Thailand has vast attractions that make the country the perfect destination for traveling, from beautiful beaches with stone formations, to eight floor shopping malls. If you’ve been thinking about traveling to Thailand, here are some things that might come in handy.
The capital city, Bangkok, is what many locals think is the best place for shopping. It’s filled with shopping malls, stores, and many spas and nail salons. Due to the competition from so many similar stores the prices are cheaper. Their malls are often huge, numerous stories, selling things from electronics and games to food and drinks. They also have numerous floating markets and night markets, keeping the city bustling with life even through the night. One of the main attractions people go to Bangkok for is the temples and palaces and architecture.
The streets are pretty crowded, and many people travel using motorcycles, so when crossing roads make sure to be aware of your surroundings. Many people there speak English due to the amount of tourists that visit, so oftentimes you will be able to communicate and speak to the locals. Bangkok has a busy night life, night markets and streets are bustling with people even during the night. Twenty four hour stores are very popular all over Asia, so you can go out whenever. Popular streets are Khaosan Road, Patpong, and Sukhumvit.
If you travel down south Thailand, you’ll reach Phuket Island. It’s known for its beautiful beaches and is sometimes referred to as the Pearl of Andaman. It has numerous beaches, with clear water and limestone cliffs. The temperature there normally ranges from 77ºF – 90ºF, keeping it hot year round. Cruising, snorkeling and canoeing are the most common activities.There are many street food vendors, where you can buy local cuisine for cheap. There are also some cultural attractions, including the Big Buddha statue and a famous temple, Wat Chalong. There are numerous animal sanctuaries, such as elephants, tigers, and monkeys, where you are able to feed and pet the animals. In Phuket, there are multiple different places where you can ride the elephants around the sanctuary.
Some tips for traveling:
- Pack light, or bring a lot of empty space. You will likely buy a lot of stuff, so come prepared.
- Make sure you check exchange rates before you exchange your money into Thai baht. Oftentimes exchanging money at the airport is the better option, because other ATMs and services charge extra fees.
- When buying items from markets or vendors, you can usually haggle prices down. Most vendors will give you a discount on items, or give you the price you name due to the high competition. Do not pay full price unless they don’t budge.
- Make sure you do not pet or touch any stray animals. The dogs and cats there have a high chance of having rabies.
This guide should help you with your travels, if you choose to go to Thailand. It is definitely a worthwhile experience, and you should look into going at least once in your life.
