Thailand has a reputation for being a popular place for tourists to visit, and rightly so. The reputation is well deserved. There is an amazing amount to see when you get there, the hassles are limited and there are signs and menus that are written in English as much as they are anywhere else.
The best part is that no matter what time it is that you plan to visit or go to an attraction during the day or the night, you’ll always be able to get around easily. Of course, as with any location, there are some things that you’d need to know to make sure that your trip is safe, happy, and memorable for all the right reasons and not the wrong ones. Let’s take a look at our top tips for visiting Thailand.
Plan everything in advance. No matter where you’re traveling to, you need to get yourself prepared as early as possible. For example, getting to know any of the local phone numbers for attractions for emergency services and hospitals and get those noted down physically in a notepad or on your phone are really going to help. Local phone numbers will help you to get connected anywhere and make sure that you include.The country code and area code that you’d need if you’re dialing out from an international mobile. Planning everything from your accommodation to your restaurant visits to your tickets to attractions in advance will help you to feel ready for your break.
The rainy season is not set. In Thailand, the rainy season varies depending on where you happen to be visiting. June to October is technically the rainy season in Thailand and it brings regular storms and heavy showers to northern, central and South Western areas.If you’re traveling by sea, this can create some dangerous conditions. However, the southeast coast and the Gulf of Thailand have their most of their rainy season in October to December. Often people choose to go to Thailand during the rainy season because the travel means lower prices and much lower crowd worries. The accommodations are also closed and most of the island ferries will stop running because of the sea being so dangerous.If you do decide to go during the rainy season, then you also need to make sure that you pack your wet weather gear.
You might need some jabs. Ideally, you’ve already been tapped for things like COVID-19, but there are lots of doctors out there that recommend getting vaccinations against hepatitis A and even tetanus before you go. You might also consider a rabies shot because dogs, cats, and monkeys can all carry the viral disease. Along the borders with Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia and Myanmar, malaria is present. So if you’re visiting these regions and you’re planning on roughing it, use antimalarial prophylaxis such as proguanil or doxycycline.
Always book ahead. We talked about getting planning done early in your trip, but it’s important that you are booking ahead, especially if you have your heart set on any particular train trips, treks or boat journeys. If you’re heading there from November to March, then you’re going to be in Thailand’s busiest seasons. So always call ahead to check if places are opened and buy your tickets in advance.
Learn the local Thai etiquette. No matter where you’re coming from, meeting Thai people requires A level of etiquette that you may not be used to. The standard greeting is the wai, which is a respectful dip of the head with the handheld palms together in front of the chest. In Thailand, people don’t shake hands unless the other person initiates the handshake in the first place.If you are invited into the home of a Thai local, always remove your shoes before you enter and avoid pointing the soles of your feet towards another person. So don’t be putting your feet up and keep them on the floor.
The national religion is Buddhism. A big part of everyday life in Thailand for the Thai locals is Buddhism.Did you know that 95% of Thai people are Buddhist? You’ll see it weaved through every aspect of Thai life. If you’re moving yourself anywhere in a Buddhist structure, always remove your shoes and wear your clothes that cover the shoulders, upper legs, and upper arms. Wearing a shirt over your vest top if it’s hot is acceptable. Any Buddhist image or monk is revered in any part of the country, so never point the soles of your feet towards them and do not touch Buddhist statues on their head. If you see monks coming towards you on footpaths, give way and don’t sit next to them on public transport. Women should also note not to touch a monk or their belongings.
Dress modestly. Men and women in Thailand usually avoid wearing revealing outfits that show a lot of skin. If people are on the beach, swimsuits are absolutely fine, but if you’re going away from the sand, make sure that you have a sarong or a sundress on. You need to have something over your shoulders for religious type visits, and topless or nude sunbathing is very much frowned upon.
Dining respectfully. When you are dining out in Thailand, everything arrives on the table at the same time. Everything is usually also placed in the middle of the table for everybody to share. You get a spoon and a fork, but mostly no nice knives because most dishes come as bite sized morsels so you won’t need one. Even sticky rice is bundled up into balls and eaten with the fingers. Vegetarians and vegans should be very aware that even the dishes that appear to be vegetarian may use sauces that include animal products, so always plan ahead.
Always bring more money than you think you’ll need. When you’re going to Thailand, you might find that prices have been inflated for tourists. Generally, Thailand is a hassle free place to go, but tourists can often get charged higher prices for tuk tuks and unmetered taxi rides. Always check ahead with the locals on what things could cost, just so that you are prepared.
