Visa

There is a thing called Thai visa, but you can also get something called a visa exemption. Entering the country by land, you can get it twice in a year, flying in – any number of times. Visa exemption means that you will be allowed to stay in the country for 30 days and you only need to fill a form at the border which you will keep in your passport and, when you leave the country, you’ll be asked to hand it over to border officials. I wasn’t asked for proof of onward travel or proof of having sufficient money.

Border crossings

Malaysia – Thailand (Wang Kelian – Wang Prachan): You fill a short form with your data which stays in the passport and get an entry stamp.

Thailand – Myanmar (Mae Sot – Myawaddy): Leaving the country, the form is taken from your passport and you get an exit stamp. Entering again you repeat the ritual of filling the form and getting an entry stamp.

Thailand– Laos (Chiang Khong – Huay Xay): The form is taken from the passport and you get an exit stamp.

– There’s left side traffic.

– Roads are in good condition. Even smaller roads are asphalted.

– Cycling into and out of Bangkok was surprisingly easy. You just need to leave the main road.

– The road between Mae Hong Son and Chiang Mai, famous for its 1864 bends, is a little overrated in my opinion. There’s plenty of traffic and you inhale a lot of exhaust fumes. The part between Mae Sot and Mae Hong Son was much nicer, with little traffic and pleasant views.

– People are friendly but, outside of main tourist spots, not many speak English.

– Entering shops and offices you need to take your shoes off (this doesn’t apply in main tourist destinations).

– ATMs are everywhere and they work.

– The Internet is fast and the range is almost everywhere. WI-FI is common and available in cafes, restaurants etc.

– There are lots of dogs.

– Food is cheap and tasty. In tourist spots it’s more expensive.

– In Chiang Mai there’s a very good bike shop Triple Cats Cycle where I (finally!) found tyres and had my bike checked.

– Dental care is much cheaper than in Poland and of similarly high quality.

– There are LOTS of tourists here so I’d suggest to think well what exactly you want from Thailand. Otherwise it’s very easy to fall in a trap of travelling from one tourist ghetto to another. And there are so many of them.