Thailand
This lens provides travel advice on ten things that one should not do in Thailand and why one should not do them.
Thailand is generally a laid back country where people don't get uptight about small things going wrong and daily inconveniences; this is one of the things that make it an attractive country to live in or to visit.
I have highlighted some of the best things about Thailand in other lenses, 10 Memorable Things to see/do in Bangkok and Where to Watch Birds in Thailand, however, there are a number of things which are foolish to do and will either impare your enjoyment of the country or will leave a negative influence upon it when you leave: in this lens I will attempt to give you some advice that will help you avoid those things. Some of these things are cultural differences, some of these are just common sense and some of these are specific to certain scams that prevail in Thailand.
Thailand is generally a laid back country where people don't get uptight about small things going wrong and daily inconveniences; this is one of the things that make it an attractive country to live in or to visit.
I have highlighted some of the best things about Thailand in other lenses, 10 Memorable Things to see/do in Bangkok and Where to Watch Birds in Thailand, however, there are a number of things which are foolish to do and will either impare your enjoyment of the country or will leave a negative influence upon it when you leave: in this lens I will attempt to give you some advice that will help you avoid those things. Some of these things are cultural differences, some of these are just common sense and some of these are specific to certain scams that prevail in Thailand.
Thailand Hotels
1. Don't Get Involved With Drugs
Thailand has a mandatory death sentences for drug smuggling and whilst this is almost always commuted to life imprisonment for foreigners, the death penalty may be the better option from what I hear of Thai prisons.Getting involved with drugs is the number one thing that you should not do in Thailand.
"I am not a Drug Smuggler, just a Recreational User"
The Thai police won't see it like that if they catch you either at the border or within the country with any type of drug, "soft" or "hard". If you are caught with a large amount of any drug, the police will assume you are a dealer and you are in for at least 10 years of hell, locked in a cell with 30-40 other people, in blistering heat with one toilet and guards who have never heard the term "human rights". You don't want to experience that so don't touch drugs.
Even if the police were to catch you with a small amount of any drug, there would be big trouble. Most likely you would be extorted out of a large amount of money in order to avoid jail. And don't expect the police to be nice to you, there is no police complaints commission so they are not answerable for their actions.
Full Moon Party
I know what you are thinking - a bit of weed or some amphetamines at the full moon party can't hurt. Well, chances are that you won't end up in prison but you could easily get arrested and taken for all your money. That is not to mention that by getting involved with the dealers you are getting involved with some seriously bad people. Violence towards foreigners is very rare in Thailand but it is becoming disproportionately common on Ko Pha Ngan and Ko Samui: Murder and violence at Koh Phangan full moon party. That's what happens when you get involved with drug dealers.
Australian Drug Smugglers in Thai Prison
This video clip shows the story of some drug smugglers from Australia who have spent a large part of their life in a Thai prison after being convicted of drug smuggling.
Don't Get Involved With Drugs And End Up In Prison Like These People
This is a list of web pages that provide information on specific cases of people in prison in Thailand on drug charges.
- Thai Prison Life
- The life of a Thai inmate convicted for drug offences in Thailand.
- Eight years in a Thai jail
- The cautionary tale of Radek Hanykovics
- British Man Sentenced to Death
- Newspaper article on a British man receiving the death sentence in Thailand for drug smuggling.
- Michael Connell
- British teenager sentenced to 99 years in a Thai prison for drug smuggling.
- Briton in Thai jail refuses to beg for pardon
- News article about the case of Julian Gilbey.
Books on Thai Prisons
In case you haven't quite got the message yet, don't get involved with drugs in Thailand, you don't want to end up in a Thai prison. To find out how awful life is for a foreign inmate in Thailand, try any, or all, of these books.
The Damage Done: Twelve Years of Hell in a Bangkok Prison
Amazon Price: (as of 11/25/2009) 
4,000 Days: My Life and Survival in a Bangkok Prison
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 11/25/2009)
Forget You Had a Daughter: Doing Time in the 'Bangkok Hilton'
Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 11/25/2009)
Escape: The true story of the only Westerner ever to break out of Thailand's Bangkok Hilton
Amazon Price: $11.96 (as of 11/25/2009)
The Last Executioner : Memoirs of Thailand's Last Prison Executioner
Amazon Price: (as of 11/25/2009)
2. Don't Have your Photo Taken With Wildlife
If there is one thing guaranteed to make my blood boil it is when I see idiot tourists posing for photographs with wild animals such as gibbons, monkeys, snakes, birds or other such unfortunate creatures.Please don't end up in photos like the one here showing this buffoon with three unfortunate gibbons.
In a number of tourist locations such as Pattaya, Phuket, Ko Samui, Ao Nang and occasioanlly even in Bangkok wild animals, occasionally dressed in nappies to make them look even more cute (pathetic?), are offered to tourists for a hug and to have a photo taken, for which they pay the animal's "owner".
What are They Thinking?
What on earth are these people thinking? Do they think that there is some cutsie creature farm where these animals are selectively bred for a life of posing?
Orphaned, Abducted, Tormented & Drugged
This subtitle gives readers a clear picture of what life has been like for these animals. All of them have been taken from the wild. Birds are usually taken from the nest and gibbons are obtained by shooting the adults and collecting the falling babies.
Many of the animals offered for photo opportunities are potentially very dangerous; an adult gibbon is very strong and could do real damage. To make sure tourists are not harmed, these animals are heavily drugged.
On top of all this, when they are not being hawked around the streets, these animals are poorly treated by their owners, usually kept in totally inappropriate accommodation and fed substandard food; ultimately they die young through neglect and incorrect care.
If you don't wish to contribute to wildlife crime, trade in endangered species and cruelty to animals then do not pose for photos with these animals. If their owners cannot make money from this trade it will stop.
A Word of Warning
If you see such activities do not intervene yourself, these people are violent criminals and will not take kindly to interferance. Equally, so not ask the police to intervene, they are usually taking part of the proceeds and are also ilikely to cause you trouble. If you are able to, take a secret photo with your mobile phone and send it to an appropriate campaign group and write a letter of disgust to your local Thai ambassador.
Here is a list of adresses for Thai Embassies around the world.
Please remember, these animals are protected under CITES and by having your photo taken with them you are taking part in the international trade in endangered species, which, not surprisingly, is a criminal activity.
Help Wildlife Rather than Contribute to its Persecution
For those that want to do more than not contribute to wildlife crime and animal cruelty adopting a wild animal to help pay for its conservation is a good idea. This lens has lots of links to charities that offer animal adoptions.-
Adopt a Wild Animal for Conservation
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Animal adoption has become a popular way of supporting charities that care for endangered and threatened species. By adopting a wild animal one can help finance conservation research, the upkeep of the animal, anti-poaching patrols, habitat protectio...
Cuddly Animal Toys
Gibbons, Slow Loris and Snakes are often offered to tourists for photos in Thailand. It is ridiculous to endulge in this practice, please consider these cuddly alternatives and leave the real animals to live in the wild.
Plush Gibbon 12"
Amazon Price: $10.99 (as of 11/25/2009)
Slow Loris 5" Plush Stuffed Animal Toy
Amazon Price: (as of 11/25/2009)
TY BB 2.0 Slithery-Snake
Amazon Price: $7.13 (as of 11/25/2009)
3. Don't Feed Street Elephants
Unscrupulous elephant owners in Thailand are constantly bring their beasts into Bangkok and other cities and using them as tools for begging. Whilst they tend to hang around tourist areas such as Sukhumvit Road, Silom Road and Khao San Road, they can be found all over Bangkok, wandering around with their owners waiting for foolish people to buy a bag of food to give to the elephant.Please do not join the legion of idiots who help perpetuate this life of torment for elephants in Thailand. Really, are the busy, polluted streets of Bangkok any place for a beautiful creature like an elephant? Each year a number of street elephants are mortally wounded in collisions with cars; if tourists were not financing the elephants' stay in Bangkok then their owners would take them somewhere else.
Once again, please do not feed the elephants on Bangkok's streets, you are contributing to their misery, not helping them.
The photo used here is from Mistifarang's blog which documents many examples of poor treatment of animals.
Help Thai Elephants
If you really want to help elephants in Thailand please don't feed them in the streets. Instead think about volunteering for the Elephant Nature Foundation.
Asian Elephant Video Clips
One of these clips shows an Asian Elephant in the wild and another roaming around the streets in Bangkok at night. Which one looks happier?
curated content from YouTube
Elephants
Here are some elephants you can safely pet in the full knowledge that you will not be harming their welfare.
4. Don't Point your Feet at People
Showing the soles of your feet to a Thai is just about the most offensive gesture one could make and if you were to do it in an argumement, violence would almost certainly result.Luckily, Thai people are used to silly foreigners not understanding their culture very well and any accidental "foot incident" such as crossing ones legs while reading and showing the sole of your feet will be dismissed as a faux pas by an ignorant and vulgar foreigner. Most of use do not want to be thought of in such a way so it is good to think of local customs and to be careful what we do with our feet in Thailand.
What is the Problem with Feet?
Thai Buddhist culture considers the feet the most unclean part of the body and therefore pointing them at people is undesirable. Actually this extends to using the feet to point at things, push things around or to support things. Whilst Thais usually will forgive foreigners any transgression like this, it remains that they will feel uncomfortable and do their best to get out of your company as quickly as possible.
There are other things, such as touching the head, which should be avoided, but in my experience it is the feet which causes most offense and my wife has really exploded at me a couple of times when I have stepped over her whilst she was lying on the floor.
Learn More about Thai Cultural Nuances
This book prepares visitors to Thailand by providing tips on Thai cultural dos and don'ts as well as the Thai language.
Thai Language and Culture for Beginners Book 1
Amazon Price: $64.08 (as of 11/25/2009)
5. Don't Let Tuk-tuk Drivers take you to a Gem Shop
This is a widespread and long-running scam whereby a tuk-tuk driver (or other passer-by) tells potential customers that their intended destination is closed because of renovations or some such similar bogus excuse and offers to take the unsuspecting tourists to an alternative tourist destination that happens to be open, via a gem shop.When in the gem shop the victims are harrassed, possibly drugged, into thinking that they can buy cut prices jewels and sell them at home for a vast profit and finally are cheated out of a lot of money in exchange for costume jewellery.
I have never experienced this myself so maybe the perpetrators of this crime are very good at their trick, but I just wonder why people who have no experience in the gem trade would suddenly think that they could be international jewellery traders.
Real or Costume? Can you tell the difference?
The MO of these scammers is described here;
"She cautioned us against going to the Grand Palace area and instead recommended us to go to Lucky Buddha which she said was open only once a year. She then said that we should go to Yindee Export which is having sales for the last day. She called up a Tuk-Tuk to bring us to the hotel for check in before bringing us to Lucky Buddha and Yindee Export. At that time, I did not know that Yindee is selling jewellery and we duly obliged feeling lucky to come across a friendly person. "
The full story is described here: Bangkok gem scam.
Don't be stupid enough to jump into this remarkable career change when on holiday in Bangkok.
Here is a variant of this scam, from Chiang Mai: Gem Scam.
How to Avoid the Gem Scam
1. If a tuk-tuk driver offers to take you somewhere for less than 30-40 baht, it is too good to be true.
2. Don't talk to random people who strike up conversation in tourist areas such as Wat Pra Kaew, Siam Square, Wat Po etc.
3. Don't believe people if they say that your intended destination is closed.
4. Don't get into tuk-tuks or taxis with people you only just met.
5. If you do end up at a gem shop, just walk out, don't get engaged in conversation and definitely don't drink anything.
Avoiding Scams in Thailand
The Truth About Avoiding Scams
Amazon Price: $14.81 (as of 11/25/2009)
Scams & Swindles: Phishing, Spoofing, ID Theft, Nigerian Advance Schemes Investment Frauds: How to Recognize And Avoid Rip-Offs In The Internet Age
Amazon Price: $9.56 (as of 11/25/2009)
6. Don't Get Angry
Quite often, in Thailand, situations can get very frustrating for foreigners not used to the Thai way. Often service is not how one expects it from home, rules are applied infrequently and inconsistently, the system can be VERY slow and the heat can make your temper short.
However, DON'T GET ANGRY.
There are some situations that can only be resolved by a show of anger, but not in Thailand. The satisfaction you will receive from a Thai will be indirectly proportional to your anger levels.
If you become red-faced and angry you will be seen as a coarse and vulgar person who cannot control themselves and you will be treated with disdain. At its worst, a show of anger may be replied with extreme violence or arrest.
As difficult as it may be, whatever the situation, please just take a moment to relax and try again with a smile and polite words, this will get you much further than getting angry.
However, DON'T GET ANGRY.
There are some situations that can only be resolved by a show of anger, but not in Thailand. The satisfaction you will receive from a Thai will be indirectly proportional to your anger levels.
If you become red-faced and angry you will be seen as a coarse and vulgar person who cannot control themselves and you will be treated with disdain. At its worst, a show of anger may be replied with extreme violence or arrest.
As difficult as it may be, whatever the situation, please just take a moment to relax and try again with a smile and polite words, this will get you much further than getting angry.
Read This!
- Australian Woman Jailed for Theft of Beer Mat
- This story about an Australian woman highlights what a mistake it is to get angry in Thailand. Whilst it may seem harsh (it is), if she had smiled, apologised politely and offered to pay for the item the police would almost certainly have let her go. However, there are many reports which suggest that she got angry, abused police and then ran away! This public show of anger is almost certainly what got this lady into trouble and not the initial theft. On top of this, she apparently continued to act angrily in the police station.
In Thailand anger + anger = extreme inconvenience.
Anger Management
Calm down, just calm down!
Anger Management (Widescreen Edition)
Amazon Price: $12.49 (as of 11/25/2009)
Anger Management For Dummies (For Dummies (Psychology & Self Help))
Amazon Price: $12.99 (as of 11/25/2009)
Dr. Walton's HypnoCD: Anger Management
Amazon Price: $17.95 (as of 11/25/2009)
7. Don't go to an Upstairs Bar in Patpong Road
Patpong Road is possibly the most famous of Bangkok's naughty nightlife locations, if not in the whole of Thailand. Patpong road is quite strange in that amongst the gogo bars and other girly bars there are banks, pharmacies, restaurants and a tourist night market along the street.Generally, this makes Patpong road a safe place to be and many of the bars are used to groups of tourists coming in to have a quick look along with those, of course, who are interested in doing some serious shopping!
But Don't Go In The Upstairs Bars
However, the upstairs bars are to be avoided at all costs. A large number of touts walk along Patpong with "menus" that detail items in the "free sex show" that they provide. These items are quite unbelievable and it is tempting to go in just to witness these extraordinary feats just once. BE WARNED, nothing is free and there are gangs of thugs to make sure it remains that way.
If you were so foolish as to find yourself in an upstairs bar you would witness a disgusting and brief show, you would be charged 300-400 baht per bottle of beer and there would be all sorts of surcharges added to the bill to make it reach 1000s of baht within about 10 minutes of entering. You would also be harrased for expensive drinks by ugly and aggressive girls and would have heavy thugs looming over you in order to make sure you didn't argue about the price.
Don't go.
Three Things You Should Not Do in a Gogo Bar
1. Take photos - For obvious reasons both staff and customers do not appreciate this.
2. Dance on the bar - You will look like an utter fool and regret it; I am talking from experience here.
3. Leave your mobile phone behind - Probably the most frequent item of lost property in these bars.
Once Again: Don't go to Upstairs Bars in Patpong Road
Just to reiterate, no matter what you are told, this IS a scam. Here is the introduction to one person's experience;
"After getting hassles from touts, wife lost interest in bars and insisted on going back. We decided to have dinner in Patpong area. After dinner, a tout approached us. He showed us a menu, Shigha 60 Baht, Coke 50 Baht etc, no cover charge. I thought its good deal. I asked him where it is. He pointed us to a bar on ground floor. We followed him, when we reached bar, he changed his mind and took us to another bar (second floor). I think it's called "Wild Cat". Some girls were dancing lazily on stage."
Please read the full account (careful it contains sexual reference) on the excellent Bangkok Scams website.
"After getting hassles from touts, wife lost interest in bars and insisted on going back. We decided to have dinner in Patpong area. After dinner, a tout approached us. He showed us a menu, Shigha 60 Baht, Coke 50 Baht etc, no cover charge. I thought its good deal. I asked him where it is. He pointed us to a bar on ground floor. We followed him, when we reached bar, he changed his mind and took us to another bar (second floor). I think it's called "Wild Cat". Some girls were dancing lazily on stage."
Please read the full account (careful it contains sexual reference) on the excellent Bangkok Scams website.
Patpong Night Market - Now this is Perfectly Safe
Whilst going into the upstairs bars is a foolish idea, shopping in the night market is a perfectly safe option that everyone can enjoy. Here are some photos I took in Patpong night market, just click on the thumbnails for larger images.
8. Don't Negotiate a Fare with a Taxi Driver
ALL taxis in Thailand are required to have a meter. Any taxi without a meter is an unlicensed taxi and the safety of the vehicle or the driver cannot be trusted. In other words only get into taxis with meters and only if the driver turns on the meter.As hinted at above, many taxi drivers that do have meters will try to negotiate fares rather than put the meter on. Hmmmmm, why are they doing this? Are Thai taxi drivers the most saintly in the world and enjoy sacrificing their fares to give tourists a more cost-friendly ride?
Or are they trying to rip you off?
A negotiated fare will never be cheaper than the real fare, so there is only one person going to benefit, and that is the taxi driver.
BEWARE, because there are an ever-increasing number of taxi drivers who specialise in the negotiated fare and will simply not take customers using the meter. These drivers are often found around Sukhumvit Road, Soi Asoke and Silom Road. As a rule, these drivers hand around in the street waiting for foolish tourists who they can trick into paying negotiated fares.
If you are approached by one of these drivers, simply ignore them and walk past.
Bangkok Taxis, click on thumbnails for larger images
To find a taxi driver who will use the meter, simply walk to a busy road where taxis are passing and flag down a taxi that has its light on. Tell the driver where you want to go and if he says yes, ask for the meter; he should say that it is okay.
A passing taxi driver is much more likely to put the meter on than one who is hanging around targetting silly tourists who don't know what is what.
If the taxi driver that you have flagged down begins to negotiate a fare, do not say another word to him. Politely close the door and walk a little down the road to flag down the next taxi.
NEVER get involved in fare negotiations; if the driver wants to, simply walk away without saying anything
More Bangkok Taxis, click on thumbnails for larger images
Apart from the fact that drivers who try to negotiate fares are attempting to rip off their customers, it is also possible that will be dishonest in other ways, perhaps attempting a theft or taking you to another type of scammer.
Bangkok Taxi Fare Scam
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A Bangkok Taxi Memento
Well, if you were unlucky enough to visit Thailand and get caught out by this trick then try not to feel bad about it, it happens to many people. Better to make a positive out of something bad and celebrate your Bangkok taxi rip off experience; try one of these prints displaying a suitably tricky looking Bangkok taxi driver taking a rest before digging his talons into the next victim.
The print comes in different sizes.
The print comes in different sizes.
Bangkok Skytrain
If you are in bangkok and tired of taxis, tuk-tuks and traffic jams then try the skytrain.-
How to Use the Skytrain in Bangkok
-
Bangkok is a famously congested city. Never-ending traffic jams that sometimes continue round the clock can be very frustrating and stressful. However, since the opening of the skytrain there is a quick and hassle-free way of travelling around the ce...
9. Don't Expect to be Treated with Respect if you are Dressed Untidily
Thai people have a great amount of respect for those that look respectfully dressed; this means wearing clean and pressed clothes, wearing clean shoes and having tidy hair. Whatever others may think of this it remains that this is what Thais like to see.
Particularly if dealing with officialdom wearing shorts, scruffy clothes or having unkempt hair can mean being dealt with slowly, disrespectfully and shabbily. In fact one would be really foolish to deal with immigration, police or any other formal situation whilst dressed over-casually as you will be looked down on and treated with disdain.
Like it or not, this is a fact in Thailand and by playing by their rules you will be treated respectfully and properly and whatever you are trying to do will progress smoothly.
This sign at immigration on the Malaysain border does a lot to the way Thais view untidy people. You really can save a lot of time and anguish by dressing in a tidy fashion at the appropriate time in Thailand.
Particularly if dealing with officialdom wearing shorts, scruffy clothes or having unkempt hair can mean being dealt with slowly, disrespectfully and shabbily. In fact one would be really foolish to deal with immigration, police or any other formal situation whilst dressed over-casually as you will be looked down on and treated with disdain.
Like it or not, this is a fact in Thailand and by playing by their rules you will be treated respectfully and properly and whatever you are trying to do will progress smoothly.
This sign at immigration on the Malaysain border does a lot to the way Thais view untidy people. You really can save a lot of time and anguish by dressing in a tidy fashion at the appropriate time in Thailand.
Don't Look Like Scum
It really doesn't take much to look tidy when travelling in Thailand. Dressing in scruffy shorts, billowing trousers, dirty sandals and Bob Marley bedecked t-shirts will see you treated like scum if dealing with officials such as police or immigration, and you will receive poor service elsewhere.
A simple clean pair of trousers or jeans, a pressed, plain t-shirt or shirt and clean shoes will mean that your experience of dealing with Thais will be a whole lot nicer.
A simple clean pair of trousers or jeans, a pressed, plain t-shirt or shirt and clean shoes will mean that your experience of dealing with Thais will be a whole lot nicer.
Levi's Men's 501 Shrink To Fit Jean
Amazon Price: (as of 11/25/2009)
IZOD Women's Denim Trouser
Amazon Price: (as of 11/25/2009)
Champion 6.1 oz Cotton Tagless T-shirt
Amazon Price: (as of 11/25/2009)
Jerzees Jersey Polo - 2XL - LIGHT OXFORD
Amazon Price: (as of 11/25/2009)
10. Don't Commit Lese Majeste
This really is a touchy subject and one I don't want to elaborate on here; it is sufficient to say that this is a subject taken very seriously in Thailand and the topics concerned should be avoided.The Wikiepdia entry here Monarchy is worth a thourough read to elaborate on this topic.
Before getting on your high horse about freedom of speech in Thailand, think about how freedom of expression, speech or information are stifled in your own country; if you do a little research you will be surprised. A good place to start is the press freedom index - see where your country is on that.
Which is the Worst Thing to do?
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Bangkok Scams
For up-to-date information on all types of scams in Bangkok check out this specialist website devoted to the subject:
Bangkokscams.com
Bangkokscams.com
What's Being Said About Thailand On The Internet
- Schumer Criticizes Outsourcing of NBA Uniforms to Thailand
- By Matthew Bandyk Adidas recently announced it is moving its NBA uniform factory from upstate New York to Thailand. The sportswear company has an exclusive ...
- SE Asia Stocks-Vietnam tumbles; Thailand up on political news
- Thailand's benchmark index .SETI ended up 2.9 percent, reversing a four-day fall of 4.5 percent as Banpu BANP.BK, the country's biggest coal miner, ...
- Thai anti-government protesters postpone rally
- The king, seen as Thailand's sole unifying figure over a long series of military coups and constitutional experiments, has been in hospital since September ...
- Former Thai Prime Minister Samak dies
- Bangkok, Thailand (CNN) -- Former Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, who was ousted from office last year for appearing on television cooking shows for ...
Bangkok Dangerous
Oh come on! It really isn't that bad. In fact Bangkok, and Thailand in general, is a really safe country to live and travel in. I come from London and feel far safer anywhere in Thailand than I do in my hometown. In Thailand, random muggings, robbery or "happy slapping" are very very rare and punishment for these types of crimes are extremely harsh.
Thailand is a really great place to go and very safe.
Thailand is a really great place to go and very safe.
Bangkok Dangerous
Amazon Price: $9.98 (as of 11/25/2009)
Gap Year Travel
Travel Insurance
Whilst Thailand is a very safe country to travel in it is always good to have travel insurance in case of lost luggage etc. In particular it is useful to have travel insurance that covers cancellation of the holiday or parts of the holiday as political demonstrations sometimes create problems that affect travel.
I have used Globelink in the past and have been happy with the service I received.
I have used Globelink in the past and have been happy with the service I received.
My Other Thailand Lenses
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How to Make Thai Green Curry
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Thai Green Curry (Gaeng Kieow Waan) is perhaps the most popular of all Thai dishes with foreigners, certainly after thirteen years living in Thailand it is still one of my favourites. Indeed at various times Thai Green Curry has been voted the number...
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Chiang Rai Guesthouse: Bread and Butter Cottage, Chiang Saen, Thailand
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Bread and Butter Cottage is a Lanna-style guesthouse located in a traditonal Thai village in the low hills close to Chiang Saen Lake in Chiang Rai province of northern Thailand. The cottage is simple but comfortable with four bedrooms, catering for...
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Thailand Travel Advice: 10 Memorable Things to Do in Bangkok
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Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand and is famously polluted, congested and hectic. Perhaps the last of those is its strong point because whatever else it may be, Bangkok is never boring. I have lived in Bangkok since 1997 and although there are t...
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How to Use the Skytrain in Bangkok
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Bangkok is a famously congested city. Never-ending traffic jams that sometimes continue round the clock can be very frustrating and stressful. However, since the opening of the skytrain there is a quick and hassle-free way of travelling around the ce...
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Birdwatching in Thailand - My Favourite Birds
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I have been birdwatching in Britain since I was just 7 years old, but in comparison, birdwatching in Thailand can be a most amazing experience due to the huge variety of species. Biodiversity is very high in tropical Asia and this is reflected by alm...
Thailand Guidebooks
Lonely Planet Thailand
Amazon Price: (as of 11/25/2009)
Thailand (Country Guide)
Amazon Price: $17.81 (as of 11/25/2009)
The Rough Guide to Thailand 6 (Rough Guide Travel Guides)
Amazon Price: $19.75 (as of 11/25/2009)
Some More Thailand Lenses
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Free Thai Food Recipe and CookBook
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I love Thai Food. I live in Thailand and am fortunate enough to eat it every day and any time I feel like it. Thai food is internationally famous. Whether chilli-hot or comparatively bland, harmony is the guiding principle behind each dish. Thai cuisi...
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Birdwatching in Thailand - Where to Watch Birds in Thailand.
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Beautiful scenery, good food, low prices, friendly people and warm weather all make Thailand a very popular destination for holiday makers. Almost 1000 bird species, many of which are fantastic colours and huge sizes, also make Thailand a wonderful p...
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Short Bangkok Tour
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"I've got only got a few days in Bangkok, what do you recommend?" As someone who has lived in and extensively explored Bangkok, Thailand, I have the most helpful advice around and this lens will give you adequate resources to fully enjoy the few day...
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Bangkok by Boat
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In the days before Bangkok got paved over with concrete, it was known as the "Venice of the East" because of its vast network of canals or klongs throughout, and the mighty Chao Phraya River snaked through the city. Boats and barges were common trans...
5 Great Things About Thailand
Now for some nice stuff about Thailand.
5 Great Things About Thailand
Thailand is a great country to visit or to live in. The relaxed pace of life and low cost of living make it both a pleasant place to be and a cheap one. Here I will highlight just 5 things that make it a great place.
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- kiwisoutback kiwisoutback Nov 6, 2009 @ 11:04 am
- I've never been to Thailand, but I'll be sure to reread this thoroughly if I ever DO go. Thanks for the info, this is very detailed (and provides a great insight into the lifestyle and tourism over there). Squid Angel blessed.
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- superbookdepot superbookdepot Oct 26, 2009 @ 7:31 am
- Nice and very beautifully laid out lens. I would really appreciate it if you visit my Best Travel Books lens and put your views there. Hope you will take out some time to rate it too.
http://www.squidoo.com/travel-best-sellings-books
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- Themiscorkscrew Themiscorkscrew Oct 23, 2009 @ 10:26 am
- Informative and descriptive
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- CoolFoto CoolFoto Oct 18, 2009 @ 4:07 pm
- Never been to Thailand. Sounds like great advice, though.
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Portrait of Thailand
Portrait of Thailand: Portrait of Series
Amazon Price: $18.96 (as of 11/25/2009)
A beautiful book full of wonderfully colourful photos depicting many aspects of Thai culture. perfect for those that want to gaze at Thailand at its best and reminisce.
About The Lens Author
Lensmaster nickupton has been a member since June 23 2007, has rated 147 lenses, favorited 71, and has created 63 lenses from scratch. This member's top-ranked page is "The Sneetches by Dr Seuss". See all my lenses
by nickupton
Having been a birdologist since the age of seven I am something of an ornithological recluse. However, I managed to gain adulthood, if onl... (more)
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