10 common mistakes tourists make in Thailand

Arriving in Thailand for the first time without knowing the local customs and life hacks can significantly spoil your vacation. To avoid getting sick, overpaying for unnecessary services, or breaking local laws, it’s important to be prepared. It’s best to learn from others’ mistakes rather than making your own.

So, here are 10 mistakes that inexperienced tourists in Thailand most often make:

1. Neglecting sunscreen. Due to its proximity to the equator, Phuket has very intense sunlight. Even on cloudy days, it’s necessary to apply SPF to your skin – clouds don’t block ultraviolet rays, and you can get a serious burn in any weather.
2. Not getting insurance. You’ve probably seen social media posts raising funds for tourists who “crashed” on a bike in one of the Asian countries. Unfortunately, such cases are not uncommon. There are many risks during a vacation in Thailand: riding motorbikes, extreme and water sports, exotic animals and insects, unfamiliar food. It’s better to pay for insurance than to raise money for medical treatment later. And while healthcare in Thailand is of a high standard (as we discussed here), the cost of services, especially inpatient care, can be very high.
3. Bringing too much medication. Many people stock up on too much medication before traveling, but this is unnecessary: all essential medications can be purchased at local pharmacies, as well as in 7-Eleven stores.
4. Ignoring the beach flags. The different colored flags on beaches are not just for decoration – they are important safety signals for tourists. We already talked about it here. Knowing what the flag colors on the beach mean is essential for your own safety. Spoiler: if you see a red flag, don’t go in the water!
5. Disrespecting sacred sites and traditions. Thai people practice Buddhism and hold their religious sites in high regard. To avoid showing ignorance or getting into legal trouble, respect Thailand’s religious rules. Remove your shoes before entering Buddhist temples, cover your shoulders and knees. Don’t sit with your legs crossed in front of monks, even on the floor. Also, your feet should never point toward a statue of Buddha. Additionally, Thai people deeply respect their monarch and even his images, so it’s illegal to insult them. Be careful with money as well – some banknotes have the king’s image, and they shouldn’t be crumpled or thrown.
6. Riding a motorbike without a license. Motorbikes are the most common mode of transportation in Thailand – for both locals and tourists. When arriving on the island, many people want to rent a bike to explore the local attractions. This is a good idea, as a bike provides freedom. But to rent a motorcycle, you need an international driver’s license with a category A. Category B won’t suffice here! Even though you might be able to rent a bike without a license, keep in mind that it is illegal. On Phuket, the police often stop tourists on the road, and in such cases, you will face consequences. We’ve explained how to rent a bike safely in this section.
7. Overusing ice drinks and air conditioning. The tricky side of street cocktails and smoothies is the huge amount of ice they come with. If you don’t want to get a sore throat, say “No ice!”. The same goes for air conditioning – avoid overusing it, as the temperature fluctuations can easily make you sick.
8. Spending the entire vacation at the hotel. Sometimes, we all need a vacation just to relax. But Phuket is a very interesting and beautiful island, and not seeing its natural and historical locations would be a shame. Set aside at least a couple of days to visit the most interesting sights of Phuket. You can choose the best ones here.
9. Avoiding street food. Thai street food is a whole culture. Even if you’re used to dining exclusively in fancy restaurants, don’t miss out on visiting the night market. Only there can you experience the true taste of Thailand and get acquainted with the local cuisine.
10. Going on tours without checking the details. Before heading out on a tour around Phuket and the neighboring islands, carefully study the route and details, or you may end up disappointed. Find out what kind of transport you’ll be taking – many tours use speedboats, which can cause severe seasickness. The tour may also be too long, tiresome, boring, or unsuitable for children, etc. Choose only trusted routes, and you can find out which ones are the best here.

We hope our tips help you avoid these common tourist mistakes in Thailand. Wishing you a wonderful vacation!