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Thailand

Currency: 

  • 1 USD = 30.26 Thai Baht (as of October 2019)

  • Very cheap country to travel in. 

  • Exchange money at the airport!

  • There are ATMs all over the place; very easy to take money out. Just be aware that there is a 5 USD charge to withdraw money from an ATM here. 

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What not to miss:

  • Bangkok: capital, semi-coastal large city in the South-Central part of mainland Thailand. This city was my least favorite part about Thailand, but if you like super busy cities, you will like it haha.

    • Massages: they are super cheap and great! (6-10 USD for a 1 hour massage!)

    • Floating market

    • Temples: gorgeous ones near Bangkok- you can walk to them. Temples are all over SE Asia!

    • Tour of Chao Phyaya river in Bangkok- water taxis: 20-30 Baht (don’t take an overpriced one!)

      • I didn’t have time to do this   

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  • Pai City: Northern Thailand, 3 hour car ride Northwest of Chiang Mai. Very laid-back small city, surrounded by mountains.

    • One of my favorite cities in Thailand that I visited- I loved being in the mountains/ countryside!

    • Pam Bok Waterfall- swim in it!

    • Container at Pai/ Pai Café

    • Mo Paeng Waterfall

    • Yun Lai Viewpoint

    • Hike Pai Canyon

    • Doi Chang Viewpoint in Huai Nam Dang National Park

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  • Chiang Mai City: Northern Thailand

    • Go to an elephant sanctuary here- do NOT ride the elephants!

    • Lantern Festival: one of the most magical festivals I’ve ever been a part of! Go if you are there during this annual November festival!

    • Explore the Old City

    • Bua Tong Waterfall

    • Chiang Mai Grand Canyon

    • Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail in Doi Inthanon National Park

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  • Thai Islands: Southern Thailand- Go island hopping! Thailand has some of the most gorgeous islands & beaches!

    • Go on the long-tailed boats!

    • Ko Tao: best snorkeling

    • Phi Phi: best nightlife (beach parties every night – you can’t miss a fire show!), Monkey island, Viking Cave, Pileh bay/lagoon, Maya Bay National Park

    • Krabi: Railay beach, Tiger Cave, Tab Kak Hang Nak Nature Trail in Khao Ngon Nak National Park

    • Phuket: I heard it wasn’t the best so I skipped this island.

 

Tips: 

  • Once you get to SE Asia, your money will go a LONG way here! The flight is the most expensive part.

    • For example, 19 nights in Thailand, Laos, & Cambodia (in hostels) cost me $169 total!

  • Bring cash and exchange it at the airport! Most everything here you had to pay for with cash. There are ATMs everywhere, but every time you use it, you will pay a 5 USD fee. 

  • Tipping: rounding up is recommended. For example, if lunch costs 80 Baht, give 100 total. If dinner is 120 Baht, give 150 total. If you have exceptional service, think about leaving a little more! 

  • You can get a SIM card for your phone for extremely cheap (I only get one if I’m solo traveling, otherwise I would rather enjoy exploring a new place without being on my phone).

  • Get massages! I got one most nights! Most places you will pay 6-10 USD for a one-hour massage. 

  • ALWAYS bargain! Start low; you will be surprised how cheap you can get souvenirs!

  • Do not drink any water that is not bottled.

    • ​Do not drink ice either, as that is not made from bottled water.

    • Be careful with drinks at the bar. (they often come with ice)

    • I did not even brush my teeth without bottled water.

    • Thankfully, I did not get sick at all, but I was very careful with the water and the food. As for food, I did not eat any vegetables (salads) that were washed in water. I also did not eat any meat from the street markets.

  • I rented a car in Thailand so that I could go off the beaten bath. But it is very easy and cheap to get around without one- lots of buses can drive you to the larger cities. I just like the freedom to do what I want and get there in a timely manner.

  • Get a hostel room with AC; it was 92 F most days when I was there.

  • When visiting temples, there is a dress code. Follow it. You must wear clothes that covers your legs and shoulders. Please be a culturally respectful traveler. 

  • Island hop! The Thailand Islands are GORGEOUS! The best beaches I’ve ever seen!

  • Do NOT let the monkeys climb on you on Monkey island in Phi Phi- they bite a lot of people…

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Vaccines/ Medicines: if you are up to date on your vaccines, you should only need:

  • Prophylactic antibiotics for traveler’s diarrhea (you can get these from your doctor or a traveler’s clinic).

  • Anti-Malarial pills if you will spend any time in rural areas, hiking, or outside of the large cities (also get these from your doctor or a traveler’s clinic).

  • Hepatitis A vaccine: Must

  • Typhoid vaccine: Must

  • Note: there are two types of typhoid vaccine: a shot which lasts about 2 years or an oral pill that lasts up to 5 years. 

  • The oral form involves four pills over a span of one week that must be refrigerated prior to use. So DO NOT take your first dose on the way to the airport because you will not be able to refrigerate the other pill on the plane. 

  • I have used the Injection Vaccine and Emily has used the Oral Vaccine. Neither of us have had any problems with either and we both felt better to be traveling while safely vaccinated. 

  • Japanese Encephalitis: some people get this. I did not. Talk to your Doctor.

  • Always wear bug spray in these areas

  • **Visit the CDC website for more updated information, as things could have changed since I went on my trip

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 Visa:

  • No visa needed for Thailand if you are staying less than 30 days.

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Next time:

  • Chiang Rai: see Wat Rong Khun (White Temple)

  • Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat Phrachomklao Rachanusorn, Lampang (4)- 2.5 hrs east of Chiang Mai – free entrance, but $2.80 for roundtrip tuk-tuk ride from 1st to 2nd level, climb from 2nd to 3rd on your own

  • Doi Luang National Park (2 hour drive from Khun Chae National Park)

  • Thi Lo Su Waterfall

  • Wat Rong Khun (The White Temple)- Chiang Rai

  • Fhu Chi Fa (east of Chiang Rai)

  • Lod Cave- 1 hour 20 min from Pai (northwest)- don’t pay at the ticket booth- walk down to the cave and organize a guide on your own (9am-6pm)- around $16 total (near Pai)

  • Khao Soi Dao Waterfall- 4 hours east of Bangkok – 16 tier waterfall

  • Doi Phu Nang National Park (7): 2 hours 21 min south of Chiang Rai

  • Khao No (1)- open 8am-5pm: 3 hours 45 min north of Bangkok Coordinates: 15.951973,99.879280

  • Doi Chang Cliffs (3)- no entrance fee: 3 hours 37 min southeast of Chiang Mai/ 8 hours north of Bangkok/ 4 hour 51 min north of Khao No (above)/ Coordinates: 18.110974, 100.297984

  • Khao Luang Mountain Sukhothai (2): entrance fee is $5.80 (Ramkhamhaeng National Park)- 4km trail, 4 viewpoints along the way, takes 4 hours to cover 4km (hard hike)- nobody can start hiking after 1:30pm

  • Khao Lom Muak Ko lak- 500 steps up then chain/rope to climb the mountain/ see monkeys (langurs) in the trees during the hike- 30 min to the top (do it in the morning- too hot in afternoon)- only open for visitors during 3 days weekends…  

  • Bangkokà Erawan Falls (3 hours) à Thong Pha Phum National Park (3 hr 17 min) à back to Bangkok is 5 hours 11 min

  • Khao Yai National Park (2 hours east of Bangkok)

  • Khun Chae National Park (2 hr 50 min)à Chiang Mai (1 hr 15 min)

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Hiking in Thailand: Next Time

  • Hang Nak Mountain Nature Trail- on Krabi/ 50 min away from Krabi airport/ Coordinates: 8.099169, 98.748394

  • Kew Mae Pan nature trail (5)- open 6am-4pm (1 hour 41 min west of Chiang Mai/ 2 hours west of airport- maybe go here first from airport?)- in Doi Inthanon Natinoal Park- known as the “Roof of Thailand”- $8.50 entrance fee, need a local guide for the Nature Trail ($7)

  • Erawan Falls (8)- 2 hour 50 min west of Bangkok

  • Khao Chang Phueak, Pha Phum National Park (9)- 3 hr 15 min west of Erawan Falls/ 4 hr 50 min west of Bangkok/ 5 hour hike

  • Phu Chi Fa (6)- 2 hours east of Chiang Rai- best in sunrise, 35-45 min hike from the parking lot to top (cold at top even in warm weather), free entrance

  • Doi Ang Khang: 2.5 hours east of Chiang Rai (2 hours east of The White Temple) or 3 hours from Chiang Mai/ entrance fee is $1.44/ hiking through Royal Agricultural Station/ Coordinates: 19.862429, 99.051563

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Don't forget to check out my 2.5 week Thailand, Laos, & Cambodia Itinerary!

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