City guide

Railay Beach

7 places we recommend in Railay Beach, Thailand — 4 restaurant, 3 bar.

Practical info — Thailand

Currency: Thailand's currency is the Thai baht, written as ฿ and coded THB. Cash still rules outside of Bangkok's malls and hotels, so keep a stash of smaller notes for markets, songthaews and street food stalls — many small vendors can't break a 1,000-baht bill.
Language: Thai is the official language, and outside the tourist hubs it's genuinely the only one you'll hear. English is widely understood in hotels, restaurants and shops around Bangkok, Chiang Mai and the main island destinations, but a few Thai phrases — even just "sawasdee" (hello) and "khob khun" (thank you) — go a long way and are always appreciated.
Visa: As Swedish (EU) passport holders, you can currently enter Thailand visa-free for tourism, with a stay of up to 60 days under the visa exemption for EU nationals — extendable once for a further 30 days at an immigration office. You'll also need a passport valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date, and everyone now has to complete the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online within 72 hours before landing. Thai authorities have signalled a possible move to a shorter 30-day exemption, so this is a check-before-you-book situation — confirm current requirements with the Royal Thai Embassy in Stockholm or your airline shortly before travel.
Power: Thailand's sockets are a genuine mixed bag — Type A, B, C, F and the Thailand-specific Type O are all in use, sometimes in the same building. Most modern hotels have universal sockets that accept both two-flat-pin and two-round-pin plugs without an adapter, but it's still worth packing a compact multi-plug travel adapter to be safe. · Thailand runs on 220–230V at 50Hz, close enough to Sweden's standard that your Swedish chargers and appliances will work fine without a voltage converter — you'll just need a plug adapter if the socket shape doesn't match.
Best time: The sweet spot is November through February, once the monsoon rains have cleared and temperatures sit at their most pleasant — this is peak season for good reason, so book popular islands and beach towns ahead. If you don't mind more heat or the odd downpour, the shoulder months can still deliver great trips, especially since the Andaman and Gulf coasts run on slightly different rain schedules, so there's usually good weather somewhere.
Safety: Thailand is, on the whole, a relaxed and welcoming place to travel, and violent crime against tourists is rare. The everyday things worth watching for are petty theft in crowded areas, overpriced tuk-tuk rides and the odd overly persistent gem or tailor scam — agree prices upfront and walk away from anything that feels too good to be true. One current exception: the Thailand–Cambodia border region has seen real unrest, so avoid border areas in provinces like Sa Kaeo, Surin and Ubon Ratchathani, and check local news before any trip near there.

Tipping isn't obligatory but is increasingly appreciated for good service — rounding up taxi fares, leaving 20–50 baht for hotel porters or housekeeping, and adding a little extra at restaurants without a service charge all go down well. Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered) when visiting temples, and keep in mind that feet are considered the "lowest" part of the body, so avoid pointing them at people or Buddha images and never touch anyone's head. Bargaining is normal at markets and with unmetered transport, but keep it good-humoured — a few baht rarely matters as much to you as it does to the seller.