If you’re planning a trip to the Land of Smiles in the near future, make sure you register for travel insurance before you go.
You can also check out the guide book I used while in Thailand, as well as my list of essential items for backpackers!
In some ways, Thailand is where this whole crazy blog began. While by no means my first international adventure, my time in Bangkok was the first time I truly felt outside of my comfort zone.
Traveling to Asia brought me the kind of adrenaline rush that Western Europe or the Caribbean just hadn’t given me.
While I’ve been living with a severe case of Wanderlust since the age of 12, my trip to Thailand reignited my need to travel with a vengeance.
Today I wanted to share with you a list of things you should know before going to Thailand. I was aware of some of these before I arrived in Bangkok, while others were a more of a shocking surprise once I got there.
Ready?
39 Things You Need to Know Before Traveling to Thailand
One
Eat off your spoon, not your fork. Eating directly off a fork is considered crude; instead, use your fork to push food onto your spoon.
Two
Yes, the people really are *that* nice. Don’t be surprised if strangers offer you advice or strike up a conversation with you.
Three
People don’t stand in lines. This took me a few days (and many long waits for the ladies room) to figure out. Instead of queuing up, Thais form a crowd. Stand your ground, and get used to a lack of personal space in public places. It is good to know this before you visit Thailand.
Four
Take tuk-tuks during the day and taxis at night. Taxis are more comfortable, but tuk-tuks give you a better view. Both are terrifying.
If you go to Patpong road at night (Bangkok’s equivalent of the Red Light District), ask your taxi to come back and pick you up at a certain time. Otherwise, you’ll have a hard time fighting all the other drunk people to find a ride back to your hotel.
Five
Don’t talk about the king. Seriously, not a word.
This is very important for Thailand travel.
Six
Gambling is only permitted on certain days (by order of the king, whom you are still not talking about, right?). Hit up the horse tracks on a pro-gambling day for an awesome experience. Prepare for lots of yelling, drunk people, and general debauchery.
Seven
Eat as many mangoes as you possibly can when you travel to Thailand. The mangoes in Thailand are the most delicious in the world.
Eight
Cover up your elbows and knees when visiting temples, wats, monasteries, palaces, etc. I’d recommend bringing along a light jacket or cover-up even on days when a temple isn’t on the itinerary — you never know when you’ll stumble across a beautiful wat you’ll want to check out!
Nine
Many of the popular beer brands also make bottled water. If you order a “Chang” or “Singha,” the waitress will likely respond “Chang beer?” to clarify. Make it easy by ordering “Chang water” or “Singha beer” to begin with.
As a side note, I’ve tried doing this in Thai restaurants back home and I just get weird looks. Go figure.
Ten
Don’t take a taxi driver’s word on it if they say an attraction or site is closed for the day; many times they will use this tactic to try to “suggest” other destinations which earn them a commission. If in doubt, just thank them for the information and ask another driver.
Eleven
Use public transportation. The BTS (Subway) and MRT (Light Rail) are cheap, convenient, and fast. You can get just about anywhere using these systems and they are really easy to use.
The maps make sense, the token system is efficient and simple, and the trains are kept very clean. Get a day pass to save extra money.
Twelve
You will see some roaches. Some days I saw none, other days they were crawling over my feet while I was trying to drink a mojito. Yeah, they are a little gross, but it’s not a deal-breaker. Better than rats, am I right?
Thirteen
The best-dressed woman on any given train, boat, or sidewalk is probably a ladyboy. I say this without meaning offense to Thai women, who are absolutely gorgeous, but as a compliment to the styling prowess of ladyboys.
Fourteen
Stay in a five-star hotel when visiting Thailand. You’ll be hard pressed to find a better deal at a top-of-the-line hotel than in Thailand.
We stayed in some fabulous hotels for around $100/night — some came with our own private infinity pools.
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I like your post. I’m a Thai guy and would like to help you about Thailand, anyway my English language isn’t perfect but I will try to help you.
Hi! Can you please help me, I’m planning to visit thailand bangkok this friday. Where can we find a cheap place? We are 5 or more. and where can we find a place with many jewelry and accessories and clothes at cheap price?
I loved this post!! I’m going to Thailand for the first time next week and I’m glad I read this! Thank you! I think these advises will help me a lot while my staying in Thailand 🙂 I’ll definitely taste the Thai croissants then to see if they’re better than here in France where I’m at the moment, haha!
I spent just over a month in Thailand and traveled to both the North and South of the country. Most of these points are accurate but I feel they don’t reflect the common traveler. Many who travel to Thailand are 21-30 years old and don’t stay in 5 star establishments. That being said its important to note some key factors about Thailand.
– Thailand’s markets in every town haven’t changed in thousands of years. They are all open markets with no refrigeration. Always be wary when ordering meat whether fish or seafood regardless whether you’r in a restaurant or not.
– If you are in Thailand for a period of time you will get sick. Despite all your precautions. Make sure to bring pharmaceutical supplies in preparation. Don’t go to a doctor if you know what ails you. Many pharmacists can give out medication without a prescription.
-In Thailand it is a must that you must surrender your passport in order to rent a scooter. Be wary especially on the island destinations of Koa Tao, Koa Samui, Koa Penyang. Its wise to use trip adviser to research a scooter rental place beforehand to make sure there hasn’t been any cases. They will often invent damage or some problem with the scooter and blame you for it. They have been known to withhold your passport until payment is given( I myself was only one of the many unfortunate victims in Koa Tao). Allot of these islands are so small they do’t have tourist police or any official police force so these scams continue without any proper way to report them.
– Many Thia are touchy. They like to shake hands and hold your arm. I even witnessed during a burlesque show a scene where one of the acts put her finger in tourists mouth for a picture. The guy shook it off but you could tell he was disturbed. Its not uncommon for the act or show to sneak a kiss for a picture.
– Ask the right questions. How much to sit down, how much to drink, is transport included in the price for both there AND back. How much to get in, some place I heard rumors even that they have charged people to leave. Its more important to ask these questions in Cambodia and Vietnam then in Thailand but always do so to prevent any unknown expenses.
Overall a great experience but if you know what to expect and avoid the trip is all the better.
Wow, thanks so much for contributing to this post, Brad! I’m so jealous that you got to spend an entire month there – I just watched the Anthony Bourdain “Parts Unknown” episode where he went to Chiang Mai with Andy Ricker and about died from envy.
I’d say the ladyboy comment is offensive to the women living in Thailand, I have Thai blood in me, and I live here, and I do dress well, and I am a lady by birth, ladyboys in Thailand dress like prostitutes in Thais people opinion, and some ladyboys work normal jobs and can’t afford clothes that look that great so, don’t go generalising like that in a public blog, it gives people the wrong idea. And yeah you sound st*pid.
Hi, Anna – thanks for pointing this out! You’re absolutely right that generalizations are hurtful, and I certainly don’t mean to insinuate that Thai women are not beautiful. We have a significant number of men who dress “like women” here in Portland, and I would make a similar statement about how I perceive them – that they put WAY more effort into looking ‘presentable’ than I do, and many times look simple immaculate. I’m afraid I may be missing an important part of the story here, in that I didn’t feel like the ladyboys I saw looked like prostitutes, maybe because I’m so used to people here in the U.S. dressing in whatever clothing makes them feel comfortable. I only meant to point out that the ladyboys I saw looked very beautiful!
Great list! Brings back such great memories 🙂
Though I’d suggest avoiding any zoo that keeps animals in poor conditions. Instead, check out Safari World on the outskirts of Bangkok. You can get a taxi there, and most of the animals roam relatively free in very large enclosures. Plus you get to hand-feed giraffes! Doesn’t get any better than that!!
Totally agree, Jess!!