AbigailAlfano

Hi!
I'm going to Thailand at the end of February. We're visiting Bangkok and then Phuket. I have plans to ride an elephant in the jungle! I'll be taking tons of photos, too. Maybe I will share some when I return.
Have any of you been there? Any travel tips or suggestions pertaining to Thailand?
Thanks!
Abigail

Cynthetiq

It's generally frowned upon to bring ladies to your hotel room. They will charge you for an extra person staying overnight if they catch you.

Men's clothing is very inexpensive there.

Haggle. Haggle. Haggle.

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AbigailAlfano

well, since I'm a chick, I won't have to worry about bringing a lady to my hotel room. LOL Not that there's anything wrong with that! (Remember Seinfeld?)
Yes, I've heard that you can get clothes tailor made for great prices. I'm bringing a couple of shirts as patterns so hopefully I can find a good tailor.
I'm hoping my husband will take advantage of this, too. (he's not really into clothes or fashion LOL)

jorgelito

The people are super friendly and very nice. Be nice and respectful and it will go a long way. Don't be an "ugly American"

Do learn a few phrases in Thai, it will go along way.

Never point your feet at anyone, if you sit down, try not to put your feet up or point at anyone.

Never touch a Thai on the top of the head (very disrespectful)

Do not insult the king.

Do not insult Buddha and do not take "funny" pictures with Buddha.

Definitely eat the local food, it is awesome. Try to eat what the locals eat.

Generally, the Thai are more lenient to foreigners (RE: westerners) and expect to some degree barbaric behavior. But still, please do your best to counter this notion.

Phuket is awesome, I would recommend going out to one of the nearby islands. Snorkeling, diving, jet skiing are all good. Some nice temples to see etc.

Have fun in Thailand!!

AbigailAlfano

Thank you so much jorgelito!
I've heard about the pointing feet thing. I wonder where that came from?!?!?
Abigail

jorgelito

Actually, in many cultures feet are considered dirty (most non-Western) so it's no surprise to point your "dirty" feet at someone would be considered rude.

Even in the west, if you were to put your feet on the desk or elevate them at a meeting or interview, it would be considered rude.

Charlatan

I am going to be in Phuket in the end of February as well but just for the weekend.

I have not yet been to Thailand. The one thing I would recommend though is to eat a lot of food. The Thai make some of the best food in the world.

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AbigailAlfano

There are a couple of Thai Restaurants that we go to here in Louisiana, but I'm sure it's "Americanized" here. I can't wait to try real Thai food.

abaya

I am not sure if you have traveled to a developing country before, but do be aware that the poverty is striking in Thailand, particularly Bangkok. Emotionally, you will probably be shocked by a few things, unless they've cleaned things up since the last time I was there.

You might want to prepare yourself mentally for what to do when approached by beggars (not our version of "homeless people"; these are people with 1 or 2 limbs missing, and often blind/deaf etc). Also, even though you are married and will be at your husband's side most of the time, women AND men of various ages will approach him to ask if he'd like to partake of their "services." Learn to ignore them steadfastly or say "No thank you" very firmly, over and over again.

And, with trying Thai food, especially right off the street (often the best way, but also most dangerous)... be aware of traveler's diarrhea, especially the first 3 days you are there. Even if you are careful with your drinking water (ALWAYS bottled, and check the top to make sure it's the original one and hasn't been refilled), your stomach may not be used to what's in the food. Take something along to help with that.

If you are going to be in the "jungle" (I assume you mean Chiang Rai, where the elephant training center is), be sure to wear long pants/shirtsleeves to protect against mosquitoes. Malaria and dengue fever, among other things, are still problems in those areas.

And speaking of long pants... make sure that both you and your husband have something long/covering to wear into the temples, even in Bangkok. Last I remember, you cannot wear shorts into a temple (unless they've totally relaxed for foreigners, which would be a shame). You also must take off your shoes, so be prepared for that.

And never, ever point your feet at anything... certainly not any person, but even at a market or something, DO NOT use your feet to indicate an item you'd like to buy, etc. That is just as rude as giving someone the middle finger, and they will probably jack up your price significantly or swear at you profusely in Thai, or both.

Learn how to say hello and "wai" (bow, with hands pressed together) in Thai, because that will get you a long way with most people. A few more phrases memorized would do a world of good.

/more than two cents from your resident half-Thai TFP'er

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Halx

See... for a moment, I was beginning to think Thailand was a fun visit. Thanks abaya.

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Enjoy the food.

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abaya

Sorry dude, I tell it like it is. It IS a fun place to visit, but it ain't Disneyland. Better to be aware.

BTW: Shouldn't this thread be in Tilted Traveling?

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AbigailAlfano

Abaya,
Uh oh...I guess it should be in Tilted Traveling. Whoopsie. Sorry.
Thanks for all the info! I'm currently reading a couple of books on Thailand, but it is always great to talk with someone who has been there.
I'm really excited. My idea of visiting a new place isn't finding the finest hotels or touristy areas. I like going where the locals go.
I've visited Mexico and you are right, the beggars do throw you into an emotional upheaval. I'll have to think on that.
My favorite vacation EVER has been when I went to the Cinque Terre in Italy. Those are five remote villages on the coast in the Ligurian region. We packed everything we brought into backpacks and hiked daily from village to village. PARADISE Oh...but I digress....Maybe I should start another thread in Tilted Travel.
Thanks again,
abigail

Cynthetiq

If you have any interest in the cultural differences and expectations I recommend the Culture Shock Series

http://www.amazon.com/Culture-Shock-.../dp/1558680586

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I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not.

AbigailAlfano

Okay...Thanks..I just ordered it.

abaya

Oh god yes, I love that place. It was probably my favorite stop on a backpacking tour of Europe 5 years ago with 2 of my friends... and we only stopped for a couple of days, too. I hope to take my husband back there sometime, for a longer period.

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And think not you can direct the course of Love;
for Love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.
--Khalil Gibran