Top 5 Tips For A More Authentic Travel Experience In Thailand

Have you recently booked a trip to Thailand? Is this your first time visiting Thailand and you want to be sure that it is as memorable and authentic as possible? Not everyone is satisfied with the typical touristy accommodations, sights, and sounds; for many people, the authentic way to discover such an exotic destination requires you to get off the beaten track. But how exactly can you do that in Thailand? Here we’ll take a look at the five top tips that will ensure you have a more authentic and therefore memorable travel experience when you head to Thailand.

Skip the Large Chain Hotels All Together

The first thing you can do is change up where you plan to stay when in Thailand. Rather than opting for the typical large chain hotels, which there are plenty of, look for something smaller, more intimate, locally owned and operated, and something that just has that authentic Thai look to it.

As an added bonus, these properties tend to be much cheaper, which means you can use that money saved on other aspects of your trip.

Just be sure to do your research in advance, paying close attention to the location of the property, the on-site amenities, nearby attractions and dining, and of course what other reviewers have said about it.

Learn the Language Before You Go

Rather than just hoping to get by with your own English language, you can really amp up the experience by learning the basics of Thai before you go. This will give you the opportunity to actually chat and communicate with locals in a more authentic and intimate way. Ideally, you want to choose a very well structured course that takes you through the basics in a logical way and makes it possible for you to reach that conversational level by the time you head off on vacation.

Sign Up for a Private Tour

While you may assume the best thing to do is skip the popular tourist attractions completely, keep in mind they are popular for a reason. Many of them hold incredible architectural, historical, or cultural roots, so they are still worth checking out. A more authentic twist, however, is to sign up for a private tour with a local guide.

Local guides can give you an insight that the large tour groups just don’t offer. This also gives you the opportunity to customize your itinerary, ask all the questions you want along the way, and ask your guide to inject their own ideas on what places you should visit. They may be able to suggest some must-see spots that are off the beaten track.

Dine at Local Eateries

Much like avoiding all the big chain hotels, you want to stay away from the touristy dining spots. Sure, they will probably serve good food, but it’s not going to be the authentic Thai cuisine that the locals actually eat. In order to experience that, you’ll need to dine with the locals in small restaurants, markets, and other such places.

It can be helpful to do some research on local eateries before you go in order to get some ideas. You can also speak to any of the employees at your hotel and ask for recommendations on where they love to eat.

Speak to People Whenever Possible

The final tip is to talk with the Thai people as much as possible, get to know them, their culture, their country, and all the many things that they are proud of. It’s an excellent way to connect with them and truly experience an authentic vacation.

All of these tips combined will make it possible for you to have that once-in-a-lifetime experience when you visit Thailand.