Located in the tropical zone, Thailand enjoys temperatures of 20–38 degrees all year round. It is a large, elongated country, with significant geographical climate differences as a result.

Due to the south-west monsoon, there are three seasons in Northern, Eastern and Central Thailand and two in Southern Thailand.

Northern Thailand (Chiang Mai – Chiang Rai – Pai – Mae Hong Son):
In Northern Thailand, you will find cities such as Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, as well as the Mae Hong Son area, which includes the town of the same name, Mae Hong Son, and the towns of Mae Sariang and Pai. Northern Thailand has three seasons:

The hot season is from late February to early May. In this period, there are high temperatures during the day with a slight drop in temperature at night. There may be a little rain.

The rainy season in Northern Thailand falls between mid-May and mid-October. During this period, temperatures are around 20–30 degrees, with a risk of quite a lot of rain due to the south-west monsoon.

The cool season falls between October and the end of February. Temperatures are pleasant, ranging from around 10–30 degrees. You should expect cooler temperatures than the rest of year – especially at night and in mountainous areas. There may be a little rain during the period.

Central Thailand (the mainland including Bangkok, River Kwai, Chanthaburi, Sukhothai and Khao Yai, as well as the islands of Koh Chang, Koh Kood, and Koh Samet):
In Central Thailand, you will find Thailand’s capital, Bangkok. To the west of the capital, you’ll find the River Kwai; to the north of the capital, you’ll find Ayutthaya; and to the east of the capital, you’ll find Chanthaburi and Khao Yai National Park. In north-central Thailand, you’ll find the Sukhothai area. Like Northern Thailand, Central Thailand also has three seasons:

The hot season falls between late February and early May. During this period, the temperatures are between 25 and 34 degrees, day and night. There is very little rain in the months of March and April, while a lot more rain falls in May.

The rainy season is from around mid-May to mid-October, where there is a high risk of rain due to the monsoon. The combination of rain and high temperatures ranging from 24–32 degrees means you should expect high humidity.

The cool season falls between mid-October and early February, when the temperature is generally between 21 and 32 degrees. There are relatively high temperatures during the day, but getting cooler in the evening and at night.

The east coast of Southern Thailand (The east side of the mainland as well as the islands of Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao):
Situated off the east coast of Southern Thailand are the islands of Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. The popular beach holiday islands have two seasons:

The dry season falls between January and September. This period has hot temperatures ranging from 24–32 degrees. There are plenty of hours of sunshine, making this an ideal time to visit this part of Thailand. However, there is a risk of short, intense showers.

The rainy season is between October and December, with a high risk of rain throughout the period. The temperatures are still warm, ranging from 20–35 degrees, so you should expect high humidity.

The west coast of Southern Thailand (The west side of the mainland with Khao Sok, Khao Lak, Phuket and Krabi as well as the islands of Koh Lanta, Koh Ngai, Koh Mook and Koh Yao Yai):
On the west coast of Southern Thailand, you’ll find Khao Sok National Park and the popular beach holiday destinations of Khao Lak, Phuket, and Krabi. Off the coast are the islands of Koh Lanta, Koh Ngai, Koh Mook, Koh Kradan, and Koh Yao Yai. Both the mainland and the islands have two seasons:

The dry season is from December to the end of March. The period offers warm temperatures ranging from 21–32 degrees, plenty of sunshine and almost no rain. It is the very best time to visit this part of Thailand.

The rainy season is from April to the end of November. Temperatures are still warm, ranging from 20–31 degrees. However, there is a high probability of rain, and the islands may be difficult to access due to rain during this period. We therefore recommend that you visit Thailand’s east coast if, for example, you would like to go island hopping during this period.

As a British citizen, you must be in possession of a valid British passport. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the day you arrive in Thailand.

No visa is required upon entry to Thailand for British nationals for stays of up to 30 days.

The visa regulations can be checked on the Foreign & Commonwealth Office’s website.

Prior to your departure, you can download our App here to find your travel documents and the contact details for TourCompass and our local partners.

If your tour involves domestic journeys by train, it is our partner who books and issues the tickets, which your guide will give you at the destination.

We recommend that you download the WhatsApp app to your smartphone and add the phone numbers of our business partners. You can send messages and call them for free using the app when you have a Wi-Fi connection.

We recommend that you contact a medical specialist, your GP or an authorised vaccination clinic for information about vaccinations. You can also read more about the rules regarding travel vaccinations here.

Please be aware of the rules about yellow fever – especially if you are entering via another country where yellow fever is present. Some countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination upon entry. Your vaccination certificate should therefore always be carried with you in your hand luggage when you travel.

You’re always very welcome to contact us if you have any questions about this.

Please read our general travel terms and conditions carefully, as these are part of the agreement terms for tours purchased at TourCompass. Tours purchased from us are covered under the “Package Travel Act”.

Click here to read our travel terms and conditions.

All the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it.
Please see our booking conditions for further information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate click here.

We always advise you to obtain comprehensive travel insurance when heading off on your dream holiday. It is also highly recommended to acquire cancellation insurance for extra protection. 

Click here to proceed to our page on insurance, where you can read more about our recommendations.

Smoking policy

Since 2001, Thailand has had a strict smoking policy. It is illegal to bring or use electronic cigarettes/vaping devices and e-liquids to/in Thailand. Smoking in public places, including beaches, is strictly forbidden.

Violation of the smoking laws is a punishable offence and may result in a fine or imprisonment.

The Thai currency is the baht (THB). The current exchange rate of the Thai baht can be found here.

Visa and Mastercard can be used at hotels, most restaurants and shops, but not at small local restaurants and markets. In all major towns and cities and on larger islands, there are also cash machines where you can withdraw cash.

Obtain an idea of the price level in Thailand here.

Tips are appreciated, but it is up to you whether or not to tip. You can give as much or as little as you want. The following is an indicative guide:

• Guides: 150–300 THB per person per day depending on the service provided
• Drivers: 50-150 THB per person per day depending on the service provided
• Porters: 50-100 THB per room
• Maids: 50-100 THB per room per day
• Restaurants: At international-style restaurants, tipping is often included in the price, and in that case a 10% service charge will appear on the bill. If this is the case, there is no need to add more. If the tip is not included in the price, you can add 5-10% if the service and food have been good. Tips are not expected at local restaurants and street kitchens, but you can leave a few small coins on the table when you go.

At the vast majority of our destinations, we are able to take allergies, as well as allergens or preferences into account when it comes to food, however it is important that you inform us of this when you book the tour.

Telephones & Wi-Fi:

It’s expensive to use data and roaming abroad if it’s not already included in your mobile subscription. Contact your mobile company to find out what services are included in your subscription and what prices apply to you when travelling abroad.

If data and roaming are not included in your mobile subscription when travelling abroad, we recommend that you use Wi-Fi when you’re at your hotel or restaurants. That way, you can call and write home free of charge via various services such as Facetime, Messenger and WhatsApp. Otherwise, it is also possible to buy a local SIM card including data on your arrival.

Electricity:

The voltage in Thailand is 220V. It’s important that you bring an adapter with you, as the Thai plugs have 2 round pins or 2 flat pins.

Make sure you pack all your important and indispensable things in your hand luggage. This applies to items such as passports, visas, vaccination cards, travel documents, insurance documents, credit cards, money, computers, mobile phones and cameras, as well as information about your health and vital medicines.

Visiting temples

When visiting temples, there is a strict dress code. Your knees and shoulders must be covered, your clothes must not be see-through, and you must take off your shoes.

Visitors are not permitted to bring plants, seeds, fruit and other plant products into the UK from their travels outside the UK, unless they are accompanied by a plant health (phytosanitary) certificate. These rules also apply to smaller quantities of plants and plant products.

Read more about the rules here.

Please note that our tours are not generally suitable for people with impaired mobility. Please contact us for information about your options in relation to your specific needs.

Most airlines have electronic tickets (e-tickets).

It is important that you check your name for spelling errors, as the name on the reservation must be exactly as it appears on your passport. If your name needs to be corrected, please contact us as soon as possible. Please note that this may incur a fee from the airline.

The airline will assign you a seat on the plane at check-in. If you have specific wishes regarding where you sit on the plane, you can make a seat reservation yourself on the airline’s website or in their app. Please note that most airlines require payment for a seat reservation.

It varies when airlines open for seat reservations, but as a general rule, you can book seats from the time of booking and up to 48 hours before departure.

We also point out that the airline has complete control over all seats on the plane and that they are therefore entitled to make changes to the reservation at any time.
If you do not make a seat reservation before departure, the airline will assign you a seat at check-in.

Your passport and your booking reference, which appears on your itinerary, are required to check in.

We recommend that you download the airline’s app on your phone. In the app, there is an option for online check-in, which typically opens 24 to 48 hours before departure. The app also allows you to stay informed of any flight changes and other important information about your flight.

Please note that the flight times may have changed in relation to those listed on the travel itinerary you received when you booked your holiday. It is always the flight times in the airline’s app or on the airline’s website that apply.

We recommend that you arrive at the airport to check in at least two hours before departure. It is a good idea to check the airport’s website for the latest updates.

We use many different airlines for our destinations. You can check the exact rules for hand luggage and checked baggage on the airline’s website or in their app.

If your baggage is delayed, please contact the staff in the baggage reclaim area to report your missing baggage.

It is important that you have your baggage receipt when completing your PIR (Property Irregularity Report).

Please note that you must not leave the baggage area at the airport until you have completed the report.

In the event of delayed baggage, we ask you to contact our partner, who will ensure that your guide/driver waits for you.

Should any changes occur in connection with your flight reservation before departure, we will of course contact you to let you know.

Should your flight be delayed after check-in, the airline is responsible for rebooking your flight. They will typically book the next possible flight and arrange any meals and accommodation if necessary.

Our partner checks for any changes in arrival times and will naturally still wait for you, even if your flight is delayed.

If, due to a delay or cancellation, the airline books you on another flight number after you have arrived at the airport, please contact us on TourCompass’ emergency number.

Immigration:

When you arrive at your final destination, you will go through immigration, where your passport and any entry documents and visas are checked. In many places, you will be required to provide fingerprints, and a photo of your face will also be taken for biometric recognition. You may also be asked questions about your travel plans in the country and possibly where you are staying.

Customs:
Once you’ve cleared immigration and picked up your luggage, you will head through customs. If you have nothing to declare, you can go through “nothing to declare”. If, on the other hand, you have something to declare, it is important that you go through “declare”. It’s your own responsibility to check the customs regulations that apply in the country you are travelling to.

On your arrival, you will be met by a guide/driver who will be ready to welcome you with a TourCompass sign.

In the unexpected event that you cannot find your guide/driver, please contact our partner on their emergency number.

Normal check-in is typically from 2 pm, and, therefore, you cannot count on getting your room earlier. If you’d like to check in early, this can be arranged for a fee when you book the tour.

When you check in, the receptionist will generally register your credit card and may reserve an amount. This is not an additional fee, but customary at hotels to ensure payment of any consumption from the minibar and the like. When you check out, the amount will be automatically released if you have not made use of this.

It is very normal for hotels to take a copy of your passport. In some places, this is a requirement of the local authorities.

Check-out is normally by 10 am. If you’re not travelling until the afternoon or evening, you can have your luggage stored until it’s time to leave. If you would like a late check-out instead, this can be arranged for a fee when you book the tour.

Our tours to Thailand are individual tours, however excursions and transfers take place in international groups of 1–14 people and with TourCompass’ own guests only – with the exception of the stay on the River Kwai & Khao Sok.
Most optional tours take place with TourCompass’ own guests, however some may also take place with people other than TourCompass’ own guests. This will be noted in the description.

In the event of unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather, blocked roads or otherwise, it may be necessary to change the order of sightseeing tours and attractions in your itinerary.

We have a 24-hour emergency hotline so that you can always get in touch with us should anything unforeseen occur during your tour. You will also be sent the telephone numbers and emergency telephone numbers of our partners at the destination. In some cases, it may be easiest and fastest to contact our partners due to time differences, if, for example, you find yourself in a situation where your pick-up for an excursion or transfer is more than 15 minutes delayed.

We rely on happy travellers, and we would therefore very much like to hear from you after your return home. Send us an email at info@tourcompass.co.uk or call us on tel.: 01279704135.