I'm thinking about traveling overseas later this year or next. What do I need to know about the culture and laws in Thailand? What do I need to take with me?
2006-07-13 23:35:14 · 13 answers · asked by timotito_11964 2 in Travel ➔ Asia Pacific ➔ Thailand
If I go, I will be visiting with two locals whom I've chatted with online. They can probably help me with tourist stuff as well as culture and laws.
2006-07-13 23:52:20 · update #1
First aid
2006-07-13 23:46:59 · answer #1 · answered by madstar 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Everything you need is in a lonelyplanet.com hand book or located at thier website.
Never travel without the info..Trust me, I just came from Bangkok and it is very beautiful. But certain areas are tourist traps, and get ready to pay "tourist tax" on the items you buy unless you have your lonely planet book and you know better.
If your country doesn't need visa requirements, then I segest you pack light, because everything such as clothes and bathroom utlities can be purchased there at a much, much, cheaper price.
Food is cheap, If you speak chinese or basic indonesian phrases you should be fine. Try to learn a few before the trip if you don't.
PS: YOU WON'T CATCH ANYTHING IN BANGKOK THAT YOU WOULDN'T CATCH IN THE UNITED STATES OR EUROPE, AND YOU DON'T STAND A GREATER CHANCE OF CATCHING SOMETHING THERE EITHER. ALSO, YOU WILL NOT DIE BY DRINKING THE WATER.
2006-07-14 06:44:47 · answer #2 · answered by jasondharrison 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would not bother with ANY shots before going to Bangkok, unless you're are over age 65.
You might want to can a copy of the BTS Skytrain map, since it's a great way to get around town.
As far as culture, you might want to go see the Temple of the Dawn (famous Thai temple).
If you're interested in the language, try Pimsleur Thai.
Be SURE to try all the Thai food you can while you're there and for god's sake stay away from the farang (western) food. It's really dumb to eat at McDonalds in Thailand.
Dboy
2006-07-14 15:02:37 · answer #3 · answered by bigd_boy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From personal experience: I took a lady friend and her two children to the crocodile farm in Samut Prakarn near Bangkok and was asked to pay an admittance price of 100 baht.
Years later, after I was able to read Thai, I paid my second visit to the crocodile farm and now I was able to read EVERYTHING on the sign posted there. It said
In English - Admittance 80 baht
In Thai - Adults 10 baht, Children 5 baht
2006-07-14 11:05:28 · answer #4 · answered by Dennis J 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anything you need, you can get in Bangkok considerably cheaper than back home...
Hmmm...culture...Don't touch anyone on the head. Don't point the bottom of your feet toward anyone. Laws...Don't smuggle drugs or kill anyone. Other than those offenses, Thailand has the best cops money can buy.
2006-07-14 06:44:51 · answer #5 · answered by Isaac 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your 2 local friends will be of great help to help you around the place. So you really do not need much, except for your suitcase and your personal belongings. Other than that, your friends will be helping you in your sightseeing program and your meals. What else do you need? Enjoy yourself.
You can look at www.tourismthailand.org to know more about places you want to visit.
2006-07-14 10:28:52 · answer #6 · answered by peanutz 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you need to know how to bargain because everything in that country can cost alot cheaper if u do.learn basic thai like numbers,thank you and so on http://www.learningthai.com/. the King loves dogs so thais are very fond of dogs and u'll see them everywhere..avoid touchin their heads it is considered rude and disrespectful..learn to differentiate a girl from a ladyboy in case your intention of visiting the country is for sex..try the food cause its really good...they have taxis there so if u so wish to travel by them insist on the meter its gonna be alot cheaper then their negotiated price...and most of all just shop till u drop and have loads of fun!!!!
2006-07-14 06:50:02 · answer #7 · answered by jw_alk 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a small paperback called "DOs & DON'Ts in THAILAND", which is easy to read and if not available localy, almost every big book store in Bangkok would have it.
2006-07-14 10:50:45 · answer #8 · answered by paul_design 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
WARNING!!! Be very careful about these "friends" you may end up in a world of trouble. All of the other posts are correct that Thailand is an amazing place = there is more living of life there than anywhere in the (long) list of places I've been. The people are wonderful. Like any other place there are bad people. How likely would you be to put your life on hold to play tour guide for a week? I don't like the sound of that. Be aware that even if they are not out to rip you off they will probably expect you to buy food/gifts for them, their friends, their family unless they are middle or upper class. Thai culture works, but it is hard for westerners to swallow - we are to used to thinking of what is ours as ours and that everyone should take care of themselves. Thai people don't think that way - if they ask you to buy them things / buy meals in their eyes they are doing you a favor by giving you a chance to show everyone how kind (and rich) you are. (Unless you are talking about scam artists or hookers - they just want to get everything they can out of you) Think about it - you may be walking into somthing. Would you get on a plane to New York and trust someone you met online to show you around? Do you think that a normal person with a job / wife / etc would or could put everything aside to play tour guide? I've been to Bangkok many times - there is no place on earth that I would rather be. If you are going alone get a cab to your hotel from the airport, meet up with your friends if you want to but be aware of the following scams:
-A friendly local/bar girl takes you to get the "best Thai food in Bangkok" You go to some back alley place and eat some food that is not very good at all. The bill comes. Surprise you just got charged $75 for 2 meals worth less than $5! If you are smart you will just pay, because if the cook calls the police you may end up in a really bad situation! This actually happened to a friend of mine.
-A "friendly local" takes you to various shops where you are over charged and your friend gets a kickback. Especially common is the jewelery scam where you are led to believe (sometimes even by a westerner) that you can make a fortune selling gems that you buy at some special shop back home. You get real gems - except they are worth about 5% of what you pay for them.
-I've heard rumors of street walkers drugging "clients" and robbing them, but no one I know admits falling prey to that.
-You rent a jetski, bike, or motor bike. When you park the bike / motor bike someone from the same company that rented it to you steals it from you. You end up paying some kind of deposit and anything elce they can get out of you! With the jet ski (This one is common in Pattaya) they tell you that you broke it by driving it wrong, but if you pay $50 everything will be fine. (No one I know vouches for this one - but I read a post about it somewhere)
Thailand is as close to heaven on earth as I have ever seen, but if you are not in control of yourself, not on guard, and not aware of what can happen to you it is very easy to get in deep u know what.
BTW - if you are ever in a situation with Thai men that is getting physical run - really - just run. Don't think that because you are 10 inches taller or 50 lbs heavier that you will win. If they start a fight with you they have already won it, meaning that even if you start to win his buddies will come from no where and you will get your butt kicked.
2006-07-23 09:30:06 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
cash, credit cards, condom(reliable brand).
Please do not bring along women, lots of selection there. Don't miss your chance to enjoy the roller coaster ride..... yahoooooo!
2006-07-16 00:48:38 · answer #10 · answered by Daniel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋