Headed to Thailand this year? Here are 5 Tips that will Help you make the most of your Vacation
Thailand is an incredibly magical place. Whether you’re exploring white sand beaches and lush forests or eating your way through the bigger cities, there’s a lot to love. But with that said, it does help to prepare a little so you can make the most out of your vacation!
After several years of full-time travel, including several months in Thailand last year, here are some of my top tips for getting the most out of your time in Thailand.
1. Learn some basic Thai Vocabulary
This is true of basically every country I’ve ever visited, but it’s especially true of locations where there may be opportunities for bartering. Even in places like Thailand, where enough people know English to allow you to get around easily enough, you should take some time to learn a few basic local words.
While you absolutely can get around with just English and a touch of Google Translate, knowing some basic vocabulary, like hello (sawasdee), thank you (khob khun ka), yes (chai), and no (mai chai) can really go a long way to show people that you respect their culture. And, yeah, when people see that you’re trying, they are often less likely to try to take advantage of the “tourist” for everything they can.
Here’s a longer list of Thai words from people who actually speak the language (unlike me).
Definitely take a look and learn a bit. It’s a great way to make the locals smile, even if you’re not entirely fluent, and mispronouncing words!
2. Book a Nice Hotel
Yes, Thailand has a ton of great budget options for lodging that are cheap and good enough. But a really fun side effect of having lots of inexpensive options is that the prices for really nice spots goes down, too!
My family usually does our best to stay in places that balance our limited budget with great amenities, but on occasion it is absolutely worth it to splurge a little on your lodgings. Places like this family promotion Koh Samui, offer spots that are super nice at a discount.
Not headed to Koh Samui?
No worries! You can use the map below to view different spots around the country and find the best property, at the best price for you!
3. Be Sure to Keep Cash on Hand
As much as I prefer not carrying a lot of cash, unless you are visiting a tourist hotspot, you’ll almost certainly run into places that are cash only. Street vendors, local markets, and even some coffee shops and restaurants may not accept credit cards, so keeping at least some cash on hand is going to be important.
How much cash is going to depend a lot on your location, the duration of your stay, and your family’s spending habits. I’d suggest starting out with 3500-4000 baht ($100-$125) and see how far that gets you. I’d also suggest getting a Wise account and debit card. Wise typically has some of the lowest currency exchange rates on the market, and if you lose your card while traveling, you’ll still have your regular bank debit card to fall back on. Just be sure to keep them in different spots so you don’t lose them both at once!
Wise has been around for a long time, but I'm still discovering all the ways they can help me manage my money while traveling.
They offer accounts in multiple currencies, simple (and cost-effective) bank transfers, a debit card that works in ATMs around the world, and so much more.
Of course, while I am a travel expert, and love Wise for making my travels easier, I am not a financial expert, so if this sounds interesting be sure to hit the button below to head over to Wise where you can learn more about what they can do for you!
4. Respect the Thai Culture
You’re probably familiar with the phrase, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” As it turns out, it’s pretty good advice!
I’ve known some people who insist that the way they do things is the only “right” way to do it and insist that, even when in a foreign country, they couldn’t possibly do things in a new way. But I promise that changing things up just a bit makes for an easier trip.
Some things are simple. Keep you shoulders and legs covered when visiting a temple. Don’t put your feet up on a chair at the restaurant. And, if you don’t have anything nice to say about the Royal Family, don’t say anything at all! (Insulting the Royal Family is a crime, and will be punished, so that’s a big one.)
Other things can be a bit harder to understand. Someone may give you wrong directions instead of admitting to you that they don’t know the way. Maybe they’ll give you the answer they think you want to hear, even if they know it’s the wrong one. This can feel really hard as someone from America, but it’s important to know that they aren’t trying to scam you or trick you.
Rather, it’s a cultural aversion to embarrassment. It might happen because they don’t know the way to your hotel or because you said something that they know is incorrect as if it were true. They’re trying to save face, either for them or for you.
I’ve heard a lot of people saying that someone was trying to “scam” them when, in reality, it was simple miscommunication that happened because of differing cultural values. In general, it’s best to assume that people are trying their best to be friendly.
5. Don’t try to do it all in one trip!
It can be tempting to cram as much as you can into your trip, especially when you don’t know when, or if, you’ll be back. But I highly encourage you not to attempt it.
In part, that’s because Thailand is bigger than you think it is, and a large part of your trip will be eaten up with time spent on planes, trains, or buses. But also, the ideal times to visit different parts of Thailand can be very different.
For instance, you might want to check out the temples and countryside views of Chiang Mai, but if you’re visiting during the months of February to April, local farmers will be burning their fields in preparation for re-planting, and the air quality will be among the worst in the world. However, during that same time, the beaches and forests of southern Thailand look amazing!
Likewise, visiting Phuket in the months September and October will likely mean frequent, heavy rains in the afternoon. It won’t ruin your trip, but it will be significantly wetter than other parts of the year. So, during that time period, heading to the mountains and avoiding the beach could be a better option.
Quick Tip:
Still wanting to pack as much into your Thailand Trip as possible? Aim for the month of November.
Whether you’re looking for a beautiful spot to get back into nature or are more interested in making cultural connections in concrete jungles, Thailand has what you’re looking for. Ease of access, low cost, and plenty of great locations all mean that a visit to Thailand almost guarantees a good time. But remembering these 5 travel tips can help you elevate your trip from a good time to a great one, and keep you coming back for more.
