Do you ever get the urge to do something totally unexpected and out of the ordinary? Have your days become so routine and predictable that you feel like your life is slowly passing you by? I know exactly what you mean! Perhaps it’s time to escape your environment and experience something completely different. Why not try Thailand? I did for six months, and it was an experience I won’t soon forget!
Thailand lifestyle differs from western culture is so many ways. The food is cheaper, tastier, and much spicier than I can handle. The people are more laid back, cheerful, and friendly. The weather is warm all year round (even at night!) and when it rains – it REALLY rains! People are outside socializing and relaxing, instead of cooped up in their homes watching reality TV.
This video includes footage of my time in Bangkok around Khao San Road as well as my island adventures on Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi, and Koh Lipe. There’s also some shots of temples and forest up north by Chiang Mai and Chiang Rye. Enjoy!
When you decide to check it out, here are some points to keep in mind:
PREPARATION
- Make sure your Passport has at least six months validity remaining or you won’t be allowed in the country
- Purchase a tourist visa from the Thai embassy if you plan to stay longer than 30 days (Tourist visas are good for sixty days and you can buy more than one)
- Get vaccinated for Typhoid Fever and Hepatitis A (They are the most common illnesses)
TIPS
1. When you exit the massive Suvarnabhumi airport, you’ll be swarmed by people trying to sell you “cheap” taxis and hotels. Smile and say “no thank you”. Continue outside to the metered taxi stand. From there you’ll get a much cheaper ride into the city.
2. If you haven’t booked a place to stay, check out Khao San Road. You’ll meet lots of sociable backpackers here who will be more than happy to help you find a place. In Nov 2007, an American helped me find a clean one-bedroom suite with bathroom for about 350 baht/night ($10 CAD at the time). On my first night in Bangkok, I met people from Australia, the United States, and the U.K!
Khao San Road, Bangkok
3. Indulge in street food! No, not food that’s fallen on the street. I’m talking about the food carts where people sell Pad Thai and Fruit Shakes for less than a dollar. Before I went to Thailand, I was warned not to eat meat or fresh fruit from street stalls. At first I was wary and avoided it, but after a few months I was hooked on it. I never got seriously ill by eating at a food cart. However, I did have a friend who got quite sick from eating cold chicken. Make sure the vendor heats the meat on a grill before giving it to you.
Street food is cheap, delicious, and usually safe
4. If you choose to rent a motorcycle, be careful! I witnessed several tourists and locals get into accidents on their motorbikes. Traffic rules are much different in Thailand (you’ll see what I mean when you get there) and some people don’t adapt very well and end up in the hospital or worse.
5. Use your debit card to withdrawal cash from ATMs. Try not to use your credit card. I have friends who had their credit cards copied and then fraudulently used. If you plan on using ATMs frequently (I did), then sign up for a bank account with unlimited international transactions before you leave.
6. If you want a chilled out island to relax on check out Koh Lanta and Koh Lipe. If you want to party, check out Koh Phi Phi and Phuket.
Koh Lipe, Pattaya Beach
7. Try to make friends with local Thai people. The best place to do this is outside the tourist areas. I rented an apartment in north east Bangkok (no tourists) and that’s where I met most of my Thai friends. They helped me tour the city and pay my bills when I couldn’t speak the necessary Thai.
INTERESTING FACTS
- There is no tax on items sold in Thailand. You pay exactly what the price tag says
- Sometimes you’ll have to pay a fee to use the bathroom (1 to 5 baht)
- There are no seatbelts in the back on taxi cabs. Ride in the front if you want to wear a safety belt. And you probably will once you discover how they drive!
- Cell phone use is super cheap. If you plan to stay a while, buy one at MBK Mall
- Often you’ll be served water and snacks on long bus trips. You’ll also be woken up by incredibly annoying music twenty minutes before you arrive at your destination
If you plan to stay longer than two months you’ll have to purchase multiple visas (At least, being a Canadian, that’s what I had to do). When one visa expires you have to exit Thailand and re-enter it. I did so twice, once in Cambodia and once in Myanmar. There are services that will drive you outside the country, do the paper work, and bring you back. Here’s a link to Jack’s Golf, the service I used.
P.S. I used Windows Movie Maker to add the music, special effects, and titles to the video. If you enjoy it, check out my picture slide show presentation as well!
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One Response to “Escape To Thailand”
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September 18th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Hey Brennan,
Seeing your videos of Thailand makes me want 2 go back now. I return in December in time for the Kings birthday celebrations which I missed last year. Maybe I see you again there someday. Cool site, dude. Yindii tii lu ja khun,khrap!