Thailand is a beautiful country filled with amazing people. We absolutely enjoy our time there and recommend it to everyone. Below are some Thailand travel tips to keep in mind while enjoying everything the country has to offer, and make sure you know how to travel Thailand.
1. Don’t take an unlicensed taxi
Crowds of people will stand outside the airport in Bangkok, many of whom will start negotiating transportation fees like a taxi. Skip the hassle and go to the official taxi line to make sure you get an insured and licensed driver. Plus, they will have a meter which plays into the next tip.
2. Run the meter when taking a taxi in Bangkok
Taxi drivers will try to get you to agree to a flat rate, but in our experience it always came out cheaper using the meter. On drives to and from the airport this saved us hundreds of Baht. The Thailand travel tips related to transportation can be great money savers, if you’re on a budget.
3. Beware of tour scams in Bangkok
Upon approaching drivers to take us to temples or other sites, some of them would claim a temple was closed for a couple of hours for a special ceremony. While special ceremonies certainly do take place they were always quick to suggest taking us to another temples and then circling back when the ‘ceremony’ was done. They were attempting to get us to take longer tours for more money, something we were able to confirm through a quick search.
4. Haggle with tuk-tuk drivers
Tuk-tuks tend to already be overpriced, especially for tourists (their main source of riders). It’s still fun to take them though since it’s certainly a break from the norm in the west. Don’t be afraid to haggle with them since the price is almost always high. Remember not to be rude as this is their livelihood, but also know that it’s ok to walk away. Either they will shout an even lower price as you separate, or another driver will offer a cheaper fare.
5. Take red trucks (Songthaews) in Chiang Mai
If you need to get somewhere fast, you’ll likely find a tuk-tuk more quickly. But if you have a little time to spare you’ll usually pay much less if you take a red truck. Think of it like an UberPool experience, with drivers that just memorize where everyone is going.
6. Don’t support unethical elephant sanctuaries
Animal tourism is a major industry in Southeast Asia, especially relating to elephants. Do a little research ahead of time to make sure you select an ethical sanctuary. Any park advertising elephant rides or shows is an automatic red flag.
7. Try the street food
Thailand is a major destination for food enthusiasts from all over the world. While there are countless worthwhile restaurants, don’t forget to try some of the street food. It may be a little harder to gauge health codes like you’re used to in the west, some of the best food can be found in the day and night markets.
8. Dress appropriately in temples
Most temples exercise a dress code, so come prepared to cover up a little. Longer dresses, shorts, or skirts were acceptable at most. Also, carrying a shawl is a good idea to cover your shoulders if they are exposed. Keep in mind that this is their place of worship and if they ask you to leave, you should absolutely respect their wishes.
9. Be respectful of the King and the Royal Family
Take this one very seriously, as the Thai people and government do. Do not talk or act in a way that can be taken as disrespectful towards the King or the Royal Family. Breaking this rule does not usually end well for the offender.
10. Respect Buddha
Respect Buddha – Buddha is the central religious figure for the majority of Thai people. You should not display any images of Buddha or act disrespectful towards him while in Thailand.
11. Don’t drink the tap water
If you’re coming from a western country you shouldn’t drink the tap water. Stick to bottled water to play it safe. We brought our LifeStraw water bottles as they have a built in filter, which was perfect especially for hiking.
These Thailand travel tips should have given you a better idea of how to travel Thailand. Click the link below to see more of our Thailand travel guides for Thailand itineraries, Thailand transportation information, and more!