Thailand is the easiest first foreign holiday for most Indian families: visa-free entry, a 4-hour flight from Mumbai, and food that welcomes vegetarians. Bangkok gives you temples, markets and malls; Pattaya, just 2 hours away, adds beaches, island trips and nightlife. Put the two together and you get a trip that works for couples, families and friends’ groups alike.
This guide covers everything you need before you go: the latest 2026 entry rules, the best time to visit, what to see in each city, where to eat, and how to keep the trip stress-free
Do Indians need a visa for Thailand in 2026?
No. Since 15 September 2026, Indian ordinary passport holders travelling for tourism can enter Thailand visa-free and stay up to 30 days, with no visa fee (Akbar Travels). This replaced the earlier 60-day exemption, so plan longer stays with a Thai e-visa from thaievisa.go.th (Royal Thai Embassy, New Delhi).
The Indian Embassy in Bangkok advises every traveller to carry (Kashmir Life):
- A passport valid for at least 6 months from the arrival date
- Confirmed return flight tickets
- Hotel bookings and a clear itinerary
- At least THB 20,000 in cash per person (about ₹50,000–55,000)
- In a group, each member carries their own documents
Don’t forget the TDAC. The Thailand Digital Arrival Card is a free online form that every foreign visitor must file within 3 days before arrival, at the official site tdac.immigration.go.th (HappyFares). Avoid any website that asks you to pay for it.
Travelling with Swati World Tours? We check your documents and help every group member file the TDAC before departure.
Best time to visit Bangkok and Pattaya
November to February is the best time to visit. The monsoon ends, skies clear, and the sea at Pattaya calms down for island trips. Days stay warm (around 30°C) but far less humid than the summer months.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
| Cool & dry (best) | Nov – Feb | Sunny, pleasant evenings, calm sea; peak season |
| Hot | Mar – May | 35°C+, very humid; Songkran water festival in April |
| Rainy | Jun – Oct | Short heavy showers, lower prices, rougher sea |
Late November is a sweet spot: the good weather has arrived, but the Christmas and New Year rush hasn’t. You may also catch Loy Krathong, the lantern-and-floating-candle festival that usually falls in November.
Top things to do in Bangkok
Bangkok rewards even a short stay: one full day covers its biggest sights, and evenings belong to markets and river views.
- Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew — Thailand’s most famous landmark, home of the Emerald Buddha. Shoulders and knees must be covered.
- Wat Pho — the 46-metre Reclining Buddha, a short walk from the Grand Palace.
- Wat Arun — the Temple of Dawn on the Chao Phraya river; best seen at sunset from across the water.
- Safari World & Marine Park — a big hit with families, with drive-through wildlife and animal shows.
- Chao Phraya dinner cruise — the city’s temples and skyline lit up, with a buffet and live music.
- Shopping — Pratunam and MBK for bargains, Siam Paragon and ICONSIAM for malls, and Chatuchak Weekend Market for everything in between.
Tip: Bangkok traffic is heavy. The BTS Skytrain and MRT metro are the fastest way across the city.
Top things to do in Pattaya
Pattaya is about 150 km from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport, roughly a 2-hour drive. It packs beaches, shows and island trips into one compact town.
- Coral Island (Koh Larn) — a 30–45 minute boat ride to clear water, with parasailing, sea walking and speedboat rides.
- Alcazar or Tiffany’s Show — Pattaya’s famous glittering cabaret, suitable for the whole family.
- Nong Nooch Tropical Garden — vast landscaped gardens plus cultural and elephant shows.
- Sanctuary of Truth — a giant temple-like structure carved entirely from wood, right on the sea.
- Pattaya Floating Market — boat-side shopping and Thai snacks in a traditional setting.
- Walking Street & beach road — Pattaya’s lively nightlife strip; best enjoyed by adult groups.
Tip: Go to Coral Island early in the morning. The sea is calmer and the beaches are quieter.
Food: what Indian travellers can eat in Thailand
Vegetarians eat well in Thailand. Bangkok’s Pahurat (Little India) and Sukhumvit Road, and Pattaya’s beach road, are lined with Indian restaurants serving thalis, dosas and Jain food.
Thai dishes worth trying, in their vegetarian versions:
- Pad Thai — stir-fried rice noodles with peanuts and tofu
- Green or red curry — with vegetables and jasmine rice
- Tom Yum soup — hot, sour and fragrant
- Mango sticky rice — the dessert everyone goes back for
Say “jay” (strict vegetarian) or “mai sai nam pla” (no fish sauce), because many sauces and broths contain fish or shrimp.
On a Swati World Tours group trip, breakfast and lunch are included every day. Tell us about vegetarian or Jain needs when you book.
Money, SIM cards and packing tips
A little preparation saves time and money once you land.
- Currency: Thai Baht (THB). Carry some baht from India and exchange the rest at SuperRich counters in Bangkok for better rates than the airport.
- Cards: Visa and Mastercard work in malls and hotels; markets and street stalls want cash. A zero-forex-markup card saves fees.
- SIM card: Buy a tourist SIM (AIS, TrueMove or DTAC) at the airport arrival hall, or set up an eSIM before you fly.
- Clothing: Light cotton clothes, a scarf or long trousers for temples, swimwear and comfortable walking shoes.
- Power: Thai sockets fit most Indian two-pin plugs, but carry a universal adapter for three-pin chargers.
- Travel insurance: Not mandatory, but strongly recommended.
- Etiquette: Never speak disrespectfully about the Thai royal family, and remove shoes before entering temples.
Join our Thailand Group Tour — departing 25 November 2026
Thailand Group Tour leaves on 25 November 2026, right at the start of the best season, now at ₹65,000 per person (was ₹75,000).
| Package details | |
| Duration | 4 nights / 5 days |
| Stay | 1 night Bangkok + 3 nights Pattaya |
| Departure | 25 November 2026 |
| Price | ₹65,000 per person |
| Included | Hotel stay, airport and city transfers, daily breakfast and lunch, sightseeing |
You enjoy the trip; we handle the hotels, transfers, meals, sightseeing and travel paperwork guidance.
Seats are limited. Call or WhatsApp 8788456534 to book your place.
Is Thailand visa-free for Indians?
Yes. From 15 September 2026, Indian tourists can stay up to 30 days without a visa. You still need to file the free TDAC online before arrival.
How many days are enough for Bangkok and Pattaya?
4 to 5 days covers the main sights of both cities at a relaxed pace.
Is Thailand good for vegetarians?
Yes. Both cities have many Indian vegetarian and Jain restaurants, and most Thai dishes can be made without meat or fish sauce.
How much cash should I carry?
The Indian Embassy advises at least THB 20,000 per person when entering on the visa exemption.
Is Pattaya suitable for families?
Yes. Coral Island, Nong Nooch Garden, the Sanctuary of Truth and the cabaret shows are all family-friendly.