Essential Thailand Travel Tips

Are you ready for some essential Thailand travel tips?

You can travel to Thailand and "wing" it as I did the first time and learn as you go, but why do that when you can get most of your travel advice to Thailand right here.

First off, don't worry; you're most likely safer in Bangkok and Thailand in general than in most Western cities. My friend lived in Thailand for 6 years, came back to see his parents in Houston for two weeks and got mugged at the ATM. I came back from Thailand after 4 years and just after 2 months of living in the States my apartment got broken into. However, nothing like this ever happened to me in Thailand. The most common thing you'll probably run into is petty cheating or lying. The country does have political problems on occasion but if you stay away from rallies and such during those times you'll be fine.

You'll find pretty much find all you need here or at least links to get you to the places you need to be. So sit back and get ready to learn something.

Travel Advice to Thailand

Technically you don't need shots to visit Thailand but visit the health section to gain some general tips.

There are many holidays in Thailand (official and unofficial) so if you come at certain times of the year you may be surprised to find some businesses closed. For a full list of Thailand holidays click here.

Thailand weather is mostly hot even in the rainy season. The rainy season is from July to October but I never thought it was too bad. However, Bangkok and Pattaya do get flooded on occasion and many roads will become unusable. It's hottest from March to June. November through February is the cool dry season. For a full report of Thailand weather, click here.

Money

Carry a good amount of small Thai baht, 20's, 50's and 100's as many stores, vendors and taxi drivers may not have small change.

Don't forget to save your receipts on major purchases for a VAT Tax refund when you leave the country.

Make sure you get a metered taxi. The meter should be running when the car moves. If not the price could be anything once you arrive. Sometimes the driver won't turn on the meter for long distance, that's fine but make sure you both agree on a price.

Tipping was not so common in Thailand years ago but it is becoming more accepted and expected. You'll notice that Thais themselves are not very good tippers, usually only leaving some loose change. Thais will also try and convince you not too tip too much.

Thailand mostly uses 220 volts. Most of the West is 110. Most laptops have built in 220/110 volt transformer, it's that big black box in the middle of your power cord. For a laptop all you'll need is a little plug adapter as yours most likely won't fit into the Thai socket. You can buy those at Radio Shack in the U.S. or at Pantip in Thialand or you can get adapters and transformers very cheap here. Some Thai hotels provide these but most do not. To view the Thai socket look at this page and view socket I and K.

You will most likely need a transformer for things like hair dryers and such as they don't come with a built in transformer. Also grounding is not one of Thailand's strong points but I've only had minor problems with that. If you get an adapter or transformer as mentioned above then you should be fine.

Tourist Police are a good start to getting problems resolved. Just don't forget to tip them if things go well.

Getting Around

Soi means street, it also means beautiful. Even numbered soi's are on one side of the street and odd on the other. However, be careful as you can have soi 52 on one side and soi 81 on the other. I can't tell you how many times I've had to back track.

Disabled people will have a difficult time getting around Thailand. Thais are helpful but the country just isn't built well for the handicapped.

Wash your hands every chance you get or bring hand sanitizer.

Food from the street vendors is generally safe but still use caution. The best thing to do if your unsure is to ask an expat as they know which vendors are safe and which are not.

You can always find someone who speaks some English but there will be on occasion communication problems. The best thing to do is learn a little Thai language before you leave.

When mentioning the King or the Royal Family talk with absolute respect.

If you happen to go to a theater in Thailand you will no doubt watch a short clip about the monarchy before the movie starts. At this time you should stand at it will tell you and sit once over. If you don't do this you will look out of place.

Wai (Thai bowing with hands in prayer form) is only given to those equal or higher than you. Do not wai the door person even if they wai you, a noticed head nod is sufficed.

Thailand plays the national anthem everyday on loud speaker across every town at 8am upon raising the flag and again at 6pm upon lowering. When you hear the music play you should stand still as all other people will do and move again once the anthem stops.

Women are not allowed to touch monks.

All Buddhist images, large or small are considered sacred.

Don't touch the head of anyone as the head is sacred in Buddhism.

Don't show the bottom of your feet to anyone as that is considered dirty and disrespectful.

People selling what looks like mini-flower necklaces are for Buddhist prayers not personal use.

Need more travel tips to Thailand? Take a look at all my web pages and I'm sure you'll find more answers.

Thailand Fun Facts

Did you know that the full name of Bangkok is the longest place name in the world according the Guinness Book of World Records?

The name is more like the history of the city rather than a word. Here is the full name:

Krungthepmahanakornamornratanakosinmahintara
yutthayamahadilokphopnopparatraj
athaniburiromudomrajaniwesmahasatharnamornphimar
navatarnsathitsakkattiyavisanukamprasit.

(I had to break up the full name because it was so long that the HTML would have had the page running too far off to the right!)

What classic movie was Democracy Monument in? Hint: it contained an evil henchman named "tattoo" in another television series (answer on bottom of page).

The Indians and Chinese called Thailand, Siam or Suvarnabhumi, and that means land of gold.

The year in Thailand is 2553 as of 2010 A.D. in the West. To find the exact year between the two just add or subtract 543. The new year is recognized on Jan 1st but the celebration festival of Songkran New Year (the date Buddha was enlightened) happens on April 13th.

Many Thais from the country side eat bugs. You'll see beautiful girls buying ants, grasshoppers and such from street vendors to snack on.

Beer Chang is a mixed bag so be careful. One beer might be weak and the next very strong. If you're not careful it will fool you and you'll be knocked on your butt.

Beer Singha is just pronounced Sing.

Thais LOVE blond hair blue eyed people, especially babies and children. There are also many reliable maid services available so don't be afraid to bring your children. However, the walking paths in Bangkok are very narrow so strollers in the city can be a headache.

Thais have a great deal of respect for elders or people in positions of power, too bad I'm neither, lol!

Thais usually have a nickname that means a variety of things. My wife's is Wai which is Thai bowing. Others might have name's like gift, joy, koon (meaning shrimp), or other things.

A Thai may call another Thai their sister or brother but sometimes they really are not. It is just a way of expressing that they are as close as family but many times it can be confusing as to who is who.

Answer for above question: for classic movie with Democracy Monument in it, James Bond: The Man with The Golden Gun.

A few closing statements. Thailand and its people are relaxed, fun, free spirited, family oriented, tolerant, polite and avoid conflict if at all possible but remember NO place is perfect but I believe Thailand is as good as it gets.

Again for the BEST essential Thailand travel tips and facts read through all these pages.

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