How to backpack through Thailand
How I did it: I booked a ticked, and just did it! I only booked a hotel for the first night, but it wasn't really necessary.
Our itinerary:
Bangkok - Kao Yai National Park - Ayuttaya - Sukhotai - Tak (Lan Sang National Park) - Lampang - Chiang Mai - Phuket - Ko Samui - Kao Sok National Park - Kao Tao - Bangkok
Lessons & tips: - Bring The Lonely Planet! The best there is.
- Most Thai people are shy, and do'nt address to you. If someone does, 90% of the time they are after your money. Just keep that in mind!
- Always bring toiletpaper & a small tube with antibacterial soap with you.
- Tuktuk drivers will bring you for your destination cheap, but they will always make a few stops on the way to jewellers/tailers and such. They will get commission if you buy something there, so don't do it!
- Talk to tourists, they always have great stories to tell. Just follow up on their advice, and go there!
- Don't plan ahead, there's no need.
- When travelling in the raining season, you can get a cheaper hotelroom. When you notice that the hotel is quiet, just ask for a discount! Or ask if they can exclude the breakfast.
- Skip the hotel breakfast, and go buy something on the street!
- Don't touch monks. Not even by accident.
- Don't point, touch or close a door with your feet. It's considered assulting.
- Haggle!
- Learn a few Thai words, like hello, goodbye, thank you. Local people really appreciate it, and you are more likely to get a better price when bargaining.
Those are the main things that comes to mind right now. Don't stress out to much about the rules, just go and have fun!
Resources: - Lonely Planet
- http://www.thai-language.com/
