Thailand

Asia

Overview

Average Costs  |  Being Vegetarian  |  Useful Local Phrases  |  Tipping Practices  |  Coffee  |  What to Wear  |  Photo Gallery  |  Articles & Adventures  |  Blog Entries
 

Yep, I've been here! Information coming soon!

Average Costs

The daily total includes all lodging, food, booze, transportation, sightseeing, visas, etc. I don't include the money I spend on gifts for friends and I do not include the flight price.

Being Vegetarian in Thailand

After you learn a few key phrases (like no fish sauce), you're good to go. You probably need to steer clear of the soups and curries since they will have chicken/fish stock or shrimp paste in them, but you'll have a lot of noodle, rice, and vegetable dishes to choose from.

Vegetarian Dishes


Pad Thai (ask for no fish sauce), Pad See Ew

Thai Vegetarian Phrases

Language Meaning Phrase / Pronunciation

Thai

don't want fish sauce mai sai nam plaa
my sai nam plaa

food without meat mang sa wirat
maang saa WEE-rat

Useful Local Phrases for Thailand

Language Meaning Phrase / Pronunciation

Thai

thank you kap kun kaa (fem.) (krup male)
kawp koon kaa (kap)

no spicy mai pet
my pet

hello sawat di kaa (fem.)
Just like ti looks but the T is soft and all three syllables go down in tone

hello sawat di krup (male)
Just like ti looks but the T is soft. The first two syllables go down in tone and the last one goes up. Krup is more like kap.

Tipping Practices

It is not a tipping culture but small change is appreciated in the correct circumstance. People here will not ask for tips as they do in most countries.
Taxis:
It is typical to give the driver the extra change from the fare.
Restaurants:
Tipping is generally not expected unless an upscale restaurant. Then tip 5 - 10% for or just the loose change unless the service charge is already on the bill. Do not tip at street stalls.
Budget Hotel:
Do not tip

Coffee

Yep, you're probably going to get some sort of instant coffee here and it will be black unless you ask for milk which they may or may not have and even then it might be powdered. They have recently started serving iced coffee milk which is more like Thai iced tea style with sweetened milk. Sweet, refreshing, and yummy. (ice cofi milk)

What to Wear

Although it is getting more and more lax in some areas, Thailand is still quite conservative. In Bangkok you can wear shorts and spaghetti strap tank tops in the main tourist areas, but otherwise you should keep that kind of dress for the beaches. In temples you should always cover your arms and legs (women in particular). It's not mandatory in all wats like it used to be but you should be respectful and cover up. Even when in town in beach areas, you CAN wear skimpy clothes but you won't see the locals doing it. In some areas (smaller towns) the locals still swim in shorts and a shirt so keep an eye on your surroundings and don't be the only one in a tiny bikini. You'll want at least one long-sleeve item for temples, to protect from the sun, and in the evening for mosquitoes.

Photo Gallery

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Articles & Adventures

Helpful information and fun adventures!

Blog Entries

More of a personal nature, my un-related diary-like (hmmm or blog-like?) daily thoughts and activities; the things that don't warrant their own article/adventure post.