My time in Thailand would’ve been a whole lot more enjoyable had I known these things when I first arrived. Hopefully, you find them useful!
Let’s get started!
1. Massage Shops Nearby
I’ve mentioned this before. Obviously, one major reason why I am in Thailand are the Thai girls, however, if you’re constantly being approached – that’s not fun.
In fact, even if you’re a first-time visitor, after a day or two, you’ll probably find it annoying as well.
Massage shops with girls sitting outside trying to get you to go inside half a dozen times per day, beer bars …
If you have those kinds of businesses just outside of your condo or hotel, it’s an issue.
For me it is, anyway … I get annoyed very, very quickly.
I remember a few months ago when I was testing different hotels in Pattaya. One of the hotels was located in a side street.
There were no other businesses on that street except for a massage shop which I had to walk past to get to the main street.
I’d walk past and get approached. I come back 5 minutes later – I am getting approached again.
Say I would forget to buy something at 7-Eleven … now I am getting approached an additional two times.
2. Motorbike Taxis (High Risk?)
I don’t actually know how risky it is to ride on the back of a motorbike taxi in Thailand.
It just feels like the Wild West, so I rarely use that method of transportation – particularly because there’s no need to.
Wild West means driving on the sidewalk, in between cars, doing risky u-turns and all sorts of other shenanigans.
Compared to regular taxis, the motorbike taxis are cheaper in regards to short distances ONLY. Once you drive for say 10 minutes anyway, the taxi is cheaper.
Even if the taxi would be cheaper, I gladly pay $1-2 extra.
- In Pattaya, I use the Baht bus for most purposes.
- Bangkok the MRT/BTS.
- Phuket, I stay close to Bangla Road and can walk anywhere.
In very rare cases, I do use the motorbike taxi.
Say, it’s late at night, street are empty and it’s short distance anyway. Or for example, I know that on my route I’d have to walk past a pack of Soi dogs, and no taxis around, of course I take the motorbike taxi then.
3. Soi Dogs
In easier terms: STAY DOGS.
Particularly the ones in side alleys (so called Sois) that are very aggressive at night.
I remember, a few years ago, I had rented a Bangkok condo somewhere in the outskirts of the city. There was this long side alley from the main road all the way back to the condo building.
And of course, late at night lots of Soi dogs in that side alley – and they were very aggressive. I always had to time when I left or went back to my condo – looking out for those dogs. Very, very annoying.
I’ve found stray dogs to only be an issue at night and in Bangkok. Never noticed many (at least aggressive ones) in Pattaya and Phuket. During the day – no issues – as they just lie around.
4. Going Out VS. Getting Laid
This isn’t something I do by design, I simply prefer it that way. Not all the time, but most of the time.
When I go out, I want to have fun. I drink (at least recently). I talk to girls.
But not always am I interested in taking a girl home when partying or going out.
Many times, I want a girl on days on which I am NOT going out and am in my condo and feel like it. Kinda funny how that works.
Also, alcohol can be an issue. In my experience, it contributes to having fun but then takes away from the sexual experience (or rather, performance).
5. No Street Food. EVER.
I think I have only ever eaten street food once – and that was years ago. I just don’t trust the hygiene standards – I’ve seen rats run around in the proximity of food carts … not my thing.
Instead, I eat at food courts – that and the occasional 7-Eleven meal. It really depends on where I am staying.
My regular place (long-term condo) is next to a food court, so that’s where I eat 90% of the time.
6. Pack Lightly
Basically, all that I own fits into a bag that qualifies for carry-on luggage. I don’t have 15 different shirts and 5 different shorts – why in the world would I need that many?
If you do laundry say once per week, you can reduce your luggage weight and travel light. That by itself has no purpose but it is practical if you move around a lot.
Say it’s Thursday, I am here in my condo in Bangkok and I decide to go to Phuket for a few days.
Takes 20 minutes to pack, I do online check-in, am the first person to exit the plane, skip waiting for my luggage and am on my way to the hotel.
I remember when I did a trip with a friend a few months ago. He was carrying a backpack + check in luggage. A massive suitcase with mostly unnecessary stuff, clothing, etc. which cost him over $100 with AirAsia.
Then other issues … you want to hop onto a motorbike taxi to get to your hotel, or something similar. Now you can’t because of all the unnecessary shit you’re carrying with you.
I am not saying you should go ultra-light like myself, but maybe reconsider what you really need – and in all probability, it’s not that much.
7. Jaywalking
Crossing the street. Not much to say here, other than that there were at least 2 instances in which I was inches away from being hit by a car.
I cross to the middle of the street.
I look left, I look right … and keep looking right for to long … and almost forgot to look left again before crossing. Literally inches away from being hit.
These days when there’s heavy traffic and no other option to cross the street nearby, I am way more careful. I might even wait on the sidewalk for a few moments, rather than crossing quickly.
8. Caffeine Supplement
Caffeine is my life-blood. Not really, but I like it for productivity, for working out at the gym.
The issue is, I am not a fan of the energy drinks that are available.
All sorts of ingredients that I can’t pronounce, plus sugar, plus this and that. And less convenient than a caffeine supplement.
That’s why I prefer a supplement – either caffeine pills directly from Lazada or a pre-workout supplement with caffeine.
Either is fine with me. I know exactly how much I am taking in terms of dosage, it’s convenient and cheaper than buying an energy drink.
Also, it is somewhat difficult to figure out how much caffeine is in the locally-available energy drinks. It’s not listed on the label, I couldn’t find reliable info online.
Monster energy and the-like they have the mg caffeine listed, but monster isn’t available in Thailand.