Thailand Backpacking Tips

Vagabonding on Ko Phi Phi island, Thailand

Many new backpackers begin traveling in Thailand because it is a relatively easy way to break into Asia and there is a highly established tourist and backpacker presence there. English is spoken in varying degrees of quality in all the tourist areas, so there is not much of a language barrier to deal with. Best of all, its cheaper than staying at home!

What's more, when it comes to finding a place to stay, hostels in Thailand are some of the best value budget accommodation to be found anywhere in the world.

No matter what you are looking for, you can find it in Thailand. Elitist backpackers (gag) claim that the country has been "ruined" by mass tourism - not true! Go with the right attitude and you will make memories and friendships that last forever.

If you are an experienced traveler, take this opportunity to learn a new trick, then share your own thailand travel tips with others.

If you need travel insurance for Southeast Asia check out World Nomads. Even if you dont want the insurance, they have free podcasts and goodies for learning some of the Thai language which makes things more fun.

Many of the tips below can be applied to the rest of Southeast Asia outside of Thailand and to budget travel in general.

Check the Thailand forums on Startbackpacking.com.

Traveling Thailand Tips and Scams

Local Feelings (how not to make people hate you!)

The head is the highest and most sacred part on a person. Never touch someone's head or ruffle their hair.

The foot is the lowest and dirtiest part of a person, never raise your foot over someone's head or step over them.

Try not to point your feet at anyone, it can be disrespectful.

Always remove your shoes and leave them outside when going indoors. This includes shops, restaurants, bars, and homes.

In general, Buddhists are conservative in dress and in contact between the sexes.

Never, ever disrespect the king in any way. Not only is it punishable by death but the Thai people love him!

Thai Temple Etiquette (how not be disrespectful on accident)

Monks receive the highest wai (prayer like gesture) when passing or in greeting.

Remove your shoes at the bottom of steps in a temple or before approaching a Buddha statue.

Many wats (temples) require long pants to go inside. Dress as conservative as possible when visiting the temples.

Never turn your back on a Buddha statue.

Monks usually do not eat after 12:00 noon, refrain from eating or snacking around them in the afternoon.

If you take pictures inside a wat, leave a small donation in the metal box.

Women should never touch a monk anywhere! When handing something to a monk, it must be passed through a man's hands.

Eating and Drinking (Thai food is worth the long flight if nothing else)

The proper use of utensils is spoon in right hand and fork in the left, using it to scrape things into the spoon.

Don't eat food that has touched the table or any other unclean surface.

When choosing a restaurant, always look for a high volume of business. This ensures fresher ingredients and less chance of getting a stomach problem.

There is no need to tip in restaurants and bars.

Try to choose bottles of water containing minerals (like Minere), rather than just the cheapest. As you sweat day and night, you will continue to loose energy due to low sodium and potassium levels no matter how much water you drink.

Unlike in the West, it is OK to loiter in restaurants for hours as long as you have purchased at least something small.

The hosts will almost always try to seat you in a high profile place towards the front to show off their business. Sometimes this will put you at a bad table near the street, feel free to ask to be moved somewhere more quiet!

Many restaurants in SE Asia will show movies and Western TV shows for customers, shop around and find something that you want to watch!

Western food like burgers and pizza will almost always be an expensive letdown. You didn't travel thousands of miles to eat something best done at home - eat local!

When eating from street carts, choose an item that you saw come off the grill, not one that has been sitting in the sun for an undetermined amount of time.

Don't eat fruit without peeling it first. Washing will not always do the trick.

Thai Curries take much longer to prepare, if you are in a hurry avoid ordering them! Fortunately, they are well worth the wait.

Take the opportunity to ask your waiter how to properly pronounce one word in Thai from your phrasebook, or some object on the table. You will pick up words quickly that way!

Money Matters (How not to look like a walking ATM machine)

Nearly every price for everything is negotiable. Fixed prices would include prices in chain supermarkets, department stores, drinks, and transportation tickets. You will get a feel for when you can negotiate. Never take the first price!

Always expect to pay more in touristy areas. Negotiation will be much tougher as well because the package tourists generally do not negotiate prices.

Large denomination notes can be very difficult to change or use. Unfortunately, this is what you will receive from most ATM machines. When entering an amount, choose a number that ensures at least a few smaller bills. (ie 900 Baht as opposed to 1000 Baht)
Large notes such as 1000 can generally be changed at supermarkets (7-11), fast food places, and for transportation tickets without much hassle.

Do not accept torn notes or notes that are too faded to read - they may be difficult to spend.

Many taxis and vendors will conveniently have no change so that they may keep the difference in price. Try to have smaller bills in your pockets at all times - but see if they will take the larger ones first! :)

In markets, the first sale of the day for a vendor is the "lucky sale" and you have much more negotiation power and can land a better price. Arrive early to markets as vendors are setting up if you are after a major purchase.

ALWAYS negotiate a price first before getting inside a taxi. The meters are most likely "broken" and you will pay an outlandish price if you close the door without establishing a rate first.

ATMs usually offer the best exchange rates. Otherwise, be wary of changing money on the street or on the black market. Count your money before the guy walks away, don't let him do the counting for you. A small calculator can be handy for clearing up any disagreements.

Many prices such as for long distance transportation tickets or activities such as diving are fixed in an area, so shopping around can be based on the appearance of the company rather than price.

If using Traveler's Checks, carry larger denominations such as $50 or $100. You will be charged a fee per check when cashing them and this can add up if you have a lot of small notes.

If you are going to be in an area for a few days, buy a large 5 liter bottle of water and use it to refill smaller bottles. This saves money and keeps you from contributing to the existing refuse problem.

Never ask a taxi driver for accommodation or restaurant recommendations. They will always plug a family member's business. Never let them talk you into changing your original destination, many times they get a comission and you get to pay the difference!

"Farangs" or people that are not Thai, will usually pay a higher price for services and goods in markets.

Getting Around Thailand (how not to explode when your bus breaks down)

Things in Southeast Asia, especially Thailand, move at a different speed. Don't be in a hurry! Bus and even train breakdowns are common. Don't loose your cool, remember - mai pen rai!

TAT is NOT a government office and they are there for one reason - to make money! Book tickets directly yourself and save a bundle.

Always settle on a price to a destination before getting inside a taxi.

Taxis in the queue directly in front of the airport or an event will ALWAYS be more expensive than flagging ones on the street yourself.

To hitchhike, you point at the ground in front of you rather than sticking your thumb out.

When you hire a motorcycle, be sure to point out any defects or scratches before you take it. Sometimes a stiff inspection follows after you return a bike.

Don't agree to allow your tuk-tuk driver to stop at shops you are not interested in for "fuel vouchers".
Keep your knees and elbows tucked in tight when riding on the back of a motorcycle taxi!

Always wear sunglasses when driving a motorbike. Not only will you look cool, it will keep the masses of insects from hitting your eyes at high speeds.

For good cheap maps of a new area, search for the town name on http://images.google.com and print them for cheap in the internet cafes.

Night trains are a cheap (and enjoyable) way to get from A to B. You save a night's accommodation price and wake up at your destination. Top bunks are smaller but cheaper. Beware of extremely expensive food and drinks! The attendants work mostly for commission so they can be pushy.

When choosing your seat on the bus, take into consideration which direction you are traveling and which side of the bus the sun will be hitting. The closer you are to an axle, the bumpier the ride. If there is AC available, count on it being cold enough to snow inside to have something warm handy.

Don't pay extra for "VIP" buses. They usually aren't VIP, or sometimes they conveniently "break down" and a regular fare bus is substituted instead (with no refund of course).

Don't loose your booking tickets from travel agencies. There is no common network and getting another printed could be impossible.

ALWAYS use your motorbike lock chain that was provided - they have a high disappearance rate in Thailand.

Believe it or not, there is a helmet law for people riding on a motorbike, and you could be given a fine on the spot. This is almost never enforced, but once you see the way people drive, you will want to wear it anyway!

Wear your sunglasses if you are driving a motorbike. There are lots of rocks, insects, and dirt that seem to find your eyeballs at high speeds.

Staying Alive (and healthy)

Some people do, but its best not to use local water for brushing teeth. Save a little of your bottled water and place it in near the toilet for brushing at night.

Even small scrapes and cuts can become easily infected in a dirty and humid tropical environment. Popping blisters allowed bacteria inside. Carry a small bottle of liquid bandage to quickly apply to cuts and small scrapes.

Only take anti-diarrhea medication if you will be on the move traveling or absolutely have to. You can control minor stomach fluctuations by eating bananas (to slow down) or drinking green coconut milk (to speed up).

It goes without saying, but never drink local water. Brush your teeth with bottled water.

TD (traveler's diarrhea) is normal for the first week or two when you change bacteria zones around the world You can get your stomach back to normal by eating several bananas a day and drinking yogurt.

HIV and prostitution are rampant in Thailand. Don't let a thin piece of latex separate you from life or death.

Local brand condoms have a high failure rate because of poor storage techniques in the hot weather.

Sunblock prices and choices can be poor in countries where the locals have dark skin and generally do not use it.

When swimming in the ocean, be conscious of drainage ditches and pipes, many times they may contain raw sewage.

There is no vaccination for Dengue fever, which is common in mozzie areas around SE Asia. Be smart, take precautions to avoid bites such as using repellent and burning coils at night. Always use your mosquito net.

Turn your lights off when leaving to avoid attracting extra insects. Check your mosquito netting for holes before going to bed in mozzie infested areas. Gecko lizards are noisy but eat other insects, so let them stay inside your bungalow!

If you are refilling a water bottle, avoid touching the cap or the threads. Smell it first before drinking, and change it out every few days to avoid bacteria.

Ginger is a great natural preventative for motion sickness. Dramamine works, but can double as a sleeping pill (not always bad on long trips) due to the side effects.

ALWAYS carry toilet paper in your pocket. It will not be available in toilets - and never, ever flush it! Put it into the bucket or can with a lid near the toilet.

Good to Know

Don't take expensive sandals or flip-flops. It is almost guaranteed that someone will "swap" with you in the pile of shoes left outside entrance ways.

People either love or hate Bangkok with a passion. It will be your first impression of Thailand when you fly in - don't let it jade you!

There are internet cafes virtually everywhere so there is no need to carry a laptop unless you are a full time writer.

In internet cafes, always check the login domain to make sure it is not a screen designed to capture your email password. (It happens) Change your password frequently when on the road.

If you pay to have your laundry done, CHECK for missing items before you walk away. It is not unusual for them to swap items with other travelers.

Plan on your laundry taking over 24 hours to dry in the humid weather. In other words, don't wash laundry the night before a long bus trip in the morning.

You can save loads of money by learning your numbers, how to ask price, and negotiate in Thai. Vendors will almost always give you a smile (and a better price) when you try their language. Its not that hard!

Leave the price tag on your books for more bargaining power later when you trade it at bookstores or with other travelers.

It is useful to memorize your passport number or have it written on something handy - you will use it a lot when checking in. Don't make a scene digging it out of your "secret" money belt in front of everyone!

Be careful when approached to buy drugs from locals. Not only is it illegal in Thailand, but sometimes they work in pairs with police officers who will then relieve you of the drugs and your money! (in the form of a bribe)

Always look at a room before you check in. Only pay for the first day, then renew later if it turns out to be ok. In the islands, check the beach at different times, you may have been checking in during high tide which would hide an unpleasant rocky sea floor.

Cheap international calls can be made via Skype from internet cafes. Another option is to purchase phone cards, yellow or orange, from a 7-11. Before buying a card with a lot of minutes, make sure that type of pay phone is available in the area! Some pay phones will not make international calls.

Keep a journal of your trip from the beginning, you will be forever glad that you did. Better yet, start a travel blog and share your adventure with everyone!

When uploading your pictures in internet cafes, always set the "write-protect" switch on your memory card to protect yourself from the viruses. IPODs can become infected too while charging!

If you can, always return to support the same businesses such as internet cafes and markets. The will get to know your face, provide better service, and give you discounts!

The best travel advice comes from other travelers - talk to everyone! If you show yourself friendly, you will make new backpacker friends faster than you can write down their email addresses.

New from Easytobook.com
See Thailand and make your way west and finish your backpacking trip in three of the best cities in Europe. We make it easy to book your stay and find the best hotels in Amsterdam, incredible Barcelona hotels, and great hotels in Rome.