The Do’s and Don’ts of Backpacking in Thailand

Thailand. Just the name is enough to tempt a backpacker to take out his/her credit card and book a flight. From historic templates, beautiful shores, and vibrant beaches to a rich culture, existing water sports, and spa, the South-East Asian Gem offers a bit of everything. But like any destination, it does have its fair share of complexities that give it an unsafe image. Not to mention, you’ve likely read stories about taxi driver scams, corrupt police force, and debauchery at beach night parties.  

Fortunately, there are some do’s and don’ts of backpacking in Thailand. If you follow them, there’s a very slight chance that you’d get scammed on the street or get flogged by an angry monk.

Do’s

DO Eat On the Street

As a backpacker, you’d probably want to find budget eats. But that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice on the experience of eating like a local. If you want to taste some of the best local cuisines in Thailand, eat in the street! The most scrumptious Thai meals and snacks are found there, but avoid food poisoning and other food-related sicknesses by going where locals usually do (the food there is will likely be fresher and healthier). Whether you take the fat noodles at lunchtime or mango sticky rice for an afternoon snack, you’re unlikely to have a bad meal if you eat as locals do in Thailand.

DO Learn the Core Ethics

Do put a smile on your face and learn a few basic Thai words for how are you, hello and thank you. This will give an indication that you’ve done your homework, and are making a genuine attempt to fit in. One more thing to pay attention to is how you dress, and though the climate may hint the need for skimpier clothing, remember that most cities in Thailand are conservative. Make your appearance appropriate to the situation, especially if you plan on visiting religious templates. Moreover, there’s no need to give back the Wai to everything (the thing where hands clasp together to form a sort of prayer), but it’s a good ethic to show to those who are in the same or above standing as you.

DO Take a Thai Massage

That long layover calls for a session of traditional Thai massage. Start off with a foot massage, and then consider a back massage after a few days (massage specialists will bend and put the takers into contortionist oblivion, but you’ll feel like you can climb walls and do backflips at will at the end of the session). Massage centers are almost everywhere in Thailand and offer various options like back massages, head massages, and foot massages (don’t forget to compare the prices!). Typically, a 30-minute massage will cost around 200 baht/hour, and most tourist destinations charge this much for the session. That said, your negotiation skills might come into play in a few specific areas.

Don’ts

DON’T Trust All the People You Meet

During your backpacking trip in Thailand, you’ll have at least one individual tell you that ‘it’s a holiday today,” which is why there’s a huge crowd at the x attraction and you’d have to pay a higher-than-usual price for the fast entry ticket. There’s no fast entry ticket or holiday schedules, in reality, so it’s better to street clear of people who say otherwise. Also, backpackers should keep a check on meters when they sit in tuk tuks as many of them tend to overcharge foreign travelers. You might also come across a few pickpockets who have no clue that you’re prepared and wearing a money belt.

DON’T Fall for The “No.1 Destination” Hype

Other backpackers, especially those on Instagram, have a habit of hyping up places that are not worth the stay or visit in reality. Bangkok’s Khao San Road is one such example. Often touted as the number one destination for backpackers and travelers, it’s a place full of harem pant-boasting pupils, dirty hostels, and petri dish of bad-looking bars. And even though we won’t call it a no-go place, several will make a beeline on this crowded street rather than seeing the rest of Bangkok. Some better alternatives are Siam Square and Sukhumvit. Then there’s also Soi Ngam Dupli’s backpacker center. Other viable options include Couchsurfing and Airbnb – do consider staying somewhere that’d allow you to engage and connect with the locals (that’s the true backpacking experience).

DON’T Take Drugs

Drugs in Thailand are easy to find and there are plenty being offered, especially things like marijuana. We suggest backpackers stay away from them. Have you seen “Brokedown Palace?” Whatever is portrayed in the movie does happen in real life as well. Quite often, drug dealers will convince new travelers to buy drugs, and then report them to the police. A team will then come to arrest the traveler, and getting out would be next to impossible without a large bribe. It’s best to completely avoid drugs to stay away from situations like these. Activities like these could happen at Khao San Road if you’re in Bangkok, so don’t stick around there for long. It’s a weird universe where wallets can easily get burned, and there’s nothing much to learn about the local culture.

DON’T Mention the King

The King is seen as a God by many locals. It’s taboo to talk about him. Also, the country has one of the fiercest Lese Majeste rules in the world. It’s best to never mention him because you might face serious consequences by bringing him up. These people love the king, and bringing him up could even mean jail time.

Bottom Line

Thailand is a beautiful country that every backpacker should visit once in their lifetime. You’d rarely hear any bad experiences, and if you do, it is because the person did something they shouldn’t have. That said, the danger is there; scams and tricks will always be attempted on touring backpackers. Keeping your cool, using the do’s and don’ts above, and utilizing common sense will ensure you enjoy your time in Thailand.