Thailand Travel Guide

Pack Gumption

Thailand is a magical place where the smiles and warmth of the locals is contagious, and travelers can find many adventures. The country has so much to offer that it is hard to know where to begin. Included here is a guide to sifting through all that Thailand has to offer to help you find fun and immerse yourself in the traditions and culture of Siam (Thailand).

Money/ Exchanging Currency

Cash is King (Don’t use Credit Cards in Thailand)
The cheapest way to exchange your money is at the ATMs. They’re easy to find as there is a 7-11 on every street and, depending on your bank, and charges incurred will later be refunded. Most of the money exchange companies have high service fees, so using an ATM is your best bet.

Food

The best and cheapest food you will find is off the beaten track. If you step away from the main tourist roads, and explore the many alleys you will find the true cuisine of Thailand. When you eat in areas with high tourist traffic you’re not only susceptible to higher food prices but also a serious decrease in quality. Find yourself a hole in the wall, run by a Grandma and Grandpa, and dig in. You might not be able to read the menu, but that’s just part of the adventure.

Bartering/ Negotiating

Thailand is a mecca of bartering. You can negotiate almost everything except for food, and food is already so cheap you really don’t need to.

Be prepared for the rain. It will come.

Bring a rain jacket or an umbrella everywhere. It rains almost everyday, trust us, it’s worth carrying the extra weight around. It usually doesn’t rain for very long, maybe a half hour tops, but when it rains in Thailand- it pours. Be ready for rain. If you see flooding, don’t worry, it happens all the time. The locals are quick to address flooding, and clean up any issues resulting from the monsoons of rain that pass through Thailand on a daily basis.

Be wary of Tuk-Tuk drivers “hooking you up” with tourist sights

Tuk-tuk drivers are going to drive you crazy in Thailand. They stand on the every sidewalk and scream for you to get into their Tuk-tuk, and it’s something you grow accustomed to. One thing you should be very wary of however is when they offer to get you discounts, or cheaper rates for tourist tours. Many times these are scams, and when you arrive at your destination they will take you to “their guy” with cheap prices- usually, these are not cheap prices and your driver is getting a cut off of the top.

Breathable Clothing

Thailand is not simply hot, it is so humid that you can feel the moisture slowing your body down. Wear appropriate clothing and hydrate, or you will be miserable.

Buy Your Clothes When You Arrive

This will help you pack light, and stay minimal in your travels. One thing to keep in mind is that nearly all of the name brand items you will find here are fake. Some are good fakes, and some are bad fakes. Regardless, the clothes are cheap and they’ll work just fine while you’re abroad.

Booking Your Hotel

You may feel more comfortable booking in advance but if you’re feeling a bit adventurous you can save yourself a good bit of cash. If you simply show up at hotels you can save some serious cash. There are places to stay everywhere, and you won’t be without a bed; but you can find yourself in Thailand with a bit more money to funnel into your adventures by booking hotels on arrival.

Have fun. Let loose. Enjoy.

Kaitlyn Carlson
Pack Gumption