Thailand Travel Tips
Thailand Travel Tips
Tips for Travel Around Thailand
Things in Southeast Asia, especially Thailand, move at a different speed. Don’t be in a hurry! Bus and even train breakdowns are common. Don’t loose your cool, remember – mai pen rai. This is the single most important Thailand travel tip!
TAT is NOT a friendly government office there to help travelers. They are there for one reason – to make money! Book tickets directly yourself and save a bundle.
Always settle on a price before getting inside a tuk-tuk or taxi. Insist that the taxi cars use the meters (they aren’t really broken!)
To hitchhike, point at the ground in front of you. If you stick your thumb out someone will probably give you a “thumbs-up” in return as they blow by in a cloud of dust.
For good maps of an area, try searching on http://images.google.com and then just printing it for a few cents at the local internet cafes. Much cheaper than buying a tourist map!
Night trains are an enjoyable way to get across the country and it saves you from paying for a night of accommodations as well.
Never pay extra for “VIP buses”. They are usually the same bus, break down just as often, and many times you will end up on the regular bus anyway without a refund because the VIP bus will conveniently be broken.
The insides of air con buses are literally freezing. Take something to cover yourself up with!
When choosing a seat on a bus, try not to sit over an axle, it will jar your teeth out. Always try to sit on the same side as your bag if it was put in the cargo hold underneath.
Treat your ticket stubs and receipts like gold! There is often no computer network to reprint a lost ticket.
Keep your knees and elbows tucked in tight when riding on the back of a motorcycle taxi! Your driver will probably have your life flashing before your eyes and guess what…..he gets to wear the helmet, not you!
Read some tips for riding motorbikes in Thailand.
Thailand travel tips for trains
Trains in Thailand are old-school but fun. The 2nd class sleeper trains are open air and you can smell the country side as you bump and sway along. Here are some tips:
Top bunks on night trains are smaller but cheaper and slightly more private than the bottom bunks.
When you are ready to sleep, an attendant will come around and has to convert your bunk from a seat into a bed. This is your chance to ask him to wake you at a specific destination – they are quite reliable and helpful. Otherwise every time the train stops and someone makes an announcement in Thai (don’t expect English) you won’t be sure if it is yours or not.
Train food is expensive and terrible and most of the attendants are pushy (they get a commission per expensive beer that they bring to you already opened). Bring lots of snacks to avoid buying the stuff.
Keep your rucksack in the bunk with you just for safety. If you have to go somewhere, get another traveler to keep an eye on things or take it with you.
Don’t be late! Show up at the station early because it may take some time to figure out where to go and which train is yours. They won’t wait on you!
There are some great Thailand travel tips for trains here: http://www.seat61.com/Thailand.htm
Here is the inside of a 2nd class night train: (no AC, fan only)
