The Thailand Travel Tips by Samui Explorer is a helpful guide to saving money, avoiding awkward situations, and much more.
Samui Explorer responds to frequent email inquiries and posts on social media groups, all of which ask for similar Thailand Travel Tips; therefore, we have written our unique tips.
Thailand Travel Tips by Samui Explorer are very simple but useful. They will save you money and awkward situations, and tips will help you reduce your luggage weight and guide you in the right direction for authentic non-touristy Thai food restaurants and bars.
So let’s get straight to it…
Cultural Respect
Always show respect for Thai customs and traditions, particularly when visiting temples. Temple attire is very important. Cover your shoulders and knees, and remove your shoes when entering sacred areas. Do not climb on or touch Buddha statues or Spirit Houses.
Airplane Stomach!
We describe an airplane stomach for those who are unfamiliar with it. The phrase “aeroplane stomach” describes the bloated sensation you may experience after a long flight, which can hinder your ability to use the restroom for up to 4-5 days, thereby exacerbating your overall body bloating. Well, folks, I have the perfect remedy for you, and it comes in the form of a Thai dish.
The first dish to try is Som Tam, also known as papaya salad; not only does the spice stimulate your digestive system, but the papaya also acts as a laxative. If it’s not your first time in Thailand, you should try the next dish, Geng Som Bla (fish) or Goong (shrimp), which is a yellow curry with fish or shrimp. The ingredients quickly induce diarrhea.
Wash your body, hair, and body spray.
Ladies, when flying to Thailand, there is no need to overload your luggage with hair shampoos and shower gels; we have them all here and at a fraction of the price back home – Pop yourself to any 7/11 convenience store, Lotus AKA Tesco Lotus, Big C , Tops Market & Watson’s Chemists.
Again, there are too many options for antiperspirant and cooling talcs, but I’ve attached my favorite shower gels for your consideration.
Lady Bits …
Again, ladies, there are plenty of sanitary items to purchase. On a positive note, purchasing sanitary items also prevents awkward and embarrassing situations such as when your luggage bursts open, exposing your privates. I experienced this once—it wasn’t a pleasant sight.
Mosquito Repellents
For those staying in villas or a room with a front seating area, then purchase a pack of mosquito coils. See the image attached. If you often find your little enclosed stand broken, you can simply light a coil and place it in an empty beer bottle. The purple box emits the most pleasant scent, eliminating the need for an air freshener (ha ha).
Rainy Season
If coming to Thailand during the rainy season, purchase yourself a raincoat from any 7-11 or supermarket. I always keep one neatly packed in my scooter or in a bag. The price ranges from 31 THB to 49 THB, contingent on your size.
Travel agents and individuals with limited knowledge of Thailand often provide inaccurate advice about the rainy season. If you claim that the rainy season is uniform throughout the country, you are mistaken. You can research online, stating the exact place that you’re going to, or ask on an online forum that is managed by expats in Thailand. Alternately, contact Samui Explorer directly.
Electricity
Thailand uses 220-240V electricity at 50Hz. Bring appropriate plug adapters and voltage converters if needed.
Sun Creams
Avoid buying in Thailand due to its high prices and limited options.
SIM cards and money change at the airport
Do not buy SIM cards or exchange currency at any airport. Once you arrive at your hotel, simply ask the staff where the nearest 7-11 or Tesco Lotus is to purchase your SIM card. It is never too far to find a currency booth around Thailand. Exchange the minimum amount of Thai baht from your home country to see you through a day.
Alcohol Purchases
Buddhist religious holidays also have a ban on alcoholic beverages in shops and bars. Depending on your location in Thailand, restaurants may serve alcohol.
Eating at a local Thai restaurant
This issue primarily pertains to comprehending the Thai culture. Travelers often express dissatisfaction, seemingly forgetting that they are no longer in their home country, but in Thailand!
Westerners typically order their food in the order of starters and mains, and most of them expect to receive these dishes in that order. For some reason, they find this difficult to accept.
The reason for this is that when Thais eat together, they fill the floor or table with a variety of dishes such as soups, curries, noodles, chicken, or fish. They then simply eat from the bowls, with everyone sharing the food.
The dishes that are available first are simply those that are ready first, a concept that some small local restaurants may not fully grasp. There is no doubt that the food will be delicious, with prices ranging from 60 to 80 THB.
Don’t let this anger you; instead, embrace it, my friends. After all, didn’t you travel to Thailand for a new experience?
Another common issue is having to wait a long time for a dish, even when other dishes have already arrived. This typically indicates a shortage of an ingredient, prompting someone to ride a scooter to the local market to make a purchase.
Again, don’t stress; just follow my Thailand Travel Tips by Samui Explorer.
I have found that a percentage of Westerners travel to Thailand with this entitled attitude, as if they are above the Thai people. In restaurants and bars, they show/express a very bad attitude when communicating with staff. When a staff member doesn’t grasp the situation, they display anger!
This is wrong on all levels; DO NOT be that person.
Thai Noodle Soup
surrounding it or behind it, and the noodle soup on the menu. This is this NOODLE SOUP.
Do yourself a favor and sit down at a Noodle Soup Cart and have a tasty Thai delight. Please refer to the image provided below.
The concept is straightforward, offering limited options, yet it prominently displays both yellow and rice noodles. Then, you either take your soup or wait for it to arrive at your table.
There will be a variety of condiments, vinegar, sugar, and chili in a tub; simply add and taste. Some stalls will have a tray of vegetables and herbs to add.
The price for this Thai delight ranges from 40 to 50 THB.
Hotel Restaurants
I recommend not dining in your hotel for two reasons:
- Thai food is extremely expensive.
- The food is not as tasty as in a local Thai restaurant.
If you’re craving burgers or steaks, etc., then definitely try Thai food. Jolly yourself along to a lovely Thai family restaurant.
Once again, save yourself a holiday fortune; allocate more funds for beers and cocktails, folks.
Beers
For those who are unfamiliar with Singha and Chang Beer, let me inform you that we also have Leo Beer, which is typically consumed by locals and expats. Leo Leo is a popular beer among both locals and expats. In Thailand, it is the norm to add ice to your glass of beer. It may seem strange at first, but you quickly adapt to it. If you hear the staff say, “Aow Nam Keng, Mai,” they are asking if you would like Ice, so give it a try, folks.
So those are my quirky Thailand Travel Tips for YOU.
Asking Advice: Thailand Travel Tips by Samui Explorer.
This is another unique experience I’ve had over the years, and I’ve received quite a few comments about it. However, after living in Thailand for many years, I now understand the differences.
If you ask a Thai person for advice, directions, a specific drink to pour, or a specific item, they are likely to respond positively.
If the response is a straightforward “yes” with a smile, it usually doesn’t indicate a lack of understanding. Therefore, consider asking the question from a different perspective, repeating it with a limited vocabulary, or using a different approach.
Asking and receiving a response other than a yes is only partially successful. If you ask a question and they look the other way or walk off, it’s not rude; they simply do not know what you’re asking, don’t know the answer, or are shy.
In Thai culture, it is essential not to lose face. They consider it normal to simply ignore, smile, or respond with a yes.
Ladies – When you ask for a size that isn’t small in a clothes shop, you might encounter a response that enrages us Westerners: “Madam, FAT Sizes are available.” The staff member is unsure of how to explain the larger size, and they don’t mean to offend you.
When searching for a specific size for Westerners in Thailand, it’s common to discover that XXL is equivalent to only a UK 12. LOL, so there is no need for concern; you are merely adjusting to the body sizes of Thai women. When I hear this, it makes me laugh.
Fact: Although most Thai ladies are very slim and the body size of a child, western women are often jealous, right? However, in Thailand, being overweight is considered a positive attribute. Because you’re not skinny and have more money to eat, they say (Oan) that you look healthy, signaling wealth.
Once again, DO NOT be offended; just chuckle and say Khop Khun Ka (thank you).
COME AND ENJOY A THAILAND ADVENTURE WITH NO STRESS AND MORE BAHTS IN YOUR POCKET
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