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Thailand
Chiang Mai
Golden temples in and around the moated Old City, Doi Suthep above town, khao soi and night markets, elephant sanctuaries and Doi Inthanon, Thailand's highest peak.
Do I need a visa for Thailand?
Choose your passport to see the rules for Thailand.
- TDAC (Thailand Digital Arrival Card): free at tdac.immigration.go.th, submit within 3 days before arrival; mandatory since 1 May 2025.
- Passport valid at least 6 months
- Onward or return ticket within the permitted stay; may be asked for funds (about THB 20,000 per person, checked at random)
- Since 15 Sep 2026: the 60-day exemption is repealed and 60 countries or territories get 30 days, for tourism only.
- 30-day-exemption travellers entering by land are limited to 2 entries per calendar year (Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Singapore are exempt from this limit).
Checked October 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official sites before you book. tatnews.org, ratchakitcha.soc.go.th, ratchakitcha.soc.go.th, ratchakitcha.soc.go.th, image.mfa.go.th, thaievisa.go.th, tdac.immigration.go.th, envoyglobal.com, dtvthaivisa.com
Before you go to Chiang Mai
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Entry
Visa-free stays cut to 30 days
From 15 September 2026 the 60-day visa exemption ended, and passport holders from 60 countries (including the UK, US and Australia) now get 30 days visa-free for tourism. Visa-free entries by land are generally limited to 2 per calendar year. Seychelles and Mauritius passport holders get 15 days, and visas on arrival apply to citizens of Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia.
Official site · www.tatnews.orgShow funds and an onward ticket
Visa-exempt visitors may be asked for at least 10,000 baht per person or 20,000 baht per family, plus proof of onward or return travel. The visa-exempt entry covers tourism only, not business.
Official site · www.gov.ukComplete the TDAC within 3 days of arrival
All foreign nationals have needed the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) since 1 May 2025. Submit it free in the 3 days before arrival at tdac.immigration.go.th.
Official site · www.gov.uk
Safety
Vapes are illegal, including for tourists
Possessing or using any vape, e-cigarette, pod, e-liquid or heat-not-burn device is illegal, with no exceptions for tourists. Penalties include confiscation, fines typically of 5,000–30,000 baht and detention. You may have to stay in Thailand until your case is finished.
Official site · www.gov.ukCannabis is medical-only
Recreational cannabis is illegal again. Use is allowed only with a Thai-issued prescription, limited to a 30-day supply. Taking cannabis out of Thailand without permission brings fines from 30,000 baht per kg and possible detention.
Official site · www.gov.ukNever leave your passport as a deposit
Don't hand over your passport as a guarantee to motorbike or other rental shops. They may hold it against claims for damage.
Official site · www.gov.uk
Health
Smoke haze in burning season
Air pollution in Chiang Mai can reach dangerous levels during seasonal smoke from crop and forest burning. This can worsen asthma and sinus conditions. Wikipedia's Chiang Mai article puts the pollution season at roughly December to April and calls March the worst month.
Official site · www.gov.ukDengue and other mosquito-borne diseases
Dengue, Zika and malaria are risks in Thailand, and rabies is also present. Use repellent and get medical help for a high fever.
Official site · www.gov.ukInsurance and emergency numbers
Hospitals require a guarantee of payment, so travel insurance is essential. Call 191 for police, fire or ambulance, or 1669 for an ambulance.
Official site · www.gov.uk
Transport
Scooter rental needs the right licence
Carry both a 1968 International Driving Permit (IDP) and your home licence, and wear a helmet, which is required by law. Driving without a valid licence can void your travel insurance.
Official site · www.gov.uk
Money
Use ATMs inside banks
ATM skimming has been reported, so use machines inside bank branches, cover your PIN and keep sight of your card.
Official site · www.gov.uk
Etiquette
Respect the monarchy and mind what you post
Criticising the Thai monarchy is a crime carrying long prison sentences, and the law is interpreted broadly. Posting photos online of people drinking or in clothing seen as inappropriate can also be illegal.
Official site · www.gov.uk
Rules and fees change. Check the official links before you travel.