Places to see, transport, emergency numbers and the traps to avoid: Thaïlande en poche (“Pocket Thailand”) is a free app based on Mr Schaka’s guidebooks to Bangkok, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Chiang Mai, Isan, Koh Samui, Phuket, Krabi and Secret Thailand. It lives on your phone and works even offline.
Nine destinations: Bangkok, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Chiang Mai, Isan, Koh Samui, Phuket, Krabi and Secret Thailand
The first time you open it, choose your language, then your destination. Each destination has the same sections: places, getting around, getting there from the airport or from Bangkok, where to stay, a three-day itinerary and a quiz on local traps. You can switch destination at any time with the button at the top of the screen.
A free app, no app store needed
Thaïlande en poche installs straight from the website: open mrschaka.com/appli-thailande on your phone and tap “Install”. No account, no ads. Once installed, it stays available offline, even underground on the metro. The app comes in five languages: French, English, Thai, Hindi and Chinese.
What’s inside
- Places to see, with a button that opens Google Maps, Grab or Bolt to get there.
- Getting around: the BTS, MRT and river boat in Bangkok, songthaews in Pattaya and Hua Hin, the ferries between Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, the boats from Phuket to Phi Phi, the longtails from Krabi to Railay, the night trains and boats of Secret Thailand (Koh Lipe, Koh Kood, Kanchanaburi), and the best option for each situation.
- Getting there: from the airport or from Bangkok, by train, bus, minivan, taxi or Grab, with prices and travel times.
- Where to stay: how to choose your neighbourhood.
- Thai phrases to show, and a French ↔ Thai translator.
- A baht ↔ euro converter and the tourist police number (1155).
- A “scam or not?” quiz on the ten most common traps in each destination.
- A three-day itinerary and your saved places.
Why an app?
A guidebook is perfect for planning. Once you’re there, you mostly need quick answers: which train to take, what a taxi should cost, how to say “not spicy”. Thaïlande en poche puts the essentials of Mr Schaka’s guidebooks to Bangkok, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Chiang Mai, Isan, Koh Samui, Phuket, Krabi and Secret Thailand into a format made for the street.
Good to know: information checked in September and October 2026. Entry rules, prices and timetables can change: check official sources before you go.
Before you leave, also read Bangkok in 3 days and getting around Bangkok.
Want to dig deeper?
The app covers the essentials; Mr Schaka’s full guide goes through all 22 chapters: neighbourhoods, sights, transport, budget and etiquette. Available in English.
