19 Things you need to know before traveling to Thailand
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Thailand is a fascinating country with so many places to see (click here to find out), things to experience and food to taste. However, as any other place there are some particularities which are good to know before your visit. Depending on your origins, if you are from Europe, United Stated or Asia, you will find these particulars odd, shocking or ordinary.
Here is a list with all the things you need to know before traveling to Thailand, in order to have the best experience ever:
The local currency is the Thai Baht (THB)
To have an idea about the conversion, here are some examples:
1 THB = 0.027 Euro
100 THB = 2,71 Euro
1 THB = 0,029 US Dollar
100 THB = 2,9 US Dollar
There are some hotels which accept euros, but check with them before booking. I recommend you change your money before you leave for your trip. If you don’t exchange enough, don’t worry you can also do it in Thailand, or you can get them from your card. Keep in mind that depending on your bank agreement you may pay a big commission.
Thailand is so much more than exotic islands
In Romania we have a TV show called “Love Island” which is filmed on one of Thailand’s islands. In this TV show couples sign up to “test” their love (don’t ask :)) ). The beautiful beaches, gorgeous resorts and wonderful seashore landscapes made the perfect image of honeymoon land in Thailand.
Anyway, the point that I’m trying to make is that most people (and the ones I have spoken to) associate Thailand only with beautiful and exotic islands.
But, Thailand is so much more… Thailand is a country rich in culture and traditions. Thailand is a country where you can see elephants and monkeys in their natural environment, visit splendid and unique temples, luxurious jungle hiking trails, waterfalls, exotic beaches and delicious dishes.
Greet people with the “Wai”
The “Wai” is a form of showing respect in Thailand, by placing palms together at your chest and bowing your head. No matter how you are used to greeting people in your country, learn that other cultures have different customs. I find it so important to treat people with the required respect regardless of the country. As travelers, we should explore mindfully and offer gratitude and respect to the places that we are visiting.
Bangkok is a very big city
This may come as random and not important information, but hear me out. Bangkok is indeed a very big capital, with landmarks scattered all over the city. When you choose your accommodation try to take this aspect in consideration. My advice is to find a place that is close to your main attractions.
Tuk Tuk is the cheapest way to move around
Go on a shopping spree because the clothes are cheap
I recommend you include markets on your itinerary and buy some great dresses and summer clothes. You are going to feel more as part of the whole Thai atmosphere. My husband and I even got matching outfits.
Leave space in your luggage
Try to not overpack and leave room for souvenirs. As I already mentioned, things are very cheap in Thailand (especially if you come from Europe and you are used to other price ranges). Regardless of the place you chose to visit in Thailand, there are street markets loaded with thousands of souvenirs and clothes.
In Bangkok you can drink fresh juice squeezed directly in front of you on the street
This is one of the things I loved about Bangkok. While exploring the streets, I enjoyed a lot of mango, orange and pomegranate juices. Because the weather is so hot, these drinks are perfect for hydration and also for providing the necessary energy.
The mangoes are amazing
I’m a fruit addict (cherries instead of cake, kind of girl), but until I visited Thailand I wasn’t a fan of mangoes. The ones I tasted in Romania are so bad (they taste like carrots, yuck). If you are like me and love fruits, try and eat as many as you can in Thailand. I swear mangoes are the most delicious ones I ever tasted.
Cover your elbows and knees when visiting religious places as temples or monasteries
Be respectful of the places that you are visiting. Regardless of our beliefs we should respect other people’s faith and customs.
Take your shoes off when visiting a temple
There are some temples where it isn’t necessary to do this. Pay attention to the people around you to see if they take their shoes off, please follow along.
Prepare to feel a lot of smells
This may sound shocking, but in Bangkok you can smell flowery fragrances and stinging sewage or rotten food while walking on the same street. This is one of the things that was awful to discover and I must say, we weren’t prepared for the impact. It hit us on our very first day in Bangkok. At some point we thought that maybe we were in a very bad part of the city, but no, this particularity was common in Bangkok.
Get better deals if you ask in Thai language
This is something that a local man told us, when he helped us get around Bangkok. And I must say it really worked! We tried it when we paid for a boat trip to drive us to the Floating Market. Of course, they knew we were tourists, but for them it is a sign of respect to learn some basic language expressions.
People are so nice
This is one of the things that impressed us in Thailand. People were so nice and respectful. Strangers on the streets stopped and helped us with our questions. I remember, one guy stopped and taught us how to get a Tuk Tuk ride and he also took us to a Tuk Tuk “station” and asked the driver to take us to our destination (because the driver didn’t know english).
Thai people love to share food
Eating in Thailand can be a very interesting experience, especially if you are used to the american or european way of dining out. We found out about this particularity while traveling in Chiang Mai with a private guide. We always eat with our guide and every time the food is placed in the middle of the table, for everyone to share. She explained that this is their custom, to order a bunch of different dishes and share them.
This aspect of their lives changed my beliefs about eating out. Now, we try to implement this custom more often at home and I have to say it’s the best way to eat, because you can taste many more dishes.
Rice is served with almost every meal
I felt that rice is like bread for Thai people. They served it with almost every meal and I loved it. I’m a big fan of rice and noodles and in Thailand I tasted for the first time rice with scrambled eggs. And OMG, it was so delicious! I ate it like crazy for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I also recommend you try out sticky rice that is usually bundled into balls and served with meat.
The food is better in small family owned restaurants
If you want to taste the best Thai food, try to find small restaurants that serve traditional dishes. You will be amazed by the taste, the textures and colors of the food. I think that Thailand was the country with the best food I ever ate.
Book a rustic (more authentic) accommodation in Chiang Mai
If you visit the Northern part of Thailand I highly recommend you book a place that is surrounded by nature, forests or even the jungle. You won’t regret it. Trust me, there isn’t a more fulfilling travel experience than waking up to the sounds of nature in Thailand.
Don’t ride elephants in Thailand (or any other country for that matter)
One of the things I didn’t like in Thailand is the way some companies exploit animals for tourism. I feel like I can’t emphasize enough, if you want to see elephants (which are a common attraction in Thailand), please do your research before your trip and choose a sanctuary that is actually taking care of animals.
Remember that the abusive zoos and elephant sanctuaries exist only because people are paying for them. It’s so important to not support these places, by not paying or promoting them to others.
Our main duty as explorers, travelers and tourists is to be responsible for our way of traveling. Traveling in a meaningful way isn’t just a trend, it’s a necessity in order to take care of our planet. And also, keep in mind that a more meaningful way of traveling will benefit your soul and make the experience even more memorable.
I spend a dreamy day with some cute elephants and you can read more about it here.
I hope you find this article useful and it got you excited about planning a trip to Thailand.