Sep
14
Upon my second visit to Thailand, wanted to write a post from the perspective of a farang (or foreigner). The top five tips to make your visit more enjoyable are:
1. EAT LOCAL (Don’t Be a Coward)
While you might be grossed out by the thought of eating fried scorpions, worms, or cockroaches in Thailand, you shouldn’t be scared to sample the various other delicacies dished out on street corners across the land. From spring rolls and dragon fruit shakes, to delicious coconut puddings and pork ”eyeballs”, there’s so much good food here that you’ll probably never get to try it all. Do yourself a favor and get out of your hotel or guest house and don’t confine yourself to the restaurants packed with Westerners – go explore, try a back alley place, get some pad thai from that dodgy cart, chances are that it’s not only fine, but delicious! Had only one bad experience with street food so far, with a simple solution – if it tastes bad, just toss it. 40B isn’t worth the indigestion.
2. NEGOTIATE (Don’t Be a Dumb Tourist)
While I’m always amazed at how some tourists are stupid enough to think that every price they’re quoted is set in stone (like back home in a Walmart or Müller), understand that all of SE Asia is a bargaining and bartering culture. They will respect you A LOT more if you act that way. It’s up to you, if you want to pay three times the going rate for that tuk tuk ride or that piece of jewelry, I know I don’t (shopping trips to Mexico as a kid, watching Mummie hustle those poor vendors left an impression). I take whatever rate they give me, make a face and suggest a third to a half of that. Only then does the real fun begin. If you reach an impasse, start walking. Chances are they will budge. All that said though, keep in mind, you will still end up paying about double what a local would, but then you probably make much more than $5 a day.
3. SHOW SOME RESPECT (Don’t Act a Foo’)
One thing I absolutely LOVE about the Buddhist mentality is the respect for others that seems to be firmly rooted in the culture. The standard wai is a wonderful thing, a prayer like gesture made with raised hands, used to greet, say goodbye, as well as show respect, gratitude or convey apologies. A Western handshake just seems banal in comparison. On the subject of respect, don’t get so drunk that you’re falling all over the place, like the Aussie this morning that I had to pick up off the ground, because the Thais were only too amused to watch him suffer. When I asked what the guy’s deal was, a local replied: ‘’he want to die in Thailand’’. Don’t be that guy, please! It makes you and by extension, all of us farang look bad. And word to the wise, whatever you do, don’t ever get visibly upset in Thailand, it will only make things much, much worse! I witnessed a Brit on Koh Phan Gan get totally irate at the hotel staff; instead of offering him a discount, the lady slapped the **** out of him and called the cops. Be coo’!
4. LEARN A FEW WORDS OF THAI (Don’t Be an Ignoramus)
I’m constantly amazed by how impressed the Thai seem to be when a farang knows only a few choice words, like khawp khun (followed by khap if you’re a man/kha if you’re a woman) for thank you, sawat dii for hello (same thing), or dai mai, which means can I? A few choice words can open a lot more doors than speaking English ever could. Try it and see for yourself. This is a great habit to develop anywhere you go and is the hallmark of the traveler (as opposed to the tourist). I haven’t been to Finland in almost 10 years, but I still know how to say thank you and hello, and believe it or not, it still comes in handy.
5. DO YOUR RESEARCH (Don’t Be a Package Tourist)
While most other farangs I’ve met are headed to either Koh Samui (the biggest, most overbuilt island in Thailand) or the seedy resorts of Pattaya/Phuket, I’m off to the pleasantly untouristed island of Koh Chang tomorrow. Thais represent 2/3 of the visitors to the island, which is my kind of place. I don’t know about you, but after coming halfway across the world, hanging out with fellow Americans or Slovenians is last on my list of priorities. As for Bangkok itself, pick your neighborhood wisely. My fashionista friend from Argentina and I both prefer Soi Rambutthri, while the Israelis I met are crazy about Silom, with its upscale clubs and restaurants. The beauty of Thailand is that the choices are nearly limitless.
