Essentials for Planning Your First Trip to Thailand

For some people, a trip to Thailand is something they have been looking forward to for months or even years. Once the flights are booked and the excitement starts to build, a few nerves and questions are perfectly normal.

What should I pack? What will the weather be like? Will I be able to communicate? What is Thai food really like? How do I get from the airport to my hotel?

After many years of visiting Thailand and now living here permanently, these are some of the practical things I've learned that can make a first visit easier — and hopefully give you a little more peace of mind before you set off.

Plenty of Excitement Awaits in Downtown Bangkok

Weather

Always check the climate for the time of year before setting off. If you are coming between February and May, it will be hot. May to October is generally the wetter period in much of the country, although southern Thailand has different rainfall patterns. The rest of the year is cooler, with some nights requiring an extra layer and long trousers. Plan accordingly.

What to Pack

Essentials are a pair of trainers or walking shoes and a pair of flip-flops, or thongs, as they are often known. They can be bought cheaply in Thailand, but a pair for when you arrive is a good idea, especially after a long flight when your feet and ankles may appreciate the freedom. 
They are also very handy in everyday life as explained later. Heavy clothes are not necessary. 

Shorts/skirts and T-shirts are ideal, with something long-sleeved just in case it’s unusually cool. 7-Eleven here sells rain macs for 25 THB (£0.55), which fit all sizes. A cap or hat is a good idea. Sunscreen might be cheaper to buy before setting off. 

Travel light would be my advice. Launderettes are easy to find, while hotels offer services. Clothes dry extremely quickly, as you can imagine, and we often give items a rinse overnight when travelling so they’re ready in the morning. 

Thailand is not a fashion show. Being clean is more important, as it is somewhere that takes hygiene seriously. There is also the advantage of having space to buy clothing to take home if a case isn’t full on the outward journey.

Stunning Koh Phi Phi

Preparation

Download and complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC). The airport has Wi-Fi on arrival. I try to go as quickly as possible after disembarking to immigration. It makes a big difference and saves time that can be spent having fun. Preparation is key!

Luggage

It can be wise to consider the logistics depending on onward travel plans. Sometimes one or two smaller cases can also be used as hand luggage on any internal flight to reduce fares. It might also be easier if using public transport from the airport to a Bangkok hotel.

Onward Public Transport from Suvarnabhumi

The first floor of the airport has a well-organised taxi system. The Airport Link train departs from the basement. It’s a cheaper option into the city, terminating at Phaya Thai, where it connects with the BTS Skytrain.

A Bangkok Rooftop Bar Offers Great Views of the City

Bars/Food

Socialising in Thailand is different to many other countries. It’s rare for my wife and me to ever go inside a bar unless it’s steaming hot, and we need air con. Most are open-fronted. Staff will bring a fan over on request. 

Beer promotions are often available in multiples of three large bottles, which are easier for sharing. Wine is expensive; local whisky with soda or local gin and tonic is the same price as beer. In fact, many buy a bottle of local whisky, which can be taken home if not finished, along with sodas and ice to get better value. 

A huge difference here is that although most places have food, many businesses are fine with those who take it in something bought elsewhere. At a night market, customers buy what they fancy from the many stalls and return with it to the bar to eat, especially at locally owned businesses. Many Thai establishments are simply happy to have customers in their place.

 
Bottled water is extremely cheap and should be used even when boiling a kettle, though it’s OK to rinse your mouth with tap water. Coffee shops seem to be everywhere. If you’re stuck, 7-Eleven makes instant coffee for next to nothing. Some even have a café inside. They also microwave meals from their fridge and freezer if you need something. Toasties are also a popular inexpensive snack. 

Meals are as cheap or expensive as you want depending on how adventurous you want to be. Eat like a local, and it’s cheap. Western grub is expensive. Pizzas are regularly available and can be ordered on Grab, as can any fast food. 

Giving local cuisine a go is a fantastic way to learn, especially the fish and seafood dishes, which taste completely different to back home.

Chim Chum - An Inexpensive Thai Hotpot

Thai Culture

Thais eat in groups and generally order several items from a menu, putting them on the table to share. That’s how I’ve learned to try things. If something is eaten straight away, it’s simple and inexpensive to order more. 

Anywhere open will serve food, so hunger doesn’t become an issue, especially as 7-Eleven’s open 24 hours, though buying alcohol from any outlet is sometimes subject to restricted hours.
A reason for mentioning the importance of flip-flops is that it is taboo to wear any footwear inside temples or houses. Feet are considered dirty, and soles should not be raised. Being able to take off and put on footwear quickly is convenient. 

Thais are very respectful, especially to elders. It’s not important to know all the customs, but it is important to remember that a smile and politeness go a long way. Sometimes it is a lot easier to concede a point and move on. Losing face can be particularly uncomfortable in Thai culture, so remaining calm and polite is often the best approach.

Thais in general will go out of their way to help you.

Tha Phae Gate - Chiang Mai

Language

More people speak English in Bangkok, particularly in areas used to dealing with tourists. Much less English is spoken in smaller towns and rural areas. I sometimes struggle in provincial towns, but I get by with smiles and my wife Taew helping by speaking basic English. 

We use Google Translate if we are stuck. Her parents cannot speak a word of English, but they could not be more welcoming. Staying calm and patient is key, and don’t be shy or scared to try to make friends. They are just as nervous!

Phones

Thai SIMs are available at the airport and even in 7-Eleven. You need your passport as each SIM is registered. Wi-Fi is widely available, and connectivity here is first class.

By the River Kwai in Kanchanaburi

Thailand’s Reputation

I’ve lost count of the people who’ve come to Thailand, including wives, who have said that it is nothing like they thought it would be. Every city in the world has notorious places with wild bars. Bangkok is the same. But it is one little area. And even there, I’ve yet to witness the signs of depravity that are meant to be on every corner.

It's like any normal, wonderful capital, as people get on with everyday life. It’s bustling with people and amazing sights. There are countless markets and canals to explore, with Bangkok formerly known as the Venice of the East. It can be spotless in some places and messy and dirty in others. I have never felt safer anywhere. 

Visits to Thailand can include beaches, mountains, natural wildlife, and meeting locals. It’s possible to visit incredible national parks and be by the borders with neighbouring countries surrounded by staggering scenery. 

It can include boat trips and train rides. With a little imagination, anyone visiting Thailand for the first time will be amazed by what they experience. 

If you enjoyed this story, feel free to check out my YouTube Channel, where I share videos about everyday life in Thailand, local football, and travel across the country.

Thanks for reading.