So you’re planning the big trip to Thailand, you are telling yourself it is a once in a lifetime trip so you will make the most of it but let me let you in to a little secret – I doubt it’ll be your only visit, once you’ve been (as long as you go to the best bits) you’ll be hooked and wanting to keep returning to the land of the free.

Respect for Thai culture will go a massive way when you’re in their country, the Thai people are naturally so friendly, welcoming and are just natural hosts but you will really see them go that extra mile when you make that effort with them, so I am going to help you make that effort by introducing you to a little of their language and traditions.

When greeting Thai people and saying goodbye or thank you you’ll find them making a little bow with their hands together in a praying position, reciprocating is considered a massive sign of respect for their culture. Ronald McDonald here can show you how it is done!

Along with your greeting of a bow to say hello you say Sawadee-ka for a female, if you’re male you add kap on the end so it goes Sawadee-kap. Thai language is very different with many tones and no alphabet like ours so you may see the phrases written slightly differently to how I have “spelled” them. However, with the simple phrases and in response to the Thai they will know what you mean. The same phrase is said for goodbye so at least that’s one less phrase you have to learn!

Your next phrase has to be thank you, again politeness and hospitality is so important to the Thai so saying thank you in Thai will make the world of difference. For example, one of our trips to Thailand we were in a small village that we arrived in fairly late in the evening and we were struggling to find food. We asked a lady who was actually just shutting down her pizza truck where we could find Thai food and she informed us there wasn’t anywhere open but she asked us to sit down. She hopped on her little moped, went down the road to the local market and purchased some fish and salad. Upon her return she cooked it for us, cooked the boys pizza and honestly, one of the tastiest but most simplest meals we had our entire trip – she whipped us this magical dipping sauce which just made the entire meal glorious. Now why did she do this? Honestly, I feel it’s because we spoke to her in a little bit of Thai – we showed interest and respect for their culture to which she was over the moon, she refused to take payment and we sat talking with her and her family outside their home for ages. It’s moments like these which make a trip for us, the authenticity and so make sure you say Kawp-kun-ka ( for a female) or kawp-ku-kap (male) as a way of thanks when you are extended their hand of hospitality.

If you’re going for a short time then I feel just being able to say hello, goodbye and thank you is sufficient to show your desire to make an effort in learning about the Thai people and their culture. However, if you do head to the more rural areas of Thailand don’t expect the people of the little villages to be able to speak English. You’ll get by due to their willingness to help and please but as with any country if you don’t speak their language then that barrier can be a little confusing! If you are looking to try and learn a little more of the Thai language (pasaa-thai) then this is an ideal place to start and handy for carrying around.

Your next tip is to not go overboard, I know, easier said than done especially if you’re flying from Europe and want to make the most of your flight time! Thailand is an amazing country with everything anyone could hope to explore from mountain regions, to jungles to beaches but it’s also pretty vast which means if you try to do it all you will end up losing so much of your precious adventure time to travel which isn’t fun for anyone. Upcoming posts will share some suggested itineraries with different travel times but pick what’s most important to you and those you are traveling with and focus on that. Now you can see why I said at the beginning, you will return!

Essentials:

• Suncream – very expensive in Thailand, they have no need for it so if you know you need it and are prone to burning take plenty.
• Insect repellent – especially important if you’re headed to the jungles.
• Small first aid kit, again if you’re more rural your nearest hospital/pharmacy may not be that close so it doesn’t hurt to have the essentials of plasters, pain killers, burn relief etc.
• Don’t over pack but make sure you have some sturdy hiking boots and then your sandals/beach shoes for evenings and the chill time.
• Cash is king in Thailand so make sure you have your bhaat at the ready!
• Your license if you plan on hiring any vehicles in Thailand. A lot of the hire companies aren’t that strict with taking your details but if you are pulled over by the police be prepared to pay a hefty fine.

Culturally, Buddha and the elephant are VERY important to Thai people. It’s considered offensive to wear anything with Buddha on it so be mindful of what you wear. Clothing also needs to be considered when you go to anywhere of worship including old temples/ruins. Women need to have their shoulders covered and legs covered- you can purchase lovely loose fitted Thai trousers everywhere you go, I lounge in mine all the time at home! Men equally need T-shirts on but they don’t need to have their legs fully covered. Respecting their culture means they’ll respect you making your trip even more fulfilling.

I can’t wait to delve more in to Thailand with future posts on example itineraries and how to travel Thailand with children and how that may look different but for now, sawadee-kah.

Francesca <3