Top 10 Tips for Traveling Thailand

Download 12GO Asia

This is the best app to figure out how to get around Thailand. They have all forms of transportation on one app to get you from one city to the next. Even if you have multiple forms of transportation in one journey it will collate all transport into one ticket for you and has the best prices. For example, traveling from Koh Tao to Khao Sok typically requires a ferry, a transfer at the pier, and a van into town. 12Go collates these legs for you, ensuring your connections are timed perfectly so you don’t have to navigate the transfers manually.Makes it easy and efficient. 

Bring cover ups for temples – especially women 

Thailand’s temples (Wats) are breathtaking, but they have a strict dress code: shoulders and knees must be covered for everyone, and this is especially enforced for women. To avoid being turned away or forced to rent a heavy, communal robe, pack some modest clothing. Linen trousers are a total lifesaver. They are chic, breathable in the 90% humidity, and dry quickly. A lightweight sarong is another great multi-tool; you can tie it over your shorts as a long skirt or drape it over your shoulders like a shawl when entering a shrine, and can even be used as a beach blanket or towel.

Buy the “pink-bottle” 7/11 mosquito spray 

You cannot talk about Thailand without mentioning the Soffell mosquito repellent. The mosquitos are no joke in Thailand. Look for the small white bottle with the pink floral cap in the travel aisle of any 7-Eleven. It smells surprisingly like roses and is significantly more effective against mosquitoes than anything you may bring from home. I recommend always keeping it in your bag because you never know when you might need it.

The Bolt vs Grab strategy

Many people may already know Grab as it’s the Uber and Lyft of Asia, but Bolt is another similar app in Thailand. Compare prices on both apps, as Bolt is often 20%-30% cheaper for cars. Use Grab for food delivery (GrabFood is elite) and Bolt for getting around cities like Bangkok or Chiang Mai. If you’re solo, GrabBike is still the undisputed king of beating Bangkok traffic.

Buy your sunscreen at home 

This sounds counterintuitive, but sunscreen is incredibly expensive in Thailand, and many local brands contain “whitening” agents. Buying your sunscreen before you leave home is a major budget and skin-health hack. Local Thai sunscreens contain “whitening” or “brightening” agents designed to lighten the skin, which might not be what you’re looking for during a tropical vacation.

Head to “the basement” for food 

In major malls (like Siam Paragon or CentralWorld), don’t go to the fancy restaurants on the top floors. Go to the Food Court (usually in the basement). These aren’t like Western mall food courts. You can get authentic, high-quality Pad Kra Pao or Khao Soi for about $2–$3. It’s where the locals eat. Major mall developers (like Central Group, The Mall Group, and the owners of Terminal 21) don’t just rent to anyone who can pay. They act like talent scouts. Many of the best food courts specifically seek out famous street food vendors who have been operating for 30+ years in small alleys.

Be wary of scams 

Be vigilant of tuk tuk drivers claiming attractions or temples are “closed” or offering deals. This scam usually targets you when you are within a few blocks of a major landmark (the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, or Wat Arun). It’s rarely just the driver; it’s often a “tag-team” effort. If a driver or stranger tells you a place is closed, simply smile and say: “That’s okay, I just want to go look at the gate anyway.” This usually ends the conversation immediately because they know you aren’t an “easy mark.” These scammers are “Professional Friends.” They use your politeness against you. You are allowed to walk away or say “No, thank you” firmly while continuing to walk.

Don’t be afraid to the street food

You haven’t truly experienced Thailand until you’ve eaten on a plastic stool by the side of the road. Some of the most incredible flavors in the country come from night markets and street vendors, so don’t let “Bangkok Belly” fears keep you away. The secret to enjoying street food like a pro is all about turnover and timing. Just be sensible and ensure it’s freshly cooked. The earlier you arrive to street and night markets the more likely the food is fresh and hasn’t been sitting out for long. Also look for the stalls with the longest lines, especially if they are full of locals. A high turnover means the ingredients are being cycled through quickly and haven’t had a chance to sit. And lastly, stick to vendors who prepare your dish right in front of you. Whether it’s a searing hot wok of Pad Thai or a fresh bowl of Boat Noodles, heat is your best friend when it comes to food safety.

Keep toilet paper on you

In Thailand, the “Bum Gun” (a handheld bidet sprayer) is the standard, and you will quickly find that many local restrooms, especially in markets or rural areas, don’t provide toilet paper at all. While the bidet is arguably more hygienic, most travelers still prefer to “pat dry” afterward. Always keep a small travel pack of tissues or a roll of toilet paper in your daypack. It’s a total lifesaver for public restrooms, long bus rides, or remote island stops.

7/11 will become your new best friend 

In Thailand, 7-Eleven isn’t just a convenience store; it’s a lifestyle and a sanctuary. Whether you’re seeking a blast of ice-cold air conditioning to escape the midday heat or looking for a quick and cheap meal, this place has you covered. The legendary Ham and Cheese Toasties (which they’ll grill for you on the spot) are a backpacker rite of passage, but my personal favorite is the onigiri (triangle-shaped sushi wraps). Beyond the snacks, the beauty aisle is a hidden goldmine. You can find high-end hair masks, Korean-style sheet masks, and even “vitamins for the morning after” in convenient. From a quick iced coffee to kickstart a travel day to picking up a fresh SIM card or a rain poncho, 7-Eleven is the “best friend” you’ll visit at least twice a day.