Guide to Backpacking Thailand - Everything you need to know
Backpacking Thailand
Thailand is considered one of the world’s most beloved tourist destinations and rightfully so. Cheap living, white sand beaches, and prominent culture make Thailand one of the best countries I’ve had the pleasure of traveling to. The country has grown into a very tourist-friendly place with hostels on every corner and a very easy ability to book transportation. Truly the perfect destination for first-time backpackers. After reading this article, you should be more confident about traveling to this amazing country and venturing off to experience this one of a kind place.
Cultural Standards to be aware of
There are many cultural standards that you should be aware of before traveling to Thailand. Firstly is temple etiquette. Shoulders and knees must be covered and you cannot wear hats when inside temples. Tank-tops and shorts are forbidden. No matter where you are, you cannot point with your feet - a sign of disrespect in Thailand. In a lot of places, you must take your shoes off before entering, such as hostels, temples, and other privately owned areas. When greeting someone, place your hands together and bow. The higher your hands are, the more respect you have for them; therefore, you should have higher hand placement for the elderly and monks. Lastly, do not speak poorly of the King - this is an illegal act and the consequences can be severe. Abide by these common practices, learn some of the basic language (hi, please, thank you, etc.), and you will fit right in.
When you should go to Thailand
The best time to backpack Thailand is the dry season, from about March to June. That way, you’ll be avoiding the rain of the monsoon season, which is from about July to October. Dry season is extremely hot in Thailand, so be prepared for heat, and even though it’s called dry season, be prepared for quick and hard rain showers.
(Excursion to Khao Sok National Park)
What to Pack
It’s extremely hot and humid in Thailand. You have to be prepared to change out of sweaty clothes often. Bring 1 sweatshirt, 1 rain jacket, 2 pairs of bathing suits, 4 pairs of shorts, 1 pair of jeans, 1 pair of sweatpants, 8 shirts, 8 pairs of underwear, and 5 pairs of socks. Laundry services are widespread and very cheap so you will have the ability to get your clothes cleaned for about $1 - $2 per kg of weight. A general rule of thumb, it is easy to reuse shorts, pants, and sweatshirts so you’ll want to pack less of those items. It is harder to reuse shirts, underwear, and socks, so you’ll want to pack more of those items.
The most efficient way to pack your clothes is by purchasing packing cubes, which are zippered containers that allow you to organize and separate your belongings. These travel assets allow for increased efficiency when looking for specific items and help to improve the organization and compacting ability within your travel bag. Another packing tip is to roll up your items within your packing cubes instead of folding them - this will create even more space to fit more belongings. Check out our high-quality packing cubes here: 6-Piece Travel Packing Cubes.
You should bring 2 pairs of shoes: 1 versatile and durable pair for everyday use and 1 heavy duty pair for hiking. Sandals, flip flops or crocs are an absolute must for Thailand as well. You’ll need travel locks to secure your belongings: some small ones for your backpack zippers and a large one for a locker that you will be given at a majority of hostels. A compacting microfiber towel is another must, so that you can avoid renting towels and losing your money. A universal adaptor is extremely necessary to charge your electronics using foreign outlets. For easy transportation of toiletries to and from the bathroom, a toiletry bag is another great investment.
Thailand’s sun is very strong, with the UV index exceeding 10 on most days. If you plan on being in the sun during peak UV hours, it is necessary to pack sunscreen. Do not wait to purchase sunscreen in Thailand because it is very expensive; buy some before you leave. In addition to the sun, you need to be prepared for mosquitoes. To avoid catching Malaria, Japanese Encephalitis, and other deadly diseases, it is very important to pack enough Deet to last you the whole trip. Many travelers receive Encephalitis vaccination from healthcare professionals before departing (in addition to other shots) and are prescribed malaria preventative medication for their trip, but these measures are not necessarily vital. Sometimes insurance covers these costs and if not, prices can be significant. Read into the CDC’s recommendations and decide if it is right for you.
(Dragon Crest Mountain, Krabi)
Navigating Thailand
When you need a quick lift from place to another, you have a couple different options. A popular option is by waving down a tuk-tuk and negotiating a price for a ride. A tuk-tuk is a golf cart-like vehicle that is locally operated. The price range depends on your ability to bargain and the distance you are going. These vehicles are everywhere, especially in the city, and the drivers are not afraid to heckle you to buy a ride. The better method of transportation is Grab: the Uber of Southeast Asia. These are unbelievably cheap and the cars are always super clean and air-conditioned. Just download the app and order your ride. You should definitely get a tuk-tuk ride at least once just to experience it, but Grab will save you much more money. Scooters are also very popular and easily accessible, but if you don’t have a lot of biking experience, I do not recommend this. The roads of Thailand are nothing like you have ever experienced. Jam-packed roads, crazy drivers, and hardly anyone following traffic laws is a good recipe for disaster. Although renting scooters is cheaper than any other transportation method, it is better to play it safe unless you are a pro.
Long distance travel is also very easy. Booking online through 12goAsia is a reliable way to purchase longer transportation buses, trains, ferries, or a mix of them. Or you can go into a local transportation office and purchase your tickets through them, which will end up being cheaper than booking online. Many hostels also offer booking ability. Booking through hostels will sometimes be cheaper, sometimes not. Planes are another option. Although they are quicker and less of a hassle, they are more expensive and subject you to a much larger carbon footprint.
Money
Thailand is a very cheap country, even when you’re spending generously. After the pandemic and this current ongoing worldwide inflation, the cost of traveling in Thailand has slightly increased. One can expect to spend between $40 - $55 a day. Here is a list of the prices of common purchases:
Hostels $5 to $20
Meals $5 to $10
Street Food $0.25 to $3
330mL Beer $1 to $3
Excursions $25 to $75
Grab rides $2 to $8
Tuk-tuks $4 to $10
Scooters $5 to $15 / day
Long Buses $20 to $40
Temple Fees $1 to $20
Just like any country, there are ways you can save money. For drinkers, one great money saver is buying alcohol at convenience stores rather than bars and clubs. Buy a case of beer to pregame and then get a couple drinks when you’re out. You’ll save a lot of money over time with this method. Eating street food over sit-down restaurants is another great way to budget. And of course, Grab’s over tuk-tuk rides. Although excursions are very expensive, they are an absolute must, as they take you to some of the most beautiful places you will ever experience. Pick and choose your excursions wisely; you don’t need to go on every single one.
Where to go in Thailand
Pro Tip: If you want to have the best experience, it's best not to have an exact itinerary but rather go with the flow. But regardless, it's still necessary to do some research and have some places in mind before you leave. My favorite places ranked in order:
Koh Tao
Pai
Khao Sok
Koh Lanta
Ao Nang
Koh Phangan
Bangkok
Phuket
Chiang Mai
Koh Samui
Krabi Town
Chiang Rai
(Waterfall in Koh Samui)
Goodluck!
A backpacking adventure to Thailand is the trip of a lifetime. You will get the opportunity to experience a completely new style of living, see some of the most beautiful places on Earth, and meet some amazing people along the way. After reading this, you should hopefully be much better prepared to take on this amazing country. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out and leave a comment. Safe Travels!