Thailand is without doubt one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world and the Thai people got used to the behavior of the tourists. However, there are some certain things that you should do and avoid when visiting this country, because otherwise you might insult someone or even land up in jail.
What to do in Thailand?
- Simply smile – Interesting to know is that when you talk with Thai people it is considered polite to smile. The Thai culture is quite different from ours, so you are going to show good manners if you are polite and smile most of the time. That is the reason why some people refer to Thailand as “The land of smiles”.
- When driving a motorcycle wear a helmet – Despite the fact that you are not likely to have any troubles with the local authorities, it is wise to wear a helmet when driving a bike. Remember that in Thailand there are more bike accidents than anywhere in the world, so it is good for your own protection.
- Carry your ID – The laws in Thailand require from all the people to carry some identification or at least a copy of it. If you are stopped by the police and you do not have your passport, you are likely to pay a fine.
- Wear sandals instead of flip-flops – Although, wearing flip-flops appears to be a good idea, there are many obstacles on the Thai footpaths and if you wear sandals you will be able to avoid them. In addition, remember that rain-storms are common for that country and if you wear flip-flops, there is a great chance of injuring yourself.
- Buy a lot of mosquito repellant – Since Thailand have tropical climate, there are a lot of mosquitos and you have to protect yourself from them. Remember that in case there are a lot of mosquitoes in the room, where you sleep, you can ask the hotel staff to clean them for you.
- Take your shoes off when entering Buddhist temple – According to the Thai customs you should take your shoes of when entering someone’s home, temple and even some stores. If you do not do that it will be considered an offense against the people in the store or temple.
- Beware of scams – There are scams in all the popular tourist destinations and Thailand is not an exception. If you are approached by someone, who wants to sell you some gems for a price that is too good to be true, this is likely to be a scam.
What not to do when visiting Thailand?
- Do not raise your voice – The Thai people are sensitive about voice levels and for that reason you should watch out your tone. Even, when you are angry, try using low tones and try to speak slowly.
- Do not wait to go home to get healthcare – A common misconception is that the Thai hospitals are not good and they are not going to provide you the healthcare you need. However, the truth is that Thailand has some of the best hospitals in the world and if you feel ill, you can always get help.
- Do not try the same things that you would do if you were having a vacation at your own country – There are many people, who visit Thailand and do the same things that they would have done if they were having a vacation at their home countries. However, if you are truly looking to get the best from your holiday in that amazing country, you should try its native cuisine and get in touch with its culture. There is no way to do that while eating pizza and visiting bars.