Trusted tools and services recommended for living in Thailand
Save significantly on exchange rates and fees when moving money to and from Thailand. Traditional banks charge 3-6% in hidden fees - these services offer mid-market rates.
Best for: Transfers & daily spending
Excellent for both international transfers and daily spending in Thailand. Get real mid-market exchange rates with transparent fees - typically 5-6x cheaper than traditional banks. The multi-currency debit card works perfectly for everyday purchases in Thailand.
Best for: Tourist spending in Thailand
E-wallet and prepaid card designed specifically for foreign tourists in Thailand. Pay like a local with Thai QR Payment (PromptPay) support, use at any Visa merchant without the typical 2.5% foreign card fee, and withdraw cash from KBank ATMs fee-free. Get preferential exchange rates and track all your spending in one convenient app.
Find the best places to stay across Thailand, from budget hostels to luxury resorts. These platforms dominate the Thai market and often have exclusive deals.
Best for: Hotels in Thailand
Leading booking platform in Asia with extensive selection of Thai properties. Often features competitive prices and exclusive deals with local hotels, making it a strong choice for accommodation in Thailand.
Best for: Flexible bookings
World's largest accommodation platform with 28+ million listings globally. Excellent coverage across Thailand with verified reviews, flexible cancellation policies, and Genius loyalty program offering exclusive discounts. Pay now or pay later options available on most stays.
Best for: Flight + hotel packages
Leading Asia-focused travel platform with 1.2+ million hotels and flights to 5,000+ destinations. Exceptional package deals combining hotels and flights with significant savings. Strong presence across Thailand with multilingual support and competitive pricing especially for Asian destinations.
Essential protection for living or traveling in Thailand. Medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and lost belongings happen - these services provide peace of mind at affordable prices.
Best for: Long-term stays
Popular insurance for digital nomads and long-term travelers. Affordable monthly subscription model with worldwide coverage, designed specifically for remote workers and extended stays in Thailand.
Best for: Medical coverage
Leading travel medical insurance broker offering comprehensive coverage for Thailand visitors. Compare policies from multiple providers with coverage up to $2 million. Plans from 5 days to 364 days ideal for short trips or extended stays. Essential since US health insurance doesn't work in Thailand.
Book activities, attractions, and tours across Thailand with ease. Skip the queues with mobile tickets and enjoy instant confirmation for temples, theme parks, island tours, and unique experiences.
Best for: Activities & attractions
Asia's leading platform for booking activities, attractions, and experiences in Thailand. Skip-the-line tickets for popular attractions, island tours, theme parks, and unique local experiences. Mobile tickets with instant confirmation make exploring Thailand hassle-free.
Best for: Guided tours
TripAdvisor-owned platform with 345,000+ tours and experiences in 200+ countries. Extensive Thailand coverage with authentic TripAdvisor reviews for every booking. Free cancellation up to 24 hours on most tours, expert local guides, and flexible payment options including reserve now, pay later.
Best for: Last-minute bookings
Global marketplace with 150,000+ tours and experiences from 20,000+ supply partners worldwide. Excellent Thailand coverage with skip-the-line access to top attractions, last-minute booking capabilities (even zero-minute cutoffs), and mobile tickets. Premium shows and events available in partnership with major venues.
Start your Thailand journey stress-free with reliable airport transfers. Professional English-speaking drivers greet you upon arrival and take you directly to your destination in comfort.
Best for: Airport arrivals
Professional airport transfer service with English-speaking drivers across Thailand's major cities. Book in advance with fixed prices - no hidden fees. Drivers greet you at arrivals, help with luggage, and provide mini city tour with local recommendations during your transfer. Available at Bangkok (BKK & DMK), Phuket, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and Koh Samui airports.
Compare rental cars from 500+ companies across Thailand. Find the best deals with transparent pricing, flexible cancellation, and comprehensive insurance options for exploring Thailand at your own pace.
Best for: Transparent pricing
Leading car rental comparison platform with 500+ companies across 145 countries. Rated 4.6/5 from 250,000+ reviews on Trustpilot. Transparent pricing includes all mandatory fees, taxes, and extras. Advanced filtering system, cross-border travel support, and 'Full Coverage' insurance much cheaper than buying at the desk. Free cancellation on most bookings.
Stay connected from the moment you land in Thailand with convenient eSIM options. No need to hunt for SIM cards at the airport - activate data on your phone before you even arrive.
Best for: Global travelers
World's first eSIM store with coverage in 200+ destinations. Thailand plans on ultra-fast AIS 5G network with 12 flexible options from 1GB to 50GB (3-30 days). Plans start at $4.50 USD. Install eSIM before departure, activate instantly upon landing. Perfect for multi-country Southeast Asia travel with Discovery+ regional plans.
Best for: Thailand-focused plans
Thailand-focused eSIM provider offering local network coverage. Specialized plans designed specifically for Thailand with competitive data rates. Ideal for longer stays or frequent visitors who want reliable local connectivity without the hassle of physical SIM cards.
Best for: Security-conscious travelers
From the makers of NordVPN, Saily offers secure eSIM data in 200+ destinations with built-in security features. Unique Threat Protection blocks ads and malicious URLs while browsing. Plans start from just $1.89 for 1GB, with local, regional, and global options. Auto top-up keeps you connected without interruption. Use code 'expatsthai' for 5% off.
Stay secure on public WiFi, access UK banking apps and streaming services, and protect your privacy online. A VPN is essential for expats who need to access geo-restricted services from home.
Best for: Streaming & value
Top-rated VPN with excellent speeds, advanced security features, and outstanding streaming performance. Unblocks Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and UK banking apps reliably. Features post-quantum encryption and Threat Protection Pro for enhanced security. Great value with extensive server coverage.
Best for: Password security & convenience
Secure password manager from the makers of NordVPN. Essential for managing multiple passwords across banking apps, government portals, and online services while living in Thailand. Stores unlimited passwords with military-grade encryption and works seamlessly across all devices.
Great for: Ease of use & support
Premium VPN known for consistent speeds and the smoothest user experience. Features proprietary Lightway protocol and unique TrustedServer RAM-only technology for enhanced security. Excellent for streaming and accessing UK services with minimal setup hassle. Superior 24/7 customer support.
These services are widely used and trusted by the expat community in Thailand for their reliability and value.
These tools can save thousands in banking fees, insurance costs, and travel expenses compared to traditional alternatives.
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