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Nowadays, smartphones have become an indispensable companion in our lives. They help us in countless ways every day, and become even more useful when traveling abroad. Travelling to Thailand for the first time? Asia King Travel brings you a list of must-have apps in Thailand to make your trip truly complete.
Traveling abroad has become much easier thanks to travel apps
There’s no need to say much about Google Maps. It’s the best navigation app anywhere. The app shows available routes and guides you to your destination in the fastest way possible, helping you avoid traffic jams or toll roads. It also suggests public transportation options for your journey. Make the most of its offline maps feature by downloading the maps of the places you’ll visit, as mobile data isn’t always reliable.
Google Maps is the best navigation app available today
Another great feature of Google Maps is user reviews of places. Thanks to other people’s feedback, you can find out details like how popular a spot is, ticket prices, and what the experience is like, helping you decide whether it’s worth visiting. It also suggests nearby restaurants and service spots for your convenience.
Grab is not only a must-have ride-hailing app in Thailand but also in many other Southeast Asian countries. It offers a variety of services, including transportation, courier delivery, and food delivery. In Thailand, the Grab app is available entirely in both English and Thai, so you can switch to English for easier booking.
Booking a motorbike taxi through ride-hailing apps is a fast and budget-friendly way to get around big cities
Using Grab is also very simple. To register, you’ll need a Thai SIM card and a valid address in Thailand. When booking a ride, just enter your destination, and the app will calculate the fare and find a driver for you. Most GrabBike vehicles in Thailand are manual or semi-automatic motorcycles, so drivers tend to go quite fast. Be prepared for the ride!
12Go helps you book bus, train, and flight tickets when traveling between provinces. It’s like a “marketplace” for all kinds of transportation. You can book tickets for most popular routes in Thailand as well as cross-border trips to neighboring countries.
A big plus of 12Go for international travelers is its English interface and support for multiple payment methods. When booking, the system shows various operators along with departure times, ticket prices, and customer reviews so you can compare easily. 12Go is a very reliable app, and for many routes, you can simply show your e-ticket to board.
ViaBus was honored by Forbes in its “30 Under 30 Asia” list in 2021. It provides real-time information on public transportation in Thailand, making it easier for you to navigate and track your journeys using public transit.
ViaBus helps you track public bus routes
LINE is the go-to app for Thai people. Its main function is calling and messaging, but it also comes with plenty of handy features like payments, food delivery, ride-hailing, and shopping. When preparing to travel to Thailand, you should download the LINE app in advance to easily communicate with your homestay host or tour guide. If you want budget-friendly food delivery, LINE Man is worth considering, as its delivery fees are sometimes even cheaper than Grab’s.
LINE is the most versatile app to have when you’re in Thailand
Additionally, Facebook and Messenger are quite popular, so you can stay in touch with your Thai friends through them.
No need to take a crash course in Thai before your trip, just use Google Translate to translate menus, signs, or communicate with locals whenever you need. But keep in mind, the translations aren’t always perfect, so it’s best to double-check with ChatGPT.
TrueMoney Wallet lets you pay for almost anything with just a few taps on the app. However, for foreign visitors, only a few features are available, but they’re still enough to cover the essentials for a trip to Thailand.
Many shops and restaurants accept payments via TrueMoney Wallet
LINE Pay is built right into the super app LINE (once you download LINE, you’ve got a billion useful things in one place). It’s super convenient for paying for other services within LINE as well as instantly sending money to friends while chatting.
Similar to TrueMoney Wallet, many features will be limited if your LINE account is registered in another country. If you’re in Thailand short-term, you can use LINE Pay indirectly by paying through LINE Man or booking services via friends or acquaintances who have a local LINE Pay account.
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For foreigners, GrabFood is a more must-have food delivery app in Thailand than LINE Man. The app and menus are available in English, with clear photos and descriptions, making it easy to order and customize your food (less spicy, less sugar, etc.) Plus, there are plenty of discount codes and free delivery offers.
Grab drivers have now become swift room-service providers
Shopee is the largest e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia. True to its slogan, “If it exists, it’s on Shopee,” you can find (almost) anything here. If you can’t find something in stores, try searching on Shopee, you’ll likely find a seller! Delivery times are also improving, and sometimes your order can arrive in less than two days.
Buy everything at a cheaper price on Shopee
Another tourist-friendly e-commerce platform is Lazada. Cosmetics, branded goods, and electronics are often sold here at great prices. With LazMall and Fulfilled by Lazada services, your items will be delivered quickly in major cities.
Agoda is one of the most popular hotel booking apps in Thailand, highly convenient for international travelers thanks to its wide range of payment options. Some hotels even offer a “Pay at hotel” option, perfect for those who are unsure about their schedule. Beyond accommodation, Agoda also lets you book flights, airport transfers, and certain travel activities. Able to plan your entire trip on a single app.
Book your stay in no time with Thailand travel apps
Booking.com is an essential app for any international trip. It offers hundreds of thousands of accommodation options across Thailand, with transparent information, plenty of real photos, and detailed user reviews. A standout advantage of Booking.com in Thailand is its free cancellation policy on many listings, allowing travelers to change their plans flexibly without extra costs.
Klook is especially useful for experiencing activities in Thailand in a flexible, time-saving way. You can book one-day tours in Chiang Mai, ferry tickets to Koh Samui, or combo tickets with transfers to Ayutthaya in just a few minutes. Everything can be booked online, paid instantly, and you’ll receive an e-ticket to use right away. No printing required.
The above are the must-have apps in Thailand to assist your trip to run smoothly. But don’t let FOMO push you into downloading a ton of Thailand travel apps only to end up confused about when to use them. What matters most is your own experience. Sometimes, a little surprise can turn into a cherished memory. Get in touch with Asia King Travel and create unforgettable moments in the Land of Smiles today.
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