Thailand Travel Advice


Why travel to Thailand?  

• Land of Smiles, friendly people
• Mostly very safe to travel
• Variety of historical sights
• Natural beauty from beaches to jungles
• Amazing resorts at competitive prices
• Vibrant colours
• Abundance of wildlife
• Mixture of people from all over the world
• Bustling metropolis Bangkok, considered one of the most exciting cities in the world
• Beautiful people
• Great place for family vacations/holidays
• Your money stretches further
• Buddhism heartland, a place for meditation
• World-renowned spas
• Amazing shopping and markets

Some downsides

• Language is very different, although English is widely spoken hard to learn local language unless you spend time there
• Bangkok traffic is legendary, but Skytrain and subway takes some of the pain away
• Slightly unstable politics, but you just have to monitor the situation so as to avoid any conflicts, Thailand by and large is quite a peaceful country
• Some areas are quite sleazy, but for some visitors this is an attraction, for others it can be easily avoided
• Avoid unmarked taxis and mad tuk-tuks when using public transport
• Not completely safe, as there are criminal groups operating like anywhere in the world
• Doing business there can be risky if you're inexperienced, make sure you know what you’re doing
• Tourists can be targets for exploitation, be well briefed, like anywhere with disparity of income

Currency

Thai baht, exchange rates vary, but baht has been pretty stable over past ten years. Check xe.com for latest exchange rate with your currency

Food and water

Never drink tap water and always make sure you’re happy with where you are eating. Generally hygiene is very good in food halls, restaurants, even stalls on the streets, but look around before you buy, especially with street stalls. See who else is buying.

Insurance

Make sure you have proper travel insurance, as accidents do happen. If you are hiring cars/motorbikes, make sure you are properly insured. You may purchase insurance from the vendor and still find that you are not covered, so don’t rely on others, rely on your own insurance policy.  Thailand medical/hospitals are at a very high standard and not expensive, but insurance is always better than having to pay for it yourself.


Length of stay

Generally 10 days should be a minimum to really feel at home, although 7 days is ok if you are not travelling long haul.  Ideal stay would be around 2 weeks, although if you can stay a month or longer you’ll really get a sense for the place and get to feel at home. We specialise in longer stays, let us know and we’ll arrange something that suits your needs.  

Where to go

Bangkok is usually only used as a stopover and then visitors head off to the beach and resorts.  Bangkok is an amazing city and worth spending some time, many sights, attractions, restaurants, nightlife and once you spend a couple of days you will soon feel at home. Try and stay longer if your holiday permits.

Best time to travel

High season is November to February where the weather is great, but not too hot. Summer is April-May, so be prepared for a hot stay.  However, major hotels, homes, restaurants, bars, taxis, shopping malls are all air conditioned and you will be able to stay out of the heat most of the time if you plan your time accordingly.


Electricity

220v, 2 flat pines, occasional 2 round pins.  If you are travelling from the UK, your appliances will work in Thailand with a simple adapter. You can even buy three pin extension cords quite easily in IT shops/malls.


Shopping

• Markets provide terrific value for money, make sure you are guided to where the best markets are in Bangkok and other places.
• Electrical goods are not really any cheaper in Thailand, so unless you need something it’s probably best to buy at home where your warranties are in full effect.
• Food, huge range of food, two top food supermarkets are Tesco Lotus and Carrefour and they are as good as anywhere in the world.  Most big supermarkets in Thailand come with a small shopping mall connected to it with various stores.
• Large shopping malls/centres. Thailand has more than its fair share of the best shopping malls and they are air-conditioned.  You’ll find that these malls have plenty to offer, and some are bigger than the ones you see in Europe and the US. Central malls are scattered around the country and are at a high standard. In Bangkok you also have the Emporium and Siam Paragon on top of the Central Malls.

Entertainment

• Make sure you check out the cinemas in Thailand. Major cinemas have some of the finest cinemas you will find anywhere among others.  Thailand also has VIP cinemas where you can lie back with a blanket and drinks/food and enjoy the movies. Most cinemas have international films playing in English with Thai subtitles.
• Bars/restaurants, there’s an abundance and sometimes the plain and cheap ones serve the best food. If you see a small and simple restaurant bustling with life - with many customers - chances are they’re serving great food and give it a try.
• Clubs/massage. Thailand’s red light industry is world famous, and it’s worth checking beforehand exactly what the place has to offer before making a visit, or you may be in for a surprise.

Travel Safety

• Petty thieves are common in Bangkok, be mindful of yourself and don’t flaunt your mobile phones and money too openly on the streets.   Also, try and stay in a hotel where there’s a safe, or you might find your valuables not there when you return to your room/home.
• Avoid unmarked taxis and stay away from tuk-tuks unless it’s just a joy trip to experience them, as they are not always safe
• If you are travelling around the Thai borders, be aware that countries like Cambodia and Myanmar are not as safe, and you may be taking risks if you are not clear about where you are heading or what you are doing
• Thailand’s royal family is very precious to the country, and any verbal remarks could earn you a jail sentence in the country. Be cautious and polite as you are a guest in their country
• Buses and trains.  The standards on buses and trains in Thailand can vary from being some of the worst to being reasonable.  Again, try and avoid unless you need to, and then be aware of what you are doing. Long distance buses are not all that safe in terms of safeguarding your valuables, and just because you have locked your suitcase in the baggage compartment is no guarantee it won’t be picked.
• Try to avoid cheap hotels, as there’s quite a bit of thievery going on, and sneaking in while you are sleeping isn’t that uncommon.  Even hotel safes in cheap hotels are not a guarantee of security if you leave cash.  If you are backpacking or travelling cheap, be extra cautious and avoid carrying around large amounts or cash and valuables.