Our guest writer Chris, has travelled and lived in Thailand and has given us his account of his first travel experience along with some tips in our Interview on travelling in Thailand. He now keeps a personal blog www.mytravellogs.co.uk and writes travel guides in his spare time.
Can you remember how you felt when you first visited Thailand?
I have travelled to Thailand many times now and even lived there for a year, so you can bet your last dollar on saying I loved it. My first time travelling to Thailand left me wanting more. It was a really fun and exciting adventure and out of all the countries I visited, I wanted to return to Thailand the most. Thailand is busy, chaotic, fun, exciting and at a glance free.
What do you mean by free?
Free from regulation. When you first visit Thailand it seems like you are free to do what you please and rules and regulations are easily broken or changed. For example alcohol isn’t supposed to be sold on the Kings or Queens birthdays but it isn’t uncommon to find people continuing to sell beer but serving them in coffee cups to disguise it. I also found myself in the middle of a great big fireworks display at a busy junction in Bangkok with a total disregard for safety; thousands of people crowding around standing no further than 5 meters away. I found myself being hit by pieces of paper and sticks from fireworks and was unable to see them from the smoke, something of which would never happen in the UK as health and safety officials would condemn such an event. Whilst such disregard of safety is dangerous, it can also be liberating and fun and that is how I felt being in Thailand for the first time, liberated from regulation.
Did your feelings change towards Thailand the more times you visited?
Though I still love Thailand, I love Thailand for different reasons from when I first visited. My love for the food and love for the people I befriended has grown which are now the main reasons I like to return. Ironically the things I first liked about Thailand are some of the things I like least about it now. I learned why having some of the rules and regulations in place can be beneficial and having order in place can help you travel more safely and confidently.
What do you like most about Thailand?
Besides from my friends and the people, whom are typically polite and friendly, I have to say the food. My palette has changed and I now love most things spicy and fish sauce now smells nice but to most other people doesn’t. That is because I associate the smell with nice food as it is added to or given as a side condiment to most dishes served in Thailand.
Where do you recommend visiting?
My favourite place is Krabi in the south of Thailand. I don’t much like the Islands if I am truthful so I stay away from them, but I am not your typical traveller. I like Krabi as it is quieter and laid back with fewer tourists. I don’t like travelling to places where you find everywhere is catering to tourists and many of the Islands in my opinion do. Krabi is less like that, so that is why I like to visit there.
What advice would you give someone travelling to Thailand for the first time?
Travel as many places as you can and don’t stick to the typical tourists haunts; they won’t give you a true flavour of what Thailand is about. Embrace street food and try speaking a little Thai. Phrases such as “hello”, “thank you”, “How much?”, “That is a little expensive”, “where are the toilets” will go a long way. Don’t talk about politics or say negative things about the Monarchy. Lastly just enjoy yourself and don’t expect everything to be the same as back home.
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