9 Essential Tips For Backpacking Thailand
Thailand is a place, where I spent over two months exploring some of the most incredible beaches, beautiful lush jungles, towering gold temples and forest parks in the World.
Today, Thailand is one of the most popular destinations for backpackers from all over the World. No wonder, as this country is a paradise for food lovers, adventurous travelers and water enthusiasts.
Are you thinking of backpacking Thailand for the first time? Here is a list of 9 essential tips before you pack your backpack and hit the road.
1. Be aware what you drink and eat
Thai cuisine is so tasty, flavored and super cheap! And this is not a surprise, that the best food is on the street! I admire, the little local stalls and markets, where lovely vendors serve Thai specials every day.
And seriously, I can’t imagine my life now, without a hot plate of traditional Pad Thai prepared by Thai women. I have never suffered food poisoning when backpacking Thailand. I think that Thai street food is safe as long as you are aware of some basics:
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Eat freshly prepared food that is hot and it hasn’t been sitting for hours growing bacteria. Thailand’s climate is tropical, so food can get bad easily.
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Look for stalls with lots of customers that are popular with the locals. Then, it’s more likely that the food is fresh.
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Never drink tap water in Thailand.
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Most drinks contain ice. Be sure that the cubes in your drink have been made from filtered water. How to recognize the good ones? Look for large shaped cubes with a hole through the middle. Avoid the crushed ones.
2. Invest in a good guidebook
A good travel guide is important when you backpacking Thailand. When the map in your phone is getting crazy and the only word that you can say in Thai is Sawadika, there is always a guide book that can safe your life. I used the Lonely Planet guidebook and I truly recommend it! It contains most beautiful places to visit, things to do, maps, public transport routes. At the end of the book is always a small dictionary, that can help you on the way!
3. Get vaccinated
Before backpacking Thailand make sure to get all necessary travel vaccines. There is always a risk of diseases caused by bacteria contain in food or water, bug bites or contact with contaminated needles.
I got vaccinated against typhoid fever and hepatitis A that are essential, especially if you are planning to stay in rural areas.
A third vaccination was Japanese Encephalitis against bug bites. Malaria isn’t really a big problem in Thailand, so I decided to don’t take any anti-malaria medication. There is no risk of yellow fever in Thailand as well.
Remember to drink only bottled water, eat in safe places and use good mosquito repellents with at least 50% deet during the day and 100% at night.
4. Thai culture and manners
Before your backpacking trip to Thailand, you should know few of the most important etiquette rules. Remember that politeness, and good manners are fundamental values in Thai culture.
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Thai consider the body as a hierarchical structure. The head is the highest and the most sacred part of the body, so don’t touch person’s head or ruffle hair. In contrast, feet are the lowest and dirtiest part of the body, so don’t point your feet at people.
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Take off your shoes before entering a Thai house.
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Women shouldn’t sit next to the monks.
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Don’t be surprised to see women holding each other hands or men with their arms around each other. This is a sign of friendship. However, members of the opposite sex don’t show their feelings in public places.
5. Respect all the sacred places
Buddha statues and temples are sacred objects. Before entering any sacred place, remember to take off your shoes. Also, you must be aware of an appropriate dress code. Your costume needs to cover arms and ankles, while visiting temples. Thai people sit in the mermaid position in the front of the Buddha. It means that the legs are tucked behind on the side and the feet aren’t pointed straight at the Buddha image.
6. Use public transport when backpacking Thailand
Instead of spending money on private transport or package tours, use public transport and create your own adventure. Public transport in Thailand is very cheap and friendly for tourists. Train routes connect the four corners of Thailand! Bangkok has the largest city-bus system in the whole country, so this is a popular stop among backpackers, who are heading to the North or South Thailand.
There is also well-known, three wheeled vehicle called tuk-tuk that is probably the most common transportation in Bangkok. The funny vehicles don’t have meters, so you should agree on a price before the ride.
7. Pack just few clothes
Before backpacking Thailand, remember to pack only few clothes to your backpack. This land is a paradise for shopping lovers. Plenty of malls and markets offer affordable and unique clothes for everyone. If you wear plus- size clothes, you will have more choices in metropolitan malls or shopping centers. Local markets sell clothes usually cut to fit Asian size. I recommend to pack only flip-flops, couple of T-shirts and shorts to your backpack.
8. Taxi meter
Bangkok has the most established meter taxi system, but remember that some of taxi drivers avoid to turn on the meter. My first ride from the airport to my hostel in Bangkok cost me three times more than the real one. If you see that the taxi driver didn’t use the taxi meter, ask politely to switch the meter on to avoid the negotiation later. However, remember that taxi drivers work many hours in traffic and get small salaries, so a tip is very appreciated.
9. Elephant ride
Remember that elephants in Thailand are often tortured and abused. Don’t ride elephants that are used in the tourism industry. Elephants feel, see and remember the pain! Support them and be against the abuse!
And remember, Thailand is a Land of Smiles. You will find everything much easier and better with a smile on your face at every situation.
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