Useful Stuff To Know

Some more useful stuff from Phuket.com

Carry small change

Do the Bhat Man (laugh, I nearly did)

Thailand is relatively inexpensive, unless you plan to enjoy all your shopping, dining and nightlife inside a hotel or upscale shopping malls. Taxi drivers, food vendors and shop keepers usually don’t carry change for big bills. So, make sure that you break the 1,000 baht notes into a few 100s and small coins upon arrival at the airport. The 5 and 10 baht coins usually come in handy when taking a taxi or public transportation.

Barter, but nicely



The first rule of shopping in Thailand: if there’s no barcode or set price, get haggling. It’s expected. However, instead of adopting a confrontational “give me it for this price, now!” attitude, try the gracious, smiley “what’s your best price, my friend?” approach. Why? Because a smile here goes further than a sneer. Aim to chip anything from 10-40% off the quoted price. And by all means, walk away if the price is disagreeable – more often than not you’ll be called back for last ditch negotiations!

Beware scammers

Dick Fuld - the final chairman and CEO of Lehman Brothers

To be aware of even though most tuk-tuk drivers are not flexible on fare prices it is still very important to agree (or agree to disagree) on a price before stepping in the vehicle to avoid extra ‘expenses’.

Also, please be aware that most jet-skis are not insured and you will have to cover the (sometimes astronomical) cost of repairs and lost working time in the event of an accident.

Drink lots of water

Don't drink tap water... or sea water

This tip, of course, applies even to the Antarctic. But packing a supply of water in Thailand’s sticky, stifling heat is even more crucial to your wellbeing.

Our unscientific rule of thumb: drink more than you sweat. Fortunately you are never more than a few paving stones from a drinks vendor.

"Always make sure your water is seal..ed"

Here's a picture of popular singer 'Seal' to help you remember this useful tip: Always make sure bottled water is sealed.

For a change, take your chosen tipple modern Thai-style, in a small plastic bag with handle and straw. Its quirky but, as you’ll find when rummaging around overheated markets, also convenient.

Carry a photocopy of your passport

Good old British Passport

Whether it be an impromptu demand from a local policeman or a request from security at one of the city’s swanky nightspots, carrying ID is a must in Thailand.

The fact that you are 25 but look like you’re pushing 40 doesn’t matter – proving who you are is a day-to-day formality, something the Thais are finicky about. Instead of taking your passport around with you, and with it the constant fear of losing it, take a photocopy.

Carry a hotel card with Thai directions

"This is a good tip, isn't it?"

A little piece of card with your hotel’s address written on it in Thai will save endless how-do-we-get-home headaches. Flash it beneath the eyes of your chosen driver and watch how his shrugs of utter incomprehension instantly change to reassuring nods.