The Solo Explorer’s Guide to Thailand
✨ Intro
Thailand was the first country I moved to where English wasn’t the main language — and it completely won me over.
They don’t call it the Land of a Million Smiles for nothing. The people are kind, the food is unforgettable, and even when I was lost, someone always tried to help.
I lived in Mukdahan and walked everywhere, only taking a tuk-tuk to KFC once a week. I got support through MediaKids, who helped set me up with housing, a phone, a bank account, and even visa paperwork.
Whether you're teaching ESL, traveling solo, or both — this guide is packed with personal insights, practical tips, and cultural know-how.
Maya Bay, Phi Phi Islands — made famous by The Beach.
🧳 Why Thailand Is Great for Solo Female Travelers
Friendly locals — especially outside tourist zones
Amazing street food culture
Easy to meet people (both locals and travelers)
Affordable for all budgets
Great mix of nature, temples, markets, and beaches
Didn’t expect to find a crew this quickly — Thailand, you’re already delivering! 2015
🛂 Entry Requirements for Thailand
As of August 2025, Thailand requires most visitors to complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) before entering the country.
✈️ Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)
Mandatory for all travelers (including Canadians and most nationalities)
Must be completed within 72 hours before arrival
You’ll receive a QR code to show at immigration
Apply here: https://tdac.immigration.go.th/arrival-card/#/home
Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date. Most tourists from visa-exempt countries (like Canada, the U.S., U.K., etc.) can enter visa-free for up to 30 days if arriving by air, or 15 days by land.
⚠️ Disclaimer
Entry requirements change frequently. Always double-check with official government sources or your airline before your trip to ensure you have the most up-to-date information for your nationality.
🧳 JD’s Tip: Don’t wait until the last minute — I recommend filling out the TDAC the day before your flight so it’s fresh and ready to go at the airport.
☀️ Best Time to Visit
❄️ Cool Season (Nov–Feb): Best time to visit! Comfortable temperatures, dry weather, and perfect for outdoor adventures. This is also peak tourist season, so book early.
🔥 Hot Season (Mar–May): Very hot — especially in the cities. Beaches can still be enjoyable if you stay hydrated and avoid the midday sun.
🌧️ Rainy Season (Jun–Oct): Expect daily showers, especially in the afternoons. Fewer crowds and lush landscapes — great if you don’t mind getting a little wet.
Rain or shine, Thailand’s beaches are always worth the view.
💰 Money & Currency: How to Pay in Thailand
💵 Local Currency (THB): The official currency is the Thai Baht (฿).
💱 Exchange Rate: (As of Aug 2025) $1 USD ≈ 36 THB | $1 CAD ≈ 26 THB (rates fluctuate — check before your trip).
💳 Cards: Accepted at malls, hotels, and chain restaurants — but not guaranteed at local shops.
💵 Cash: Essential for street food, markets, tuk-tuks, and small businesses. Thailand is a cash-first culture.
🏧 ATMs: Widely available but charge 220 THB ($8 CAD) per withdrawal for foreign cards. To save:
Withdraw larger amounts less often
Use a travel/low-fee debit card
Notify your bank before you go
💱 Exchanging Money: Available at airports, banks, and booths. Avoid exchanging at home before travel — rates are usually worse.
🧳 JD’s Tip: “Since I was working in Thailand, I had a local bank account and just withdrew money whenever I needed it. For travelers, I recommend making one or two larger ATM withdrawals instead of many small ones.”
Baht in bloom — where currency meets culture.
🛏️ Where to Stay (Thailand)
Thailand is packed with affordable, solo-friendly accommodation — from hostels and guesthouses to jungle huts and beach bungalows.
Bangkok: Stay near Khao San Road for backpacker energy or try Ari or Sukhumvit for something quieter and more local.
Chiang Mai: The Old City is popular, walkable, and full of cute hostels and cafes.
Isaan (like Mukdahan): Smaller towns have fewer options — Booking.com or Agoda is your best bet.
Islands (Phuket, Koh Chang, etc.): Stay close to the beach — each area has its own vibe. Do your research to match your travel style (party, relax, yoga, etc.).
JD’s Tip:
I used Booking.com and Hostelworld.com to find stays that fit my budget and vibe. Hostels were social but also had private rooms for solo travelers wanting space. If you’re teaching ESL or staying long-term, you’ll likely get help finding a local apartment — mine was arranged through my job.
And fair warning — Thai beds are generally very firm, even in higher-end hotels. If you like a soft mattress, this might take some getting used to!
🍜 What to Eat
🍢 Grilled Chicken Skewers (Gai Yang) – Juicy, marinated chicken grilled over charcoal, often served with sticky rice and spicy dipping sauce. A common and delicious street snack.
🍗 Fried Chicken (Gai Tod) – Crispy and flavorful, sold by street vendors everywhere. Pairs perfectly with sticky rice or noodles.
🍜 Thai Noodles (Pad See Ew, Pad Kee Mao, etc.) – Stir-fried noodles with vegetables, eggs, and your choice of meat. Ask for “not spicy” if you’re sensitive — some dishes are fiery!
🍚 Chicken + Rice (Khao Man Gai) – Thailand’s version of Hainanese chicken rice: tender chicken served over fragrant rice with a light broth on the side.
🍚 Sticky Rice (Khao Niew) – A staple side dish in northern and northeastern Thailand, often eaten with grilled meats or spicy papaya salad.
🥭 Mango Sticky Rice (Khao Niew Mamuang) – A sweet favorite: ripe mango slices served over sticky rice with coconut milk.
🍜 Tourist Pad Thai – Stir-fried noodles with egg, tofu, and tamarind sauce. Popular, but mostly eaten in touristy areas — locals prefer other noodle dishes.
🥤 Fresh Fruit Shakes – Street stalls blend mango, pineapple, dragonfruit, or watermelon into refreshing smoothies for $1–2.
💡 JD’s Tip: Street food is always the best (and cheaper than cooking!). Thai people often drink beer with ice — my favorite was Leo, but most locals go for Chang.
When in Thailand… sometimes you need a stranger to help you eat a bug 🐛😂
🗺️ Suggested 5–10 Day Itinerary (Flexible Base)
Bangkok: Grand Palace, temples, street food, riverboats — but it’s busy and intense
Pattaya: A smaller, more manageable alternative to Bangkok — great for a weekend getaway or day trip
Chiang Mai: Old town charm, cooking classes, temples, elephant sanctuaries, and a trip to the stunning White Temple (Wat Rong Khun, in nearby Chiang Rai)
Khon Kaen: Less touristy, more authentic — a great place to see local life and connect with friendly locals
Koh Chang: Quiet beaches, jungle hikes, and waterfalls — ideal for relaxing without the Phuket crowds
Phuket: Very touristy but has something for everyone — choose the right area (e.g., Kata for quiet, Patong for nightlife, Rawai for local feel)
Standing in front of the White Temple, I realized travel isn’t just about seeing places — it’s about feeling them.
🚍 Getting Around
🚜 Tuk-Tuk — Ask the price before getting in (foreigners often pay double). Sometimes taxis are cheaper!
🚕 Taxi — Use the meter or agree on the price in advance.
🚌 Bus — Great for long-distance travel, especially intercity.
🚆 Train — Scenic but slow — look for sleeper cars on overnight routes.
🚶 Walking — Bring good sandals — I walked nearly everywhere!
✈️ Plane — Quick and affordable between cities. I always flew from Bangkok to Phuket — way faster than the bus!
🛵 Scooter/Moped — Super common for locals and expats. Great for short distances — but always wear a helmet and make sure you’re insured!
My very first Tuk-Tuk ride at 6:30 AM — sleepy but excited for the day ahead.
🛍️ Souvenirs to Buy (Thailand)
Thailand is full of colorful markets and fun, affordable souvenirs. Whether you're shopping for yourself or others, there’s no shortage of treasures to pack in your bag.
Elephant-themed items: Carvings, clothes, or paintings — but make sure they’re ethically made.
Thai silk & scarves: Lightweight, beautiful, and easy to pack.
Spices & curry pastes: A tasty way to bring Thailand home (just double-bag them!).
Handmade soaps & oils: Often infused with coconut, lemongrass, or jasmine.
Muay Thai shorts or t-shirts: Great for sporty travelers or fans of local culture.
Lanterns or handmade paper goods: Found in places like Chiang Mai — delicate but gorgeous.
JD’s Tip:
You’ll find the best prices at local night markets, not tourist shops. And don’t be afraid to bargain — it’s expected! I picked up a few quirky souvenirs that I still smile at today, even if I had no clue what I was buying at the time.
💸 Budget Breakdown / Day (in $USD)
Accommodation
Low: $12–25 — Hostels, guesthouses
Mid: $35–60 — Boutique hotels, private rooms
High: $100+ — Luxury resorts, beachfront villas
Food
Low: $8–15 — Street food, markets
Mid: $20–35 — Mix of street food and restaurants
High: $60+ — Fine dining, seafood feasts
Transport
Low: $4–8 — Buses, songthaews, walking
Mid: $10–20 — Mix of local transport and domestic flights
High: $40+ — Private transfers, frequent flights
Attractions
Low: $4–8 — Temples, markets, free beaches
Mid: $10–20 — Day trips, guided tours
High: $40+ — Diving, luxury excursions
👉 Total/Day
Low: $28–56
Mid: $75–135
High: $240+
💡 JD’s Tip: Street food is the cheapest (and tastiest) option — it’s often fresher and faster than restaurant meals.
Thailand proves you can travel cheap and still dive into big adventures.
💡 JD’s Personal Tips
Learn a few Thai words — locals really appreciate it
Try to avoid overly touristy areas — they don’t show the “real” Thailand
Look for ethical elephant tours — no riding!
Always carry cash for smaller vendors
Buy a SIM card or eSIM at the airport
Be flexible — Thai schools, transport, and schedules may be different than what you’re used to
Feeding a baby elephant at an ethical sanctuary in Thailand.
🧘♀️ Solo Travel & Cultural Notes
Always smile — it goes a long way
Dress modestly at temples
Don’t touch people’s heads or point your feet at them
Be polite and patient — things move slower here
Respect local customs even if they feel unfamiliar
Where global icons meet local traditions — a Thai-style greeting.
🗣️ Speak a Little Thai
Chai — Yes — chai
Mai chai — No — my chai
Sawatdee ka/krab — Hello (feminine/masculine) — sah-wah-dee kah/krah
Khop khun ka/krab — Thank you — kop koon kah/krah
Mai pet — Not spicy — my pet
Tao rai? — How much? — tao rye?
Hong nam yoo tee nai? — Where is the toilet? — hong nahm yoo tee nigh?
💡 JD’s Tip: Learning even a few Thai words makes a huge difference — locals really appreciate the effort, and it often leads to friendlier prices and better service.
Joining my Thai students for language camp.
