First Time in Thailand? 11+ Thailand Travel Tips You’ll Be Glad You Knew

Thailand was the first country I visited in Southeast Asia, as the first destination of my 3-month travel around the region.

I still remember the first sunrise over Bangkok as we arrived. It was May, and it was hot, and from the very first minute, I felt at home there.

Since then, I have spent two months in Thailand on various occasions, covering most regions. With the high safety levels and kind local people, I also dared to travel off the beaten path to see the real Thailand.

As a female, I never experienced anything negative in Thailand. In fact, when I had small inconveniences, the locals would always come to help me. It’s one of the things I wish I knew before visiting Thailand for the first time.

So, please allow me to share my best Thailand travel tips with you, created especially for first time visitors. Let´s start!

Foreword: In Thailand, Everything is Easy

Thailand is a great beginner destination for Southeast Asia. Everything is easy in Thailand – You`ll often hear both locals and travelers say it.

Some examples why:

• Hungry at night and not fancying going out? With the Grab app, you can order food even at night, delivered right to your door.

• No idea how to reach a certain place, or finding it too difficult to organize? Your host or any local tourist office can easily get it arranged for you.
  
• Need to get from point A to point B without walking? You can always order a driver with the Grab or InDrive app.
  
• Want to go for a hike but afraid of snakes & spiders? Just inform your host — they’ll arrange a guide to go with you.

1. Be Kind to Local People

Many visitors to Thailand come from more developed countries, and sometimes, unfortunately, not everyone treats the locals with the respect they deserve.

Thai people are incredibly kind, welcoming, and generous—so please return that kindness.

Here are a few essential manners to keep in mind:

• Avoid bargaining unless appropriate Negotiating tuk-tuk rides in Bangkok is fine, but in most cases, prices in Thailand are already very fair.
• Take off your shoes – Always remove your shoes before entering someone’s home, temples, or some shops.
• Never touch people’s heads – The head is considered the most sacred part of the body.
• Use respectful greetings – Say “Sawadee ka” (women) or “Sawadee krub” (men) when greeting someone, and “Khop khun ka/krub” to say thank you.
• Dress modestly around temples – Cover your shoulders and knees.

2. Don`t Try to Do it All

Thailand is full of amazing places— but it`s also a big country.

If you only have one or two weeks, don’t try to see it all. You’ll end up spending more time on boats, buses, and planes than actually enjoying the country.

Instead, decide what you want to see in Thailand and explore just a few regions.

Here’s a quick overview to help you choose:

• Northern Thailand – Mountains, waterfalls, caves, Buddhist temples. Popular spots include Chiang Mai, Pai, and Chiang Rai.
• Southern Thailand – Home to the most beautiful beaches, islands, dive sites, and limestone cliffs. The most picturesque places are Koh Kradan, Railay Beach in Krabi, or Koh Lipe.

3. Don`t Visit (Un)Ethical Elephant Sanctuaries

Less than hundred years ago, around 50,000 wild elephants were roaming freely across Thailand. Due to habitat loss and the use of elephants for labor, only a few thousands remain in the wild today.

In Thailand, you’ll often see elephants in so-called wildlife sanctuaries. However, many of these are not ethical.

How to know if a wildlife sanctuary is unethical?

If the sanctuary offers any activity where you can touch the animal—such as feeding, bathing, or riding—it is unethical. If any interaction is possible, it means the elephants have been trained. And that training is usually done through very harsh methods.

If you want to see elephants in the wild, it’s possible in Khao Yai National Park close to Bangkok (I saw one there!). Sometimes, they can also be spotted around Khao Sok National Park (though I didn’t see any at the time).

If you go really off the beaten path, the forestal areas along the border with Myanmar are also promising spots for elephant sightings.

4. Take Extra Caution with Speedboats

When the seas are rough and the weather isn’t great, it’s better not to travel by speedboat. There are many speedboat accidents, and it is simply not safe enough.

I’ve been genuinely scared for my life on speedboats more than once. Many are closed inside, so if the boat flips due to waves, people can be trapped.

Therefore, if given the chance, I always choose bigger ferries. For example, if you’re going to Koh Samui or Koh Phangan, you’ll usually have the option to take a large ferry—it takes a bit longer but is much more reliable.

Pro Tip: When booking your boat on 12GOAsia, you can check whether your boat is a regular ferry or a speedboat—definitely worth checking before you confirm.

5. Support the Locals when Choosing Accommodation

If you have the chance, choose small accommodations owned by local people. This way, the money you spend stays within the community—often supporting families who don’t even have access to proper medical care.

Those simple beach bungalows or guesthouses are usually locally owned, and they offer a much more authentic experience than big hotel chains.

When booking your accommodation, Agoda often offers the best options.

6. Driving in Thailand is not Bad!

If you are open to it, renting a scooter or car in Thailand is a great idea!

You’ll see: once you wake up, you’ll want to discover a beach, go snorkelling, visit temples, take photos in the morning light, or grab a fresh coconut. Having your own vehicle makes getting around easier (and cheaper).

If you’re used to driving in Europe or have never driven a scooter before, start somewhere with less traffic—like smaller islands or offbeat places. That’s how I began.

I learned to drive a scooter on Koh Yao Noi, an island with little to no traffic.

Even on busier roads, I always felt like people were looking out for each other. Traffic was never truly chaotic.

Pro Tip: To rent a motorbike, it`s necessary to have an international driving license. Keep in mind to obtain it in your home country.

7. Enjoy Thai Food to the Fullest

I still remember the very first restaurant we went to in Thailand —we ordered morning glory, cashew nut chicken, and mango sticky rice.

That was the moment I knew I had arrived at the right place – I had never tasted anything that delicious before.

In Thailand, everything is incredibly tasty. There are many tropical fruits like longan, lychee, rambutan, and of course, mangoes.

I often bought food from street vendors (they know how to cook best) and never had any stomach problems. If you see that the food is fresh (fried or boiled in front of you), it should be fine.

8. Visit Hidden Gems

Thailand is the country where it`s worth going off the beaten track. Although Phuket has nice beaches and Koh Samui too, there are many more beautiful and empty places to see once you leave the touristy areas. 🙂

I usually avoid the touristy areas to have an authentic experience, real conversations with locals, and the chance to see animals in the wild.

If you’re visiting remote islands, bring some cash—many still don’t have ATMs, and those that do are often out of service.

Further Read: Hidden Gems in Thailand – this travel guide includes so many lesser-known Thai destinations.

10. Some Popular Places are Worth the Hype

Many people I talk to, say they don`t go to Thailand because it is too crowded. While it can be true, some places do live up to the hype and worth going.

Popular Places that are Worth Visiting:
– Bangkok (it`s one of a kind)
– Railay Beach
– Chiang Mai (hundreds of beautiful temples)

Places You Can Consider Skipping:
– Phuket (built only for tourism)
– Koh Phi Phi (way too crowded + dead corals)

9. Pack Right and Light

Packing well for your Thailand trip is crucial. If you`ll be moving around a lot, it`s better to travel with a backpack. You can also fit it on a scooter and it will be easier to do the bus rides, island hopping, etc.

As an advive: your backpack should not weigh more than 10-11Kg-s. (I always use this 70L Thule Backpack since 2022.)

Thailand Travel Essentials I always have with me: a camera, a dry bag, a mosquito net, and some AirTags for safety.

Further Read: Complete Southeast Asia Packing List

11. For Wildlife Lovers: Escape the Crowds

If you’re passionate about nature and wildlife, the best experiences often lie away from the tourist places.

For better chances to spot wildlife, consider exploring lesser-known islands like Koh Mook, Koh Kood, or Koh Yao Noi.

You can also spot incredible wildlife in some national parks. One of my favorites is Khao Yai National Park (close to Bangkok), where even at our homestay, I saw hundreds of frogs, geckos, and heard the distant calls of gibbons. It was packed with wildlife.

However, be mindful that some national parks, like the popular Khao Sok National Park, can feel over-touristed. While the landscapes are scenic, wildlife sightings are becoming limited.

Best Places for Wildlife in Thailand:

• Khao Yai National Park
• Koh Yao Noi
• Koh Mook
• Koh Chang
• Some quiet parts of Railay Beach

Best Places for Marine Life:

• Koh Mook & Koh Kradan
• Koh Lipe
• Koh Tao
• Koh Chang

My best magical diving experiences were at Koh Mook. The underwater world felt like a living aquarium — vibrant coral reefs, fish everywhere, even nurse sharks and huge stingrays were swimming past us. It was an unforgettable experience.

Conclusion: Thailand Travel Tips

I hope these Thailand travel tips gave you an idea of what to expect when traveling to Thailand!

If you’d like to dive deeper, feel free to explore my other Thailand Travel Guides. I mostly write articles about lesser-known destinations.

Have any questions or thoughts about this post? I’d love to hear from you—just drop me a message!