
Many Thai people shower up to three times a day, to ensure their cleanliness in the hot and humid environment. Thai people take hygiene very seriously, so you should too. Meanwhile I’ve always had great success by being jovial while bargaining with Thai vendors, who enjoy a friendly back-and-forth exchange about price.

Some travelers take this activity very seriously, and it fails them. Refrain from making negative remarks about the Royals in Thailand and be sure to join Thai people in standing silently to attention for the national anthem, which is played at 6pm every day in public spaces.Īnother tip: be relaxed and polite when haggling. I watched a drunken Englishman get slapped in the face and dragged out of a Phuket bar after making a joke about the Thai king.ĭon’t be that guy. On my first trip to Thailand, I learned a swift lesson: never say anything disrespectful about the Thai royal family. Finally, when going to street vendors or small restaurants, avoid the pre-cooked foods sitting in pots and pans and instead order a specific dish so it will be prepared right there and then. Avoid eating seafood in towns distant from the coast, as the fish may not be fresh. Most of the times I’ve been sick in southeast Asia have been linked to ice or supposedly filtered water. Never drink the tap water, and be wary of filtered water and drinks with ice in cheaper venues. Motorbikes are liable to pull straight out in front of your car without even looking, as I learned myself during one accident. And if you hire a car, drive more slowly and cautiously than you would back home, as the traffic is remarkably unpredictable. According to a 2019 New York Times report, Thailand has the world’s second-highest road deaths per capita, while ranking first for motorbike deaths. Don’t rent a motorbike unless you’re an experienced motorcyclist (and properly licensed to ride a motorbike).īe extra careful when crossing roads, as many motorcyclists ignore red lights and zebra crossings.

The most dangerous aspect of Thailand is its roads. Those who don’t can get scammed, sick, arrested, or badly injured. Thailand is a very safe country for travelers who use common sense. Shares Facebook Twitter Photo © Getty Images / Deejpilotīefore you head to Thailand, here are five tips to help avoid trouble and make the most of your trip, gleaned from my eight years of living on and off in Thailand, where my wife was born and raised. Please note that not all content is translated or available to residents of all countries. By telling us your country of residence we are able to provide you with the most relevant travel insurance information.
