Updates often!
We’re giving you some basic but useful tips to make a note of before you start your adventures.
1. Emergency phone numbers:
1669 – if you’re taken ill, involved in an accident or injured, lost when hiking or following trails etc, this is the 24 hour emergency number to call. The responses are handled by highly trained volunteer services, including paramedics and ambulances. They even dealt with nuisance snakes!
There are likely to be language issues in some areas, if that happens call this next number.
1155 – The Tourist Police 24 hour hotline, they have multilingual responders. You can also down load the Thailand Tourist Police app (which links to 1155) from the main app stores. If they don’t have officers nearby they will coordinate with the local police and/or the 1155 units.
191 – The 24 hour emergency number for the regular police. Outside major tourist areas you may encounter language problems. Local people will call if they see something serious has happened. (That applies to 1669 above too.)
1193 – Highway Police are responsible for traffic and crime on main highways, expressways, and motorways. They will often assist travellers with minor vehicle problems too.
1672 – Tourist Information Service
Get a low cost eSIM before you travel. Save time and money, and be connected the moment you arrive!
2. Some Basic Words
You’ll hear some people using Thai Words even when speaking English, here’s a few and what they mean.
Klong – means canal, it is also used in some place names.
Songtaow – In Pattaya also known as a Baht Bus. They’re covered pickup trucks with two rows of seats in the back, most run on fixed routes like a bus, you pay the driver when you get off. Fares are quite low. An empty Songtaow can sometimes be hired like a taxi but it’s probably better to use a taxi, Bolt, or Grab for that.
Motorcyk – literally a motorcycle. Often referring to motorcycle taxis (‘Win’ – in Thai). Often but not always running on fixed fares to local destinations. Riders wear a distinctive jacket and are supposed to be properly licensed and insured.
Wat – Temple, in the wider sense of covering the whole compound and all it’s buildings etc. It’s not a single building.
Soi – In the strict and normal sense it means a side road off a bigger road.
Samlor – A three wheeled vehicle (Samlor means ‘three wheels’), pedal or motor powered. Some are used as taxis. But the famous TukTuk isn’t usually referred to as a Samlor despite having three wheels. Confused yet?
3. Some FAQs
Thailand has 77 provinces, all the provincial capitals have the same name as the Province it’s in. It can be a bit confusing sometimes.
If you want to hire a car in Thailand, rent from known reputable companies. The law requires that you have a driver’s license and international driver’s permit (IDP) from your home country, and that the car is insured as a rental vehicle.
Check very carefully what the insurance covers and what it excludes (there’s often a damage waiver fee of around 5000 baht or more). Also check the car for damage inside and out before signing anything – make a video of the inspection in case of any problems when you return the car.
There are quite a few toll roads across the country, mostly Tollways (sic), Expressways, and Motorways. Have cash handy as although passes and apps are available to locals, they’re not available to tourists. Taxis and private transfers may or may not include these tolls in their quoted prices, so check first before booking.
If you hire a car and use any toll road as mentioned above, and encounter an “M Flow” lane DO NOT enter it, follow the “Cash” signs to the toll booth, also don’t queue in the Easy Pass or MPass lanes. (Signs are in both Thai and English).
Most direction signs are also in both Thai and English, but in smaller communities some will only be in Thai.
Renting a scooter or motorcycle is one of the most dangerous things you can do in Thailand, the accident rate is one of the highest in the world, and 70-80% of accidents involve scooters and motorcyles
The same license rules for cars apply to your two wheeler as well, plus you must wear a safety helmet, both to be legal and to maybe save your life. Police officers regularly operate check points and will stop anyone riding a two wheeler.
IMPORTANT – some travel insurance companies many not cover hospital bills if you have an accident, whether it’s your fault or not, some will only give partial cover. The English language press in Thailand have endless reports about seriously injured tourists unable to pay hospital bills because their insurance didn’t cover them.
If you plan to enter a temple or any palace, make sure you take your shoes off first, and men should wear long pants, and women should cover their tops, and wear a skirt, or pants, that cover the knees.
If you have some reason to visit a government office (such as Immigration etc) dress in smart casual wear, as this shows respect. Don’t expect government officials to speak English, some can but many can’t. Ask for a Thai person to go with you.
Before booking any hotel or visiting any tourist attraction, it’s always a good idea to read the reviews on Google maps, Tripadvisor, hotel booking websites etc. Be prepared!