Thailand advice for solo travellers

If you prefer to travel solo, you’ll find Thailand a great destination to explore. The friendliness of the Thai people and renowned Thai hospitality makes the country one of the most welcoming destinations in Asia. Combined with its established tourist infrastructure and a diverse range of destinations to visit, Thailand is ideal for solo travellers. Internal flights, trains, buses and ferries are all easy to book when you get here making the country an excellent destination for anybody who likes to have flexible travel plans rather than be tied to a specific itinerary. And with Thailand so well-established as a tourist destination for all types of traveller, you have the opportunity to meet people from all over the world and make new friends as you expand your own horizons.

Top tips for solo travellers in Thailand

Thailand is regarded as a safe destination for travellers and the Thai people have a well-deserved reputation for being welcoming to tourists. On average, a million people from the UK and Ireland visit Thailand each year and the vast majority do so without incident. And the fact that Thailand has such a high repeat rate of visitors — around 70% of visitors from the UK and Ireland are repeat visitors — demonstrates how welcoming the country is.

Travelling by yourself can force you to get out of your comfort zone and you will learn more about yourself just as you will learn new skills and experience new cultures. For all visitors to Thailand, but especially solo travellers, keep these tips in mind:

• Keep your wits about you. Be open to new experiences, but use common sense and don’t do anything you wouldn’t do at home.
• Learn a few Thai phrases.
• If you’ve never ridden a scooter or motorbike before, Thailand is not the place to learn. Although Thai youngsters make riding a motorbike look easy, the road accident statistics reveal a different story. Unfortunately, too many tourists add to the statistics and travel insurance will not always cover you.
• Keep your eye on your drinks if you’re in a bar or a club and don’t accept drinks from strangers.
• Don’t put valuables in a bag that goes in the luggage hold. Keep your valuables securely on your person when you travel on buses and trains.

Me, Myself & Thailand: Advice for solo female travellers

Solo travellers planning a trip to Thailand can download the free digital guidebook, Me, Myself & Thailand. Although the guidebook is focused on solo female travellers, there is lots of handy information in there that all tourists may enjoy reading with six destinations covered:

• Bangkok
• Chiang Mai
• Kanchanaburi
• Nan
• Nong Khai
• Phuket

Me, Myself & Thailand includes advice about travel and accommodation in addition to tips about local culture and community-based activities to enjoy. You will also find ideas for itineraries together with tour programs which have been tested by a combination of responsible tour operators, female travellers and travel industry professionals.

Download the guide Me, Myself & Thailand from this link:
https://tourismproduct.tourismthailand.org/content/422

Advice for first-time visitors to Thailand

If you’re travelling to Thailand for the first time, take a look at the links below for a handy round-up of advice and top tips to be aware of.

Advice for first time visitors to Thailand
Thailand do’s and don’ts
Thailand travel tips and advice for solo female travellers

Learning a few words of the Thai language can be a fun way to break the ice and try not to take yourself too seriously when you are here. It may sound trite, but a smile really does go a long way in Thailand. Although minor cultural faux-pas will often be ignored, respecting Thai culture and making an effort to understand Thai etiquette will make your visit more rewarding. Hiring a registered tour guide or joining a cultural trip such as those arranged by Expique or Local Alike can be a wonderful introduction to Thailand and Thai culture.

When and where to go in Thailand

Take a look at our destination pages for travel ideas about where to go and visit our Ask the Expert section for more inspiration. And for advice about the weather in Thailand, check out the information here about the best time to visit Thailand or click on any of the monthly guides below.

Have you experienced Thailand as a solo traveller? Share your stories with us on Facebook and Instagram and help inspire others to enjoy #AmazingThailand.

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