General Tips

  • Get a SIM card at arrival at the airport, right after luggage claim. Provider doesn’t matter as they all give great coverage except in mountain or very rural areas. The staff will help you install the SIM card (physical or e-SIM).
  • Money exchange: you can exchange money in your home country but you’ll get better rates by exchanging your money in Thailand. At the airport in Suvarnabhumi, go to level -1 (?), next to the entrance to the railway link. Look for the exchange booth “Super Rich” as those usually give the best rates. Expect to have to wait in queu for quite a bit during peak times
  • ATM’s: you can take out money from ATM’s with VISA, Mastercard and often even with Maestro. ATM’s do charge a fee and your bank will charge a fee as well. On top of that, exchange rates are less favorable. At the ATM, always choose not to do the conversion.
  • Credit cards: most high-end restaurants accept credit card payments but might have a 3% surcharge. Smaller shops usually don’t accept credit cards. 7-11’s accept credit cards with a purchase above 200 Baht.
  • Wise: If you want to save up some money on exchange rates and fees, getting a Wise (debit) card gives the best exchange rates. You can online exchange foreign currency to Baht at the best rates and relatively low fees. When in Thailand, you can use the Wise card to withdraw Thai Baht. Use this link to create an account and get your card without a fee.
  • Tipping; as everyone says, tipping is not mandatory. However, when you go to a massage shop, it is good practice to give a tip if you were somewhat happy. At least 20 Baht, but usually 40 or 50 Baht is what will make you as the customer ‘look good and respected’. Never tip someone coins. It would be like tipping someone 5 eurocents in Europe. It’s more insulting than good. Had a good waiter at a restaurant, give him/her a small tip. At bars and restaurants, make sure to give the tip in the hand of the waiter. Don’t just leave it on the table because in that case, it’ll go to the owner of the restaurant. Went to a bar where someone kept filling your drink? Definitely give that person some kind of tip. For Grab or taxi’s, I usually give a small tip (20 Baht). That isn’t required or expected but makes their lives a bit easier.
  • Take sunscreen with you from home. Buying good sunscreen here is just as expensive as it’s in Europe.
  • Alcohol sales are only allowed between 11am – 1pm and 5pm – midnight. Most bars close at midnight. After midnight, you’ll have to go to nightclubs if you want to keep partying and drinking.
  • Install Line before your trip to Thailand, this is the main messaging app used by most locals and businesses (Whatsapp, messenger,… are used less frequent)
  • Install Grab and link a credit card. You don’t have to link your credit card but it will make your life a bit easier.

Scams

Thailand is a very safe country but you can get ‘scammed’. Usually you’ll lose a bit of money on scams that can range from something being priced 100 Baht extra to losing a few thousand Baht.

Scams to look out for in Bangkok:

  • Tuktuk overcharging. Get a price before getting in. If you’re offered a tour, don’t take it. They’ll drive you to shops where they get a kickback. If they offer your karaoke or anything else, don’t accept neither.
  • Taxi drivers: when getting a taxi, ask them to use the meter. While driving, check the meter. You can also ask for a fixed price before you get in. That fixed price is usually a bit more expensive but can give you some peace of mind to know upfront how much the taxi drive is going to cost you.
  • Khao San road and other touristic areas: don’t go for the tourist tour offers. Example; I once agreed to book a taxi to go the floating market. Price was 800 Baht for the taxi (which already is overpriced) but got dropped off at a fake entrance. The price was over 2.000 Baht per person for half an hour on the boat on the floating market which was not the original floating market. The taxi driver got a part of the entrance fee as a kickback.
  • Sex shows: Don’t. You’ll probably get overcharged for drinks.
  • Gogo bars: Check the price of drinks good before you order. Don’t blindly order a beer or cocktail without knowing the price upfront. You might get surprised.
  • Pickpockets: In busy areas, be aware of pickpockets. Especially true for men walking alone at night. Leave expensive watches and/or jewelry at your hotel room.
  • Beggars: Don’t interact with beggars, people asking for directions, money to go back to their home country. It’s organized (maffia) crime in most cases.
  • Credit card information theft: never, ever show your credit card to anyone. Make sure contactless payments is turned off or the limit set to a low amount. A hotel has sold my credit card information before and tried to charge over $2.000 twice with the card information.

Scams to look out for in Chiang Mai:

  • Karaoke bars: I’m not talking about the regular, normal karaoke bars which Chiang Mai has a few. It’s the kind of bars that are hidden and you’ll only find because a TukTuk driver takes you there. The drivers get a kickback from the bar. At the bar, no matter how long you stayed or drank, you’ll get a hefty bill (there have been cases of up to 60.000 Baht). There will be maffia guys making sure you can’t exit. You probably won’t have enough cash so they usually accept credit cards.
  • Certain bars with a lot of ladies waiting outside: Overcharged drinks. Same thing like at karaoke bars (with maffia not allowing you to exit) might happen.

Tips Bangkok:

  • When arriving in Bangkok, you can take a taxi (get one of the metered ones). They are allowed to charge you for suitcases and stuff. Depending on where you’re going, the cost can add up. I recommend to take the BTS (metro) if you have the (mental) energy after the long flight. It’s cheap and faster than a taxi. First you’ll have to take the railway link which goes from the airport to the city center. Then you’ll have to take the BTS to your end destination. When at the BTS stop closest to your hotel, you can take a taxi from there to your hotel or you can walk if it’s not too far.

Must see in Chiang Mai

  • Doi Suthep (entrance fee for foreigners)
  • Muay Thai fight (at Boxing stadium) – you could also watch at Loy Kroh stadium or night bazaar. Both those places are smaller and tickets are generally a bit more expensive. But location of those places are closer to tourist areas.
  • Local tip: Kad Manee
  • Waterfall on the way up to Doi Suthep (free entrance):
  • Mae Sai waterfall: in my opinion the best waterfall near Chiang Mai. There is some entrance fee (higher for foreigners than for Thais).
  • King Kong lake: there is an entrance fee. You could eat Thai food on one of the huts on the water. There are some straw statues.
  • Pai: if you have a few days, a trip to Pai is a must-do. More white people there than Thais but incredible atmosphere, nice night markets, beautiful views, nice coffeeshops with views around, Big Buddha Statue, hot springs, Chinese village,… Even if you have no motorbike license (but some experience driving a motorbike), renting a motorbike and driving around by yourself is something I would recommend. Just be careful when driving.
  • Nimman: a block of streets with several restaurants, catered at both locals and tourists. Local bars can be found here with live music as welll. Several rooftop bars if you know where to look, cocktailbars, massage places etc.
  • Maya mall: close to
  • Ang keaw: university lake (open for everyone) for an evening strall around the lake when temperatures have cooled down a bit
  • Market across ang keaw: local food where university students often go, quite some japanese food to be found. Several small shops.
  • Park in old town, at the north western corner
  • Central festival: a bit out of town, but this airconditioned mall, can give some relieve of the heat. Bottom floor has a market-style food park, 3-rd floor has a food park, several shops, restaurants
  • Go eat Moo kata: local: big big shabu. Cleaner (and bit more expensive) + airconditioned : BBQ Plaza at Central Airport
  • Veranda High Resort: a bit more out of town, if you go there with Grab, ask the driver’s number as it might get challenging to find a Grab taxi to go back. This is a resort but you can enter the infinity swimming pool for a fee (of 500-1000 Baht with 1 free drink) with a very nice view. Nice place to chill for an afternoon.
  • Samoeng loop: if you can drive a motorbike, do the samoeng loop. Nice views along the way, and make sure to regularly stop at coffee shops/restaurants. This loop takes about 4 hours of driving so ideal for a road-trip for a day with some stops along the way.
  • Zoe in yellow: and all the bars around for you drinking, dancing, beer pong…
  • Coffee shop Kon John, next to Chiang Mai Zoo, at the start of the mountain to Doi Suthep

Not impressed by:

  • Grand Canyon: underwhelming and overpriced

Recommended restaurants:

  • Both Western and Thai food: Airniversary (reservation recommended through Facebook); amazing vibe. Try to get a table upstair. This restaurant gives me more of a real restaurant vibe like we have in Europe. Food is great but the atmosphere is the real reason why you’d want to visit here.
  • Thai food: Kat’s kitchen is one of the better choices even though the last few times I’ve been, quality of the food has been a bit of a hit and miss
  • Western food: Croco Pizza, Pepino, Chez Marco, Why Not?, Wine connection,
  • Indian food: Accha kitchen
  • Vegan food: Goodsoul’s kitchen
  • Street food: Saturday night market, Sunday night market, street next to night bazaar (every day except on saturday and sunday),
  • Nice markets to visit: Lanna Square, Ploen ruedee, Kad Manee, Night Bazaar
  • Thai food good quality; riverside restaurant, goodview by the river, goodview village
  • Fine dining: Oxygen dining room (for the price of a decent, high quality restaurant in Europe, you get Michelin Star fine dining experience): by far my best restaurant experience ever. Price for one person is around 4.000 Baht if I remember correctly for the (most expensive) experience menu of like 10 courses. Paired wines for 5 glasses is 990 baht and paired wines for 7 glasses is 1.990 Baht. During weekdays can be quiet and you might be one of the few guests. Recommended to make a reservation either way as they are sometimes fully booked.

Getting around

  • From the airport to your hotel: inside the airport, go to one of the boots where ladies will be calling “taxi”. Get a ticket there and go outside where you’ll driver will arrive. Prices are very reasonable and sometimes even cheaper than Grab.
  • Most convenient: Grab (bike or car taxi)
  • If you have motorbike license and international version; rent a motorbike
  • Cheapest: Bolt, Maxim
  • TukTuk’s in Chiang Mai are a bit more expensive than regular Grab or Bolt/Maxim but are still acceptable in general. I use them quite often when I need a ride so I don’t have to wait for a taxi to arrive.

Hostels/hotels:

  • Sylvis Add Oil hostel: decent accomodation – has private rooms as well. Next to really nice cocktailbar. Expect noise until the cocktailbar closes (midnight). In backpackers area. Close to nightclub Spicy and walkable to the Old town.
  • Oyoo Pudsadee: inside the old town, in quiet area of the old town and walkable to the more tourist hot spots inside the old town. Rooms have the basics and are clean but that’s about it. Just a basic but relatively spacious room.
  • Rodman: bit more expensive, right next to Oyoo, nice rooms, small swimming pool, small bar for coffee and stuff. More luxurious feeling.

Basic conversation:

  • Hello (as male): sawadeekrap
  • Hello (as female): sawadeekaa
  • Thank you (as male): khopkunkrap
  • Thank you (as female): khopkunkaa
  • Asking the bill (as male): Keptang krap
  • Sorry (as male): Koh toot krap
  • Sorry (as female): Koh toot kaa