Last January my two daughters, my niece and I traveled to the other side of the world to the exotic destination of Thailand. I am not going to go into detail about all the fascinating sites we visited but instead I will offer advice on avoiding some of the pitfalls we encountered

This post is geared more towards novice travelers than seasoned globetrotters.

Not having travelled to another hemisphere in over four decades (now I’m giving you a clue as to my age) when it was a much less complicated world, I found preparation to be the key. 


Travel Planning Tips

Months in advance apply for a passport, unless you already have a valid one in your possession. Next, investigate if you are required (or recommended) to receive vaccines and inoculations based on your destination. 

This information can be acquired from your doctor or local health department. Be aware some vaccines are administered in a series, which could take time.

Take the time to realistically calculate the amount of money you will need (or want to spend). Then exchange this amount into the currency of the country you plan on visiting. 

This will assist you in keeping to your budget and will also save money, as the exchange rate can be inflated in foreign countries and especially in tourist areas. Any bank can make the exchange, but you have to make the request in advance because receiving the requested currency can take time.

Thailand Travel Tips

The horrendously long flight—over 24 hours split into three legs— is something I’m not sure I’d want to endure again anytime soon.  One suggestion, which I discovered mid-flight, is to bring a pair of comfortable slippers. 

My feet swelled up, and I didn't want to take off my shoes for fear of being unable to get them back on (another indication of my age).  Needless to say, it made for an uncomfortable situation. 

Bring reading material, puzzles or any other activity to occupy your time. You might want to invest in a black-out sleeping mask because —depending on the time of departure and direction of the plane – one way of your round-trip flight will be continuously in sunlight.

A wide range of accommodation types are available. We opted for a moderately priced Western brand hotel where we were very comfortable.  The rooms are more compact without many of the frills we expect in the States, but it was very clean.

We split our two-week vacation between two locations. The first week we explored Bangkok, and the second we spent on the island of Phuket.

The highlight of the first week was our visit to the astonishing Grand Palace. A strict dress code is enforced here and offenders (both male and female) will be lent a sarong to cover up exposed arms and legs. This will add to your personal heat index, so it’s best to arrive in suitable attire of your own selection.

Also, be aware of a ploy used to divert unassuming tourists (such as myself) to retail establishments.  We arrived at the Grand Palace close to noon.  While looking for the main gate, an official looking gentleman told us that the palace closes at noon for lunch and would reopen in an hour (not true).  

He suggested we take a tuk tuk (comparable to a motorized rickshaw) to see some local temples. Wanting to see as much of the local sites as possible, we agreed and were taken to a temple, a jewelry store, another temple and then a tailor shop. 

By then my daughter realized the pattern and insisted to be brought back to the palace. Our annoyed driver informed us that the shops give gas vouchers to drivers and the drivers in turn guide tourists to their shops. As a result we wasted nearly two hours, which left us minimal time to view the spacious Grand Palace grounds, which closes early in the afternoon.

Although I love Thai cuisine, I cannot tolerate the heat of the spices used in their dishes. I learned to request “no spice” when ordering and received a milder version.   

The street vendors selling fresh fruits are not to be missed. They offer sweet, succulent regional varieties such as pineapple, mango and papaya. You might want to avoid durian, an acidic fruit with a strong, pungent odor that we found wasn't to our liking.

The tropical paradise of Phuket was where we spent our second week. Relaxing on the white sand beaches is definitely the best way to wind up a trip. 

Be careful if you decide to rent a scooter to get around, as there is traffic congestion and minimal driver courtesy.

All in all, it was an amazing trip. But, had I been aware of these few points I listed, it would have made for a much smoother experience.