Day 14: Thailand in winter – 30 days visa-free, Digital Arrival Card and vape ban

Vanessa is a fictional character created by Reiseblase. Her stories are made up – we check facts, rules and advice against official sources.

No sooner does it turn grey and wet outside than the same question lands on the desk at our travel agency: “Vanessa, where is it really warm in December?” Right at the top of my clients’ wish list at the moment is one destination: Thailand. Bangkok, the islands, street food stalls – I listen to their plans and secretly dream along with them.

This week a young couple came to see me, both with a big backpacking plan: first Bangkok, then Chiang Mai, followed by three weeks of island-hopping. Almost seven weeks in total. When I asked how long you’re actually allowed to stay without a visa, there was a brief silence. That’s exactly when it’s worth checking the current rules, because they’ve just changed.

Another client told me after she got back that she’d almost forgotten an important online form before she left – luckily, her sister reminded her the evening before. I’ve summarised below what it is and what else you should sort out.

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Back to the couple: in the end, they trimmed their route a little. And they now know that an extension has to be applied for in good time while they’re there – not on the last day.

A client who likes vaping simply wanted to take his e-cigarette along. I strongly advised against it, because in Thailand this is no trivial offence.

And a family with two children asked about Koh Samui over Christmas. I told them honestly: for that part of the country it’s worth keeping a close eye on the weather, because that’s exactly where it can rain heavily in winter.

My checklist for Thailand in winter

  • Passport: An ID card is not enough. Your passport, provisional passport or child’s passport must still be valid for at least six months on entry. (1)
  • Length of stay: Since 15 September 2026, visa-free tourist entry has been limited to a maximum of 30 days. A one-off extension of up to 30 days is possible, but must be applied for at the Immigration Bureau before your stay expires. If you’re planning a longer trip, ask a Thai diplomatic mission about a tourist visa. (1)
  • Digital Arrival Card (TDAC): It is completed online free of charge at tdac.immigration.go.th, no earlier than three days before arrival; the paper form has been dropped. (1) It applies to all foreign passport holders. (2) My tip: only use the official website and take a screenshot of the confirmation.
  • Cash and return flight: If you enter without a visa or on a tourist visa, you may be asked to show at least 20,000 THB (approx. 550 EUR) per person or 40,000 THB (approx. 1,100 EUR) per family in cash; spot checks do happen. Also keep your return or onward ticket to hand. (1)
  • Leave e-cigarettes at home: Importing, possessing and using them is prohibited. Offenders face heavy fines or up to five years in prison. (1)
  • Stay away from drugs: Even small amounts can lead to long prison sentences. Since June 2025, cannabis may only be sold for medical purposes and with a doctor’s prescription. (1)
  • Health: There are no compulsory vaccinations for direct entry from Germany; hepatitis A is among the recommended ones. Dengue can occur all year round across the whole country – so protect yourself consistently against mosquitoes, day and night. Get travel health advice in good time. (1)
  • Weather: November to April is the dry season. However, in the south-east of the peninsula, for example on Koh Samui, there can be heavy rain from November to January. (1)
  • Avoid the border area with Cambodia: The German Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt) warns against travel to the area within 20 km of the border; the border crossings are closed. (1)

My conclusion: for many of my clients, Thailand is the perfect escape from the German winter – provided passport, length of stay and arrival card are sorted in advance. And so you’re not left without signal after landing: Thailand is outside the EU, so it’s worth looking into mobile data before you travel. You’ll find more in my guide to eSIMs on holiday (Advertisement).

See you tomorrow,
Vanessa

Please note: This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Rules can change – please check the latest official information before you travel.

Sources

  1. German Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt): Thailand: Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise (as of 24.10.2026, unchanged since 28.09.2026; accessed on 24.10.2026)
  2. Royal Thai Government (thailand.go.th): Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC): A Seamless and Secure Digital Registration System for Traveling Across Thailand (as of 28.05.2025; accessed on 24.10.2026)

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