Thailand

Asia

Overview

Average Costs  |  Being Vegetarian  |  Useful Local Phrases  |  Tipping Practices  |  Coffee  |  What to Wear  |  Photo Gallery  |  Articles & Adventures  |  Blog Entries
 

Yep, I've been here! Information coming soon!

Average Costs

The daily total includes all lodging, food, booze, transportation, sightseeing, visas, etc. I don't include the money I spend on gifts for friends and I do not include the flight price.

Being Vegetarian in Thailand

After you learn a few key phrases (like no fish sauce), you're good to go. You probably need to steer clear of the soups and curries since they will have chicken/fish stock or shrimp paste in them, but you'll have a lot of noodle, rice, and vegetable dishes to choose from.



There's a vegetarian festival during the ninth month of the Chinese lunar calendar (Sept/Oct), particularly in Phuket.

Vegetarian Dishes


Pad Thai (ask for no fish sauce), Pad See Ew, veg fried rice, thai omelet with rice

Thai Vegetarian Phrases

Language Meaning Phrase / Pronunciation

Thai

don't want fish sauce mai sai nam plaa
my sai nam plaa

food without meat mang sa wirat
maang saa WEE-rat

Useful Local Phrases for Thailand

Language Meaning Phrase / Pronunciation

Thai

thank you kap kun kaa (fem.) (krup male)
kawp koon kaa (kap)

no spicy mai pet
my pet

hello sawat di kaa (fem.)
Just like ti looks but the T is soft and all three syllables go down in tone

hello sawat di krup (male)
Just like ti looks but the T is soft. The first two syllables go down in tone and the last one goes up. Krup is more like kap.

1 one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten (nùeng), ๒ (sŏng), ๓ (săm), ๔ (sì), ๕ (hâ), ๖ (hòk), ๗ (chèt), ๘ (pàet), ๙ (kâo), ๑๐ (sìp)
nueng (flat), sawng (like a question), saam (like a question), see (down, like sad), hah (high low), hoke (flat), jed (flat), ppaed (down, like sad), gaao (high low), sip (flat)

1,000, 10,000, 100,000 ๑๐๐๐ (nueng pahn), ๑๐๐๐๐ (nueng mueon), ๑๐๐๐๐๐ (nueng saen) 

10 ten, eleven, twelve ๑๐ (sìp), ๑๑ (sip-et), ๑๒ (sip-sawng), etc.  

10 ten, twenty, thirty, etc. ๑๐ (sìp), ๒๐ (yee-sip), ๓๐ (saam-sip), etc.  

100 one hundred, two hundred, three hundred, etc. ๑๐๐ (nueng roi), ๒๐๐ (sawng roi), ๓๐๐ (saam roi), etc. 

Tipping Practices

It is not a tipping culture but small change is appreciated in the correct circumstance. People here will not ask for tips as they do in most countries.
Taxis:
It is typical to give the driver the extra change from the fare.
Restaurants:
Tipping is generally not expected unless an upscale restaurant. Then tip 5 - 10% or just the loose change (50-100B is fine) unless the service charge is already on the bill, then do not tip. Do not tip at street stalls or restaurants where there is limited service (you fill your own water or wait staff only drops off food). Food delivery - no tip is fine, or 10-50 B max.
Budget Hotel:
Do not tip
Other:
Spa services - many tourists are tempted to tip for spa services but it is not necessary. If you must, 50-100B is plenty.

Coffee

Yep, you're probably going to get some sort of instant coffee here and it will be black unless you ask for milk which they may or may not have and even then it might be powdered. They have recently started serving iced coffee milk which is more like Thai iced tea style with sweetened milk. Sweet, refreshing, and yummy. (ice cofi milk)

What to Wear

Although it is getting more and more lax in some areas, Thailand is still quite conservative. In Bangkok you can wear shorts and spaghetti strap tank tops in the main tourist areas, but otherwise you should keep that kind of dress for the beaches. In temples you should always cover your arms and legs (women in particular). It's not mandatory in all wats like it used to be but you should be respectful and cover up. Even when in town in beach areas, you CAN wear skimpy clothes but you won't see the locals doing it. In some areas (smaller towns) the locals still swim in shorts and a shirt so keep an eye on your surroundings and don't be the only one in a tiny bikini. You'll want at least one long-sleeve item for temples, to protect from the sun, and in the evening for mosquitoes.

Photo Gallery

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Articles & Adventures

Helpful information and fun adventures!

Blog Entries

More of a personal nature, my un-related diary-like (hmmm or blog-like?) daily thoughts and activities; the things that don't warrant their own article/adventure post.

I Can't Say It Enough - Don't Travel In High Season!
Aug 29, 2026

So frustrating when I don't have a choice. Could be worse problems, but still.

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I Felt So Happy it Stopped Me in My Tracks and I Sat Down and Cried
Feb 26, 2026

Wow, when you realize you haven't had that emotion for over 4 years, it hits you like a wave. Then the sudden realization that you might quite possibly be dead.

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I Have Finally Recovered Enough to Travel Solo!
Feb 25, 2026

It's been a very slow recovery after getting sick and now, this very trip is my first successful solo travel in over 4 years.

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Higher Prices, Online Reservations, It's a New Style of Traveling
Jan 29, 2026

Sorry to spew a little negativity, but having to plan everything ahead of time is a little frustrating.

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Taylor Came to Thailand for Her Birthday
Sep 30, 2000

Not too many kids get to fly to Thailand for their 7th birthday! It was our treat to have Steve's daughter visit after many months on the road.

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Hill Tribe Trek out of Chang Mai
Sep 15, 2000

Seldom liking tours at all, this one in Chang Mai turned out to be exceptional since we happened to be there for their yearly celebration.

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The Thais Are Such Happy People
Aug 22, 2000

Our first introduction to Thailand couldn't be better. Perfect secluded beaches, interesting history, caves, and fun in the city!

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Kanchanaburi, the River Kwai, and the Bridge Over It
Aug 16, 2000

Aug 16, 2000, Starting Off at the War Cemetery I woke to an incredible sunrise with the orange sky reflecting off the rice paddies and white eg ....

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