Activities

Klook

Whether you fancy taking Shangri-La's five-star dinner cruise down the Chao Phraya River or are looking to take a day tour of Thailand's ancient capital Ayutthaya, this is the ultimate app for discovering experiences and attractions across Thailand. On top of all that, they’ve got you covered for everything from airport transfers to SIM cards, portable WiFi devices and metro passes—all of which your driver can bring to you on collection. The best part? Everything comes at a discount and everything has been vetted by the app’s creators and rated by its users so you can rest assured you’re getting the best of the best. Last minute travelers can look out for the lightning bolt icon, which indicates items that are available for instant booking.

Free download available on both iPhone and Android.

Travel

Grab

Bangkok’s multifarious transport system is notoriously difficult to navigate and unfortunately hailing a cab is often an unpleasant experience for tourists thanks to drivers demanding astronomical off-meter fares. Enter Grab, your new favorite taxi booking service. Much like Uber, you simply download the app, create a profile and then request a ride. You can track your driver in real time, see your set fare and even hail motorbike taxis. Another plus: there’s no need to attach your card to your account as cash payment is an option. Grab is available in destinations across Thailand.

Free download available on both iPhone and Android.

Food

Eatigo

If you love food and you love a deal, then be sure to download Eatigo, which offers huge discounts of up to 50% during non-peak dining hours at restaurants in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Pattaya. This may not be the app for discovering hidden gems, but if you’re looking for a bargain buffet at one of the city’s top hotels, then this is for you.

Free download available on both iPhone and Android.

Chope

Available in both Bangkok and Phuket, Chope not only offers great discounts (usually B500 off a B1,000 spend) at numerous restaurants, it is also continually updated with the newest and hippest venues. With every table booking you make, you can also earn Chope-Dollars, which can be converted into freebies and credit to be spent at participating venues.

Free download available on both iPhone and Android.

Foodpanda

If you’re hotel-bound with jet lag or a hangover and can’t bear to face the great outdoors, then look no further than Foodpanda to handle all your food delivery needs. The app is available in 10 areas across Thailand including Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Pattaya, covering many top local restaurants and in some cases even street food.

Free download available on both iPhone and Android.

EatMatch

Founded in Bangkok, this handy app is your gateway to the city's best local eats, through a local's eyes. It allows you to connect with over 1,000 locals willing to take you to their favorite restaurants, with one caveat: you foot the bill. Match with someone who's available, set your budget and voila! You have the opportunity to not only make foodie discoveries—regardless of what language the menu's in—but also to chat and make friends with a local over dinner.

Free download available on both iPhone (full version) and Android (limited version).

Communication

Learn Thai

When traveling in a foreign country, it never hurts to have a few phrases up your sleeve, not least in case of an emergency. This language app is divided into various sections, including directions, food, numbers, emergencies and more, each of which has a comprehensive list of phrases written in both Thai and English accompanied by recordings to help with pronunciation.

Free download available on both iPhone and Android.

Cover Image: Wat Arun, Bangkok. Credit: Preecha.MJ / Wikimedia Commons