If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. Comfortable shoes and clothes with a jacket are advisable for scooter riders. You may see a woman wearing a mini skirt with high heels, or a guy with a t-shirt rolled up to his chest to give his stomach some breathing space, but that does not mean it is acceptable to do the same. I wasstranded on Big Buddha for three hoursbecause of this mistake. 8 Things to Avoid in Thailand (and What to Do Instead) Yes, it's a cheap and convenient way to get around the island, but it comes with considerable risks. If you visit Phuket during the hot season, you should wear light and loose clothing. However, if you want to avoid crowds, you should travel to Phuket during the off-season. As for socks, bring a pair of ankle socks with you when visiting a Thai temple or Palace, which you can put on at the temple entrance. Read my first-hand experience of watching World Cup football matches live at the stadiums and the environment outside. Thongs are a NO and might attract the wrong attention to you. Karon. Best Cheap Hotels: Sue@Cozy Guesthouse Kata Bai D. 2. These cookies do not store any personal information. See our information page about avoiding bug bites for some easy tips to avoid them. Even if you manage to find someone who isnt that confident in their language skills, they'll usually know someone who is and will ask them to act as a translator. Visit one more temple only if there is one that particularly interests you due to its history or architecture. Jama Masjid Delhi Foodwalk The fast and the feasts of Ramadan. If your travel plans in Thailand include outdoor activities, take these steps to stay safe and healthy during your trip. Shorts, skirts, flip-flops, and sunglasses are the best combo for Phuket. By all means, visit them for some time. It is not frowned upon to wear shorts in Bangkok as long as you show no protruding body parts. 2023 Hotels.com is an Expedia Group company. I would highly recommend trying it if you can splurge on wellness. I am guilty of doing the same. Read the rental agreement properly, including any fine print they may include, as you dont want to be surprised by them in hindsight. Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine for US Children. Manage Settings Before you visit some of the incredible Buddhist temples in Phuket, you might have a bit of FOMO. Like India, Thai Temples are highly revered religious places, and people are expected to dress appropriately before entering them. If you are going to a risk area, fill your malaria prescription before you leave, and take enough with you for the entire length of your trip. I'm (hopefully) going to Thailand in February for two weeks and am putting my itinerary together. Also, they will promise you it is free, but force you to buy a drink at an obscene price. So, no matter how good a swimmer you think you are, you will probably lose. Thailand is my country. Infants 6 to 11 months old traveling internationally should get 1 dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine before travel. This would be the only time you would consider wearing socks in Thailand other than using a pair of socks at the hotel gym. While one plate probably won't hurt you, the dish is thought to have carcinogenic properties, as the fish can contain parasites that cause cancer of the bile duct. Yes, I can be that. Learn how to become a travel influencer on Instagram? Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans. The beach is a pretty relaxed area. Laundry can be done cheaper at your hotel or guesthouse. Most guys wear swimming shorts instead of trunks when riding a scooter which is fine. You should dress comfortably and do not worry about sudden rain showers. If it is sunny, relax and enjoy but be aware that sometimes it might get chilly because of the strong wind so, take something warm with you to wear when out on the boat. The Big Buddha was built as a tourist attraction, but it is an incredible site nonetheless. Try to schedule flights during daylight hours and in good weather. Safest Places in Phuket 20 Top Safety Tips for Traveling to Phuket Is Phuket safe to travel alone? Crocs may not be everyones cup of tea, but they are a lifesaver in Thailand. Thai Food for First Timers - What You Need to Know About Thai Cuisine These are easy to clean and waterproof. Fish sauce is used like salt here, and chefs consider shrimp paste and oyster sauce vegetarian. For the ladies, it is advised to pack summer dresses, shorts, and skirts. Obey lifeguards and warning flags on beaches. For more information about this message, please visit this page: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One of the most beautiful temples in Thailand is the Grand Palace temple, but you can find many other temples in Thailand without guards or cameras. Remember,Red flags on the beach mean NO SWIMMING. Many types of massages are available in Phuket, and you should try as many as you like. You will find your feet cooked, and you could develop a case of athletes foot. Idyllically calm during the high season, the seas off Phuket get very rough and dangerous from May to October. You can find out about the climate conditions in Phuket by checking the weather forecast before you go. Halter tops and retro-style swimsuits make this very easy to do. Choose lightweight clothes that are cool to wear in the hot, humid climate. When you plan a trip to Thailand, chances are you are wondering what clothes to pack. Please show some sharing love. Carry contact information for the nearest. Sunlight in Thailand may be much stronger than what you are used to preparing for the sun. In addition to frequent showers, using a good antiperspirant is a good idea. Kanom jeen is a common dish in Thailand, with different variations. Theyre interactive and youll almost certainly enjoy it more than ducking as ping pong balls and gerbils fly through the air. Karon is the next region south of Patong and also only a short distance from Kata (see above). When we're constantly bombarded with negative news stories about every corner of the globe, it can make even a peaceful paradise like Phuket seem like a dangerous place to visit. Avoid driving at night; street lighting in certain parts of Thailand may be poor. Make sure you have liability insurance. While it is true that the water from the taps in Thailand is not really safe to drink, no one here is silly enough to make ice cubes with tap water. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies. Wash your hands often, especially before eating. You can also read travel blogs and watch vlogs to learn about the different experiences people have in Phuket. When you stay somewhere private, like at an Airbnb, you could wear any swimsuit you like. In some countries, medicine (prescription and over-the-counter) may be substandard or counterfeit. Taking a bus ride from Phuket airport to Phuket Town can take up to two hours, depending on the bus, route, and traffic. The rest of the island is fine but expensive and very touristy. The good news about what to wear during the high season in Phuket is that casual is always acceptable everywhere. One great thing to eat in Phuket is the seafood, considering Phuket is an island surrounded by the Andaman Sea. However, it would be a lot cheaper if you came dressed correctly at first. Ladies, please wear a bra or a sports bra if that is more comfortable in the heat. I always use it to find vegetarian and vegan restaurants whenever I travel abroad, which has never disappointed me. This dose does not count as part of the routine childhood vaccination series. Learn how your comment data is processed. Good quality t-shirts and cargo shorts are also very acceptable. One of the most common scams youll come across in Phuket is the motorbike rental scam. Sometimes that means dressing modestly, even when you see other persons doing the opposite. Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelry. Poker chips are expensive, but sauce packets are free. CDC Privacy Policy. (Many crashes are caused by inexperienced motorbike drivers.) Patong - best for nightlife 4. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take. Lacy and sheer fabric is a good way to stay cool, but make sure you wear a slip or camisole underneath. Liked the post? Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling: Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen. When you go shopping, stick to the general rules of modesty, wear clean, non-revealing clothes. Do not walk around barefoot in Thailand. Is Phuket Safe? Here's What You Need To Know - A Broken Backpack In many places cars, buses, large trucks, rickshaws, bikes, people on foot, and even animals share the same lanes of traffic, increasing the risk for crashes. You could start at 50-60% of the demanded price at the night market and settle on the price you feel comfortable with. Other than that, Thailand is a modest country even though they are used to under-dressed foreigners. The net may be open because the goalie is out of position or was pulled for an extra attacker. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Talk with your doctor about taking prescription or over-the-counter drugs with you on your trip in case you get sick. The best solution to avoid the motorbike scam in Phuket is to ask your hotel for recommendations. Tour operators will reassure you, saying what it takes to get you to go on an elephant ride, but they are often misrepresenting the truth. Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans. (Our take) Is Phuket Safe to Visit Right Now? Some diseases in Thailandsuch as dengue, Zika, and filariasisare spread by bugs and cannot be prevented with a vaccine. Thailand sometimes appears to have a bad reputation. Wear a long-sleeve shirt, pants, and full shoes if you are a guy. Well, when packing for a country as culturally rich as Thailand, there are a few things that you want to watch out for. The guards at the entrance might refuse your entry if you are not wearing appropriate clothing. White, red, and blue are Thai national colors. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies., link to A Beginner's Guide to Soapy Massage in Bangkok: What to Expect and How to Choose the Right Place, link to Affordable Indulgence: Top Budget-Friendly Soapy Massage Parlors in Bangkok, When going on an island-hopping tour on a speedboat. Always respect Holy sites by wearing appropriate outfits that cover your shoulders and knees. (Bring a helmet from home, if needed.). They are generally all turned up to the max. Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to Thailand. Please dont sit down and put your feet up to point at people waking past or sitting opposite you. Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Revealing swimwear will certainly offend in that area. Always pay close attention to the flow of traffic, especially when crossing the street. Pay attention to the dress codes at temples to not offend anyone. You must leave your shoes outside the temple and enter barefoot; however, the tiled floors at temples get extremely hot in Thailand and can be painful to walk upon. If soap and water arent available, clean hands with hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol). If you are outside for many hours in heat, eat salty snacks and drink water to stay hydrated and replace salt lost through sweating. Follow the insect avoidance measures described above to prevent these and other illnesses. For more information, please see our The average temperatures in Thailand from January to March are around 32 C. And the worst affected are the ones who have submitted their passport as security for the rental. Shower regularly: the Kingdom is hot and humid, and you are likely to get sweaty after a few hours of activity. Consider learning basic first aid and CPR before travel. Loose-fitting clothes are the best because sweating is on the agenda. Since children are more likely to be bitten or scratched by a dog or other animals, consider rabies vaccination for children traveling to Thailand. Here are four occasions when you should pay attention to what you are wearing when in Phuket. Usually, that beach would be Patong, Kata, Karon, or Kamala Beach. Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats. For men, the best everyday wear in Thailand is button-down collared shirts, polo shirts paired with Bermuda or golf shorts. Avoid swimming in fresh, unchlorinated water, such as lakes, ponds, or rivers. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. For more information on what to do if you are sick after your trip, see Getting Sick after Travel. If you need help planning your Phuket trip, read thePhuket Travel Guide. If youre thinking about visiting Phuket, I highly recommend it. perfect day trip from Bangkok using a private car with a driver. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Although bed bugs do not carry disease, they are an annoyance.