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  1. #1
    Thailand Expat
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    Travel Tip for Thailand

    For those of us living in Thailand, we often get visitors who do not have much experience traveling let alone been to Thailand and consequently need tips/pointers when traveling to Thailand. I have such a situation where a friend who has never been to Thailand and his family (spouse is Thai) are headed this way during the Christmas/New Year Holiday. I've started putting together some tips for them to consider being aware of however, the list is incomplete. Before sending these tips to my friend, I thought I'd solicite the thoughts of the TD readers as to what should be added to the list. Here is what I have so far. Any additions need to be made?


    Travel Tips for Thailand:
    The following travel tips for a general tourist or family visit to Thailand are specific to Thailand, are a living document of my own compilation with additional input from fellow expats of the area, and by no means all inclusive.
    1. Bring your prescription medicines… antibiotics, neospurin, ammonium AD, anti itch stuff, etc.
    2. Get an International Drivers Permit in the US from AAA for both a car and motorcycle. Bring the International Permit and US Drivers License along with you.
    3. Always remain vigilant and aware of your surroundings.
    4. Make a copy of your passport and keep original and copy in separate but safe places in case your passport is lost/stolen.
    5. Do not let your luggage at the airport out of your sight.
    6. Keep your valuables secured at all times. Money and credit cards in front pocket.
    7. Stay main stream, don’t be distracted by confusion and activity around you, always smile but do not trust anyone nor listen to the touts.
    8. Know how to use the local phone system and cell phone system.
    9. Purchase a local pay as you go sim card for your own personal cell phone or purchase a cell phone. They are inexpensive.
    10. Know the Embassy American Services phone number (or for non-Americans, your country’s Embassy phone number).
    11. Carry a business card of the hotel you are staying at and contact phone numbers.
    12. Carry toilet paper, handy/baby wipes, and/or small bottle of waterless hand sanitizer.
    13. Carry small 20/50/100 baht notes and 10 baht coins to avoid having to wait for change and/or having to go without getting your change.
    14. Keep a small bottle of bottled water with you.
    15. No requirement to tip but ok to leave small 10 baht or 20 baht change at restaurants.
    16. Critters are all around so, be careful and look before you touch, look before you walk, and don’t be where you shouldn’t be.
    17. Always let someone in the group know when you are going to be away from the group.
    18.
    "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff....and it is all small stuff"

  2. #2
    Party Animal!
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    Use the locals friendly name for a policeman when you meet one. It's cvnt face.

  3. #3
    Thailand Expat
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    Quote Originally Posted by Fuzzy Bob View Post
    Use the locals friendly name for a policeman when you meet one. It's cvnt face.
    I don't necessarily disagree with you Fuzzy, but not all that PC or diplomatic. The tips are for keeping them out of trouble not for asking for trouble.

  4. #4
    anonymous ant
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    if he notices any change in his wife's attitude towards him while visiting her home town/village, or is solicited for money to help the family, dump the bitch before it is too late!

    these are the first symptoms of the "disease" that infects many westerners married to thais, and if left untreated, can lead to misery and poverty.

    treatment is painfull and requires a strong mental attitude, and a clear head.

  5. #5
    Thailand Expat
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    Quote Originally Posted by tsicar View Post
    if he notices any change in his wife's attitude towards him while visiting her home town/village, or is solicited for money to help the family, dump the bitch before it is too late!

    these are the first symptoms of the "disease" that infects many westerners married to thais, and if left untreated, can lead to misery and poverty.

    treatment is painfull and requires a strong mental attitude, and a clear head.
    Cheers tiscar. Sounds like a man talking from experience... Point noted but In my friends case, both he and the wife are late middle agedand both are in for the long haul and have commitments that I'm faily confident do not include taking care of in-laws to any degress.

  6. #6
    Band
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    Learn the Thai rude words for go away, ready for an already pissed family member who wants you to buy them more booze.

  7. #7
    RIP
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    If the spouse is Thai then why would she not know about her own country?
    Or did I miss something??

  8. #8
    Thailand Expat

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    Good list, SEA.

    Always let someone know where you will be, even if it's for a few minutes. Always let a couple of people know where you'll be, ex, on a tour, at an island, on a day excursion etc.

    If you are planning on doing things outdoors, try to do them in the morning or near sunset, when it's not as hot.

    If you start to feel ill or weak, take a good rest inside with A/C and drink lots of water at room temperature. The heat, jet lag and different food can get to some people.

    If you are out shopping for T-shirts, souvernirs etc, barter for everything. If you don't get the price you want, move on to another stall.

    I'll try to think of more.

  9. #9
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    I have found that number 12 on your list is one of the MOST important travel aids...

  10. #10
    Thailand Expat

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    Me too!

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by SEA Traveler
    and don’t be where you shouldn’t be.
    Perhaps need to clarify this one.

  12. #12
    splendid and tremendous
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    ^^^ Yet the locals never use it..My tip won't be get to grips with the bum gun asap then go back home and install one in your own toilet..you'll be the talk of the town. But agreed, it's always very handy to carry a bogroll in the rucksack..you never know when you might have to empty the bowels. Some of the food dished up here can have a habit of rearing itself at the most inconvenient of times. If you don't have the toilet tissue present then dash in the poshest looking shop you can find and shout I NEED A SHIT and do the business there, if there are no shops available then you'll probably be in some rural area, in which case drop the trousers (lose your inhibtions, your never gonna see the fuckers again) and let rip,,hopefully a close by banana tree will lend a hand with the final mop up..best of luck.

  13. #13
    Cool Cat
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    When buying stuff, always check that what they put in the box is what you bought. Then pay.

    Don't over estimate your ability to eat spicy food.

    Always wear a hat and make a generous use of sunscreen, the sun in Thailand is much stronger than in most countries in the west.

    Don't get (too) drunk with people you never met before.

    Never go to the kind of place you wouldn't patronize in your home country.

    Don't try to be smart or a hero. When you start feeling uncomfortable in a place, leave immediately.

    Keep always a small amount of money in your wallet and the bulk of your cash, credit cards, ... somewhere else. If someone really insist to have your wallet, you can give it away without too much regrets.
    The things we regret most is the things we didn't do

  14. #14
    Banned Muadib's Avatar
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    ^^ Got no problem using a bum gun... I always seem to get caught out in a place where they not only don't have a bum gun, but no place to take a crap... Between the heat, the food and the sudden urge to evacuate the lower intestines, I now carry a roll of bog paper in my pack...
    Give a man a match, and he'll be warm for a minute, but set him on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.

  15. #15
    RIP
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    Watch out for all the fake brand labels when shopping

  16. #16
    Gohills flip-flops wearer
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    Don't go to ping pong shows.
    Don't go to see the latest jewellry cutting/stone polishing exhibitions in posh hotels.

  17. #17
    Thailand Expat
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    Dont think that you can outsmart the local conmen.

  18. #18
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    but also enjoy yourself and dont be too paranoid about getting ripped off all the time.,

  19. #19
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    If that list gets any longer you're gonna scare 'em off.

  20. #20
    Gohills flip-flops wearer
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    Don't be put off by long lists.

  21. #21
    Thailand Expat
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    Don't go bareback with a bar girl.

  22. #22
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    What is a bum gun?
    Bog paper is toilet paper, yes?
    When electricity comes into a house, it goes into the main panel from the power lines. The electricity goes from the panel box by 14/2 wire or 12/2 wire for 220v and then goes to OUTLETS or SWITCHES. Are the OUTLETS 110 or 220 and if they are 220 how do you hook up a laptop to them in hotels?

  23. #23
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    all there outlets are 210 in one wire, no 120 volts only usa uses that , not good
    that is why you cant buy instant little water heaters in US in Home depot, got to
    be 210. , 110 doesnt heat squat, your comp will work on 210 just fine, but
    other small fans and electronics wont.

  24. #24
    I am not a cat
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    Quote Originally Posted by SEA Traveler View Post
    .
    1. Bring your prescription medicines… antibiotics, neospurin, ammonium AD, anti itch stuff, etc.
    An oldish thread with a bump by the looks.

    However, that point should be ammended slightly. bring your own prescription meds - and a copy of the prescription!

    People comming into the country with unidentified/unidentifiable pills are well recommended to have a copy of the script. Saves those oh so difficult questions, as well as making it significantly easier to get a refill in caes of lost or used up pescription.

  25. #25
    Thailand Expat
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    Quote Originally Posted by blackgang View Post
    If the spouse is Thai then why would she not know about her own country?
    Or did I miss something??
    No BG, you didn't really miss anything. The point is, a Thai woman is often clue less about her own country and travel tip especially if they have not be back in their homeland for 10 years or so. Besides, the list that a Thai would put together and one that a Westerner puts together would probably be very different with the Westerners more in tune with reality. IMHO.

    So, with that in mind, any valuable valid input?

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