DO’S & DONT’S IN THAILAND

Do take probiotics // I started taking Optibac everyday probiotics back in Feb and swear by them (not sponsored). I've used the travel version in the past and they've worked great so I purchased the 60 day pack and I can honestly say my stomach has been 95% fine, on par if not better than home.

Don’t ever expect to have clean feet // Until I got to the islands my feet never felt clean no matter how much I washed them. You just have to embrace the #grublife.

Do buy tiger balm as soon as you arrive // This stuff is like Vicks on steroids, it sorts everything. We bought so much stuff for mozzy bites, creams/sprays/'zap it' before flying over but I use this every time I get bit and it stops the itching. Also the pollution is real in Asia so rubbing a little on your nose/chest clears your airwaves but also can mask some horrendous smells.

Don’t forget to take out cash // Most places only take cash, especially for things like visa or taxis. We’ve used our Monzo a few times for excursions but there is a slight charge. We've just been getting cash out - watch Bank charges you can go to 3 different ATM machines and get 3 different charges so shop around. Also we recently had our Monzo cloned from an ATM so keep an eye on your account!

Do bring motion sickness and sleeping tablets // These have been absolute life savers. The windy road to Pai? Completed it mate. Popped a pill and slept the whole way. Do pop a squat. 'Squatties’ // Something I was unaware of until one day we stopped at a petrol station and wondered why the toilet was a whole in the floor. Every time I see one I’m still like darn it but you just have to get on with it. (Also learnt recently that you need to face away from the door to avoid peeing on your feet).

Don't forget toilet paper // 95% of toilets here won't have toilet paper as you can't put it in the toilet. I always carry a little pack of tissues with me, including anti bac hand wash cause they don't have soap or anything to dry hands with either!

Do embrace the bum gun // In addition to the above, it's a new experience. Josh wants one installed at home 😂

Do take care in bathrooms // 90% of bathrooms are a wet room and have a shower directly next to the toilet. Josh loves to run the shower then I walk in and nearly go ass over tits on the slippy floor while walking to the loo, go steady.

Do learn the language // I don’t mean enough to have a full blown conversation but a hello and thank you goes a long way to locals - they love it! Do bring purple shampoo // If you’re blonde your hair may go a little yellow - this stuff is like gold dust out here. Or if you do find it it will be ridiculously expensive. Don't go too hard on the Red Bull // It looks like a cough syrup bottle but they are little pocket rockets. And they also give you the weirdest night terrors! Do try the 7/11 toasties // For the equivalent of 60p you can't go wrong. SO good. Petition for these to be sold outside nightclubs in the UK pls. (Below is not my picture as is usually wolfed down in 7-11 seconds)

Don't forget to ask if you're fussy // Coffee here is usually made here 'sweet' with a milk already sweetened. There is sugar in EVERYTHING here. I mean it tastes bloody brilliant but if you're not into the stuff make sure you ask for unsweetened milk (they also use a lot of condensed milk). There are some insane coffee places though if you shop around.

Do barter // I’m all about giving back to local people but sometimes they honestly just say a ridiculous price. Everything you can negotiate. We’ve saved so much money from Josh’s bartering skills..

Do book flights in advance // We found out the hard way. Everyone says internal flights are cheap but if you leave them last minute they really aren’t that cheap. And don’t forget to check it includes baggage. We got stung on a ‘connecting’ flight to Surat Thani. Connecting flights you have to leave the airport and go back into departures so we ended up paying for extra baggage twice. Cry.

Don’t crash your moped into a police car // We were super careful but a little slip and you’re lying on the road with a £300 bill to pay off a policeman.

Do learn to like beer // Cocktails are just not possible on a backpacker budget. I’m slowly easing myself in with a Lemon beer at the moment. I mean silver lining I’m drinking less right? Itching for a bottomless brunch though.

Do eat local // I was a little nervous at first getting street food or eating at local places but they’ve been some of my favourite meals (and save you SO much money). Western or larger places are usually like 150-300BHT (£3.50 - £7.00) a main whereas we typically choose somewhere with mains at 80-150BHT (£1.90-3.50).

There’s also a few different things at restuarants here like Napkins? They don’t exist. It’s a loo roll on your table. But it’s all part of the experience! Do ask locals for recommendations // In addition to the above ask the locals for recommednations. Yeah their stomachs may be stronger but we’ve saved so much money for asking for local places and free places to go visit. It’s really easy to just look at the leaflets for the tourist traps. And finally ... Do be patient // Thai time is a real life thing. Your flight won’t be on time your food will come at separate time but who cares? Just sit back and relax

So sad that time with 7/11 toasties, Pad thai’s, and the nicest Thai people is over. I'll now be forever grateful for a dry toilet seat and toilet paper though.

Abbie JS xxx

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