Planning a trip to Thailand or settling in as an expat? Your smartphone will be your best companion. With the right apps, you can travel easier, communicate better, and experience Thailand more like a local. Here are 13 must-have apps for 2025 that will help you get around, order food, chat with locals, and stay informed.
All apps listed below are free or freemium, and available for both iOS and Android unless stated otherwise.
1. Grab
Category: Transportation, Food Delivery, Parcel Services
What it’s for: Grab is Southeast Asia’s answer to Uber. Use it to book taxis, motorbike taxis, or order food and send parcels.
Why it’s useful in Thailand: Many taxi drivers don’t speak English and some won’t use the meter. Grab removes the guesswork with fixed pricing and GPS. Leaving reviews on Grab feels great — your voice improves service and rewards good drivers.
💡 Insider tip: Prices may surge during rain and rush hour. Try toggling between GrabCar and JustGrab for better rates. Locals typically avoid ordering food when it’s raining, out of consideration for the delivery drivers.
2. LINE
Category: Messaging, Social, Mobile Payments
What it’s for: LINE is the most widely used communication app in Thailand. It’s used for everything from chatting with friends to contacting local businesses.
Why it’s useful in Thailand: Many hotels, restaurants, and even delivery drivers prefer LINE over traditional phone calls.
💡 Insider tip: You can use LINE QR codes to join restaurant loyalty programs or talk directly with shop owners.
3. LineMan
Category: Food Delivery, Grocery, Parcel
What it’s for: Developed in partnership with LINE, LineMan offers food delivery, taxi services, groceries, and messenger service.
Why it’s useful in Thailand: It often features more local restaurants than Grab, with lower delivery fees.
💡 Insider tip: Set your app language to Thai to unlock more restaurant options (use Google Translate for guidance).
4. 7-Eleven Thailand
Category: Convenience Stores, Loyalty, Delivery
What it’s for: Use this app to order snacks and essentials from 7-Eleven for home delivery or check promotions.
Why it’s useful in Thailand: 7-Eleven stores are on nearly every corner. The app lets you collect All Member points and skip lines.
💡 Insider tip: Delivery is only available in Thai, and you can only pay with TrueMoney Wallet or cash (no PromptPay).
7-Eleven Thailand iOS | Android
5. Google Translate
Category: Language, Travel
What it’s for: Translate signs, menus, and conversations instantly.
Why it’s useful in Thailand: While English is spoken in tourist zones, it’s far less common in smaller towns or with taxi drivers.
💡 Insider tip: Use the camera function to translate street signs and menus in real-time.
Google Translate iOS | Android
6. ViaBus
Category: Public Transport
What it’s for: Real-time tracking of public buses and minivans.
Why it’s useful in Thailand: Bangkok’s bus system can be confusing; ViaBus shows bus numbers, stops, and live locations.
💡 Insider tip: Works best in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Pattaya. Combine with Google Maps for best results.
7. Bolt
Category: Transportation
What it’s for: Another ride-hailing service similar to Grab, but often cheaper.
Why it’s useful in Thailand: Many riders report lower prices and shorter wait times.
💡 Insider tip: Bolt only accepts cash in many areas, so be prepared.
8. TMD Weather or AccuWeather
Category: Weather Alerts
What it’s for: Get forecasts and rain alerts.
Why it’s useful in Thailand: Sudden downpours are common, especially during rainy season.
💡 Insider tip: The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) app is more accurate for local alerts, but has a less polished interface.
9. Shopee
Category: Online Shopping
What it’s for: Buy electronics, household items, and local brands.
Why it’s useful in Thailand: Convenient for getting items that aren’t available in nearby shops.
💡 Insider tip: Deliveries are fast in urban areas. Use Thai language search terms for broader results.
10. XE Currency Converter
Category: Finance, Travel
What it’s for: Convert Thai baht (THB) to your home currency.
Why it’s useful in Thailand: Street vendors, taxis, and markets almost never take card payments.
💡 Insider tip: If you’re exchanging cash in Thailand, check rates at SuperRich branches — often better than banks or airport counters.
11. Lazada
Category: Online Shopping
What it’s for: Similar to Shopee, Lazada is great for online deals on tech, home goods, and personal items.
Why it’s useful in Thailand: Often features exclusive sales and name-brand products.
💡 Insider tip: Lazada frequently has flash sales and mobile-only app discounts.
12. Google Maps
Category: Navigation
What it’s for: Navigate Bangkok and beyond with live traffic updates and walking routes.
Why it’s useful in Thailand: It’s reliable for public transport, walking, and driving directions. Estimated arrival times can be off, especially during Bangkok’s unpredictable traffic jams.
💡 Insider tip: Download areas offline to stay on track even without data coverage.
13. Banking Apps (SCB, KBank, Bangkok Bank, Krungsri)
Category: Finance
What it’s for: Manage your Thai bank account, pay bills, top-up phones, and use PromptPay.
Why it’s useful in Thailand: Essential for expats and long-term visitors to transfer money, scan QR codes, and pay rent or utilities.
💡 Insider tip: SCB Easy and K PLUS (from KBank) have English versions. Bangkok Bank and Bank of Ayudhya (Krungsri) are also widely used. Banks typically require a work permit for foreigners to open an account.
Conclusion
Whether you’re ordering pad kra pao at 2 AM, catching the MRT to Chatuchak, or avoiding a monsoon with a fast weather alert, these 13 apps make daily life in Thailand smoother and smarter.
Want more tips? Explore our full Bangkok Travel Guide, Chiang Mai Travel Guide or Phuket Travel Guide to plan your journey with confidence.
Thailand Insider Guide is your trusted source for expert tips, cultural insights, and travel advice across Thailand.
