A few things I wanted her to know before she landed — from the practical stuff to the things you really only learn by being here. You can absolutely come to Thailand without reading all of this but it sure is helpful! Lauren — read this while you’re on the plane <3
[Travel requirements and local regulations can change. This guide reflects my personal experience living in Thailand, but always verify current entry requirements and official rules before traveling]
1. The cultural stuff you should probably know
Take your shoes off. No, seriously.
Take your shoes off before entering homes, temples, and places that signal you should. Sometimes even small businesses and clinics. If you see a pile of shoes outside, take that as a hint to join the barefoot party.
Some establishments might have slip on sandals for you to borrow
(Do you think Asian countries have more or less of a foot fetish with these policies? Hmmm…)
Don’t point with your feet. Don’t prop your feet up on chairs, in the car, etc.
Feet are seen as dirty. Hence ↑
Don’t touch someone’s head
It’s considered sacred
Don’t touch monks
Women should never touch monks
If you’re giving an offering, set it down on the designated plate or surface, not directly into their hands
Be mindful of how loud you’re talking + laughing
This one is for you, Lauren
Dress respectfully at temples
Bring long pants/skirt + a shirt that properly covers your shoulders
Thai people are super polite
Try to avoid confrontation at all costs so don’t be aggressive in any way or lose your temper
The wai
It’s a customary greeting, sign of respect, apology, etc.
Press your hands together in a prayer pose and slightly bow
You don’t have to wai to everyone you meet, just follow people’s lead
Be respectful when discussing the royal family
Never step on bank notes since they have pictures of the king on them
Don’t expect everything to run on your schedule
Chiang Mai is suuuuper laid back. Things probably won’t happen on the dot. Or within 30 minutes of said dot
Sometimes you might be on a grab motorbike and it starts to rain heavily so your driver pulls over to a nearby McDonald’s and you sit together and wait outside for 25 minutes for the rain to pass even though you’re 3 minutes away from your destination. He’s deaf and doesn’t speak English so you try your best to communicate with each other while you wait
AND then you finally get to your destination just to hop on the back of your friend’s bike and ride back to the literal plaza you just waited in because he lost his phone there and needs yours to locate it. The phone is found safe and a sweet Thai women even charges it for him and then we go back to the original destination
The national anthem
In some public places, the national anthem will play at 8 AM + 6 PM
Everyone will stop what they’re doing. You should too
2. Getting around without making it unnecessarily complicated
Download Grab before you arrive and add a cc that doesn’t charge intl fees, queen
Grab (+ 7-Eleven) is the backbone of SE Asia
How to book a Grab: set your pickup point carefully, confirm your destination, check the fare and vehicle details, and follow the app's instructions
It’s pretty common for the driver and/or license plate to not match up but just vibe it out and do what feels right
If you're using a motorbike taxi, wear a helmet!!!
I don’t drive a motorbike but I frequently take Grab bikes because they’re easy, cheap + fun but Thailand is #1 in SEA for motorcycle deaths so plz plz plz wear a helmet. Many drivers don’t carry an extra one so I bought one to keep. I look a little silly carrying it around and it’s sometimes a hassle but my head is in tact <3
Regular taxis
Insist that the meter is on
For tuk-tuks and taxis without a meter, agree on the full fare before getting in so you don’t run into any issues
Don't assume every driver will use the meter or that the first price quoted is the best one.
Songthaews
These are the red / yellow / etc. colored trucks. They each have their own general route but anyone can hop on and hop off
It’s generally around 15-30 baht per ride but varies by city
I wouldn’t necessarily do this unless you know the route (google) and have the time to vibe it out
If a songtaew is empty, sometimes you can negotiate a price for them to directly take you somewhere or on a tour
3. The bathroom situation
This deserves its own section because nobody ever properly prepares you for it.
Public toilets aren’t always free
Keep some small change on you!
I carry tissues with me 24/7 bc not all bathrooms have toilet paper
The ones that do; you might have to pay for and/or you might have to grab it BEFORE going into the stall
You’ll typically learn this when you’re IN the stall, needing toilet paper that’s on the outside </3
Don’t flush toilet paper
The plumbing isn’t designed for it
Throw it in the provided bins
Bum guns are common
You’ll really just have to vibe it out and do what feels right for you lol
Don’t expect western bathrooms everywhere
Squat toilets are around and they will sneak up on you
4. Nightlife, alcohol, and rules you don't want to learn the hard way
Alcohol sales can be prohibited on certain holidays + other govt days
There are also restrictions on the hours when alcohol can generally be sold, although certain licensed venues and locations have exemptions.
Bars may randomly close early during official orders or local enforcement periods
Last month [09/2026] bars closed at midnight vs the typical 2 AM ̄\_(ツ)_/ ̄
Don’t be alarmed if police trucks randomly come to shut down a bar
That’s just how it be
Do not bring / do any drugs !!!!!! Ahem !!!!!!!!
It’s really just not worth it
Vaping is illegal
This can be confusing but just fyi
Defamation laws
Be careful about what you say /post / review online
Thailand has criminal + civil defamation laws and publicly accusing a person or business can have legal consequences
Even when you believe something is true, don't assume that posting it publicly is automatically risk-free
Keep this in mind when reading online reviews, too
5. Money, tipping, and negotiating
Tipping isn't mandatory everywhere
Small tips / rounding up are appreciated in some situations, while service charges may already be included at restaurants
I always tip for beauty services
It still makes me super uncomfortable to not tip, so sometimes I do it even when it's not expected
Keep small denominations of Thai baht for markets, toilets, and small purchases
Things be cheap
Also, familiarize yourself with what 100 baht and 1000 baht notes look like. It might save you 900 baht
Bargaining is normal at many markets and when negotiating some private transport fares, but not at every shop or business
Don’t bargain over a tiny amount just bc you can. It’s already cheap, don’t be an asshole.
Foreign card withdrawals frequently come with a local ATM fee (often around ฿250, although this can vary), on top of whatever your own bank charges [check the fee before confirming your withdrawal]
My preferred alternative:
Bring larger, clean US dollar bills to exchange at a exchange kiosk.
Don't exchange more than you need at the airport. Just enough for your initial taxi or transportation
Make sure your bills are in excellent condition!! Exchange counters can + will reject bills with marks, tears, writing, or any damage
Bring your passport or accepted identification.
SuperRich is my personal kiosk preference for currency exchange
Some bank branches may also exchange foreign cash (some for free-ish) [check their rates and fees before going]
Scan to pay
You’ll see QR codes to scan for payment pretty much everywhere
Unfortunately, you typically need to have a Thai bank account or a long-term visa :/
When paying with a card, always use the local currency
If it asks whether you want to pay in USD or THB, choose THB
DO NOT press convert. The conversion offered by the terminal is often less favorable than your own bank's exchange rate
6. Download these apps before you land
Grab: rides and food delivery + more!
Google Maps: directions, saved places, and navigating unfamiliar neighborhoods
MAPS.ME: good downloadable offline map option
Google Translate: useful for menus, signs, and communicating
If you have an iPhone, you can translate easily by:
1. take a picture (you actually don’t have to. You can click the symbol on the camera app)
2. click the popup symbol on the bottom right of the picture that looks like [=]
3. Hit translate. Viola
LINE: widely used for messaging, appointments, business communications, etc.
Whatsapp: also used for messaging
Your bank's app: check your international card settings before you travel
Nomadtable: to meet people + find events!
Airalo: if you want to do the eSIM route
7. Other things to do before getting on the plane
Get an eSIM (data only ) OR buy a TRUE SIM card at 7-eleven
Airalo eSIM referral code: CATALI1457
Most people + business communicate via WhatsApp, LINE or social media so you rlly don’t need calling + texting
Have proof of exit / onward travel
Before you come into the country
Have it ready in case immigration requests it
Can be a plane tix or bus
You can always change it later if needed
Do TDAC within 3 days of your flight
Always check local visa requirements concerning your passport, they can frequently change
Many people overlook this one but you should always get it
8. Miscellaneous
Don’t drink the water
The cylinder ice at establishments is generally safe
Turn the AC off when leaving the room
I live in Thailand now, remember
Wifi
A lot of places have free wifi so do not fret
Always wear a condom
9. Living in Thailand is a little different
The fact that Thai nicknames can be wildly unexpected
Thai names are long af so everyone has a nickname that can literally be anything
Ex. Soup, Lexus, Chair, Rice, Printer, Baby, Spider Man…….. anything
If you download Tinder, be ready to have them all in one condensed place
I’m banned from Tinder for whatever reason so RIP. I’ll swipe with you on your phone, Lauren
The importance of keeping your cool when something goes wrong
This is a good reminder of the reminder
Sometimes when I get frustrated I have to remind myself to be cool and not get mad / upset / stern
Do not leave ANY food out
Not even a literal crumb
Any food that’s opened > put it in the fridge or the ants will attack and you will have to personally escort each one out of the club
Leave room in your itinerary
For things to take longer than expected + to explore a little without an agenda
A lot of mattresses are firm AF
(I bought you a mattress topper, don’t worry)
Remember that cars drive on the left side of the street
So plz look both ways before crossing so we don’t have to use your travel insurance
10. Helpful vocab
*In the Thai language, females end sentences with “ka” and males with “krup” for politeness
*Also remember that Thai is a tonal language meaning you can say the same word and depending on how you say it, it can have different meanings. Most of the time, Thai’s will generally understand what you’re saying but if you happen to be my mom and I’m trying my best to talk to you in Thai after taking a Thai class and I give you a lot of context and you still have no clue what I’m saying even though it can only mean so many things, you may have an issue understanding me.
Saa-wat-dee ka / khrup = hello
Khob-khun ka / khrup = thank you
Farang = westerner (you might hear this a lot if you’re white lol)
Chai / ka / khrup = yes
Mai = no
Mai pet = not spicy
Pet nit-noi = a little bit spicy
Pet daai = yes, spicy
Mai pen rai = no problem / no worries
Mai khao jai = I don’t understand
Mai ow = I don’t want
Ow = want
Mai waan = no sweet
Generally when you’re ordering a drink, the easiest way to convey how sweet you want it is to do a scale from 0%-100%. Ex. 25% waan ka = 25% sweetness please
See you in a few days and don’t forget my fuzzy blanket
