Thailand Can Be Hot. Real Hot!

Northern Thailand Weather

When to visit is one of the most important Thailand travel tips.  Thailand has a tropical climate so it can be very hot and humid. High travel season is between November and March when it is cooler, dryer and less humid. Average temperatures can vary by season but tend to hover around 30 degrees Celsius/86 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. Low season runs from June to October coinciding with monsoon season and heavy rainfall. The humidity is also high during this season making temperatures feel even hotter.

Weather in the Islands

In the southern area of Thailand, the climate differs between the western and eastern coasts. April and October are the wettest months for the western Andaman Coast, however, the eastern islands such as Koh Samui on Thailand’s Gulf Coast experience more rain from September to December. November to April is the optimal travel times for the west coast islands and December to March for the east coast islands. We like to travel to Thailand at the beginning of November before high season picks ups.  Although temperatures are cooling down it is still hot.  It isn’t even so much the temperature but more the humidity.

What to Wear

One of the top Thailand travel tips I wish I had known before our visit was to wear light, breathable or moisture-wicking clothes.  With the sun, heat, and humidity, you won’t’ want to be wearing anything fitted or that doesn’t breathe.  Light colors are also beneficial as they deflect the sun. You will be sweaty in Thailand, and probably showering a couple of times a day, BUT again, it’s worth every minute of it!

There’s a Dress Code for Temples

Temples have required dress guidelines for both men and women.  All visitors are expected to have shoulders and knees covered before entering a temple. Longer shorts, capris, pants, or skirts will work. T-shirts are fine, although tank tops or see-through clothing are not allowed.  The moisture-wicking pants, with zip-off legs, can be great for Thailand and visiting temples. If needed, a scarf or pashmina wrap can cover the shoulders when wearing a tank top or can be converted to a long skirt by wrapping it around your legs.  Some of the larger temples will have covers available for a small fee. Shoes also need to be removed and left outside before entering temples. Slip-on shoes without laces are the most convenient.

Language

Thai is the country’s official language.  Due to the number of tourists that visit Thailand, most people we encountered understood English and could communicate enough to get by.  In the more rural and less touristy areas, this may not be the case. There are some great apps for your phone that can help with translation if needed.  Google Translate, Microsoft Translator, iTranslate, and TripLingo are very popular and easy to use.   All have free versions and are available for Android and iPhones.

Currency

Thailand’s currency is the Thai Baht.  Currency exchange booths and ATMs are available at the airport, at some hotels and on the street in touristy areas. Unlike most places across the world, the airport is a good place to exchange money because there are no surcharges or commissions when exchanging cash at the airport. We also used local banks to exchange money as it was more discreet than exchanging at ATMs or booths on the street. Major credit cards and debit cards can be used at hotels and larger restaurants, but travelers will need to have cash on hand for smaller establishments, shops, vendors, tuk-tuks, etc.

Restrooms

Bring Toilet Paper When Sightseeing

Another essential Thailand travel tip is to bring toilet paper when sightseeing because public restrooms may not provide it.  Some restrooms have toilet paper outside of the stall or available to purchase, but overall it is better to be prepared and carry some with you.  Also, the toilet paper that is available is very thin, and more like tissue paper than what you are used to.  In many places in Thailand, the plumbing is not capable of flushing toilet paper so you will find signs to not flush paper products and instead place it in the garbage.

Bucket Flush

In some public restrooms, not in hotels or nicer restaurants, you may find that there is no handle to flush but instead a bucket and water. In order to flush the toilet’s contents, fill the bucket with water and pour it into the toilet bowl, which forces the contents out.

Squat Toilets

Squat toilets were a new experience and again are found in some public restrooms.  This is a seatless toilet.  Need I say more?  Instead of sitting, you place your feet on each side of the bowl, squat and do your business. Yes, this is a little awkward to get used to, but is better than nothing!  And if nothing else, it’s a good leg workout.

Sanitizer Comes in Handy

It is also good to have hand sanitizer with you.  In some public restrooms, there are sinks outside to wash your hands, but there may not be soap or paper towels.

Some Public Restrooms May Cost Money

Some public attractions such as outdoor markets may require that you pay to use the restroom. The average cost is around 3 baht, so make sure you have coins available. 

Transportation

Transportation in Thailand is relatively easy.  We have traveled by taxi, private driver, tuk-tuk, ferries, boats, and domestic flights.  All of which were affordable and easy to maneuver. Well, we did get on the wrong plane once. Ha Ha!  It’s funny now, although a little stressful at the time. We almost went to Bangkok instead of Chiang Mai.  Somehow we missed the fact that we had to take a shuttle to our plane and instead just boarded the plane in front of us. Just double-check your boarding passes with the flight attendant when boarding. Live and learn friends, live and learn!

Travel By Tuk-Tuk

Tuk-tuks are a popular mode of transportation in Thailand.  These open-air, three-wheeled vehicles are a fun way to get from place to place.  In the touristy areas, they will offer to take you to popular temples and attractions for a reasonable price. In addition to the attractions you want to see, they may want to take you to specific shops to browse.  If that doesn’t interest you, just be clear upfront and always negotiate your price ahead of time.  Feel free to barter for what seems like a fair price.

Long-Tail Boats Are the Way to Go

Another great Thailand travel tip is traveling by long-tail boat. When staying on the coast, long-tail boats can make for an efficient and surprisingly smooth ride when traveling from beach to beach or to nearby islands. Long-tail boats can often be rented off the beach, at designated rental stands or from private tour companies.

Domestic Flights Are Cheap

It can be inexpensive to fly domestically within Thailand. We’ve flown AirAsia and Thai Airways, which were both good.  We’ve seen a lot of others traveling Nok Airlines although we haven’t personally flown with them.

Bring Bug Spray

Sooo, there are some bugs in Thailand, especially along the coastline and on the islands.  Our doctor recommended Repel 100 Insect Repellant, which worked great.  I highly recommend having some on hand.

Travel Vaccines

I’m not recommending that you do or do not get vaccines, but the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends the following vaccines when traveling to Thailand.  For more information click here. The CDC recommends that all travelers be up to date on measles and other routine vaccinations.  In addition, they recommend Hepatitis A and Typhoid because it can be contracted through contaminated food and water. There are a few other vaccine recommendations based on individual travel plans.  Under specific circumstances, they recommended malaria, hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, and yellow fever. The CDC recommends always consulting your physician prior to travel. The first time we went to Thailand we did get vaccines recommended by a physician at the time, although the second time we didn’t. To get vaccines or not is a personal preference and a decision to be made in consultation with a physician.

Same-Same

The most helpful Thailand travel tip related to shopping is that Thailand is a land of knockoff products.  While walking through the Night Market in Chiang Mai we heard many vendors stating that items were “same-same.”  Items do look “same-same”, but are not the real thing or the same quality. We’ve seen numerous brands in shops and market vendors including Nike, The North Face, Coach, and many more. We bought a “same-same” name brand daypack for 300 baht or approximately $10 and it lasted a couple of years before tearing.  I also bought a knock off wallet that looked like the real thing to later find that not all the credit card slots were large enough.  They did stretch with use and the wallet held up for many years but it wasn’t exactly “same-same”.

Thai Treats Not to Miss

Mango Sticky Rice

My favorite Thailand travel tip is mango sticky rice.  Mango Sticky rice is one of the most delicious treats I’ve ever tried and has become a daily indulgence when in Thailand.  Yep, every day! I got this tip from another traveler and she was absolutely right! It is a combination of the sweetest, juiciest mango you’ve ever tasted and rice sweetened with sugar and coconut milk. The rice has a thicker and firmer consistency than rice pudding.  I’m pretty sure it’s the food of angels!

Banana Leaf Sticky Rice

In Ao Nang, on the Andaman Coast, we also found rice and coconut steamed in a banana leaf.  It is similar to coconut sticky rice, although the coconut caramelizes when steamed in the banana leaf.  This is an amazing package of sweet, creamy rice and coconut. Yuuuummeee!

Oh… the Monkeys!

As you travel throughout Thailand you will encounter monkeys. The monkeys can be fun to watch from afar, but beware they are also unpredictable and can become aggressive. It is critical that you keep your distance as they’ve been known to jump on backpacks and steal food, water, and sunglasses. Although this may sound funny, no one wants the shots that will follow if bitten or scratched. It is also important not to show your teeth around monkeys as they may see it as a sign of aggression. Have you ever tried to not show your teeth when laughing hysterically as the monkey is inching too close?  Not easy friends, not easy! One of the most important Thailand travel tips is that monkeys are not the critters to try to get a selfie with.  I’ve seen a lot of people inching up to a wild monkey for a selfie but this is a dangerous risk and not worth the likes on social media.

Accommodations

Thailand is a great place to splurge on a hotel because you get so much for your money. Our favorite place we’ve ever stayed in Thailand is the Centara Grand Beach Resort and Villas Krabi.  You just can’t beat that view! Prices for hotels and resorts run the spectrum in Thailand.   Dorms can be as low as 100 baht a night/$5, and hotels rooms can be as low as 1,000 baht/$40 dollars a night.  We have found 4-5 star hotels starting at 2,000 baht/$80 a night depending on the time of year and location. It definitely pays to shop around.  Check out the 12 Secrets to Save Money on Hotels and Lodging to learn how to optimize your travel budget.

You Get What You Pay for When it Comes to Beds

One of the Thailand travel tips I wish someone would have shared with us was the firmness of the beds. Although accommodations come at a great price in Thailand, we have found that sometimes you get what you pay for when it comes to bed comfort. One year in Chiang Mai I found a room for approximately 2,000 baht/$70 a night. The hotel was very nice as was the breakfast buffet but WOW, the bed was firm. For those who enjoy a firm bed that’s great, I did not and found it to be like sleeping on concrete. This is a great reason to read reviews on TripAdvisor to make sure you’re getting what you are looking for.

Breakfasts in Hotels

It’s worth booking breakfast with the price of your hotel. We’ve stayed at a variety of hotels throughout Thailand in the 3-4 star range and have never been disappointed in their breakfast buffets. They generally offer huge spreads of food from eggs, meat, potatoes, baked goods, soups, curries, and cheeses.  A great start to a day of sightseeing!

Thai Food

Especially in touristy areas, you will find a wide array of food types including Italian, Indian, pizza and the best Thai food ever! Thai food is so much better than Thai food at home. We have enjoyed various curries, Pad Thai, papaya salad, Tom Kha, and Tom Yum soups and they are all absolutely delicious. Another one of my most important Thailand travel tips is to be aware that the spice level can be high. Even mild may be spicier than you’ve had before. Those Thai peppers are hot! Just be clear to your server if you like your food on the milder side. Whatever the item, the ingredients are purchased from a local market and the taste is out of this world! The fresh local herbs make all the difference.  I have never had pad thai in the States as fresh and light as I did in Thailand! I would also recommend trying the restaurants where the locals go.  Local vendors are always willing to recommend their favorite spots and these are the places with the most authentic food.

What to Do in Thailand

One of the best Thailand travel tips is the wide variety of things to try and experience.  There are so many things and so little time.

• Take a cooking class
• Visit the many temples
• Enjoy a Thai massage
• Volunteer at an elephant reserve
• Enjoy the beaches
• Book a food tour
• Kayak through the mangroves
• Visit a pineapple farm
• Hire a long-tail boat to visit a nearby island
• Get a foot and leg massage
• Try out the street food
• Visit a floating market
• Stroll through an outdoor or night market
• Attend a Muay Thai fight
• Snorkel or scuba dive to see the wide array of tropical fish
• Visit during Loy Krathong & Yi Peng to see the Thailand Lantern Festival

Book the Trip!

Thailand is a country that we will continue to return to.  From the warm welcoming people to the beaches and the delicious food this will continue to be one of our favorite destinations!