With the recent Full Moon signaling the start of Yi-Peng & Loy Krathong celebrations in Thailand, I’ve been missing my homeland a lot. Loads of friends have inquired about Thailand’s special long-staying tourist visa and you can find more information about that here.
While it’s hard for me personally to write a short blog post about my home country, when blogger and traveler Jennifer Renner asked to contribute an article, I was happy to have her share what she thinks most first-time visitors need to know about Thailand.
Although we’re not traveling too much these days, it’s good to plan ahead for when we can finally travel!
What First-Time Visitors Need to Know About Thailand
by Jennifer Renner
Strange, beautiful, fun, and exhilarating, Thailand is a great place to visit for travelers looking to widen their experiences in the modern world. But this doesn’t mean that you should just dive into Thailand without any preparation. Here are some things to keep in mind to keep your Thailand visit mai pen rai (worry-free).
Choose Your Elephant Camp Wisely
One of the biggest reasons foreigners visit Thailand is to ride and see elephants in person. And while some businesses have taken advantage of these creatures’ popularity to over work the elephants, recent exposes on the cruel treatment of these gorgeous pachyderms have led to massive changes in the field of elephant tourism in the country. You can support these initiatives by relying on organizations like Following Giants, ChangChill, and World Animal Protection who promote the positive transformation of one of Thailand’s most visited attractions. Instead of circus-like elephant rides or shows, these camps and organizations are building a cruelty-free, sustainable, and observation-only model that allows tourists to see and experience Thailand’s beloved elephants in their natural state. Although a majority of the elephant camps depend on tourism for income, in light of the recent COVID-19 pandemic’s travel bans, the Thai government has realized that they also need to step in to take care of their official national animal.
Feed the Dogs, Not the Monkeys
In relation to this, The Culture Trip’s guide to Thailand notes how visitors are also likely to encounter both stray dogs and wild monkeys in the country’s city streets and beaches. As with the elephants, it’s best to keep your distance from these animals. While giving food and water to stray dogs is encouraged, the same cannot be said for the monkeys, for which relying on tourists for food means that they’re less able to provide for themselves in the wild.
You’re Going to Gain a Couple Pounds
No ifs or buts about it – if you love good food, you’re going to be tempted to gorge yourself in any of Thailand’s awesome restaurants and eateries. Bangkok alone is home to a range of options. Somsong in the old quarter is the go-to place for Sukhothai pork broth and string beans with noodles. Meanwhile, Kanom Beung Bang Mae Prapa offers the best crispy mung bean flour crepes filled with hand-grated coconut, dried shrimp, and lime leaves. And if it’s desserts you’re looking for, Nataporn Ice Cream has coconut, mango, and even durian ice cream flavors topped with candied yam, toasted peanuts, red beans, and other toppings. And that’s just a handful of the places you can eat at in the capital. Whether inside or outside the capital of Bangkok, Thailand is the perfect place to explore strange and delightful cuisines.
You Can Bet on Muay Thai Fights
Officially, the Thai government prohibits all gambling apart from horse racing and the national lottery. However, despite the very strict gambling laws in the country, the guide to Thailand by ExpatBets estimates that around 70% of locals engage in some form of betting. And much of this happens during Muay Thai fights. In fight stadiums like Lumpinee and Radajamnern, betting on Muay Thai depends on a rather complicated system of hand signals. So if you do get excited while watching bouts, try to keep your hands down, unless you unwittingly place some bets. And if you do want to participate, make sure that you’re with a local guide who can show you the ropes.
Be the Best Tourist You Can Be
Thailand is known for the friendliness of its people. But that doesn’t mean that you should take advantage of their hospitality. Be respectful while visiting any temples. Bargain responsibly and avoid fighting with market stall vendors for any reason. Keep all litter in your pockets and bags until you can find waste bins. If you can’t see yourself using water hoses to clean up after going number two, always carry a personal wad of toilet paper with you. While these are not the only things newcomers to Thailand need to be aware of, keeping all of the above in mind can set you on the path to having an amazing and memorable Thai holiday.
About the Author: Jennifer Renner considers Southeast Asia to be her second home. When she’s not planning her next trip to the Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, or Vietnam, she’s looking for ways to pack lighter or learning new phrases from the local languages.
