Thailand 2024 - Hints and Tips

We had an amazing time visiting Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Khao Lak in Thailand, and we picked up some hints and tips along the way that we wanted to share.

How we Booked and Organised the Trip

Normally, we book our holidays ourselves for more flexibility and to book directly. However, since we hadn’t really been to Asia (except for work trips), we decided to use a travel firm to help us navigate the best areas to stay and arrange transportation. After some research, we chose eShores, which seemed well-known for multi-location holidays and had received very good feedback on several review sites. We had no clear idea of what we wanted and no specific budget, but after a call with Hannah to discuss the type of holidays we enjoy, she came up with an amazing itinerary. We didn’t change anything from the original quote. We checked all the hotels on TripAdvisor and saw they had good reviews, were centrally located, and had a boutique charm that meant we weren’t staying in standard large chains.

The only thing we would have changed is the flights to and from the UK. It was our first time flying with Malaysian Airlines, and we were impressed with the seats and service, especially in economy class, but the transfer at Kuala Lumpur Airport added stress and extra time to the journey. KLIA is huge, navigating between terminals is challenging due to poor signage, and there’s hardly anyone to ask for directions. Facilities are sparse; we only managed to find a Dunkin Donuts stand to grab a drink, and there were very few places to sit other than at the gate (where there were no facilities at all). Next time, we would consider spending a little more for a direct flight from the UK to Thailand with no layovers—and maybe business class seats!

Tips and Tricks for Traveling in Thailand:

Flights

If you’re flying with Malaysian Airlines, it’s worth paying for one of the seats with extra legroom. These seats seem to have once been premium economy, given the amount of space and the footrest. They cost us about $80 per seat per flight, but the extra space was worth it.

Clothing

Bring a pair of trainers—there’s a lot of walking involved in both Bangkok and Chiang Mai, day and night. Comfortable trainers are key. We each had two pairs: one for daytime hikes and another slightly smarter pair for evenings. Walking in comfortable flip-flops or sandals is an option too, but expect your feet to get dirty, even on the streets.

If you plan on visiting temples, carry a pair of long linen trousers and a t-shirt (or a sarong) in your bag, as you won’t be allowed in if you’re showing your ankles or shoulders. We bought cheap ones from Primark, which we kept in our rucksack just in case—and they were needed several times! If you forget, you can always buy a pair of those elephant trousers you see many tourists wearing.

Phone Calls and Data

Buy a SIM card at the airport—we bought a 15-day unlimited data SIM card which saved us from any crazy charges from using our UK SIMs in Thailand. Lee’s phone could hold two SIM cards, so he could easily switch between them if needed. We also tethered other devices to the SIM when WiFi wasn’t available.

Transport

Download the Grab and Bolt apps. While taking a Tuk Tuk is fun, it’s not the cheapest way to get around Thailand. Grab and Bolt are more affordable—our 30-minute journeys only cost a few pounds. We signed up using our Thai SIM card and chose to pay the driver in cash.

If you do take a Tuk Tuk (which you should at least once!), agree on the price upfront. They’ll expect you to barter, so don’t accept the first price offered.

In Bangkok, we made use of the BTS (overhead metro) and MRT (underground metro) to get around the city. Both were cheap, easy to use, and a nice break from the heat as all the carriages were air-conditioned.

Tipping

Tipping is not expected but appreciated. We tipped for good service, and it seems common, though not required. For food, drinks, and taxis, we typically rounded up. Keep an eye on restaurant receipts, though, as some add a 2-3% service charge or “round up” automatically. For our massages with ex-prisoners, we tipped 10% as a gesture of support for the work they were doing to reintegrate women into society after prison.

Toilets

Toilets are available in bars, restaurants, temples, shopping centers, and metro stations. We found all of them to be clean and mostly Western-style toilets. In rural areas, however, some signs advise against flushing toilet paper. If you miss the sign and flush the paper, it could block the toilet. Also, if you happen to do a very large poo, it’s best to wait until you’re at a place with better drains!

Kirsty advised us to always carry some toilet paper, and it was great advice, especially for the metro toilets.

Rules of the Road: There Are No Rules!

Do not drive in Thailand, especially anything with two wheels and a motor. Transport is so cheap that it’s not worth the risk, particularly in major cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

Crossing the road is also an adventure:

• Don’t trust red lights, as drivers often ignore them.
• Look both ways—driving on the wrong side of the road is common.
• Even if there’s a crossing, cars won’t necessarily stop for you.

When crossing, walk in front of a car (they are more likely to stop than bikes), raise your hand as if signalling for them to stop, and cross quickly. If in doubt, cross next to a local—we definitely did this a few times!

Food & Drink

Thai food is incredible, and you have to fully embrace the experience:

• Enjoy the street food—it’s cheap, made by locals, and some of the best we’ve ever had.
• Thai food isn’t excessively spicy; it’s full of flavours, so don’t be afraid to try that curry dish!
• Shopping malls have great food outlets, providing a nice break from the midday sun.

Be aware of Thailand’s weird licensing law, which prevents convenience stores from selling alcohol between 2 pm and 5 pm or after midnight. This doesn’t apply to bars, restaurants, or hotels, though.

At the end of the night, if you’re craving something like a kebab, head to a 7-Eleven and grab a ham and cheese toasty and a large Leo beer for less than £2. They’re the best toasties you’ll ever eat, especially at 2 am!