Culture & Customs

Etiquette and cultural differences

Experiencing different cultures is one of the joys of travelling and it’s important that these differences are respected.

Knowing a few important customs of the Thai people will help make your visit more enjoyable. Below are some pointers.

• Try not to get angry. Losing face by shouting or becoming abusive is one of the biggest faux pas in Thailand. It is extremely impolite and unlikely to achieve a positive outcome.
• Refrain from public displays of affection, they are considered offensive. It’s extremely rare to see couples holding hands. However, it’s quite common for friends of the same sex.
• It’s polite to remove your shoes before entering a house - look for shoes at the front door as a clue.
• Thais greet each other with a slight bow and a prayer-like gesture, with the younger or lower-ranked person usually initiating the gesture. For foreigners handshakes are acceptable.

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Temple visit etiquette

Foreigners are always welcome in temples. However, it’s important that a few simple rules of etiquette are followed:

• Dress appropriately and act with the utmost respect when visiting Wats and temples.
• Do not wear shorts above the knees or tank tops and make sure your shoulders are covered.
• Remove your shoes and hat before going into a monastery.
• If you sit down in front of the dais (the platform on which the Buddhas are placed), sit with your feet to the side rather than in the lotus position.
• Never point your finger or the soles of your feet towards a person or a figure of the Buddha.
• A woman may accept something from a monk but should never touch a monk.
• Show respect and turn off mobile phones, remove headphones, lower your voice and avoid inappropriate conversation.

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Donations and gift giving

Although there is poverty in certain areas of Thailand, please read the following points about donations and gift giving.

• Do not give money to people begging, especially children. This reinforces the belief that begging is an acceptable way to make a living. If children make money from begging, their parents are less likely to send them to school. Children working on the streets are also vulnerable to abuse.
• However in many places, it is considered acceptable to give to money disabled people or the elderly. Please ask your guide for advise.
• Giving money and goods to beggars can ac-centuate an unequal relationship between locals and visitors, with tourists being seen as purely money givers.
• Do not give sweets to children in villages that we visit.
• Do not feel that you necessarily have to give material things. Sometimes, giving your friendship, time and interest to locals can be the best gift of all.

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Tipping

Tipping is a personal matter and travellers are encouraged to tip any amount they feel is appropriate. For your convenience, we have included a suggested tipping guide below:

• Bellboy: 10-20 Baht per suitcase / bag
• Chambermaid: 20 - 40 Baht per day
• Guides: 100 - 150 Baht per day for guides (depending on group size and performance)
• Drivers: 100 Baht per day, per person
• Restaurants: in smart establishments, you may find that the tip is already included in the bill. In local restaurants tips are not expected but you may wish to leave loose change on the table.

Helpful Tips

Money

Major credit cards are accepted by hotels, shops and most restaurants. The Thai Baht can be exchanged in the UK and ATMs are widely available.

Travellers cheques are generally not accepted outside of hotels, so change them for cash at a bank or official exchange which you’ll find in most tourist spots. 

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Post and telecommunications

The Thai postal service is very reliable. Telephone connections are widely available but not cheap.

A Thai SIM card is a less expensive way of calling other countries, however your phone will need to be unlocked in order for it to work.

Internet access is available in all major tourist places and you will find WiFi in most cafes in urban areas.

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Transportation

Traffic in Bangkok can be very congested, using the Metro or Sky Train is by far the fastest and most convenient way to get around. However these do not cover the entire city.

If using a taxi, try to make sure you get one on the meter. Tuk-tuks are another way of getting around. These motorised, three wheel cars tend to be more expensive than metered taxis and prices are negotiated beforehand.

Please note that we don’t recommend motorbike taxis and they may not be covered by your travel insurance.

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Health and wellbeing

Healthcare in Thailand is some of the best in South East Asia, with most hospitals offering a Western level of service. However be aware that it can be expensive to please make sure you have adequate insurance cover.

Each traveller is responsible for his or her own health. If you have a medical condition or allergy which requires particular attention, please advise us and carry a doctor’s letter that describes the nature of the condition and treatment needed. We also recommend you pack a medical kit.

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Vaccinations

Before travelling, at least two months before departure please contact your doctor for the latest medical advice on the vaccinations you need. 

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Travel insurance (compulsory)

Please ensure that you have adequate travel insurance that covers all activities planned on your trip.

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Price guide

Generally, things are cheap in Thailand. However as a tourist you will get overcharged if you are not careful. Haggling is considered a sport when it comes to non-food products.

Always stay calm and polite and you’ll be surprised at the discounts you may get. Be aware that many items for sale on street stands are counterfeit.

Food
Street food:

• Phad Thai: THB 25 –50
• Rice dish: THB 30 – 60

Restaurants:

• Western dishes: from THB 150
• Thai dishes: from THB 80

Drinks:

• Soft drinks THB 10 – 20
• Beer: THB 50 – 70
• Fruit juice: THB 20 - 30
• Water: THB 10 - 15

Passports & Visas

A visa is not required by British Nationals visiting for leisure for stays of less than 30 days provided you are in possession of a passport with at least 6 months validity remaining and a return ticket to the UK.

For further up-to-date information, please refer to the Thai Embassy website: www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk

Flights

Thailand is serviced by a broad spectrum of scheduled airlines and we have access to preferential rates on all of them.

As part of the booking service we will run through the options available and offer a choice of flights.

We have no affiliation with any airline and so our recommendations with be purely based on your requirements and the best price.

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Which Airline?

Bangkok is one of the best served airports ex. UK with a wide range of airlines that offer direct flights from Heathrow.

Travelling from for example Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow or Edinburgh a variety of airlines offer a 1 stop service.

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Class of Travel

Keen competition means that most longhaul economy flights are a good standard, offering broadly the same level of service, but you may have a favourite or one you would prefer to avoid.

Increasingly popular are the enhanced economy classes with airlines such as British Airways and Eva Air, who charge a more affordable premium for increased legroom and improved service.

The ideal of course is upgrading to the comfort of Business or First and it’s worth getting a range of quotes as offers come and go.

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Stop-overs

There are a wide range of stop-over options. The most popular include Hong Kong, Singapore and Dubai.

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Regional Flights

Those who live close to Heathrow can read on, but for those further away from the capital it may be worth considering a regional flight.

Some airlines have a better regional structure than others and by booking a regional flight through your international carrier you will be able to check your bags through to your final destination.

You will also have protection if there is a problem with your domestic UK connecting flight, as the international carrier will have a duty of care until you reach your destination.

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ATOL Financial Protection

When you book your Ex UK flights with us you will be automatically protected under our ATOL number and so fully protected financially.

You also have the added benefit of having your whole holiday organised by one travel company which should not be overlooked.

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When To Book?

The algorithm that calculated that 8 weeks prior to departure was the optimum time to book a low cost flight doesn’t really apply to longhaul travel.

Generally with scheduled airlines the majority of cheaper tickets are available on a first come, first served basis, particularly around peak periods such as Christmas, New Year and school holidays.

You can book your seats up to 11 months in advance and we recommend early booking to gain the cheapest fares. Flexibility of dates and routes also help if you are looking for the best deals.

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Offset Your Carbon Footprint

It’s well publicised that air travel contributes to the rising levels of greenhouse gases and if you would like to offset your carbon footprint there are a number of organisations that offer the service.

Below are a couple of choices that we think are good examples, planting trees to in the UK and overseas.

Woodland Trust - www.woodlandtrustshop.com/

World Land Trust - www.worldlandtrust.org/eco-services

And Finally

Please remember that when booking your flights we need you names exactly as they appear in your passports including any middle names.