All the information you should know before you travel to Thailand!
I was fortunate enough to visit Thailand with Contiki earlier in the season on the Thai Island Hopper West tour which comprised Phuket, Koh Phi Phi and Krabi. It was my first time in Asia and I fell in love with the region. It wasn’t just the beautiful scenery and the distinct ways of life as well, but also the hospitality of the locals. Since I am half Chinese and never having been anywhere else in Asia I experienced an uncanny sense of familiarity that I’m not sure I can explain to you. It was a truly wonderful experience.
I have several friends that are going to Thailand shortly (shoutout to Anya and Sarah) and their inquiries forced me to write this article. These are the points I would recommend you be aware of prior to your trip including packing your bags as well as important cultural differences and a brief overview of each destination we visited.
If you have any additional concerns, inform me via the comments below, and I’ll do my best solve them. Hope you enjoy!
What time to leave?
Thailand is a destination which you could enjoy all year long However, it’s best to know that rainy weather runs roughly from May to October (and should we have learned anything from the terrifying Thai cave rescue experience, it’s the fact that rains can come fast and fast). I visited in April and had a few storms, typically at night, and were truly amazing to observe. If you’re thinking of visiting in April, I strongly recommend going during Songkran. It’s their New Year celebration and basically involves three days of water fighting. It sounds odd, but it really is. Watch my video of the trip to find video footage of Krabi’s Songkran celebration in Krabi.
WHAT SHOULD I INCLUDE IN MY BACK
We were in the area for nine days which allowed me to travel with carry-on only. This during an Contiki tour is helpful because we changed locations frequently. I like to pack light. I’ll have a blog video and post on my carry-on packing tips in the near future and I will keep you posted.
The clothing you wear will cause you sweat all the time. I’m not usually comfortable in hot weather, but this was manageable because it was an “cooler” month , and were aware of when to use AC or breaks with water. The lightweight, breathable fabric is important and moisture wicking would be a plus. In every place we went, the most people were casual. It was your typical everyday shorts and tshirts, flowing dresses, or swimwear kind of thing. I got plenty of wear from my denim shorts, my one-piece that doubled as a shirt which was vital for the Songkran water fights as well as my Lululemon Tie Tank that fared well in the sun and was comfortable to wear to parties in the summer heat and, of course, my bathing suits! If you’re planning on visiting any of the temples or shrines in Thailand then you’ll need something to cover your arms and knees with. When we went on our day excursion to Wat Chalong and the Big Buddha, I wore culottes that were loose and breathable, with a tshirt, and covered my arms in the floral kimono I used as a wrap or scarf (the style you see shown in the above photo). The kimono also served as used as a beach cover-up to cover the rest of our trip. I’m all for versatilepieces that can be used for multiple purposes!
Because it was extremely hot and I only had a small clothing, it was useful to pack a couple of laundry detergents for travel. I washed my clothes hand-washed several times, and it was fast and easy to dry the clothes outdoors in the afternoon.
I’m grateful that we didn’t come in a gruesome bug infestation We always had plenty of Insect Repellent. I came across some in an apothecary in Vancouver that was a lotion, and it was a great addition over sunscreen and when out in the evening. It didn’t smell or feel sticky as aerosol sprays are. It was this Off insect repellent.
Don’t forget to bring your universal power adapter as well! I was able to connect my chargers for my phones right into outlets, and they worked fine (was nevertheless a little scary every time I did it) however, they require more power in Thailand than what we use in North America. The outlet may look similar but it’s much higher in voltage, which can cause problems for your device if you don’t have an adapter.
BEFORE YOU GO
It’s a good idea to determine whether your vaccinations are current. I didn’t receive any or needing boosters However, it’s a good idea to check before you go.
Also, you’ll need some baht, the currency used in Thailand. Based on the location you’ll be calling home, you may need make a call to the money exchange prior to arriving. It’s amazing that we only spent a few Canadian dollars during the nine days we were in Thailand, your money can go much further in Thailand! My travel partner, Alex, and I both took cash out of an ATM during our time traveling in Thailand which was secure sufficient, therefore don’t be afraid. When it comes to tipping, it’s a standard practice to give a small amount when you feel that you have received exceptional service. It’s also a good idea to inform your credit card an alert that you’ll be outside the country in case you feel that you’ll need it.
I would have really appreciated having inquired with my phone provider about Thailand travel before departure. WiFi was terrible when the trip ended. Phuket and after turning on my roaming international for 20 minutes and was then hit with an amount of $100 and blocked my data. The problem was that my phone provider doesn’t offer roaming data in Thailand even though Alex’s phone worked fine with data throughout the journey. This was definitely an experience that I’ve learned from and I’ll never go to another country without checking my plan for my mobile phone first.
Important things to remember
It was my first time to Asia and, if it’s yours, you need to remember that there are things to be a little off in Asia. Keep an open mind. As our tour guide Matt stated, “it’s not necessarily wrong however, it’s different.” If you’re traveling to a different country you should use your common sense and be respectful. I generally attempt to learn the basic words to thank and greet people in their native language.
The following information is specific to Thailand which aren’t intended to scare you. They are simply facts to know in the event that any of these occurred to you.
I did not realize the importance of this. It’s always best not to speak about the monarchy. Thailand has strict laws that prevent any person from criticizing the monarchy at all. The King is adored by all and you can be able to see his image everywhere, including the money be sure to take care when handling it.
Based on Buddhist doctrines According to Buddhist beliefs, the head is the most valuable part of your body, while feet are among the most valued. It is crucial to be aware of this because it’s considered to be a violation to touch the head of someone else or raise your feet or to point them at objects (not that you should however, it is still). Our Contiki guide shared an example of a person during one of his trips who dropped a portion of his baht onto the ground, and then utilized his foot to tap on it to ensure it wouldn’t blow away. He was arrested immediately for stepping in the face of the king – what a pity!
It is not recommended to drink drinking water from the tap in Thailand. We only utilized bottles of water. To brush our teethand drinking water, and for everything else. The hotels we stayed in provided couple of bottles of water for free and I’d suggest the trip to 7-11 (they’re all over Thailand) to buy more. It’s a must to go through the bottles!
The monkeys are very aggressive. Not only should you not eating them but also should not have valuable items close to them, or items that could entice them to grasp at. In Monkey Beach, one guy in our group was carrying his phone inside his swim shorts , and the monkey tore his pocket in an attempt to take his phone. This isn’t even a joke!
I’ve always wondered why in certain areas of North America, there are bathrooms with signs bearing an image of someone sitting and squatting on a toilet seat warning people against doing this. This seemed strange to me, but it turns out that this is actually the method of toilet use across the world. Outside of major cities in Thailand the people use toilets in squats. We’ve only come across them only once in Krabi on the beach, which is the reason it’s probably an excellent idea to keep tissues (that aren’t flushed) along with hand wash available every time. If you don’t want to conduct your business with the authenticity of the locale, then all the best!
In a completely different way massage services in Thailand are extremely affordable as compared with North American prices. A relaxing day at the beach, and then having a massage for a fraction of the cost? Thailand is simply amazing! I’d love to have gone more. We squeezed two treatments in our stay. Traditional Thai massage can be extremely complex and they can be a lot of tug, crack and throw the client around. It may sound strange but it’s actually effective! Alex and I have backs that are sensitive, so we decided to do foot massages every time. They did take care of our backs and arms afterward for a couple of minutes but it wasn’t that bad.
Arriving and boarding
It was a great flight with Cathay Pacific from Vancouver to Hong Kong, which was amazing. I adore Cathay very often! The longest flight I have ever had, 12.5 hours in the air, and it was even more comfortable because of an upgrade to Premium Economy. It was a very easy flight that I would like to return for Hong Kong again as soon as I can! In the airport of HK was amazing, even although we did have a long journey to the gate to catch an connecting flight. The 2nd Cathay flight was wonderful however my motion sickness was getting the worst of me. I could have really benefited from taking Gravol which I’ve now figured out what I’ll need for my next travel adventure!
If you’re also in Phuket and require taxi service, you can find the taxi stand with metered meters on the right walkway once you have left the airport. We ensured that the fare to our hotel was affordable prior to leaving, and the driver as well as the ride as a whole were delightful. If you are prone to getting car sick, there are plenty of sharp turns, hills and twisting roads therefore plan ahead.
TRANSPORTATION
While on a tour everything else was planned which means I can’t talk to specific shuttle companies or how to reserve. Each van we rode was fun and an excellent option to travel.
We took two ferry rides while we were there , and each experience was great. After you embark, everybody throws their bags onto the vessel (one time, it was on the deck at the front and the other time it is on the deck in the back). This can cause delays in your process to get off but it was enjoyable to leave our bags to travel. The weather was calm on both ferry rides, and despite a few passengers who were hungover, we did not have any issues with seasickness. It’s a good idea to carry some medications on hand for the event, and is why they do sell them in 7-11 in case you forgot to bring any. The second time we rode the ferry they even played a film and we were able to enjoy time in front of John Wick LOL.
I found walking around Phuket terrifying enough. I can’t imagine hiring scooters and riding on the busy roads. If you’re courageous enough to go on a scooter be extremely cautious since things can be chaotic on the streets at the very least.
Where to eat?
I usually pack energy bars whenever I travel, however I did carry extra on the trip. I’m a vegan with an egg allergy, and was worried about finding food I could take in. It turned out Thai food offers plenty of options for vegetarians and nearly every restaurant we visited accepted and was willing to my requests and questions. My friend Kanan is vegetarian, has an allergy to fish and everyone could ensure that there wasn’t any fish sauce present in her meals. Alex me and Alex would search for the best eateries near us, or eat at restaurants recommended from our guide, and we always enjoyed delicious meals. There are certain spices used in the cooking process that could cause a shock to the system, therefore I decided to choose dishes that are milder despite the fact I love spicy food. If you are a fan of sweet sticky rice, mango is essential.
PHUKET
Phuket was the ideal spot to start our Thailand tour because it is a bustling city vibe and inspired me to be grateful for the beach destinations we explored following. The lifestyle in Phuket was awe-inspiring to observe. Power lines that were strung up and the crowds on Phatong Beach, and bustling roads filled with all kinds of vehicles. The scene is out of North America, organized chaos is the most appropriate description.
We went on a day tour for Alex’s birthday. We went for his birthday, to Wat Chalong Temple Big Buddha, and Karon Beach, which I strongly recommend. We thoroughly enjoyed the tour as it turned out to be our favorite holiday in Phuket!
As I was experiencing my normal jet lag, I did not have the opportunity to enjoy the famous Phuket nightlife. The other members of our group did and it was memorable for them.
KOH PHI PHI
It was the first time I fell in love with Koh Phi Phi. It was the intimate Thai island experience I’d always dreamed of. Some say it’s filled with tourists, but I don’t disagree with, especially in the case that you had the chance to visit prior to the time when tourism was booming however it did not cause me any discomfort. I felt a strong feeling of belonging to the island and was able to feel the magic.
The Koh Phi Phi viewpoint hike was breathtaking and I’m sorry that I didn’t get to getting enough time to hike. We did take an excursion on a boat to Phi Phi’s islands. Phi Phi islands, which was one of my most favorite days during the entire trip. We visited Monkey Beach, swam and enjoyed snorkeling in the most breathtaking clear water, and then visited Maya Bay, the location that was the location for filming “The Beach”.
Nightlife at Koh Phi Phi was really entertaining, there’s always plenty of parties! And, we also enjoyed delicious food in the Papaya restaurant!
KRABI
Our trip to Krabi was exceptional due to The Songkran celebrations. We stayed at Aonang Cliff Beach Resort, which we loved. They have an amazing infinity pool, as well as delicious food and drinks at the poolside. The location was excellent and also had great restaurants everywhere and the beach just a few minutes walk from the hotel. We went on a boat cruise that took us to Phang Nga Bay, where we canoed around stunning limestone caves and viewed “James Bond Island”. We also had lunch in a floating town and later walked around, and ended the day on an empty beach on a tiny island.
Our last day on our last day, we took an excursion boat with a long-tail down to Railay Beach for an afternoon which was stunning! Krabi’s nightlife Krabi was enjoyable, and I wanted to remember what the names of the place we visited, but I’m definitely not organised.
So, that’s the end of it! I would have liked Alex and I could have extended our trip to Bangkok or Chiang Mai after the Contiki tour, but I’ll need to come back someday! Have you visited Thailand? What are your travel advices? We’d love to hear from you via the comment section below!