More Thailand Info
- Cash is King–The currency in Thailand is the Thai Baht (pronounced “bot”) and at the time of writing, the conversion rate was about 1 THB = 27¢ USD or $1 USD = 37.35 THB. And unless you’re spending your entire vacation holed up in a luxury resort, you’ll be hard-pressed to find very many establishments that take a credit card. But don’t worry, there are plenty of ATMs at the airport and around town so there’s no reason to get cash before actually landing in Thailand. We highly recommend having a debit card that will refund your international ATM fees (talk to your bank). You’ll want small cash for street food/purchases/tips).
- Friendly, good-natured bargaining is expected and welcomed, and if you have fun with it, the Thais will too. When you’re quoted the first price, they often find it funny if you respond with a shocked look and say “pang!” Or more like “paaaaaaang!” which means “expensive” in the Thai language. They’ll usually laugh, shake their head no, and respond “my pang!” meaning “not expensive.” At that point, you can respond with a cheaper price, and hopefully, you meet somewhere in the middle. Negotiations can get stressful – especially if you really want something and they won’t budge on the price. Never get angry and remember that you’re probably only haggling over a couple of dollars. If you really want it, just buy it, otherwise, walk away.
- Eat with your spoon and not your fork; the spoon in your right hand, fork is in your left. Use the fork to push food onto your spoon and put the spoon in your mouth. Do not ask for a pair of chopsticks if they are not provided. The Thais only use chopsticks to eat Chinese-style noodles in a bowl. Pad Thai, Pad See Ew, Pad Kee Mao, Rad Na or any other noodle dish served in a flat plate will also be eaten with fork and spoon. Do not ask for a knife. Everything in Thai food is normally bite-sized.
- The best-dressed woman on any given train, boat, or sidewalk is probably a ladyboy. Hanging out with a hot girl? Are you sure? There are lots of transgender people in Thailand, and it’s impossible to travel around here without hearing about the “ladyboys”. The ladyboys are so pretty that you can’t figure out if it is a he or she. Thus, just make sure the gender of the “lady” is right for you when you are willing to hang out with her/him. In most cities in Thailand, ladyboy cabaret shows are very popular and highly recommended, because they allow you to get an insight into its special culture.
- Carry your own tissues and hand sanitizer if you’re not comfortable air drying or using a spray hose next to a squat toilet. Most places we went had “Western” toilets (sometimes called “sitting toilets”), but you’ll encounter a fair share of squat toilets, too.
- Show respect for Thai customs by greeting others with the Wai (placing hands palms together at your chest and bowing your head). Don’t shake hands unless the other person initiates the handshake. If you get invited into a Thai home, remove your shoes before you enter and avoid pointing the soles of your feet towards another person.
- To say “hello” if you’re a woman, it sounds like “saw-wad-i kaaaa” (and they really drag out the kaaaaa with a nasal intonation). And if you’re a man it sounds like “saw-wad-i kap“. To say “thank you” as a woman, you’ll say “ka-pune-kaaaaa” (again with the long kaaaaa and nasal intonation). And similarly, for a man, you’ll say “ka-pune-kap“.
- Don’t drink the water. Buy bottles of water from street vendors for about ten cents a pop. Or buy beer on the street for a dollar a bottle. Wash your hands before eating, stick to busy eating establishments and be cautious of ice, unwashed or unpeeled fruit and uncooked vegetables. If you become unwell, seek out private hospitals in larger cities rather than public hospitals.
- Do not feed the monkeys. You’ll come across plenty of monkey-filled beaches in Thailand. These animals are cute, clever, and definitely cool to see up close. That does not mean you should feed them. Feeding the monkeys means they become less able to find food on their own, making them vulnerable in the wild. It also means that they’ll associate people with food. It’s not uncommon to see monkeys steal bags, clothing and more from tourists in hopes of finding food. These monkeys become less cute when they are tearing your purse apart. Remember these are wild animals. Monkeys bite, and unless you had your rabies shot and there’s a hospital nearby, an enjoyable experience could quickly turn into something very dangerous.
- Bug spray should replace your perfume or cologne while in Thailand. Be sure to have a travel-size spray with you at all times. You never know when a bloodthirsty mosquito is going to be out for dinner.
- “Mai pen rai.” You will hear this phrase very often while on your travels. It translates as “everything is OK” or “don’t worry” and is the go-to saying when something goes wrong. But there is more to it than that. Mai pen rai is a perfect representation of Thailand as a whole. People here are very easygoing, and they are resilient in the face of adversity.
- Get your jabs before you go. You’ve probably already been jabbed for COVID-19, but most doctors also recommend vaccination against tetanus and hepatitis A. Also consider a rabies shot – dogs, cats and monkeys can all carry the viral disease. Malaria is present along the borders with Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Malaysia. If you visit these regions, use anti-malarial prophylaxis such as atovaquone/proguanil or doxycycline.
- Understanding Buddhist manners in Thailand. Some 95% of Thais are Buddhist, and the national religion weaves through every aspect of life. To show proper respect, remove footwear before entering any Buddhist structure, and wear clothing that covers the shoulders and upper arms and upper legs. Never point the soles of your feet towards any Buddhist image (or monk), and don’t touch Buddha statues on the head. Give way to monks when walking on footpaths, and don’t sit next to them on public transport. It is also taboo for a woman to touch a monk or their belongings. It is also considered very impolite to point your feet at anyone, ESPECIALLY if you point your feet at Buddha. You’ll see people seated at temples with their legs bent to one side and their feet facing away from Buddha. You should also never prop your feet up on a table or another chair.
- Respect the king of Thailand or else! The Thais take respect for the monarchy extremely seriously, and lèse-majesté (maligning the royal family) is a criminal offense. Never show disrespect towards the monarch or depictions of the royal family (including on money).
- There are a few scams that are prevalent in Thailand that you’ll need to be aware of before your trip. Most of them are what you’d expect in any large city so as long as you keep your wits about you and use common sense, you’ll be just fine. When you’re walking around Bangkok, especially near the Grand Palace, you may be approached by a seemingly friendly local who asks where you’re going. When you tell them your destination they’ll say, “oh it’s closed today” or “you’re not dressed appropriately to enter,” and then offer to take you to another attraction. They are lying because they want to act as your very costly tour guide. Just ignore them and continue on your way to your original destination.
- You should never get into a cab or a tuk-tuk without first agreeing to a price. Unfortunately, the cab drivers in Bangkok are especially unwilling to put tourists on the meter (even in areas around the mall that are strictly meant for metered taxis). If you just want the thrill of riding a tuk-tuk once, just be sure to negotiate the price ahead of time. But we’d recommend skipping both altogether and downloading the Grab app (iPhone | Android) – it’s the Uber of Southeast Asia.
- With Grab, you just set your pick-up and drop-off points and the app shows you your ride price. You can pay in cash or add your credit card details to the app. We would recommend downloading it before you even arrive in Thailand. This way you can use it as soon as you land in Bangkok. If you want to play it safe, just use the Grab app to call a GrabTaxi – you’ll be guaranteed to be put on the meter and you won’t have to worry about paying cash.
- Smuggling drugs (including marijuana) across Thailand’s borders carries the death penalty. If you take any prescription medicines, check that these are allowed into Thailand before you travel. And carry them in the prescription bottle.
- Be aware that some bars, restaurants, and karaoke venues are fronts for sex work – warning signs include red or pink strip lights, large numbers of skimpily dressed female staff and lots of foreign male customers. Avoid ping pong shows, they end with live sex onstage, strip clubs where the girls wear numbers so you can easily choose the one you want, and massages with happy endings. These girls are generally not engaging in this industry of their own free will and are not being treated well. If “Happy” is on the name of the business, sex is involved.
- Avoid “Happy” drinks, they are spiked with ‘shrooms.
- Unfortunately, purse snatching, and pickpocketing are becoming more common, especially in Bangkok. Motorbikes will often speed by unwitting tourists and either yank their purses off their arms or cut through the strap. If you choose to carry a purse, opt for a crossbody bag and wear it in front of your body. If you prefer to keep your valuables in your pocket, it’s best to choose shorts or pants with pockets that button close. And always keep your passport safe.
- Thai massage is an amazing worldwide famous skill. It is a full-body massage, starting from your head to your toes, and it is regarded as a great way to soothe the aches and pains, as well as relieving the stress of a busy day. Secondly, it’s amazingly cheap. A good massage will cost you only 1,000 BHT (about $26.77 USD)! Getting a massage treatment in Thailand is a wonderful experience that everyone should try at least once. Avoid massage parlors with signs that read “nice girls,” “happy girls,” or just any mention of girls or women. Unless you are actively looking for a brothel.
- Be aware that export any kind of Buddha images and statues is forbidden by law. But they are for sale everywhere and customs usually does not enforce it. Just be aware if they do confiscate any buddha objects you might have bought.
Packing List
- Passport along with a couple photocopies of it
- Flip-flops/sandals/crocs
- Walking shoes/good sneakers (you don’t need hiking boots)
- Water shoes
- Swimsuit
- Hoodie/sweater/jacket
- Scarf or sarong (for visiting temples to cover arms and legs)
- Rain poncho/jacket
- Leak proof reusable travel bottles for toiletries
- Mosquito repellent
- Calamine/Anti-itch lotion
- Hand sanitizer
- Toilet paper/tissues
- Reef safe sunscreen
- Lip balm
- Aloe Vera or After Sun
- Ibuprofen
- Imodium/Pepto
- Hydro flask
- Waterproof bag
- Travel adapter
- Power bank
- Charger cords/plugs
- Daypack/fanny pack/money belt
- Quick drying towel
- Sunglasses w/ neck cord
- Shorts
- T-shirts/lightweight blouses
- Long sleeve t-shirts/blouses (mosquitos)
- Lightweight slacks
- You don’t need to pack fancy clothes
- Leave your perfume/cologne at home (mosquitos)