The practical phone setup
You do not need 30 Thailand apps. These are the ones I would put on a friend’s phone before he landed in Bangkok—and what each one is actually for.
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This is the everyday app: airport rides, cars across town, and food when you are too tired to figure dinner out. Add your payment method before landing if you can.
Before you use it: Check GrabUnlimited if you will use Grab often. Grab advertises a three-month trial for new members; eligibility, limits and renewal terms apply. Compare the benefits you will actually use before subscribing.
GrabUnlimited terms ↗
Bolt can be cheaper than Grab depending on the hour and neighborhood. Keep both installed, compare the price, then take whichever makes sense.
Before you use it: A lower quote is not useful if the wait is much longer. Compare arrival time too.
Pick a restaurant, choose a time slot, and the discount changes with the hour—sometimes up to 50% off the food bill. This is how you try a nicer hotel buffet or restaurant without paying the full tourist-night price.
Before you use it: Be on time and read the restaurant conditions. Drinks, set meals, and other promotions are usually excluded, and your booking needs the right number of people.
Eatigo booking policy ↗
One of the obvious places to meet women before or during the trip. Do not waste days texting. Be normal, say what you are looking for, and confirm plans clearly.
Before you use it: Never send money to someone you have not met. Meet in public first and respect a no.
A lot of people and businesses use LINE instead of standard texting. It is worth setting up before the trip so exchanging contact details takes seconds.
Before you use it: Set your display name and profile photo so people remember who you are.
LINE is more local, but tourists, hotels, and international contacts often use WhatsApp. Having both prevents pointless communication problems.
Before you use it: Turn on two-step verification before traveling.
I like the conversation feature because you can talk back and forth, or just hand somebody your phone and let them speak into it. The camera is also clutch when a sign or menu is only in Thai.
Before you use it: Download Thai if it is available in your app, then test a typed translation in airplane mode. Offline text is a useful backup; do not assume every voice feature works without data.
Google offline instructions ↗
Use it to find casual sports, language exchanges, games, and social groups. It gives you something structured to do and a way to meet people naturally.
Before you use it: Check recent attendance and comments; a group existing does not mean its events are active.
Compare Wise with your existing bank for conversions and transfers. Features, card eligibility and fees depend on where you live and your account. Arrange a backup payment method too.
Before you use it: Check eligibility for your country of residence and complete verification before traveling. An app download does not guarantee access to a card or currency balances.
Wise card eligibility ↗
Baht starts feeling like arcade money after a few drinks. A converter makes the real cost obvious before a casual purchase turns into a surprise.
Before you use it: Use it as a reality check, but your bank or card may use a slightly different rate.
Link note: these are official App Store and Google Play links. No paid app placements are included. Feature and eligibility notes were checked against the linked providers on 7 September 2026; confirm the offer shown in your own app.
Before the wheels come down
Unlock it. Make sure your phone accepts a Thai SIM or eSIM before leaving home.
Do not depend on one card. Bring a second payment method and some cash.
Save the boring stuff. Save your hotel address and reservation offline. Keep any ID backup protected, away from shared albums.
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