- When you should go
- Money currency
- How to use your phone/sim card
- Respect the culture
- Open-minded
- Different accommodations
- Insurance
- Renting a bike
- Essential apps to have
When you should go
Weather
Northern Thailand has 3 distinct seasons :
- March to May: Hot season
- June to October: Rainy season
- November to February: Cool season
The hot season looks a lot like other regions’ climates. It’s dry, and the temperature goes up to 97°F (36°C).
The rainy season is cooler and the heaviest daily pours will happen in September.
The cool season, which doesn’t seem too cold for us Canadians, will reach temperatures as low as 41°F (5°C) in the hills.
Southern Thailand: Because of its tropical climate, the temperatures tend to remain pretty constant with hot and humid days and nights. There is a dry season and a rainy season, which varies for the east and west regions.
Rainy season (generally)
- Eastern side: September to December
- West side: May to October
In these times, we are talking about short but intense daily pours.
High season: Between November and March
Temperatures are comfortable, but the holidays, Christmas and the Western New Year bring bigger crowds. If there are more people, it means rates will go up.
Money currency
Thai Baht is the money currency in Thailand. You can exchange your money at the airport or get it at almost every ATM with your bank card. For me, I would withdraw with my visa, so the only thing I had to make sure of was that there was the Visa logo on the machine. There is a 220 THB fee for every transaction at an ATM. For that reason, make sure you get a good amount out at the same time and prioritize card payment if, like me, your card doesn’t charge every transaction.
How to use your phone/sim card
The most affordable and easy way to have access to your phone is certainly not by buying a phone package back home. Buy a Thailand sim card! You can find them in almost every convenience store. You can buy them at the airport, but it is cheaper in the city. Just ask your taxi driver to please stop somewhere you can buy a sim card, and they will know where to bring you. The price depends on where you get your sim card and how much internet you get, but I will tell you, it is always cheap.
The one I got was from the company “True Move”. It had a great 5G network, and it was only 49 BHT. What was included was 1 day of internet for that price, and the next day I had to go back to a convenience store to buy a package. What is funny is that I never went back to buy a package, since my sim card never stopped working. I got a full month of unlimited internet in Thailand for less than 2 Canadian dollars.
Know that they should be installing it for you, and remember to keep your SIM card from home!
Respect the culture
You will probably be visiting temples during your trip to Thailand. Maybe you are part of a religion, maybe you are not, but when you are visiting their sacred temple, fundamentally, you respect theirs.
What you should wear: Make sure your shoulders are covered and wear long pants. Shorts and skirts are most of the time accepted, but they need to be at least knee-length.
Open-minded
I am glad to inform you that the Thailand community is very open-minded, especially regarding LGBTQ+. It has one of the world’s largest transgender communities. Homophobia is rare in Thailand, but it still exists, like in many countries. Silom district, in Bangkok, is considered the biggest gay entertainment area in Asia.
Different accommodations
Villas: Renting a villa is definitely the most eye-pleasing option. You can find some crazy original stays! Most of the time it is equipped like an apartment, so you will have a fridge and a cooking space. It will be pricier, but you can save on eating out if you cook at your villa. It is a good option for families or if you are a big group of people. You can split the price, and it can be more fun than being all separate in hotel rooms.
Hotels: Hotels are a classic. There are plenty of them with a huge price range. You will be well welcomed and have access to services you don’t get in a villa. Some hotels have spas, some have yoga classes and so much more. Your room will get cleaned every day, and you will have access to room service. If you are an anxious person, hotels are your best option. You will definitely feel more secure since there is always someone working nearby.
Hostels: If you are a backpacker, this is the cheapest option for you. It is less luxurious, less comfortable, less a lot of things. But it is an amazing experience to live while you are young. You will have one bed in a shared room with others. This is the best way to meet people if you are travelling solo. Some hostels have group activities to help with that. You are young, your back is not broken yet, and you can sleep in a less comfortable space in exchange for living an incredible experience.
Insurance
Searching for travel insurance can be a hard task. But, it’s also a very important one. Since there are so many options out there, here’s one that is easy to understand and well known : World Nomads.
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Renting a bike
If you know how to ride a bike, a motorcycle, or a scooter, name it whatever you want, this is your best option (also if you don’t know how but are not scared to learn like me).
You can hop on them with a driver, but sometimes if you are going on a long day adventure your best option is to rent one yourself! This way you can go wherever you want, no need to wait for a driver.
In Thailand, motorbikes are everywhere, but some areas have fewer than others. Be sure to go get yours early in the morning and if they have no more left, ask for the time another traveler is supposed to bring his bike back. Commonly, they are going to ask for you to leave your passport or an ID as a guarantee. Nothing bad ever happened to me, but I know it is scary to leave behind something so important. There are shops controlled to rent bikes that could be safer for your IDs but more expensive than some locals renting bikes.
They don’t ask for a license, and you will most likely never get arrested. Ask for a helmet when you rent a bike because they might not give it if you don’t ask. They are not obligatory in Thailand, but don’t search for trouble! Gas is available everywhere. If you are small like me, ask for a Scoopy. They are the smallest.
A tip I can give you is to always make sure there is space in the seat, so you can put things in it.
Essential apps to have
Transport: Having access to transport in Thailand is so easy!
- Download Grab and Gojek.
You can always just download one, but sometimes Grab is cheaper or faster and vice versa. It works the same as Uber. You order your car or bike knowing already the price it will cost. You know when your driver will be there and you have the option of paying cash or directly with your card on the app. I would always prefer paying cash. This way I could always round up the amount and leave a tip. They deserve it! You can even order food on Grab, just like Uber Eat!
Place to stay :
- Booking: You will find all three types of accommodation.
- Airbnb: You will find amazing and original villas.
- Hostel World: This is an app for hostels only. You will find the best ones with an amazing rating system to help you make your choice. There are also group chats on the app with the people who will be staying at the same place as you.
