Thailand Tips
These Thailand tips and personal travel advice comes directly from my journal during my 6 months in Thailand and will save you money and hassle as a first time backpacker in Asia!
Why go backpacking in Thailand?
There's a good reason that Thailand is the first stop for new backpackers and budget travelers....its awesome!Cheap, easy to travel, great food, friendly people - Thailand is an extremely interesting and fun way to get your feet into Asia. Nearly everyone in the tourist areas speak some flavor of English so language is never an issue. The Thai mai pen rai attitude means that people are laid back and very friendly to visitors.
Best time to visit Thailand
Thailand tips for when to visit
In general, the heavy rains start in June and start to slow or stop in November. Like everywhere else, the climate is changing - but the best time to visit Thailand is January - April.
April and May are the hottest and driest months. Fires burn wild in the jungles and the heat is nearly unbearable.
If you go during the rainy season, you will get more deals and cheaper accommodations in Thailand....but don't plan on trekking or scuba diving.
Thailand travel advice
Ways not to look like an idiot tourist
Most Thai people are Buddhist (with a large Muslim community in the south) and follow the same principles. Here is some Thailand travel advice to help you not accidentally offend someone:* The head is the highest and most sacred part on a person. Never touch anyone's hair!
* The foot is the lowest and dirtiest part of a person, never raise your foot over someone's head, step over them, or point the bottom of your feet at someone when sitting.
* It is very important to "save face" in Thailand. Never shout or loose your cool in front of people.
* Women should never touch a monk or hand anything to a monk.
* Never disrespect the king or an image of the king - the Thai people love him and it is illegal!
Read more Thailand travel advice!
Thailand Scams
Thailand tips for avoiding scams
Here are some Thailand tips for avoiding popular Thailand scams:
* Use ATM bank machines to get the best exchange rates on local currency
* Don't accept faded or torn notes from anyone
* ALWAYS negotiate prices for taxis and tuk-tuks before you get inside!
* Never ask a driver for recommendations on where to go (he will lie)
* Don't pay for VIP upgrades on buses
Trust your gut. If a deal seems too good to be true, it is! You can find the full updated list of Thailand scams and Thailand tips here.
Vaccinations for Thailand
Thailand tips for vaccinations
* Hepatitis A and B
2 or 3 shots are required, spread over time so do not wait until the last minute! It is good for 10 years once vaccinated. This will protect you at home as well, so get it!
* Tetanus / Diphtheria
Budget travelers find themselves getting scraped up in dirty environments all the time. This painful but quick little shot in the arm is good for 10 years and might help you at home as well.
* Typhoid
The good news is that you can get a series of capsules for immunity instead of shots. You need Typhoid protection in case a street food vendor washes dishes or utensils with dirty water.
* Japanese B Encephalitis
These shots are very expensive. Only a good idea if you will be spending a lot of time on farms or in the countryside working or camping.
* Rabies
True, there are loads of mangy wild dogs walking around Thailand, but chances are you are not going to get bit. Save the money!
These Thailand tips are just my own personal choices, you still need to meet with a travel doctor to discuss anti-malaria pill options if you are going to be in infected areas.
Thailand stories
Backpacking stories from Thailand
* Easy as Pai - A funny story about riding through the north of Thailand on motorbike.
* True story about the 2006 Koh Phi Phi Tsunami Scare.
Typical Thailand trip
Definitely get off the beaten path, this is just a sample of what many backpackers do
- Khao San Road in Bangkok
- Kanchanaburi for waterfalls, tiger temple, and bridge over River Kwai
- Ko Phangan island for Full Moon or Half Moon party on the beach
- Ko Tao for cheap PADI scuba certification and diving / relaxing
- Ko Chang island is close to Bangkok and quick getaway while you wait on a flight
- Krabi/Railay for breathtaking rocks in the water and great rock climbing
- Ko Phi Phi island on the West coast for partying and diving
- Ko Lanta island is quiet, family oriented island on the West cost
- Chang Mai is a fun town in the north with lots to do including trekking in the mountains
- Pai is a small hippy, backpacker village just north of Chiang Mai
- Mae Hong Son is as close to Burma as you can get and offers a chance to see the longnecked tribe.
Thailand Tips Links
Backpacking travel links
- Vagabonding
- Life after corporate America - living from a rucksack and traveling the world
- Hostel Jobs
- Hostel working abroad
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Thailand is an awesome place to go on your first backpacking trip!
The Kingdom of Thailand (; Ratcha Anachak Thai, ) is an independent country that lies in the heart of Southeast Asia.
It is bordered to the north by Laos and Myanmar, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the west by the Andaman Sea and Myanmar. Its maritime boundaries include Vietnam in the Gulf of Thailand to the southeast and Indonesia and India in the Andaman Sea to the southwest. The capital and largest city of Thailand is Bangkok. It is also the country's center of political, commercial, industrial and cultural activities.
Thailand is the world's 50th largest country in terms of total area (slightly smaller than Yemen and slightly larger than Spain), with a surface area of approximately 513,000 km2 (198,000 sq mi), and the 21st most-populous country, with approximately 64 million people. About 75% of the population is ethnically Thai, 14% is of Chinese origin, and 3% is ethnically Malay;CIA World Factbook Thailand, CIA World Factbook. the rest belong to minority groups including Mons, Khmers and various hill tribes. There are approximately 2.2 million legal and illegal migrants in Thailand.THAILAND: Burmese migrant children missing out on education. IRIN Asia. June 15, 2009. Thailand has also attracted a small number of expatriates from developed countries.Hard lessons in expat paradise. BBC News. December 14, 2006. The country's official language is Thai.
Thailand is one of the most devoutly Buddhist countries in the world. The national religion is Theravada Buddhism which is practiced by more than 94.7% of all Thais. Muslims make up 4.6% of the population and 0.7% belong to other religions.Population by religion, sex, area and region, National Statistic Office of Thailand. Culture and traditions in Thailand are significantly influenced by India, as are Burma, Laos and Cambodia.
Thailand is a constitutional monarchy with King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the ninth king of the House of Chakri, as the ruling monarch. The king has reigned for more than sixty-three years, making him the longest reigning Thai monarch and the longest reigning current monarch in the world. The king is officially titled as the Head of State, the Head of the Armed Forces, an Upholder of the Buddhist religion, and the Defender of all faiths.
Thailand experienced rapid economic growth between 1985 and 1995 and today is a newly industrialized country with an emphasis on exports and a flourishing tourism industry, thanks to various world-famous tourist destinations such as Pattaya, Bangkok, and Phuket.Thailand and the World Bank, World Bank on Thailand country overview.The Guardian, Country profile: Thailand, 25 April 2009.
