7 Tips Every Traveler Needs When Visiting Thailand

7 Tips Every Traveler Needs When Visiting Thailand

South East Asia is explored by thousands of backpackers and travelers every year. The beautiful beaches, eastern charm and not to mention extremely cheap standard of living makes it a great place for the young and broke alike. Thailand was my first and only stop on my most recent three week expedition through the region and here are some must need tips for every first timer.

1. CASH CASH CASH

Thai Baht is the currency in Thailand and you will need to make sure you have plenty of cash before you leave. My normal arrangement for money is to bring some cash with me in that country's currency in case a place does not take card (GASP no card in 2019?! but seriously so much more common than you think...) then I use my travel credit card for the rest of my purchases. In Thailand, this simply is not feasible. Almost every transaction I dealt with involved cash. McDonald's and the airport were the only places I could use my card. 

The solution? AAA allows you to exchange USD to Bahts (or any currency) for free, just make sure to give yourself at least a week before you travel.

local food stands like this one do not take any form of card

2. Use Grab instead of Uber

the use of mopeds in Thailand was unbelievable

Uber is not used in Thailand so Grab is a great alternative in the cities. I used this app most frequently in Bangkok because the public transportation was very lacking there. The BTS Skytrain only runs to certain parts of the city and traffic is so bad that it typically takes double to triple amount of the time to get anywhere, which causes regular meter taxis to drive up their price. Grab is easily downloaded onto your phone, offers a cash option and typically is cheapest. If you are a single rider you can also opt for the Grab Bike. The most traffic efficient and in my opinion most fun way to get around the city. A (typically male) driver will pick you up on his moped and weave in and out of traffic, saving you time and money. I was always offered a helmet as well.

quick selfie in traffic on a grab bike

3. Bug Spray/ Sun Screen

Surprisingly the amount of bug bites I received in Thailand was significantly less than my time spent on a farm in Italy however, they are still prevalent in the country. Furthermore, though malaria is not huge in Thailand, the surrounding South Asian countries do pose some risk, so why take any chances? 

The beach seemed to be where I got the most bug bites and I certainly used plenty of sunscreen for the week

Thailand has two season, hot season and rainy AND hot season. So if you are headed to the beach or going to be spending the day walking around in the city, bring a travel sized sun screen with you. They do have it available at 7/11 and local pharmacies but the prices are no cheaper than if you were to purchase it in the U.S.

4. Layers and respectful clothing

When packing for Thailand, especially if you're only bringing a backpack, it can be difficult to pack accordingly. The weather there is very hot and humid so it is tempting to wear sleeveless shirts and shorts all the time. While for the most part that is fine, any Wat or Temple that you visit will require a more modest dress code. Women are required to have their backs and shoulders covered and their pants must come to at least the knee. Some places (like the Grand Palace in Bangkok) even require actual shirts instead of just a wrap or scarf. 

visiting a temple and wearing my wrap

5. Buy a SIM card

Typically when I travel, I don't bother with changing SIM cards because of expenses and I think that not having service helps keep me present and in the moment. However, after asking around and talking to some locals, I found that the SIM cards are extremely inexpensive. I purchased one for maybe a dollar and then an unlimited LTE plan for another $14 USD for the month. I was able to navigate efficiently and speak to my Grab drivers on the phone with out any issues. It also helped me stay connected to friends I met along the way who were staying in other hostels, when on the go. 

Got lost on my way to Chinatown (pictured above) in Bangkok and multiple other times during my trip so, 15 dollars well spent

6. Water is your best friend

Did I mention it is hot in Thailand? It's essentially like living on the sun but also under water at the same time. The humidity is brutal and since the rest of the world seems to not be as obsessed with air conditioning as us Americans are, you essentially get no break from the heat all day. This leads to the obvious sweating from every surface of your body and it is very easy to become dehydrated quickly. Since Thailand's tap water is not drinkable, your only option is water bottles. This is where 7/11 comes to play. 7/11 will be your go to in Asia, as they are on every corner. For just 7 baht (or 20 cents USD) you can purchase a bottle of water and I typically had one on me at all times. My only internal struggle with this option was the obvious mass usage of plastic and lack of recycling in the country. 

constantly sweating but hey at least the views were nice

7. Portable soap/hang sanitizer/toilet paper

My disgust of public bathrooms is constantly tested during my travels and Thailand was probably one of the worst culprits yet. It is not uncommon to come across a hole in the ground with no toilet paper and have it passed off as a "bathroom." That's why I recommend bringing your own. I would say out of the three, hand sanitizer is the must have. Often sinks have running water but no soap or towels. My DIY obsessed mom made some portable soap papers that I brought with me and also I brought two tubes of hand sanitizer for good measure. 

found the only western bathroom in all of Thailand in a mall in Bangkok...dramatic but you get my point

Thailand is a beautiful country with friendly locals, unique culture and amazing jungles and beaches. I enjoyed every minute of my three week trip and can't wait to explore more of South East Asia. In the meantime, follow me on Instagram or like my page on Facebook!

Happy Travels!