I absolutely love traveling. Something about the experience brings joy to my soul and peace to my heart and mind. One of my favorite places to travel in the entire world is Thailand. I visited Thailand for the first time back in 2018 and this Southeast Asian country is simply magical in my humble opinion. However there are some big differences between Thailand and my native country, America as you could imagine. Here are seven of the things I wish I knew as an American traveling to Thailand for the first time.

Toilet Paper and Paper Towels

Let’s get right into it. The biggest difference that was a shocker to me as an American visiting Thailand for the first time was toilet paper. Yes you read that correctly – toilet paper. In America we are able to flush pretty much anything (give or take) down the toilet, including toilet paper. In Thailand you can not. There are signs in every toilet stall in Thailand warning you not to do so. You will definitely find toilet paper in toilet stalls – however instead of flushing it, the proper protocol is to throw it in the garbage. Don’t get me wrong the World won’t end and your toilet won’t blow up if you do slip up and flush toilet paper every now and then. However it is important to know the septic system in Thailand is very different from the one in America. The septic system in Thailand simply can’t handle volumes of toilet paper as Americas’ can. Be warned, if you do flush toilet paper it can lead to your toilet backing up and overflowing. As you can imagine, this could be quite embarrassing and pretty messy, to say the least.

You maybe wondering how to clean yourself after handling your business in the toilet stall. Enter the bum gun. Think of this as a poor man’s bidet. There are water hose guns with spray attachments in each and every toilet in Thailand. Personally, I kinda of prefer this to toilet paper. Initially the concept took some getting used to, but I found it to be super cleansing for my nether regions. 

Removal of Shoes and Washing of Feet

Speaking of cleanliness, in Thailand expect to wash your feet and remove your shoes – a lot! It is common place in Thailand to take off your shoes before entering any place of business or before entering a residence. Shoes racks are located outside of places that require you to do so. One important note here, there’s no need to worry about someone stealing your shoes. In my experience – Thai people are deeply respectful and honest. I’ve never had anyone take my shoes by accident or had them stolen. On top of removing your shoes, many places have foot washing stations equipped with soap and brushes for you to clean your feet throughly. 

Dress Code

Next on the list of things I wish I knew as an American traveling to Thailand for the first time is the dress code. Men and women across Thailand tend to dress pretty conservatively. It’s pretty rare to see Thai women showing mid-drifts, navels, upper arms, full bare legs, or clothing that reveals too much cleavage. It’s also considered a crime for me to drive a motorbike or vehicle without a shirt. Thailand is a Buddhist country primarily. One visit to Thailand and you’ll quickly realize there are temples everywhere you look. As it relates to dress code, revealing clothing of any kind is absolutely not allowed inside temples. There are signs posted at the entrance to every temple advising visitors of the dress code. If visitors are not dressed appropriately they are asked not to enter or to purchase a sarong to cover up.

Transportation

Planes, trains and automobiles exist in Thailand – as they do everywhere. However one thing that surprised me as an American traveling to Thailand for the first time was the abundance or motorbikes. Just as temples are everywhere in Thailand, so are motorbikes. Literally everyone has one. They’re super fun to ride too! One important thing to mention – because motorbikes are so common, it’s tempting to rent one to navigate town. However please know Americans must have an international license to drive motorbikes or any vehicles in Thailand. If Thai Police catch you driving a motorbike without one, it will result in hefty fines. As of September 2022 the fine for being caught without an international license was between 500-1,000 Baht. I’d recommend playing it safe and downloading rideshare apps like Grab or Bolt. These apps operate just like Uber or Lyft in America; you can pay someone to drive you around town and you can even be picked up on a motorbike! Motorbike rates are beyond cheap too. While in Chiang Mai I was able to book motorbike Grab rides for as low as 50 Baht or about $1.50 USD.

Air Quality

The fifth thing I wished I knew as an American traveling to Thailand for the first time is the condition of air quality. Don’t get me wrong, the air isn’t toxic in Thailand by any means. However there is a noticeable difference in the air quality between Thailand and America.The latest studies show air pollution in Thailand is caused by three main factors: vehicular emissions, industrial emissions and lastly, agricultural fires and forest fires. I recently spent five days in Bangkok Spring 2023 and well into day three I couldn’t stop coughing. The air quality and pollution affected me so tremendously. Pro-tip if you have any type of respiratory conditions come to Thailand prepared.  I’d advise wearing a mask anytime you go outside. Additionally, make sure you think ahead and stock up on allergy medication like Claritin or Zyrtec and cough drops. You’ll also want to invest in a nasal inhaler and a Neti Pot – trust me they’re lifesavers. If you do happen to forget any of these items before your trip to Thailand – don’t fret. Pharmacies are located all over cities in Thailand and you’ll be able to find any of these items there. 

Cannabis Is Legal

Speaking of smoke, cannabis is legal across the entire country of Thailand. This is a fairly new policy though. Initially in 2018, Thailand became the first Southeast Asian country to legalize medical cannabis. The country then followed that up in June 2022 by legalizing the growing of marijuana and its’ consumption in food and drinks. Cannabis dispensaries started popping up around Thailand as early as April 2022. Now you’ll find them all over the city. 

Street Food

Regardless of your stance on marijuana, I’m sure everyone can agree that the food in Thailand is delicious! There’s also a plethora of it on every corner, especially street food. In America street food really isn’t a thing; unless you’re talking about a hot dog or popcorn stand. In Thailand you can find any food your heart desires from chicken skewers, ribs, pad thai and everything else in-between. All of it is delicious.

Summary

Thailand’s nickname is ‘The Land of Smiles’ and for good reason too! This country is brimming with culture, incredible food, gorgeous sights and endless things to do. I truly hope this article helps prepare you for your next trip to Thailand. Cheers!