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 own 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…
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.
Ladies & gentlemen, antiperspirant, cooling talcs—again, too many to choose from; my shower gel favorites are attached.
Lady Bits …
Again so many options, ladies; buy all your sanitary bits here. On a flip note, it also saves you from ever having an awkward, embarrassing experience if the luggage bursts open and your lady bits are merrily going around the luggage belt. Happened to me once—not a good look.
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 your little enclosed stand is broken, as they often are, 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.
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
In Thailand, between the hours of 11 a.m.–2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. (11:00–14:00 and 17:00–24:00), alcohol is available to purchase from Lotus, AKA Tesco Lotus, 7/11, or BIG C; however, a small local shop will sell it to you. So keep this in mind if buying drinks for a boat tour, ect.
Buddhist religious holidays also have a ban on alcoholic beverages in shops and bars. Depending on where you are in Thailand, alcohol can be served within a restaurant.
Eating in a Local Thai Restaurant
Now this one is really about understanding the Thai way. It is a regular complaint from travelers who seem to forget that they’re no longer in their own country but in Thailand!
Westerners order food in order of starter & main, and most expect to have those dishes received in that order, and for some reason find this so hard to bear.
The reason for this is simply because when Thais eat food together, the floor or table will be filled with numerous dishes, from soups, curries, noodles, chicken, or fish. They then will simply eat from the bowls, with everyone sharing.
The dishes that are available first are simply what is ready first, and so in some small local restaurants they do not understand this concept. One thing that is sure is that the food will be yum yum and prices will range from 60 THB to 80 THB.
So don’t be angered by this; embrace it, peeps. After all, didn’t you travel to Thailand for a new experience?
Another regular one is to be waiting a long time for a dish when other dishes have arrived. This generally means that they have run out of an ingredient, and someone has been sent to a local market on a scooter to 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. Showing anger if a member of staff doesn’t understand!
This is wrong on all levels; DO NOT be that person.
Thai Noodle Soup
Please do not be confused with noodle soup on a menu and the real noodle soup from the Noodle Soup carts with small tables and chairs around it or behind it. This is this NOODLE SOUP.
Do yourself a favor and sit down at a Noodle Soup Cart and have a tasty Thai delight. See the image you should look out for below.
It’s a straight-forward concept, not much choice, but yellow noodles or rice noodles are clearly displayed. You then take your soup or wait for it to be taken to 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.
And for this Thai delight, 40 THB–50 THB.
Hotel Restaurants
I recommend not dining in your hotel for two reasons:
- The price of Thai food is over the top.
- The food is not as good as in a local Thai restaurant.
If you’re craving burgers or steaks, ect., then yes, but Thai food. Jolly yourself along to a nice Thai family restaurant.
Again, save yourself a holiday fortune; more money for beers and cocktails, folks.
Beers
For those who do not know or have heard of only Singha and Chang Beer, well, let me tell you folks we also have Leo Beer, which is generally what the locals and expats drink. Leo Leo all the ways folks give it a bash—Don’t have yourself a Chang-Over—lol. In Thailand, it is the norm to add ice to your glass of beer. At first, it seems crazy, but you soon get used to it. If you hear the staff say, “Aow Nam Keng, Mai,” they are asking if you would like Ice, so give it a bash, folks.
So those are my quirky Thailand Travel Tips for YOU.
Asking Advice: Thailand Travel Tips by Samui Explorer
This is yet another quirky one that I have personally experienced over the years and had a good few remarks, but since living in Thailand for many years, I now know the difference.
If you are asking for advice or directions, or maybe for a drink poured a certain way, or looking for something in particular, and you ask a Thai person.
If the reply is a blunt yes with a smile, that generally doesn’t mean that they do not understand; therefore, ask the question from another person, ask again with a short vocabulary, or ask in a different way.
If you ask and the reply is more than a yes, then you’re halfway there. 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 very important NOT to lose face. They think it is normal just to ignore, smile, or reply yes.
Ladies – You may come across in a clothes shop when asking for a particular size that isn’t small, a reply that angers us Westerners—”Madam, FAT Sizes here.” This is not to offend you; it’s simply that the staff member doesn’t know how to explain the larger size.
When looking for a particular size for Westerners in Thailand, you will generally find that XXL is only a size UK 12. LOL, so don’t worry, you haven’t gained weight; you’re simply working with Thai ladies’ body sizes. Now when I hear this, it makes me chuckle.
Fact: Although most Thai ladies are very slim and the body size of a child, western women are often jealous, right? However, in Thailand, if you’re overweight, they see this as a good thing. They say (Oan) they’re saying that you look healthy, and it’s seen as a sign of wealth because you’re not skinny and have money to eat more.
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 THE POCKET
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