Today I’m about to board my flight back to the US. It’s my final morning in Thailand (however, I still have many blog entries to post from my time spent in Chiang Mai, the last few days in Bangkok, and possibly some random thoughts). I’m a little letdown to be leaving, but not as much as I would’ve been in the past. I think this trip has really inspired me to keep saving up until my next trip, and also continue to work on my Thai. I really enjoyed this trip and I had so much. Thailand is really fascinating and I can’t wait until I come back!
Thai people come in all shades. They’re not all super light.
Chiang Mai is good for nature exploring and learning about CM/Thailand history. It’s more of a place to backpack in than Bangkok.
Bangkok is very urban. I had these misconceptions that Bangkok was more rural. But it’s truly the opposite.
A lot of signs, menus, just written stuff is in English (and also Mandarin). This is most likely different the more you go out to the countryside, of course.
Thai food is really good and there is stuff that isn’t spicy.
Thailand isn’t as super “walk-friendly” as Korea is but it’s not impossible. I don’t know why people who travel here don’t like to walk.
Tuk-Tuk and Songthaews are kind of overrated.
You don’t need to take a sleeper train . At the end of the day, what matters is if you want to arrive at your destination while it’s still light out or dark.
Grab is great and it’s better to use that than to try to negotiate a price with a taxi or worry about if a taxi will use its meter.
Depending on which season you go to Thailand during, sometimes it’s not the sun you need to worry about, but the rain. And the mosquitos.
In Korea, umbrellas were sold practically everywhere and anywhere. As soon as a raindrop fell, stores were pushing out their umbrellas. We were in Chiang Mai for the rainy days, and I don’t think we saw a store that sold umbrellas once. There were plenty of ponchos though. (We finally got an umbrella at a 7-11 the second to last day here.)
Umbrellas are also more helpful to protect against the sun.
The 7-Elevens here are pretty neat, but I’ve noticed all the ones I’ve been to don’t have a little dining area inside like the ones in Korea.
I’ve noticed American/European travelers here dress more like “backpackers/hikers” while non-Thai Asian travelers tended to dress up more nicely.
A lot of stray dogs.
Lots of security (malls, subway, etc) around.
The amount of times taxi/tuk tuk drivers who will ask where you’re going/if you need a ride can be tiresome sometimes if you don’t need to use them.
Sticky rice and mango really is the best.
There’s so many other foreigners here.
People are generally nice. And despite the language barrier, they’ll do their best to try to help or explain and (for the most part) not make it seem like it’s a burden.
Research online made it seem like the language barrier was going to be a super difficult issue, but it’s really not. It may feel awkward, but it’s not terrible. Knowing some basic phrases or small words will help some if you’re just visiting here for a little bit.
Even when it’s rainy, it’s still hot.
The humidity is awful.
Roaches are huge.
I liked Bangkok more than I thought would and I’m going to miss it until I come back.
suta shika 