From honeymooners to young people to backpackers, Thailand has emerged as the world’s one of the most popular travel destinations. And why not? Thailand tourism has everything to satiate the wanderlust of any traveler. Be it history, culture, heritage, nature, adventure, or nightlife, the country is a treasure trove for travelers with numerous treasures in its fold.
Talking about Thai people, well, they are welcoming, hospitable, warm, and easygoing which is one of their major characteristics. However, as they say, it’s always a good thing to be a little cautious towards your actions and words at any new destination. In Thailand, the locals do not like being offended at all especially when it comes to their culture and social norm. While traveling to a new destination, at times, it can be tricky to tell when you’re doing something wrong because out of politeness people may not say anything. If you are going to Thailand, this post will help you so that you don’t make any of such mistakes on your Thailand vacation.
35 FACTS To Know Before Going To Thailand
- As I said above, people in Thailand are very hospitable and welcoming. You can expect them to be your rescue when they find you in a perplexed mind or situation.
- One of the most etiquettes you should be known while on your 10 days in Thailand is that you should not eat directly off a fork. It is considered to be crude. Instead, you can take the help of folk to put the food onto your spoon.
- Thailand’s mangoes are known worldwide because of their irresistible taste. Eating mangoes in Thailand is an experience in itself. So, do not dare to miss it.
- When visiting a temple, monastery, or any other spiritual place on your Thailand tour, make sure you cover your elbows and knees.
- If you are considering drinking beer on your Thailand tour, it is important that you must be aware of the fact that many beer brands in Thailand also make bottled water. So, if you are saying a “Singha” or “Chang”, make sure you add “beer” with it.
- A piece of important advice – do not talk about the king. Do not! Thai’s respect for royalty. The king along with his royal family is admired by the people of Thailand. You can find photos of kings everywhere in the country. This is because the king is the symbol of righteousness for the people of Thailand.
- While exploring the city of Bangkok, make sure you use public transportation like MRT. It is the most convenient way to travel within the city also to beat the traffic. Also, it will save some of your expenses on your Bangkok travel tour.
- Taxi scams are quite common in Thailand. They often say to foreign tourists that a particular attraction is closed for the day and convince them to visit other destinations which earn them some commission. So, do not fall for their words. Do your research before leaving your place about whether or not a particular is open.
- In Thailand, you can find the best deals on top hotels. If you are lucky to get an amazing deal, you can say, you will get to stay in a fabulous five-star hotel for as much as 100 USD per night. So, if your budget allows you, go for it!
- Roaches are quite common to spot in Thailand. Some you can find none, whereas, other days, they will be crawling under your table
- Just to let you know, English is widely spoken in Bangkok. But in some places, it is very hard to understand. So, I recommend you to learn some basic Thai phrases.
- Do not expect you will be provided with tissue paper everywhere. While traveling around Thailand, it is always a good idea to keep a small container of tissues with you. You never know when you will be caught short! Many bathrooms in Thailand still have squat toilets and “bum guns”. Essentially hoses used in place of toilet paper, which Westerners may not be accustomed to.
- One of the best things to do in Thailand is being a part of Muay Thai Fight at Lumpinee Stadium. But do not buy VIP tickets. They are far more expensive than normal tickets.
- When it comes to spiritual or religious attractions, there are plenty of places to visit in Thailand. But make sure, you take off your shoes before entering these places.
- It is recommended that while in Thailand, you do everything as Thais do. Since the majority of people in Thailand are Buddhists, there are customs that people follow. For example, women in Thailand are not allowed to touch Buddhist monks. Not just this, whether you are a man or woman, you are not supposed to touch the head of any Thai person because the head is considered to be the resting place of one’s soul.
- This might surprise a lot of foreigners especially the first time in Thailand, but do you know that there are certain days that alcohol sales are restricted? This is a nationwide situation. This law was passed in 2009 to accommodate Buddhist holidays that take place at certain months in each year. These days have been designated as ‘no alcohol days’ in Thailand. Vendors on these days are expected to adhere to the law or face a jail term for up to 6 months, pay a fine of 10,000 Baht, or both.
- If you plan to visit Bangkok and happen to use the BTS SkyTrain or Subway. Don’t buy street food or even iced coffee right before you go to the train platform. You can’t eat at the train station or in the train station because this is not allowed. Most of the time when you pass the ticket gate there will be the security guard checking your bag randomly. The fun fact every station will have the guard but you might not see them all the time. However, it is the social norm not to do this.
- There are more than 300,000 stray dogs in the capital city of Bangkok alone. They can be seen roaming on the streets. Most of these dogs carry fleas, lesions, and rashes.
- People in Thailand do not display their country flag in an inappropriate way. In America for example, people use the national flag to the greatest level by using it as a bikini. Whereas in Thailand, you can’t use it to cover your body, you can’t suddenly use it as a sarong and go to the temple or make a headband out of it. The flag represents the king, Religion, and Nation. It’s the pride Thai people hold, and they respect King, Religion, and Nation more than anything.
- Just to let you know, Thai people are quite fast-paced. They do not like to take hours in making a decision. If you will take more time making your mind in a shop, restaurant, or any other store, you will be able to feel their despair.
- The weather in Thailand varies throughout the year. But when it comes to the best time to explore Thailand vacation spots, well, it has to be the months from November to early March. During these months, the weather remains cool and dry and ideal for planning a trip to Thailand.
- The capital city of Bangkok is not just known for its nightlife, it is way more than that. You can also expect to explore the alluring history, rich heritage and culture, and not to forget a fine dining experience and an ultimate shopping tour.
- Massage parlors are everywhere in Thailand. From streets to beaches, you can find great deals of massages. Most of the massage centers in Thailand all throughout the day. Do consider having a massage to soothe your mind, body, and soul while travelling around Thailand.
- Animal tourism has been a major part of Thailand trips. It also helps Thailand tourism to generate a good amount of money. The country has some of the most exotic animals. These creatures are used to provide must-do activities like elephant trekking, photo ops with monkeys, tiger temples, and much more. I personally recommend you not to add any of these activities to your Thailand travel guide. Many travelers are unaware of the fact that these beautiful creatures are mistreated and neglected. However, if you still want to spot wildlife, well, I suggest you do it in an ethical way. Search online what are the ethical ways to interact with wild animals in Thailand.
- There are too many bugs in Thailand and bug bites are very common in the country, Hence, it is recommended to keep a travel size bug spray with you all the time. Just to let you know, trips of many travelers to Thailand have been cut short because of unwanted bug bites.
- While traveling around Thailand, you will often hear a phrase – Mai pen rai. Well, the literal meaning of this phrase is “everything is ok” or “don’t worry”. It is a go-to saying for locals in Thailand whenever something goes wrong. Not just this, it also represents the people of Thailand. It says that people in Thailand are resilient and easygoing.
- When it comes to security, Thailand is considered to be unpredictable. In the past, protests have turned violent. As a result of that, a number of deaths and numerous injuries have been reported. Hence, it is recommended to take official warnings seriously and avoid the areas of protest.
- Due to the conflict with the neighboring countries like Cambodia, Malaysia, and Myanmar, the border areas remain dangerous because of the violence, landmines, and armed conflict.
- Avoid traveling to southern provinces of the Thailand-Malaysia border. Yala, Narathiwat, Pattani, and Songkhla are the areas that fall under this province. These areas are prone to bombings and violence.
- In Thailand, assault, robbery, sexual assault, and drink spitting are have happened with tourists. Make sure you do not leave your drink unattended and also be with the people you know at any party, nightclubs or bars.
- Insect-borne diseases like dengue, malaria, Japanese encephalitis, chikungunya, and tease monkeys are very common in Thailand.
- The WHO and CDC recommend some vaccinations for Thailand. These vaccines are hepatitis B, hepatitis A, cholera, typhoid, yellow fever, rabies, Japanese encephalitis, polio, meningitis, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), pneumonia, chickenpox, shingles, influenza, and Tdap. However, you don’t have to take all these vaccinations. Take the ones that are highly recommended.
- Ladyboys are everywhere in Thailand. I am sure you are aware of the fact why they are so popular in Thailand. While exploring the streets, you can also expect to have an encounter with them. They often come to you. However, make sure the gender of the lady is right for you or you are willing to hang out with that person.
- The local markets in Thailand sell most of the fake products like sunglasses, underwear, and watches. Be sure you are not paying high for a local product on a shopping tour in Thailand. If you are looking for an ultimate shopping experience, visit the floating markets selling fresh fruits and vegetables.
- The best thing about Thailand is its people. They are friendly and if you are a kind of social person, then surely you will end up making friends in Thailand. It is not just about Thai people, the country itself has a loving and friendly vibe that makes everyone happy here. People from around the world visit this beautiful country that makes Thailand a place of vibrant culture mix from all around the world.
So, these are some tips or you can say things to know before planning a trip to Thailand. The country of Thailand has its own irreplaceable charm, hence, make the most of your tour. However, just be responsible tourists towards the people of Thailand, their culture, heritage, customs, and beliefs. I guess this is the least one can ask you to do for a country that gives travelers so many indelible and incredible experiences to cherish for a long time.
We hope these insights and price points help you truly understand what not to do on one of the most beautiful islands in the world. If you want to check out FULL VIDEO GUIDE we have that on our YOUTUBE CHANNEL showing you an in-depth guide to all the best and even some of the most unknown local spots!
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