17 things I wish I knew BEFORE visiting THAILAND in 2024

Summary

This video offers essential tips for first-time travelers to Thailand, highlighting the country's appeal as a backpacker and solo traveler destination. The host shares personal experiences from a two-month journey, emphasizing the importance of knowing about the 45-day free visa for select countries, the delicious and affordable Thai cuisine, and the necessity of an international driving license for renting scooters. The video also covers accommodation advice, the famous Full Moon Party, and the best time to visit for weather and cost considerations. It warns about common scams, recommends staying connected with affordable SIM cards, and suggests a travel itinerary that starts in the south and moves northward. The host praises the Thai people's kindness and hospitality, advises on respectful behavior in temples, and discusses budgeting, with tips on avoiding ATM fees. The ease of travel within Thailand, the convenience of 7-Eleven stores, and the need for electrical adapters are also mentioned. The video concludes with a warning about the risks of 'Bangkok Belly' and a reminder to be mindful of ethical animal tourism.

Takeaways

• 📅 Visa Information: From October 1st, a 45-day free visa is available for 65 selected countries, including the UK and the USA, until March 31st, 2023. Otherwise, you get a regular 30-day free visa.
• 🍜 Thai Cuisine: Thai food is highly recommended, especially street food and night markets, which offer delicious and affordable options.
• 🛵 Scooter Rental: Renting a scooter is a great way to explore, but ensure you have an international driving license and be cautious in certain conditions.
• 🏨 Accommodation: Use booking websites like Booking.com and agoda.com to find the cheapest options with good ratings.
• 🎉 Full Moon Party: A must-attend event if your travel aligns with it, but book in advance to avoid high prices and distance from the beach.
• 🌦 Seasons: Thailand has a dry season from November to March, which is busier and more expensive. The wet season offers cheaper prices and fewer tourists.
• 🚔 Scams: Be aware of common scams like the scooter scam in Phuket and the tuk-tuk scam in Bangkok.
• 📱 Connectivity: SIM cards are affordable, with good data plans available for as low as 16 USD.
• 📍 Itinerary: Suggests flying into the south (like Phuket) and traveling north to avoid extra flights and costs.
• 🌴 Must-Visit Places: Highlights include Koh Phi Phi, Phang Nga, Koh Panyang, and Chiang Mai for its night markets and elephant sanctuaries.
• 🙏 Thai Etiquette: Thai people are kind and hospitable. When visiting temples, dress modestly and show respect.
• 💰 Budget: Budget travelers can get by on under 20 GBP a day, but costs can vary depending on comfort levels and activities.
• 🏧 ATM Fees: Be mindful of ATM fees, which are typically 220 baht. Withdrawing from a bank can sometimes avoid these fees.
• ✈️ Transportation: Travel agencies and hotel/hostel staff can assist with booking transport. For short distances, use the Grab and Bolt apps.
• 🏪 Convenience: 7-Eleven stores are ubiquitous and offer a wide variety of affordable food and drinks.
• 🔌 Electricity: Thailand uses US-style plug sockets, so bring an adapter if you're from the UK or EU.
• 🦍 Ethical Tourism: Visit ethical elephant sanctuaries instead of places that offer elephant riding, which can be harmful to the animals.
• 🍽️ Food Safety: Be cautious with certain raw vegetables washed in local water to avoid 'Bangkok Belly'. Ice in drinks is generally safe, but avoid iced drinks from untrustworthy sources.

Q & A

What is the current visa policy for visitors from selected countries to Thailand?

From October 1st, visitors from selected countries including the UK and the USA can obtain a 45-day free visa, which is valid until the end of March 31st, 2023. Outside this period, the regular 30-day free visa applies.

Why is Thai food recommended for visitors?

Thai food is highly recommended because it is not only the speaker's favorite cuisine but also very affordable, especially when compared to Western cuisines. Street food and night markets are suggested for the best and cheapest options.

What is the importance of having an international driving license when renting a scooter in Thailand?

In Thailand, it is important to have an international driving license when renting a scooter, as it is required by law and authorities often ask for it. Without it, one could be driving illegally.

Which websites are suggested for booking accommodations in Thailand?

Booking.com and agoda.com are recommended for booking accommodations, with the suggestion to search by the lowest price and choose options with an acceptable rating.

Why is it advised to book in advance for the Full Moon Party in Thailand?

Booking in advance for the Full Moon Party is advised because it is a popular event with limited accommodation options. Prices can become very expensive if one waits to book closer to the event.

What are the two main seasons in Thailand and how do they affect travel costs?

Thailand has a dry season from November to March and a wet season. The dry season is busier and more expensive due to better weather, while the wet season offers cheaper prices and fewer tourists.

What common scams should visitors be aware of in Thailand?

Two common scams mentioned are the scooter scam in Phuket, where police may stop and fine tourists for minor infractions, and the tuk-tuk scam in Bangkok, where drivers may overcharge for incomplete tours.

How much does a SIM card with an unlimited data plan typically cost in Thailand?

A SIM card with an unlimited data plan in Thailand can cost around 14 pounds or approximately 16 US dollars.

What is the recommended travel route when visiting Thailand?

It is suggested to fly into the south, such as Phuket, and then travel northward to Bangkok and further up to save time and money, avoiding the need for multiple flights.

What is the speaker's opinion about the Thai people?

The speaker finds Thai people to be genuinely lovely, kind, and hospitable, noting their continued welcoming nature despite the large number of tourists visiting their country.

What is the recommended daily budget for a backpacker in Thailand?

For a budget-conscious backpacker, traveling on under 20 pounds a day is possible, while 30 pounds a day allows for more comfort.

What is the advice regarding withdrawing money from ATMs in Thailand?

To avoid ATM fees, which are typically around 220 baht, it is suggested to withdraw money inside a bank using a passport and a card, which may waive the fee. Also, remember to take your card after withdrawing cash.

How can one easily get around in Thailand?

For long-distance travel, using tour agencies to book transport like minibuses or ferries is recommended. For short distances, using the Grab and Bolt app is suggested as it is convenient and avoids the need to bargain with taxi drivers.

What is the significance of 7-Eleven in Thailand?

7-Eleven stores are ubiquitous in Thailand, especially in cities like Bangkok, offering a wide variety of affordable food and drinks, including iced coffees and microwave meals, which are popular and convenient for travelers.

What are some quick facts needed for traveling in Thailand?

Travelers need to know that Thailand uses US-style plug sockets, drives on the left-hand side like the UK, and it's important to respect the local culture by not mentioning the king in a negative context.

What is the advice regarding animal tourism in Thailand?

The speaker advises against participating in elephant riding as it's not ethical. Instead, they recommend visiting sanctuaries that treat elephants well, such as the one they visited in Chiang Mai.

What is the warning about 'Bangkok Belly' and food safety?

Travelers are advised to be cautious with certain raw vegetables washed in local water to avoid food poisoning, commonly referred to as 'Bangkok Belly.' It is also suggested to be careful with iced drinks, especially in less reputable establishments.

Outlines

00:00

🇹🇭 Thailand Travel Tips: Visas, Food, and Scooter Rentals

The first paragraph introduces the video's purpose: to share 17 essential tips for traveling to Thailand. It emphasizes the ease of traveling in Thailand for first-time backpackers and solo travelers, and the importance of knowing about the 45-day free visa available to certain countries until March 31, 2023. It also highlights the delicious and affordable Thai cuisine, the convenience of renting scooters with an international driving license, and using booking websites for accommodation. Additionally, it touches on the Full Moon Party and the cost differences between the dry and wet seasons.

05:00

🏖️ Must-Visit Places and Local Experiences in Thailand

The second paragraph delves into specific places to visit in Thailand, such as the beautiful island of Koh Phi Phi, the less touristy Pongna, and the unique floating village of Koh Panyang. It also mentions the Calsoc National Park and the bustling night markets of Chiang Mai. The paragraph discusses the friendly nature of Thai people, the importance of respecting local customs when visiting temples, and the cost of living as a backpacker, with tips on budgeting and avoiding ATM fees. It also provides advice on transportation, including using travel agencies and apps like Grab and Bolt for local travel.

10:03

📱 Connectivity, Convenience, and Ethical Tourism in Thailand

The third paragraph covers the convenience of purchasing SIM cards with unlimited data plans in Thailand, the recommended itinerary starting from the south and moving north to avoid extra flights, and the importance of ethical animal tourism, particularly regarding elephant sanctuaries. It also provides quick facts about electricity, driving side, language, and cultural sensitivity regarding the king. Lastly, it advises caution with certain foods and iced drinks to avoid 'Bangkok Belly' or food poisoning.

Keywords

💡Visa

A visa is an official document or endorsement that allows a non-citizen to enter, leave, or stay for a specified period in a particular country. In the context of the video, the speaker discusses the availability of a 45-day free visa for certain countries, which is particularly relevant for planning a trip to Thailand.

💡Thai Food

Thai food refers to the culinary traditions of Thailand, known for its flavorful dishes that often include a balance of sour, sweet, and spicy elements. The video emphasizes Thai food as a favorite cuisine of the speaker, highlighting its affordability and the recommendation to try street food and night markets for an authentic experience.

💡Scooter Rental

Scooter rental refers to the practice of renting a scooter, a type of motorcycle, for transportation. The video mentions renting a scooter as a cost-effective and enjoyable way to explore different parts of Thailand, with a caution to be careful while driving, especially in the rain and on gravel.

💡Booking.com and Agoda.com

Booking.com and Agoda.com are popular online travel booking platforms that allow users to find and book accommodations. The video uses these platforms as examples of where to find affordable lodging options in Thailand, emphasizing the importance of considering both price and ratings when making a selection.

💡Full Moon Party

The Full Moon Party is a world-renowned beach party that takes place on the island of Koh Phangan, Thailand. The video highlights it as a must-do event for travelers, noting the importance of booking accommodations in advance to avoid high prices and ensure proximity to the festivities.

💡Wet Season

The wet season refers to the period during the year characterized by higher rainfall. In the context of the video, the wet season in Thailand is presented as a more cost-effective time to visit, with lower hotel prices and fewer tourists, despite the potential for afternoon rain.

💡Scooter Scam

A scooter scam is a type of tourist trap where travelers are targeted for various reasons, such as not having a helmet or an international driving license. The video warns viewers to be aware of this scam in Phuket, Thailand, and to be cautious when renting and riding scooters.

💡SIM Cards

SIM cards are small removable smart cards that can be used in mobile devices to access cellular networks. The video mentions the affordability of SIM cards in Thailand, with the speaker having obtained an unlimited data plan, which is valuable for staying connected while traveling.

💡Itinerary

An itinerary is a planned route or sequence of intended travel stops. The video suggests a travel itinerary starting in the south of Thailand, such as Phuket, and moving northward to Bangkok and beyond, as a cost and time-efficient way to explore the country.

💡Thai People

The Thai people are the citizens of Thailand, known for their warm hospitality and cultural traditions. The video speaks positively about the genuine kindness and welcoming nature of the Thai people towards tourists, which contributes to the overall appeal of visiting the country.

💡ATM Fees

ATM fees are the charges imposed by an automated teller machine (ATM) for providing cash withdrawal services. The video discusses the relatively high fees for using ATMs in Thailand and offers a tip to withdraw money directly from a bank to avoid these fees, which can add up for travelers.

Highlights

From October 1st, selected countries can get a 45-day free visa, valid until March 31st, 2023.

Thai cuisine is highly recommended, especially street food and night markets for affordable and delicious options.

Renting a scooter is a popular way to explore the islands, but an international driving license is required.

Booking.com and agoda.com are preferred for accommodation, often choosing the cheapest options with reasonable ratings.

The Full Moon Party is a must-attend event, and booking in advance is essential to avoid high prices.

Thailand has two main seasons: dry from November to March and wet, with the latter offering cheaper prices and fewer tourists.

Common scams to watch out for include the scooter scam in Phuket and the tuk-tuk scam in Bangkok.

SIM cards offer great value with unlimited data plans available for as low as 14 pounds.

Flying into Phuket and traveling northward is a cost-effective way to see Thailand, avoiding the need for multiple flights.

Must-visit places include Koh Phi Phi, Phang Nga, and the floating village of Koh Panyang.

Thai people are known for their kindness and hospitality, and it's important to show respect in religious places.

A daily budget of under £20 can be sufficient for budget backpackers, with £30 offering more comfort.

ATM fees in Thailand are relatively high at 220 baht, but can be avoided by withdrawing directly from banks.

Travel agencies are widespread and offer convenient booking services for transport between cities.

7-Eleven stores are ubiquitous in Thailand, offering a wide range of affordable food and drinks.

Thailand uses US plug sockets, drives on the left-hand side, and it's advised not to mention the king in a negative context.

Ethical animal tourism is important; elephant sanctuaries are recommended over elephant riding experiences.

Be cautious with certain foods and iced drinks to avoid 'Bangkok Belly' or food poisoning.

Transcripts

Here are 17 things i wish i knew before i visited  thailand i love thailand and is one of my favorite  

countries but there are definitely things i wish  i knew before i visited the country and that's why  

i've made this video so you don't make the same  mistakes that we did amelia and i spent two months  

traveling thailand and we went from the south  to the very far north and we agreed it was one  

of our favorite countries that we've ever been to  it's very easy if you're a first time backpacker  

or a solo traveller there are so many people to  meet and it's just an easy great country to visit  

let's get on with these 17 things and let's start  with number one and that is the visa so now from  

october the first you can actually get a 45 day  free visa if you're from a selected 65 countries  

which do include the uk and the usa but this is  only running until the end of march the 31st 2023  

so if you're not in that period you'll just  get the regular 30-day free visa you go to  

the immigration office to extend your visa and you  must bring obviously your passport but a photocopy  

of your passport a photocopy of your visa stamp  and a little passport photo um and a printout of  

your flight out of thailand so number two is eat  the thai food honestly it is probably my favorite  

cuisine in the world it is so good and the  thai food there is honestly so cheap especially  

compared to western cuisines try the street food  and go to the night markets because that's where  

you get really cheap great food and there's ones  all over the country and honestly thai people  

know how to put on a good night market so number  three is renting a scooter and you can do this  

with a driving licence in other countries they  didn't ask your driving license but in thailand it  

was quite important because they usually asked to  drive illegally a scooter in thailand you actually  

need an international driving license people just  don't seem to have them just rented this bike it's  

costing us 200 baht a day and we're just gonna  be exploring the island we've just come to fill  

up with some petrol it's honestly the best way  to travel around different islands and different  

parts of thailand and highly recommend it just  be very careful in the rain and on gravel then  

you can come off so number four is where to  stay and we pretty much use booking.com and  

agoda.com for all our bookings we usually search  by lowest price and as long as the rating was okay  

we usually went for the cheapest now number  five is something you might not do when you're  

in thailand but if you are and it lines up then  you have to do the full moon party it's pretty  

much the biggest beach party in the world and for  good reason it is so much fun and a lot of people  

on just one beach now if you're backpacking  thailand you probably don't want to book in  

advance but for the full moon party you must do it  because if you don't price is going to be really  

expensive because there already are even months  in advance and you don't want to be miles and  

miles away the taxis and stuff really expensive  in koh panyang if you live quite far away from the  

actual beach the other thing is drink the buckets  they're really good and get you drunk pretty quick  

we've just got two buckets 300 baht each they're  like little slush puppies so when to go to  

thailand so thailand have two seasons dry seasons  and wet season obviously the dry season from like  

november to march is pretty much the busiest  time of the year there are so many people  

there because it is dry and it doesn't rain that  much saying that it rained quite a lot for us

if you go in wet season no prices are much cheaper  there's not as many tourists the hotel we stayed  

at was marina phuket and that only costs 24 pounds  in wet season but in the height of dry season it  

costs up to 60 pounds a night which is a crazy  difference and so you'll get so much more value if  

you go in wet season and also honestly sometimes  it just rains in the afternoon it's not like it's  

all day misery like it is here in the uk in winter  now i'm gonna be moving on to scams and things  

which you must watch out for so one of the common  scams in phuket that we found we didn't get caught  

but our friends did is the scooter scam basically  the police stop you if you're not wearing a helmet  

or you're not got an international driving  license or whatever they'll just find a way of  

just charging you taking you to the police station  to just get some money off you another scam which  

is common in bangkok is the tuk-tuk scam and they  tell you take a tour but then they only take you  

like halfway and then to get back right to the  middle they try and charge you loads of money  

so just be careful when dealing with tuk-tuks in  bangkok moving on to number eight and if you're  

like me i always love to be connected but sim  cards are really cheap in thailand and i got  

an unlimited data plan for just 14 pounds or like  i don't know 16 us dollars which is amazing value  

and i recommend doing that and we can always be on  instagram just scrolling and stuff so now number  

nine i'm going to be talking about itinerary for  thailand now a lot of people fly into bangkok but  

i've got a suggestion and why maybe you shouldn't  i recommend flying into the south into somewhere  

like phuket and then just making your way all the  way up into bangkok and then further up north and  

then you don't have to take any flights it's  probably the cheapest way of doing it if you  

fly to bangkok you then have to go south and then  you have to go back up and then north again or  

north you know you get what i mean so you're lit  pretty much saving time and cost by flying into  

the south straight away now some of the places i'm  going to list the places you should visit and one  

of them is kobe p honestly it is a beautiful  island and obviously the beautiful maya bay  

is highly recommend checking out it's 400 baht  to go on the beach but it is worth it it's one  

of a stunning beach even though it can get quite  touristy another one is pongna which is a lot less  

touristy and it's basically like massive limestone  cliffs in the water and then you've got kopanyu  

this little floating village highly recommend  checking it out it is awesome another place is  

calsoc national park we didn't actually go there  but it is high on our list to go there next time  

we are in thailand and then further up north check  out chiang mai it's got amazing night markets  

there's lots of different day trips you can do  just out of chiang mai to see the elephants and  

other stuff like that now number 10 is about  the thai people they are honestly genuinely  

so lovely and actually lovely you know not like  fake lovely like they're just after your money  

they are literally so kind and very hospitable  you think about how many thousands and millions  

of tourists who have been to thailand and they're  still so welcoming and just welcome you with open  

arms to their country thailand is mostly buddhist  so if you're going into a temple make sure you  

cover your knees and your shoulders and just  you know show some respect when going into their  

places of worship now number 11 is your budget  for thailand as a cheap backpacker not looking  

to drink much stay in the cheapest accommodation  eat the cheap food can easily travel on under 20  

pounds a day but if you want a little more comfort  than 30 pounds a day will give you a lot more  

comfortable stuff obviously you can spend way more  easily but it all depends on the individual don't  

feel like you need to spend loads one thing to  keep in mind is the north of thailand is so much  

cheaper than the south of thailand if you've got  less money maybe you spend much more time up north  

number 12 is about the atm fees in thailand you  usually charge 220 bar which is quite a bit of  

money especially compared to other countries  where sometimes it's free or just a smaller  

charge way of avoiding this is to go into the  bank bring your passport and obviously your card  

and and you can withdraw it straight from the  bank from the people and you usually not charge  

for that but yeah give it a go another thing to  keep in mind when at an atm the card comes out  

after you've taken the cash i'm hopeless then i  had so many times thai people have come up to me  

going oh you left your card in this machine and  i'm like i'm just so dumb emilia will tell you i  

do all the time just take the cash remember  the card now number 13 is how to get around  

i think thailand is probably one of the easiest  countries to travel because there's tour agencies  

everywhere and this is where you can book your  transport to your next city whether that's taking  

a minibus or a ferry or whatever then this is the  best way booked with travel agency and they'll  

help you or your hotel or hostel they'll also do  it too if you want to go short distances then i  

recommend using the grab and the bolt app honestly  it is pretty cheap there and it doesn't mean you  

have to like bargain with taxi drivers and maybe  you don't know the price and even if they don't  

speak much english so do that and it saves a lot  of hassle now number 14 is thailand's little gem  

no it's not place it is 7-eleven 7-elevens are  literally everywhere especially in the cities  

around bangkok every corner every street every  like 50 meters has a 7-eleven there's a 7-eleven  

here and there's a 7-eleven just there that's  how many 7-elevens are in this city they have  

so much range of selection of food and drinks  and iced coffees they're really good iced coke  

there's so many different drinks you can  get and i love it in other countries like  

the philippines 7-eleven is just not as good it  doesn't have that range of variety of food and  

obviously the ham and cheese toasty that thing is  famous this cheese toasty which i got which was  

27 baht is the big thing to try apparently  everyone says they're really really good

that is actually really good it was really good  but i thought it'd be a little bit bigger because  

i could probably eat it in about six bites if  you want to have a cheap lunch then you can  

have a 7-eleven microwave meal they're like 45  baht and yeah quick easy way of having a lunch  

not spending too much money so number 15 i'm  just going to spit off some quick facts which  

you will need when traveling thailand and one  of these is makes they use the us plug socket  

so you'll need an adapter from from the uk  or the eu or whatever they also drive on the  

left-hand side so like the british not like they  do in america as thailand's so touristy loads of  

people speak english an important thing to do is  don't mention the king if you want a fast-track  

way of getting into jail in thailand then say  something bad about the king and you'll be  

not literally you'll just be put  in jail but just don't mention it  

so moving on to number 16 and that is be careful  with the animal tourism seeing elephants is a very  

popular thing to do in thailand but some places  aren't that ethical we actually went to a really  

good one up in chiang mai and it was amazing it  was an elephant sanctuary and i highly recommend  

it i will leave a link in the description  to it down below and definitely recommend  

checking it out but some places you can still  do elephant riding which it's not good for the  

elephant so if you want to actually look after  them then please avoid these companies don't go  

with them it's not fair on the elephants now  number 17 the very last one and that is about

bangkok belly you've probably heard of it or if  you haven't other people call it like barley belly  

or deli belly just be careful with like radishes  cucumbers tomatoes when they're washing it in the  

local water because that's what can make you quite  ill is that water and then wash the vegetables and  

stuff so be careful i wouldn't recommend eating  them i was like keep your hands off better to  

be safe because the last thing you want to do  especially if you're on a short trip is getting  

bangkok belly and basically having food poisoning  it's not much fun other people ask about the ice  

we were fine having ice we had a lot of iced  drinks and it was fine but honestly if it's  

not a good restaurant then maybe stay away from  iced drinks so that is hopefully everything you  

need to know but if you've got any other questions  please leave them down below in the comments and  

i will get back to you because i wanna i just  want you to get to thailand it's a beautiful  

country and you will absolutely love your time  there thank you so much for watching i hope  

this was useful enjoy your time in thailand and  i'll see you in the next video see you then bye