In such large cities as Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket, where there are always a lot of tourists, English is widely spoken, a little French and Chinese.
Those who have never dealt with the tropical sun should remember that noon here is not the best time for sunbathing, since in just 15 minutes you can get a sunburn. A straw hat or paper umbrella for sun protection is a must.
In Thailand, the decimal system of measurement is adopted: meter and kilogram. To measure the area, along with the generally accepted one, the Thai measure is also used – paradise, equivalent to 1600 sq.m. In the north, opium is used as an equivalent, and ancient weights of opium (in the form of dragons, birds, etc.), which are sold in the market in Chiang Mai.
According to GRE Test Centers, it is customary to leave a tip in restaurants and cafes in the amount of 10% if the service is not included in the bill. In hotels, it is also customary to leave a tip in the amount of 50 baht (1.5 – 2 dollars), especially if you liked the service.
Check-out time in hotels is 12 noon. By the rules that exist in almost all hotels in Thailand, you must leave the room before the above time, otherwise you will have to pay for the extra time spent in the room.
Do not buy excursions on the street from dubious volunteer “tour guides”. As a rule, such “services” are connected with the fact that tourists get much more problems than pleasures.
Punishments for the distribution, use and possession of drugs in Thailand are very strict, up to the death penalty.
Communism propaganda, impolite or critical statements about the royal family, the political system and Buddhism are prohibited.
Gambling, sweepstakes, production and distribution of pornography are prohibited by law.
Shopping in Thailand is a pleasure. A huge variety of goods, better than which, due to good quality and low prices, there is nowhere else: Thai silk and cotton, gold, precious and semi-precious stones, handicrafts, porcelain, dolls, bronzes, houses for good spirits, antiques. However, there are quite a lot of fakes, so it is best to shop only in good stores.
“The art of trading” has long been practiced in Thailand in the relationship between the seller and the buyer. So do not be embarrassed and demand appropriate discounts in stores where the prices of goods are not indicated. As practice shows, it is quite realistic to reduce the cost of goods by thirty percent of the originally named price.
For each purchase made, you need to receive an invoice or receipt, and for jewelry, you also need a warranty certificate.
Thailand: Money and currency of Thailand
Baht (THB), the official currency of Thailand, is used to pay for purchases and services. Banknotes are in circulation in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000 baht. On average, at the rate of 12 tenge is 1 Thai baht.
Banks work from 8:30 to 15:30, and exchange offices, as a rule, until 21.00 – 22.00. Euros, dollars and other monetary units are not accepted for payment. The rate of the Thai Baht at hotels and inns is 10-15 percent lower than at exchange points. The local currency is pegged to the dollar, stock up before the trip in conventional units for exchange on the spot. Upon arrival, do not rush to change funds at the first point, check out the exchange rate at your hotel and the nearest exchangers, choose the most suitable option.
Regardless of the currency in Thailand, in most cases you can pay by card, except for small villages. The fee is charged according to the terms of your bank. By the way, if you plan to pay with a card while traveling, do not forget to notify the bank before the trip so that there are no problems with payment: in case of suspicious transactions, the bank may block the card. All popular credit cards are accepted in the country, travelers checks in US dollars are accepted.
Returning home, it is important to know where it is profitable to exchange the Thai baht back into currency; for this, pay attention to the exchange rate in the nearest exchangers in advance.
Thailand: Cuisine of Thailand
The national cuisine of Thailand is one of the main attractions of the country, which attract tourists from all over the world to the Kingdom of Siam. Thai cuisine is famous for its huge variety of delicious dishes, for the preparation of which they take seafood, meat, vegetables and fruits.
When deciding what to eat in Thailand, it is recommended that you first of all pay attention to:
Pad Thai
Fried rice noodles are cooked in a hot wok with chili, garlic, tofu and eggs. Other ingredients include shrimp or any meat of your choice, peanuts, green onions, bamboo shoots, Chinese onion shoots. A very hearty dish that will give real pleasure.
Tom Yum
Spicy shrimp soup is one of the most famous dishes in the country. It is usually made with mushrooms, tomatoes, garlic, cilantro, onion, galangal, lime leaves, seasoned with plenty of lime juice. Due to the composition of the ingredients, it is sour and spicy, but pleasant in taste.
Kaeng Khiao
Thai green curry is another incredibly popular dish in Thailand. Curry consists of coconut milk, green curry paste and chicken. Chicken, if desired, can be replaced with any meat of your choice or shrimp.
Phat-Kaphrao
A popular street food that is one of the top 3 dishes most often ordered by foreign tourists when choosing what to try from food in Thailand. Prepared from meat and seafood fried with basil and garlic.
Laap
A dish that is very loved in northeastern Thailand and which is definitely on the list of those national delicacies that you must try in Thailand. Prepared from fried minced meat, seasoned with herbs and lime juice. Best of all “sounds” in combination with boiled rice. Laap Thais traditionally eat with their hands.
It should be remembered that the national dishes of Thailand are prepared with the addition of a large amount of spices, which in ancient times served as preservatives. If you are not a fan of spicy taste, then when ordering food, do not forget to specify: “no spice”.
