bathroom. If there’s a problem, → fix it right away. And ask for the wifi password properly (especially if you’re a digital nomad 😅).

🍛 6. Eat local (but not just anywhere)

Do you dream of a direct pad Thai? Ok, but avoid the first shady stand. Locate the places where the locals eat. For sensitive stomachs: start soft (fried rice, clear soup, BBQ skewers).

💡 7. Install the right apps

• 📍 Grab / Bolt : transport
• 🛏️ Agoda / Booking : accommodation
• 📱 Google Translate : ultra useful in voice mode
• 🗺️ Maps.me : Offline maps
• 💰 XE Currency : baht/euro converter

🌅 8. Slowly adapting to the local rhythm

You’re not in Europe. Here, everything is slower, more relaxed. Don’t get upset if your check-in is slow or your Grab takes 10 minutes to arrive. Breathe. Drink an iced tea. You’re in Thailand.

👉 Read next:

• Top 7 mistakes to avoid when you show up
• Visa run in Thailand: how to stay longer
• 5 clubs to go out and meet in Pattaya

💬 Do you have a tip to share for arriving in Thailand? Post it in the comments!