12 Things to Know When Visiting Thailand

For the past six weeks, Thailand has been our home. In April 2022, we left Colombia and made the journey to Southeast Asia to begin our Thai adventure. While the nearly 30 hours of flight time was absolutely brutal (remind us to never book flights with crazy layovers ever again), the destination was worth every minute on the plane.

Thailand is simply a specular country. From the Elephant sanctuaries in Chiang Mai to the beautiful white sandy beaches of the Phi Phi Islands, there is something for everyone. Before you head to Thailand, here are 12 things we think you should know:

1. Thailand is a must-visit destination.

First things first: would we recommend Thailand? Absolutely yes! Thailand is stunning and has something for travelers of all budgets, preferences, and travel styles. It is very straightforward to travel around with many low-cost flight and train options.

2. Thai people are incredibly friendly.

Thai people may be the nicest people we have encountered in our travels. Thailand is nicknamed the "Land of Smiles," and we can see why after spending six weeks here. Everyone we have met has been amicable and welcoming.

3. Thailand is VERY far away from the United States.

We mentioned it before, but we'll say it again: getting to Thailand can be a very long journey. We flew 13 hours from LAX to South Korea and then another 6 hours to Bangkok. Due to the extra time it takes to get here, we recommend planning to stay at least ten days. Your plane ticket from the United States won't be cheap, but moving around the country is easy and affordable once you get here.

4. Many Thai people speak English (kind of).

Most people recognize enough English words to help you find the restroom or order at a coffee shop, but don't expect to have a long, in-depth conversation with most Thai people. Ordering food must be very basic. Once you start asking for their recommendation, suggestions, or ordering anything specific, that is where you will quickly encounter the language barrier.

5. Thailand is very affordable.

This place spoiled us; it won't be easy to go anywhere else with how inexpensive things are here. We often spent our days enjoying a relaxing massage and a high-quality Thai meal for about $12 and $6 US dollars respectively.

6. Speaking of money, cash is king.

We found just two places that accept credit cards on the whole island of Koh Yao Noi. Outside the larger cities, businesses only accept local currency (Thai Baht). Plan to take local money out of the ATM or exchange cash at a bank. You will need your passport to exchange cash at a bank or currency exchange. If you plan to get a local Thailand SIM card for your phone, get it after you leave the bank. You'll need your Passport to get a SIM card for your phone as well (very strange, but true).

7. The Internet is great.

We spent a month on a remote island and had no issues doing video conferencing calls. For digital nomads who rely on fast, reliable Internet, Thailand is a solid option.

8. Yes, there are creepy crawlers.

The insects were the only true negative we encountered here. We don't love bugs or lizards, so the number of critters everywhere was challenging. We stayed in an overwater Airbnb and usually got visitors almost every night. Thankfully, we spent a few different nights at hotels researching future retreat locations and didn't have any bad experiences there. If you stay at an Airbnb, do not leave out any food or drinks. The ants here are no joke.

9. It's sweltering and humid.

The climate was definitely an adjustment for the first few days. The best advice is to dress appropriately and embrace it. Don't plan on regularly doing your hair or make-up. There is no real point; your skin will be glowing after a while! The sun is no joke. You will burn, so apply the sunscreen liberally throughout the day.

10. Be aware of the effect of religion in the area you visit.

As in every country, religion can plan a large part in the culture of an area. For example, there is a strong Muslim community where we stayed in Koh Yao Noi, so alcohol is not sold in some places. Pork dishes can be rare and hard to find as well in certain areas. Our advice? Embrace the culture, including the religious aspects of it, and make sure to always be respectful.

11. Bring comfortable slip-on shoes.

You must take off your shoes before entering temples, certain restaurants, massage parlors, etc. The Asian culture is very conservatively dressed, so make sure you have your shoulders and knees covered when entering temples. My husband, Brian, wore flip-flops every day without issues. The last thing, while not usually a problem for Americans, nudity and nude beaches are absolutely not allowed in Thailand.

12. Be careful with long, extended stays.

You can't stay longer than 30 days without having to go through the headache of going to an immigration office and applying to stay longer. While it only costs about $50, it took up our whole morning the day we did it. They only give out 300 extended visas a day, so go early in the morning if you choose this route. Alternatively, you can "border hop" as another option, meaning you leave for a few days to a nearby country and then come back to get another 30-day visa for no cost.

13. Thailand is a must-visit destination.

Would we recommend Thailand? Absolutely yes! Thailand is stunning and has something for everyone. It is very straightforward to travel around with low-cost flight and train options.

Want to visit Thailand?

We can make it easy! Join us April 15 - 21, 2023 for a one-of-a-kind yoga and wellness retreat on the island of Koh Yao Noi. Click here for more details!