Excerpt: If you are a newbie or even a regular traveller who has not been to Thailand before, make sure to avoid these common mistakes that most travellers make while visiting Thailand for the first time.
Thailand is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Owing to having so many amazing places to roam around, Thailand welcomes millions of tourist from across the world every year. Since the country hosts a number of breath-taking places including the beautiful waterfall, wild-life sanctuaries, ancient temples, museums, historical parks and many more incredible places, millions of tourists visit Thailand multiple times. Along with tourists who revisit Thailand to explore many more places within the country, there are millions more who visit Thailand for the first time. Hence, we are here to provide you with some of the important tips to avoid these common mistakes that most travellers make while visiting Thailand for the first time. These tips will help the newbies make their first trip to Thailand an amazing one. So, without further ado, let us get started!
Plan Your Trip and Schedule Everything
This is no brainer! You must plan everything before you actually step out of your house for a trip to a country or a place you have never been to before. Hence, you must do proper research and read the reviews of the places you are planning to include in your itinerary. Try to be as specific about the places, people and charges of using local transportation modes, restaurants and stopovers. This is one of the common mistakes that most travellers make while visiting Thailand for the first time.
Avoid Over Planning
A lot many people get over-excited about their first trip to Thailand or even any other country or place and over plan things. The newbies often do pre-booking of everything from resorts to restaurants and other places at higher prices because they feel that they would not find good accommodations and reservations at the time. This is not a good way to plan your trips as it will cost you more. Rather, you should talk to some experienced travellers and they will help you plan your trips in the most suitable manner.
Avoid Too Much Packing
This is another common mistake that most travellers make while visiting Thailand for the first time. A lot of travellers, especially the newbies, often pack too much of their stuff that is not even required during the trip. The best way to pack your bags for any trip is to first include everything you need for the trip and then take half out it. This will help you carry only the essential items for your trip and you can enjoy your trip to the fullest without dragging your heavy luggage everywhere during the trip to Thailand or any other place. Besides, Thailand is a country where you can get the stuff from the local markets at the cheapest prices as compared to most other countries.
Elephant Rides
When you go to Thailand, there is one thing that you would not want to miss out, elephant ride that is. However, when it comes to riding the elephants, you must do proper research before choosing the right camp. Owing to a lot many visitors opting for elephant rides in Thailand, these elephants are overworked and tired. Hence, you must check for their health conditions and how the elephant owners treat them. We know these things do not matter a lot for a traveller, however, you would want to have an incredible ride experience. And, above all, you would not want to hurt an animal just because of your fun, right?
Taxi Rides
Just like India, jumping into any taxi without turning on the taxi metre is not a wise choice in Thailand as well. After ending the ride, you might find it cheap, however, with taxi metre on, you can get a taxi ride to your hotel, airport or any destination of your choice comparatively a lot cheaper. Thinking you are getting a cheaper taxi ride without turning on the metre is one of the most common mistakes that most travellers make while visiting Thailand for the first time because it is really not.
Attire for Temples
Similar to India, Thailand is a country where you will find an innumerable number of temples. And, when it comes to religion and culture, people tend to be sensitive. Hence, you must adhere to all the guidelines of their temples and the Thai culture while visiting the temples. For example, you should cover your shoulders and knees while visiting the Thai temples. Besides, you must remove your shoes and slipper before entering the temple. It is always good to respect others’ culture and adapt to it while you are visiting their country. Many times, most travellers roam around in temples in swimsuits and other short attires that do not go with the atmosphere of the temple.
Thai Food
Going to Thailand and not having street food? Nah, you can’t miss it, right? Well, just like Indian food, Thai food is also popular across the world. While there are many travellers who prefer to eat in A-rated restaurants, there are others who enjoy Thai street food. However, if you are anxious that the street food would make your stomach upset during the trip, there is a little trick, or we would rather say a tip for you. If you want to eat street food in a new place or the country, always choose to eat where the locals eat. Besides, always make sure to eat the freshly cooked food that is being cooked in front of your eyes. Also, check the hygiene of the vendors and shops before ordering.
Other than these, you must be trapped into the local tuk-tuk ride as they often charge extra from the new tourists. Another scam that is quite famous in Thailand is the buying of special gems that the locals would promise you to sell in your home country for a higher price. A lot many newbies get trapped in this scam and end up buying Thai gems at higher prices. So, if you are a newbie or even a regular traveller who has not been to Thailand before, make sure to avoid these common mistakes that most travellers make while visiting Thailand for the first time.