Travelling to Thailand is an ideal place to start long-term travel and backpacking, with beautiful beaches, a warm and exotic culture, ancient temples, and plenty of adventure. Although it has a robust tourism infrastructure, it is unknown and thrilling enough to give you the impression that you have entered another world.
However, there are a lot of guidelines and cultural distinctions to be aware of before visiting Thailand. With this knowledge, you’ll be able to concentrate on enjoying yourself while exploring Thailand safely and sensibly.
Thailand Cultural Tips
It is always good to respect the culture of any place you visit, whether you agree or disagree with their practices. Especially when you are visiting places in Thailand like Phuket that have deep religious and cultural roots that blend together. To know more about Phuket, we have a thorough and interesting guide related to Phuket all in one place for you.
Let us quickly run by some of them:
Taking Off Your Shoes
In Thai culture, the feet are regarded as the body part that is the dirtiest. Wear shoes that are simple to slip on and off since you’ll need to do so whenever you enter temples, private residences, spas, and other establishments.
Don’t touch people’s heads.
Never touch someone’s head because it is believed to be the holiest part of the body. Even though it seems unlikely, try to avoid touching people’s heads, because doing so is considered disrespectful.
Dress properly
You must adhere to the dress code when visiting temples. You must take off your shoes and wear clothing that covers your stomach, knees, shoulders, and chest. Although there isn’t a uniform for daily attire, Thai people dress modestly.
Respect their way of life by wearing a little more clothing. When it’s hot outside, you are acceptable to dress in shorts and T-shirts; just make an effort to cover appropriately to give the impression that you are aware of Thai modesty.
Honor the Monarch
Thai people adore their king. The king’s image is emblazoned on various displays of affection, including posters, monuments, emblems, and other items. This means that travelers should respect monarchies and never use derogatory or offensive language when speaking about the king.
Thailand Health Tips
Get Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is a must-have. You never know what will occur while traveling, mainly if you engage in more dangerous activities like riding a motorcycle, hiking in the mountains, cliff jumping, and engaging in water sports. Even if you don’t intend to participate in extreme sports, you should still have insurance if you get sick.
Pick your street food carefully.
Be aware that not all of the vendors in the Land of Smiles are concerned with cleanliness before you hit the streets and find some serious food. Visitors should be able to reasonably infer which food stalls they should feel free to order from and which ones they should stay away from.
Drinking
While we wholeheartedly support visitors who want to partake in one or two alcoholic drinks, there are certain things to be aware of before placing an order. One is that Thailand’s legal drinking age is 20. Though there are occasional exceptions, you should be mindful of where you are drinking because it is forbidden in public parks, pharmacies, government buildings, offices, and educational institutions.
No one advises tourists visiting Thailand to drink bottled water instead of tap water. Even the locals, however, avoid drinking water straight from the sink. We recommend following them just to be safe. In Thailand, contaminated water can also spread diseases like hepatitis A and typhoid.
Mosquito Repellent And Sunscreen
In Asia, this is not something to take lightly. Wear light-colored long sleeves and pants and insect repellant because we know several people who have contracted dengue fever while traveling. Bring your mosquito net and sunscreen if you plan to stay in a hostel or a less expensive guest house. No matter your skin type, you are always at risk of burning in Thailand because the sun is so powerful.
Thailand Personal Safety Tips
Visa Requirements
Make sure you can enter Thailand by checking the visa requirements for your nation. Many nations have different visa requirements; some nationalities don’t need visas for stays under 30 days, some nationalities can get their permits at the airport, and others need visas in advance.
Beware Of Scams
In Thailand, tourists are often scammed and taken advantage of. There are a lot of con artists willing to take advantage of tourists, whether they are selling jet skis or gems. Taxis without meters, sex show con artists, and other common scams should be avoided at all costs.
Carry A Padlock
You never know when a lock might come in handy while traveling, whether in a budget hotel or a dirt-cheap hostel. Whenever possible, keep your valuable items locked up, such as your identification documents, electronics, prescription drugs, and any spare cash you might have.
Final Thoughts
After visiting Thailand, we put our personal recommendations into this comprehensive Thailand travel guide to help others find the best tips to keep in mind while traveling in this amazing place. There are more you will encounter, but this covers the most important ones. Always appreciate the place, people, and culture of any place you visit.