Trip prep: France → Bangkok
A complete checklist for traveling from France to Bangkok, Thailand. Synthesized from every layer — visa, plugs, tipping, weather, packing, transit, embassy.
1 Passport & entry
- Visa/entry: Visa-free for up to 60 days.
- Passport expiry: Most countries require 6 months validity beyond your departure date — check yours now.
- Photo your passport: store a scan in cloud + email it to yourself for emergencies.
2 Money
- Tipping in Thailand: Tip 5-10% at restaurants.
- Cards vs cash: Notify your bank of your travel dates. Bring 2 cards from different networks (Visa + Mastercard) in case one is locked.
- ATM strategy: Use bank ATMs (not currency exchange counters). Withdraw in larger amounts to minimize per-transaction fees.
- Foreign transaction fees: Use a card with no foreign transaction fees (most travel rewards cards). Pay in LOCAL currency when card terminals ask — never accept "your home currency" conversion (DCC steals 5-8%).
3 Health & safety
- Emergency number: 191 (police), 1669 (ambulance) — save this to your phone with country code.
- Healthcare: Healthcare in major cities (Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai) is excellent and affordable. Bumrungrad and Bangkok Hospital are world-class.
- Travel insurance: Pick a policy with $100K+ medical and $250K+ evacuation. Buy within 14 days of your first booking for Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) eligibility.
- Vaccinations: Check the CDC destination page 4-6 weeks before travel.
- Prescription meds: Bring 2× what you need + a doctor's note for controlled substances. In original bottles.
4 Power & tech
- Power plugs: Voltage matches but plug shape differs. Pack a Type A adapter.
- SIM/data plan: Check if your phone supports eSIM (most iPhones + Pixels since 2018). Airalo, Holafly, and Nomad sell affordable data eSIMs for Thailand — far cheaper than roaming.
- VPN: Install before travel. Some hotels/cafes have insecure wifi; some countries block apps you use at home.
- Power bank: 10,000+ mAh, with at least one USB-C port. Long sightseeing days drain phones fast.
5 Weather & what to pack
January
32°C / 22°C
hot · dry
May
34°C / 26°C
hot · rainy
September
32°C / 25°C
hot · very wet
- Light breathable clothes (linen, cotton)
- Sunscreen SPF 30+ and a hat
- Refillable water bottle (1L+)
- Rain jacket and umbrella
6 Once you're in Bangkok
- Public transit: BTS Skytrain + MRT Subway + Airport Rail Link — single fare ฿17-62, day pass ฿140 (BTS only). BTS and MRT are separate companies with separate fare gates — you can't transfer free. Both beat Bangkok traffic by a huge margin. Use BTS to get to MRT stations.
- Where to stay: First-timers usually pick Sukhumvit (Asok-Phrom Phong area) — International + skyscrapers + shopping malls + expat hub. Full neighborhood guide →
- Day trips worth planning: Ayutthaya, Floating markets (Damnoen Saduak), Kanchanaburi (River Kwai). Full day-trips guide →
- Scams to know: Tuk-tuk 'special tour' scams, Grand Palace 'closed today' scams, gem-shop scams, jet-ski damage scams in Phuket. Use Grab app for transport, never accept tuk-tuk 'shopping tours.'
7 The night before you fly
- Hold mail, water plants, set out-of-office
- Download offline maps for Thailand in Google Maps
- Pre-book airport parking or ride share
- Print boarding passes + first night's hotel reservation
- Set 3 alarms for the morning of departure
- Phone wallpaper = your booking confirmation