The first in what will be a series of ten useless things posts. Not designed to be educational, but you never know! These tips apply to travelling away from the major tourist haunts of Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya. Your mileage may vary.
- It may not seem that way but you will get there. On time. In one piece. Don’t sweat it.
- Road rules are optional – this especially applies to pedestrian crossings which are only painted on the road to make it easier to hit pedestrians. Scooters are not traffic and will be coming both ways and on the footpath – watch where you are going and be careful crossing roads.
- It may look like a big tub of cold water and a plastic dipper but it really is a shower.
- Corollary to three – pouring a bucket of cold water over one’s head first thing in the morning is a great way to wake up and doing it several times each day means you soon get used to it.
- Siesta – you will be up early to avoid the heat and up late to go to the markets so the hot bit in the middle is for napping.
- Eat and drink with the locals. They know the best food and the bottled water is perfectly drinkable. They will also eat at every opportunity. If you like spicy food make sure they know and believe you – otherwise you will end up with pad see ew at every meal because falangs can’t eat yum.
- Thai food looks like muddy water with scraps floating in it but tastes delicious. Avoid bugs (beetles, not Balmain) and soft Durian unless you are really keen.
- If there are no Thais swimming it is probably best to not swim. Look for clothes, silks etc wrapped around trees or other signs of spiritual devotion before you go splashing about.
- Sandals, thongs (flip flops) or other easily removed footwear are essential.
- Keep your clothes on. No one wants to see pasty Europeans wondering about in budgie smugglers.
Bonus 11 because this is the first list: 11. The coffee is universally rubbish. Rubbish to such an extent that Starbucks will seem appealing. It isn’t. Get used to it!
Tags: ten things, Thailand