m.evans1985 has indicated that this thread is about Thailand
Hi
Well, if you are going to visit for only 1 week, you won't be seeing much of Thailand.
Things I just about always travel with:
Clothes line and universal sink plug - I do my own laundry every night in the sink to save money, time, and space in my backpack.
First aid kit with a few meds I might need like pain killers, immodium, cipro, as well as simple things like bandaids, antiseptic, tiger balm etc..
A few plastic bags and zip lock bags for anything that might get wet in my bag.
Something that I absolutely never take with me:
A computer or anything that allows me on the internet. Traveling is my detox time.
The correct visa - especially if you are travelling out of Thailand.
Money - if a credit card is to come with you has it be authorised to be used all over Thailand - ie all the islands. Travel Cards (new style loaded cards) are not always able to be used in some shops, only banks.
Calendar: Bank Holidays - if there is a bank holiday you are not able to withdraw cash
Telephone: either preauthorise your sim card for browsing or purchase a sim when you first enter Thailand.
Itinerary - if you do not have a lot of time it is a good idea to be organised.
enjoy and arrive with a relaxed composure...
Thank you for suggestion's. Am going soon as possible, not sure how long, month or two?! are basic atm cash card's from uk bank santander ok to use on thai cash machine's??
cheer's Tim, i was espeically wanting to know about phone sim's etc..
When arriving in bangkok, will i be able to find fairly cheap, decent standard accomodation easily, for first night or two???
I make sure I pack my 2-prong power adaptor (I'm from Oz) for my shaver & camera. Plus rechargers - camera, mobile ph., laptop etc.
First-aid items, painkillers etc etc I purchase from a pharmacy in LOS. If you have your own poncho fine otherwise purchase a $2/pound light plastic poncho in LOS (try market stalls).
Don't pack too many clothes. You can buy cargo shorts/long pants, t-shirts, collar shorts, sports socks, caps etc at any market place.
All the info you need about transport, accom., places to eat, things to see and do, scams etc is all on the internet. You just need to access it. The more knowledge you have before you visit the more confident you will feel travelling around.
I cut and pasted this about 3-4 years ago
From wildfk,Travellerspoint:
Here are 20 things to think about when visiting Thailand…
1.Bring a cell phone “unblocked” and buy a Thai SIM card for it on arrival, they’re cheap (apprx. 50 baht) and include some credit already on them - e.g. - International calls to Oz/UK are about 5 - 8baht per min…Phones are cheap too – and unblocked
2.Money - Bring ATM and/or credit cards. - check fees and tell your bank you are going abroad. Take Travellers cheques only as back-up. Bring very little cash (Baht) – you tend to get a better rate of exchange here than any home country. You can change money on arriving at the airport...(keep some cash in reserve in case of flight delays/diversions etc) – there is now a 150 baht surcharge for all foreign cards used in ATMs!
3.Booking – there is usually no need to book rooms before you come as there is plenty of cheap accommodation. Exceptions would be in high season if you want a particular place and maybe for your first one or two nights just to get orientated.
4.Bring very few clothes – they are cheap here and you’ll only bring stuff that is too warm anyway.
5.Very little luggage – this makes you more mobile if you need to be and less vulnerable to taxi touts and undesirable men….Before you go home you can buy any extra luggage (cheap) to take souvenirs etc.
6.Internet access is everywhere – even on the beach… you can get all your photos copied to CD - If you have a lap-top you can connect it (broadband even wi-fi) at most cafes.
7.Food - Thai food is very unlikely to give you food poisoning but can contain more chillies than you ever thought possible….Street food is usually safe (and delicious!), check for numbers of customers and general looks of the stall. Western (“farang”) food is much more likely to give you food poisoning – fridges are not part of Thai cooking lore yet…beware of Western Fast Food outlets and hotel buffets - food that has been out for over an hour or so. Thailand is not used to fridges/chill-serve etc.
8.Always carry a pack of tissues - they don’t supply free tissues (if there is a vending machine at all!) – learn to use a “bum-gun” !!
9.Drink bottled water - not tap water. Even consider not brushing your teeth with tap water. Ice is usually safe in drinks and for anything else.
10.Use common safety sense – it is easy to relax too much here…when it comes to petty crime the rate is certainly lower than in places like the US/Europe etc…but every country has its share of con-men and psychopaths…..beware of fellow travellers!
11.Don’t be afraid to go to Pattaya – it is the tourist-sex capital of Thailand but they don’t jump out at single women and couples and it has good, cheap hotels, shopping and food. Not a bad place to start off for “All points East” - Koh Chang, Koh Samet, Khao Yai or Cambodia.
12.Bring an international driving permit – although most national ones are accepted by motorbike and car hire companies and anyone else who wants to hire you something….you may not be insured without an IDP! In Thailand they drive on the left - cars are Right-hand-drive. However driving is really only for the experienced. Be especially careful on a motorbike - Samui has the highest accident rate in Thailand.
13.Public transport is cheap. Planes, Trains, Buses, Minibuses, Taxis, from town to town. If you’re in a minibus or taxi, tell the driver you’ll tip him if he keeps the speed below 90/100 kph! National speed limit is 90kph (120 on motorways)
14.Around Bkk try to use meter taxis with the meter on...it’ll be cheaper than the tuk-tuks. Take a tuk-tuk once for the experience then use meter taxis. Don’t let the drivers take you out of your way...they’ll try to take you to some (relative’s) store where they get commission.
15.Medical - Firstly it is best when you can, to consult with a doctor at home who specialises in tropical medicine. - Check out a few “jabs & medications” - Hep “A” & “B” require a long course before leaving and are a pretty good idea –unless you are going to remote areas, don’t bother with the malaria ones – too heavy! You can get tetanus or rabies here if you’re bitten by a dog - it’s cheap. Many medicines (including antibiotics) can be bought over the counter without prescription and are cheap. A pharmacist will give you what he considers right for your symptoms but you can just as easily see a doctor at a local clinic for a couple of hundred baht. They usually speak a little English.
16.Check up on Thai manners and customs – this will earn you more respect from the locals. - Keep up some dress sense – how you dress in Thailand is quite important. Don’t go topless without checking out if it’s acceptable where you are – usually it’s frowned upon. You’ll notice that Thai women (even sex workers) are very modest in public –they usually swim fully clothed. Table manners – Thais tend to eat from communal dishes in the centre of the table – don’t pour everything onto your own plate!
17.Don’t knock the royal family – even in jest.
18.Body language - Don’t point your feet at people – the body is seen as hierarchical and the feet are the lowest part and should not be waved about (this is like a “fingers up” sign. Before entering someone’s home you must take off your shoes; this also applies to some shops and businesses. - Never take a shoe off and wave it at someone – this could lead to violence.
On the other hand it is impolite to touch people on the head.
19.It’s not necessary to “Wai” people - the Thai greeting - as you’ll probably get it wrong. If they Wai you, you might try a wai back.
20.Remember, this is the Land of Smiles and you will find everything goes much better when you have a smile on your face - whatever the situation….
NB – Occasionally, in some circumstances, the wearing of yellow or red could be construed as showing support for political factions most frequently engaged in public protests.. Avoid any political demonstrations etc.
thank you very much, very imformitive mate
I always have an electric coil with me for heating a cup of water for coffee and instant soup. I have used these things traveling for 20 years at least!
Looks like this.
You can find this item cheaper than the sample above. I store the coil and a few bags of coffee with a small spoon, in a tumbler placed in plastic bag. No matter where I am I can make a cup of coffee, even long layovers at airports. You can buy bags of individual instant coffee servings in Seven Eleven stores and supermarkets in Thailand. Average cost of a cup of coffee comes to about 4 baht a cup! One caution is to NEVER remove the coil from the hot water while still plugged in or the coil will melt and never work again! Unplug first then remove coil!
A Swiss Army type jackknife comes in handy. I always have a ball cap to keep rain and sun off my face. Also the bill of the cap keeps low hanging items from poking your eyes out. Remember Thais are shorter and most Farangs are taller!
I always have big S hooks that I can attach to the top of doors or windows - anywhere I can. That way I can hang stuff up. I also have a few small plastic clothespins with me. They can also be used to keep curtains closed if you want privacy or to sleep during the day. I read a lot and used to carry a small electric plug in lamp with a clamp but now I just stay in better rooms. Sometimes I do change the 10 or 25 watt bulb for something brighter in cheap places. When I leave I put the original bulb back though!
If you were considering using 2 one way flights do some math first. Many full service airlines charge almost the same for one way as round trip! So check the price of 2 one way flights vs round trip. It may save a lot of money to have a return date!
yea i noticed that, airliners sting ya!
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