Thailand was my first long solo trip, and I still think it's one of the best countries to choose for this experience. I went for two months without much of a plan, figuring out where to go along the way, and ended up visiting eight different places and islands. If you’re thinking of travelling around Thailand on your own, here are a few tips I picked up along the way.
The biggest advantage of Thailand is its affordable prices. You can easily find a hostel bed for under ten euros, and a delicious street food meal for as little as one or two euros. Getting around Bangkok by bus or river boat cost me just a few cents. Tourists do sometimes encounter scams, though. For example, a tuk-tuk ride might cost you three times as much as it would a local.
One of the biggest advantages is, of course, the endless summer. Thailand is warm all year round, but there are also times of year when the rain seems never-ending. The best time to visit is from November to March.
In Thailand, people are extremely friendly and always smiling. On several occasions, locals stopped me in the street to offer help without me even asking.
It depends on whether you’re looking for cultural sights, natural beauty or nightlife, but of course, the best option is to fit a bit of everything into one trip. These were my favourite places to visit:
Thailand’s capital can be quite a culture shock as the starting point of your trip, especially for a beginner. At first, I wasn't sure how I was even going to cross the five-lane road. But after spending three weeks in Bangkok, I quickly got used to the chaos. Before long, I had no trouble wandering around its noisy streets.
One of Bangkok’s more unusual sights is the Sathorn Unique Tower, also known as the ‘Ghost Tower’, an abandoned skyscraper whose construction came to a halt during the Asian financial crisis in the 1990s. The building was never completed and eventually became one of the city’s more unusual landmarks. To reach the top, you have to climb about 50 floors on foot, from where you can enjoy an incredible view of the city.
I also visited the Wat Arun and Wat Pho temples. The temples are fascinating, but it is important to respect the rules of dress and behaviour. For an evening out, I recommend Khao San Road.
The best thing to do on Koh Samui is to go to the nearest scooter rental shop and drive around the island by yourself all day. Bike rental costs around 3 euros per day. Don’t worry if you’ve never ridden a scooter before – they’re small and easy to get used to. It’s a good idea to know the basic rules of the road, but remember that in Thailand, they drive on the left. When you are at the bike rental store, do not give them your passport as insurance, as they may claim that you caused a scratch on the vehicle, and will not return it until you "cover the damage". It’s also a good idea to take photos of the scooter beforehand, so you have proof that any existing damage wasn’t caused by you.
If you’re into parties and nightlife, I’d definitely recommend this island, where there’s something going on almost every night. Every month, the island hosts its famous Full Moon Party, and around this time, there are even more events and beach parties happening all over the island. That said, it’s still worth being a little careful in certain situations.
If you’re looking to escape to paradise for a few days, this is the perfect place. Phi Phi is such a small island that there’s no traffic, so you can easily get around on foot. It is surrounded by turquoise sea, beautiful beaches and diverse marine life. The perfect place for scuba diving and snorkelling. Here, too, you can find evening beach parties and admire incredible sunsets.
Thailand’s second-largest city in the north of the country is also a very interesting destination. You will most likely have to take a domestic flight to get there, although you can also take an overnight bus or train from Bangkok.
Chiang Mai feels much more relaxed and laid-back than Bangkok. There are many temples there that are several centuries old. You can go on a day trip to elephant shelters. There are several centres dedicated to rescuing elephants and treating them ethically. Many of these elephants have been rescued from the tourism industry. At these sanctuaries, they can roam freely in a more natural and humane environment. As a visitor, you can learn more about the elephants, feed them bananas and give them a mud bath, all while supporting their well-being. Whatever you do, avoid places that offer elephant rides, as this can be harmful and stressful for them.
There are 7-Eleven stores in all cities and islands. It’s a great little shop that you’ll find on almost every corner in every city. They sell a wide range of things, including ready-made meals, snacks and drinks. You’ll also find everyday essentials such as toiletries, household items and basic medicines.
Bring a padlock with you and make sure your accommodation has somewhere secure to lock away your valuables. Lock your passport and money inside, and never carry everything with you when you go out. It's wise to take out basic health insurance before you travel because you never know what might happen to you. Otherwise, get adventurous and enjoy this beautiful country.
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