Thailand expat guide

Indoor smoking is still visible in some adult social spaces. Law vibe is more formal in public order than many visitors expect.

Minimum budget: rural $600/mo, urban $1000/mo. Medical insurance: $1,000/yr.

Auto: Russian tourists should carry an IDP; police and insurers can treat a domestic license alone as insufficient, especially after accidents. Rentals are cheap and easy: roughly $18-45/day for Yaris, City, Vios class, more for SUVs and island peak season. Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar crossings with rentals are supplier-specific and often blocked; domestic one-way, island logistics matter more.

Smoking: Indoor smoking is still visible in some adult social spaces.

Police / rules: Police and public-order vibe is formal and rule-aware: expect visible order and some bureaucratic seriousness, with less casual flexibility than in softer places.

Zones

• Bangkok & Central Belt: Dense central energy, markets, nightlife, temple towns and quick regional escapes. Hot tropical urban climate with heavy humidity and dramatic monsoon storms. Around 28–36°C year-round. Air quality can worsen during burning season.
• Northern Highlands: Cooler forested hills, temple towns, creative cafés and a slower northern pace. Cooler mountain forests and café towns with smoky dry seasons and rainy green summers. Temperatures range from 12–31°C depending on season and altitude.
• Southern Islands & Coast: Tropical beaches, resort towns, dive hubs, ferries and island-hopping life. Beach-and-jungle climate with warm ocean weather year-round around 27–33°C. Some islands get heavy rain seasons while others stay sunny longer.