Thailand Travel Tips: Everything You Need to Know

Thailand is a captivating country offering a range of diverse landscapes, cultures, food, and experiences. There really is always something new around the corner to discover. And, I think that’s what makes this place so special to many people all over the world.

The following Thailand travel tips are crucial to keep in mind prior to and while visiting this fascinating country. From general travel tips to health and culture, this guide will advise you on everything you need to know.

After three months of travelling in Thailand, I feel like I have a pretty good understanding of what life is like there. And, I believe these tips will give you the perfect insight to ensure you have the ultimate visit to Thailand!

Thailand Travel Tips

General

Some of the most important Thailand travel tips include visa and travel information. Firstly, there are seven International airports in the country, so there are plenty of locations where you can fly in and out of the country. This is a great way to see more of Thailand as you can start in one location and finish at the opposite side of the country.

Secondly, visas are another important factor to consider when visiting Thailand. For most people, you may be granted a free 30-day visa upon arrival in the country with the option to extend it at immigration offices. However, I advise that you check before booking flights in case you need to organise a visa.

Thirdly, dressing modestly throughout the country usually goes without saying. However, I recommend that you save bralettes and being topless for some of the beaches or islands. It’s usually not very respectful to walk around with very little clothing. Besides, unwanted attention isn’t fun when travelling!

Culture

Thailand is an incredible mix of cultures and displays a thorough range throughout different parts of the country. From Indian and Chinese influences to authentic Thai culture, you’re bound to come across all aspects of influences at some point in Thailand.

Theravada Buddhism makes up roughly 95% of the country’s religion, with a small amount practising Muslim. So, you won’t be short on coming across magnificent temples and stunning places of worship.

To enter a temple, you must have your knees and shoulders covered. So, no tank tops or short shorts. For the most part, the weather is usually hot and humid. Therefore, wearing a tank is fine, but just bring a sarong with you to cover your shoulders or knees.
Saving face is a huge aspect of Asian culture. To save face means to avoid embarrassment or conflict. An example you might experience is if you trip over, you will notice the locals will smile or laugh. Take note that they aren’t laughing at you, but with you. So, take it in your stride, pull yourself together, and smile with them!
Remove your shoes when entering someone’s home or someone’s store. Sometimes, you will be required to take your shoes off at restaurants and cafes. The easiest way to tell if you should do so, is to check if there is a pile of shoes near the front door. If there are, be sure to follow suit and take your shoes off!

Food

Thai food is some of the best food in South East Asia and there are so many delicious things you can try! For the most part, you will notice that a lot of dishes are served with rice. I strongly advise that you get around the street food and local restaurants to try some of the cuisines.

I go into further depth about some of the best Thai dishes that you need to try, be sure to check out that post!

Language

When greeting or thanking Thai people, you will notice that they put their hands in a prayer position and nod their heads with a smile. This is called the ‘Wai’ and it is a typical way that the locals will communicate with you. Usually, this is done when greeting, thanking, apologising, and saying goodbye. If you receive a Wai, it is rude to not return with the same gesture!

A handful of words that you might like to note for use include:
Hello – Sawatdekaa
Thankyou – Kapkhun Kha/khrap (Female/Male)
Where is the bathroom?- Hong Nam Yu Nai?
How much is this?- Ni Tao Rai?

Scooter Rental

Ah, yes, scooter rental. This is one of the ways that many tourists walk away covered in bandages after messing up on a scooter. Nonetheless, riding a scooter can be one of the most liberating experiences and takes you to some of the most incredible places!

Firstly, if you haven’t ridden a scooter before, I advise that you take some time to practise on some quiet roads. And, have someone with plenty of experience show you the way. I also recommend sitting on the back before you ride one yourself to get a feel for how the bike works.

Scooter rentals should set you back around 150-250 THB per day. And, I do not recommend going for anything cheaper. Be sure to check reviews of the rental location on Google and thoroughly inspect the bike before leaving the premises. Check tyre pressure, wheel alignment, brakes, ignition, acceleration and the odometer.

Finally, before leaving with your new bike, be sure to take a video or photos of the bike. Make sure that you capture the entirety of the bike so that you later have proof that you didn’t cause damage to the vehicle. Sometimes, some places may try to charge you to fix a panel, even though you didn’t do it. So, take a video to avoid problems!

Tip: Make sure your travel insurance covers scooter accidents. If you break bones or come off worse, you need to be covered for hospital bills!

Travel

There’s a lot to consider when it comes to travelling Thailand. From plane flights to bus trips and train rides, lots of planning to get to and from places may be necessary. Personally, I found 12go Asia! to be a fantastic platform to book bus, ferry and train tickets. I found it to be easy to use and they mostly ran on time.

One of the most important and cost-influenced Thailand travel tips is to allow plenty of time when heading to train stations or catching the bus. These buses usually run on time and won’t wait around for latecomers. So, avoid missing your bus and ensure you are at the station early!

Weather

The weather in South East Asia is highly unpredictable, so take these Thailand travel tips into consideration before visiting. The weather can change drastically in an instant! So, it pays to always be prepared.

For the most part, the weather is hot and humid. However, sometimes in the Northern parts of Thailand, the weather can dip and become quite cold. Be sure to check the season of the time you’re visiting to pack appropriately.

One of my first tips is to always carry a raincoat on day adventures. You never truly know when a tropical storm is going to strike, and it’s best to not be left entirely drenched for the remainder of the day. So, pack a thin raincoat to protect yourself from the downpour! You can find plenty of plastic raincoats in all parts of Thailand, and they’ll usually be about 50 THB.

Secondly, I recommend bringing some sunscreen with you. Most of the sunscreen in Thailand has skin-whitening agents in them. And, sunscreen is really expensive! Some places charge double what you might pay at home; So, be sure to bring a bottle from home.

Thirdly, protective clothing, hats and sunglasses are essential when visiting Thailand. I highly recommend packing some lightweight long sleeve clothing to protect yourself from insects and weather. Besides, you will need this clothing to enter temples or places of worship. And, of course, sunglasses goes without saying.

Health

There is a range of things you need to consider when it comes to health. From safe drinking water to vaccines, it’s best to be ahead of the game and know what you’re in for before visiting Thailand.

Firstly, you cannot drink tap water in Thailand. Steer clear of it to avoid getting sick! You will need to make use of a filtering bottle, water purifying tablets or bottled water from a convenience store. Additionally, it’s best to avoid ice in drinks as sometimes it will be made with unsafe drinking water.

One of my best Thailand travel tips is to invest in a GRAYL Geopress water bottle. It is easily the best travel water bottle and you can refill it at any hotel tap or freshwater source! It has a huge impact on the environment and will save you money in the long run!

Secondly, eating safely while travelling is super important. I highly recommend eating at reputable places where there are hygiene practices in place. Nonetheless, it’s still important that you give street food a go, but just try your best to find the most hygienic stalls. Besides, since there is a quick turnover of food, you’re much less likely to get sick!

Finally, travel insurance is another important thing to consider before starting your trip. I highly recommend looking into some insurance to cover hospital visits or general sicknesses.

Consider these vaccines before visiting Thailand:

Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Rabies
Tetanus
Typhoid
Cholera (Not necessary, but I personally recommend it)

Tip: During my travels around South East Asia, I drank a 200ml can of Coca-Cola with every meal. I was told that since the chemicals in coke aren’t the best for you, it can (potentially) kill any bad bacteria in food. So, I made sure to drink 2 small cans of coke daily while eating lunch and dinner and didn’t get sick once! (Of course, the vaccinations played a huge role in avoiding sickness, but I think this was a great help for smaller stomach bugs!)

Safety

There are a handful of things you should keep in mind while travelling Thailand in regards to safety. Overall, Thailand is a very safe place to travel, even for solo female travellers. I genuinely felt safe during the vast majority of my time in Thailand, even during the night.

However, a few things to keep in mind are petty thefts, snatch and grabs and money scams.

Petty thefts and money scams: For the most part, tourists will just get ripped off by the locals. And, a few of them will likely work together to ensure they score a few extra dollars out of you. If you are unsure about the price of something, be sure to do some research online, and have an idea ahead of time of the price you should be paying for something.

For example, you may be asked to pay more for a short tuk-tuk ride. Sometimes, you can barter the price down, but other times, they’ll be firm on the price. Go with your gut feeling and do what you feel is necessary!

Snatch and grabs: Snatch and grabs don’t happen as often in Thailand, but it is something to keep in mind. For the most part, Thai people aren’t trying to hurt you, but some of the poorer people just want your valuables.

The best way to go about this is to keep valuables out of sight. This includes phones, cameras, wallets and anything else of value. So, if you are waiting to cross the street, don’t stand there on your phone as someone may zip past on a scooter and snatch it out of your hands.

Drink spiking and dangerous drinks: A common danger of travelling Thailand is drink spiking and dangerous drinks containing ethanol. Try sticking to bottled alcohol such as beers or premixed spirits. It’s the safest bet, and you know exactly what you are getting. Therefore, be sure to try Leo’s, Chang’s and Singha’s while in Thailand for a safe night out!

Thailand travel tips Do’s and Don’ts:

Don’t leave your wallet in your back pocket
Do wear your backpack on your front in busy areas like a market
Don’t carry all your cash and cards in one location of your luggage. Spread it through your luggage.
Don’t go out at night time alone
Do share your live location with friends and family. (I use ‘Find My’ on iPhone to share my location with family while travelling)
Don’t leave valuables unlocked in your accommodation
Do travel with backpack or luggage locks
Don’t accept drinks from strangers

Clothing and Packing

I advise that you pack an array of clothes. Firstly, you will want to bring a few t-shirts, tank tops, shorts and pants. Typically, you won’t need thick or heavy clothing as the weather is mostly warm year-round.

However, I think it’s best to have at least 1-2 pairs of long pants for cooler nights, temple visits, weather and bug protection, and all-around comfort. Lightweight clothes are the way to go!

Additionally, if you are travelling long-term, I think it’s best to have a week’s worth of clothing. That way, you can do just one load of laundry at a local laundry mat once a week. Besides, this is much more cost-effective and reduces your luggage weight.

A short and simple packing list could include:

1-2 pairs of pants
1-2 lightweight exercise tops
1-2 tank tops
2-5 t-shirts / crop tops / tops
1-3 shorts
1-2 skirts
7-10 pairs of underwear
3 pairs socks

Wrapping Up

In conclusion, these Thailand travel tips are sure to set you up for the ultimate journey. Besides, these are a handful of the things I discovered while travelling the country solo for three months.

I highly recommend taking all of these into account and saving this page for later to go over before your trip to Thailand. You will experience almost all of these circumstances at some point in your journey.

Enjoy your trip to Thailand and stay safe!

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