Thailand Tips

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!

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.

Here is a great site for booking youth hostels in Thailand.

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

This disorganized page of my own travel notes somehow mysteriously ended up so popular that I decided to dedicate an entire site to Thailand tips. Go check out the brand new site!

Thailand Travel Guide

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!

Thailand Tips for 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.

Thailand Tips for 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.

You will almost always get a straw with every can or bottled drink that you buy. It seems like a big waste of plastic, but there is a reason – things get dirty! Cans are stored in areas where rats, dogs, and chickens roam freely. Its best to pour your drink into a glass or use the straw.

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