Professor Bear: The Complete Thailand Holiday Q & A

Dr. Theodore (Professor Bear) 7 min read

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Thailand is one of the best places on the planet for a holiday and one of the most visited 🧐 People from all around spend holidays here and take back unforgettable memories.

Did you know that in 2018 alone, almost 35 million foreign visitors 👓 holidayed in Thailand? Amazing figure, right? It only proves that no matter what curve balls Thailand needs to swerve, it always comes out smelling of som tam ... I mean roses. 

Here is the complete Thailand holiday Q&A with Professor Bear so you don’t get your 'mai pen rai' mixed up with your gammy eye 💯

Understanding the Thailand Basics

Q: Are there poisonous animals or insects in Thailand that I should be concerned about?

A: Unfortunately, there are some poisonous/dangerous animals and insects 👓, but you wouldn’t stay awake at night mulling over the issue on your Thailand holiday. If you are staying in a major holiday destination in Phuket, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok), Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, and so on 📜, you won’t come into contact with any. You might see the odd snake, but they tend to keep to themselves and want no bother, which is excellent because that is precisely how we feel about them. 

The Kingdom is home to some dangerous jellyfish, snakes, scorpions, centipedes, and so on. However, unless you are staying in a jungle environment or are swimming where you shouldn’t, everything will be okay 🧐 You might encounter a few snakes and black widows on Walking Street Pattaya or Pattaya Beach Road. Still, they will likely be of the human variety. 

Q: Is walking the streets of Thailand late at night safe?

A: You can find trouble anywhere if you are looking for trouble! Every time something happens to a Westerner in Thailand, the story always makes the international news 🧐, which gives people the wrong impression of the safety of a Thailand holiday. I have lived here for over a decade and have never encountered a problem walking the streets at night. The answer is unequivocal YES. IT IS SAFE! 💯 

Q: Can you drink water in Thailand directly from the tap?

A: If you don’t want to spend a day talking on the porcelain telephone to God, it is suggested that you do not drink tap water in Thailand 🧐 It won’t kill you or anything like that, but with bottled water under 10 THB from the shop, no point in ‘testing the waters' so to speak! Did you see how I did that? 

Q: What is the voltage of electricity?

A: You thought all these questions would be interesting, right? WRONG. This one is a practical Q&A that could save your power adapters from blowing up or 🧐 some other unfortunate electrical incident. The electric voltage in Thailand is 220 volts, 50 cycles per second. In Thailand, you mainly use a 📎 two-prong plug. If you want to bring your electrical items, such as a laptop computer or some torturing device, ensure you get a converter! 

Essential Things to Know for your Thailand Holiday

Q: In emergencies, are the standards of hospitals any good?

A: Before hospital standards are discussed, you must ensure that you get a proper holiday insurance plan 🧐 The plan covers all unforeseen events, especially medical ones. We don’t want to curse your Thailand holiday or put the voodoo hex on you before you get here. 

However, having the appropriate insurance coverage can save you tens of thousands of dollars ... NO JOKING 👓! Thailand is home to some of the best international hospitals you will ever see that are more akin to 5-star hotels. The Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok) chain of hospitals has facilities in every major tourist city, but the prices are pelvis-shattering, so ensure you are covered. 

Q: Is it okay to rent out a motorbike in Thailand?

A: If you do not have an international driving license, we would say NO, do not rent a bike. You can rent one with your passport alone. Getting caught by the numerous police checkpoints in Thailand without a license can get you a fine 📜 Sometimes, even in more hot water, depending on how the police feel that day. With cheap taxi and car rental prices, avoid motorbikes if possible. 

Q: What happens if I get into a heated discussion with a local person?

A: Thai people are amicable and courteous. If you shout at them in the middle of the street or make them embarrassed in front of other people, you might end up in a fight. If you get into a heated discussion for any reason, stop what you are doing, smile, and everything should be okay 🎓 Do not lose your temper in public when dealing with locals. 

 Quick Trivia!

There are so many colors of Thai culture, some of which are the festivals celebrated yearly. Although there are many festivals, some of the most famous ones are the Water Festival, locally known as Songkran, Phi Ta Khon (Ghost festival), Yi Peng (lantern festival), and many more.

Thailand Holiday Information You Must Know

Q: If I want to book a tour, are there trusted agents?

A: If you are staying in a hotel, it is suggested that you use the tour desk kiosk in the lobby for your tours. They can easily organize them for you with minimal fuss 🧐 If you stay in a Thailand holiday villa, you can ask the staff for tour guide recommendations. There is a cacophony of tour desks in every major Thailand holiday destination that is truthful mainly and honest. 

Q: Are supermarkets and shopping malls closed on Sundays?

A: No, not at all. Things in Thailand do not stop on Sundays, and even central shopping center banks will be open on Sundays, too. So, nothing to see here; move along! Although you can check out our list of Bangkok's Top 10 Most Popular Shopping Malls. 👓

Q: Is it okay to use my credit cards in Thailand?

A: Major outlets and shops will all accept credit cards, just like any Western nation 🧐 However, many restaurants on the low scale do not accept cards and will only accept cash payments. 

Q: Will I need to speak Thai to get by on holiday?

A: You will be okay with English in major tourist destinations such as Pattaya, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok), Koh Samui, Chiang Mai, Koh Lanta, and more. The Thai language is complicated, and it is not easy to master the basics. If you are traveling through local Thai towns and cities, you might need to take a translation book, just in case 🎓

Frequently Asked Questions about Holidaying in Thailand

Q: Are dental services in Thailand of a high standard?

A: They most certainly are. Thailand is known for having one of the best dental tourism scenes in the world. The dental treatment centers and specialists are top-notch and, in most cases, are geared to the influx of foreign tourists 🧐 Dental treatment prices in Thailand are approximately 60% lower than in Europe, Australia, or America. It is why so many westerners visit the Thai dental tourism scene for dental tourism vacations. 

Q: Do I need to haggle whenever I buy something in Thailand?

A: Generally speaking, only on market stalls. If you purchase goods in an international mall that has standard shops, the prices will be tagged and fixed, so bartering isn’t needed 👓

Q: What is the best form of transport to travel around Thailand?

A: We would suggest renting out a taxi driver for 1,000 to 2,000 THB per day for your Thailand holiday 🧐 Or rent a car of your own for a similar price, but make sure you have an international driving license. If you want to try an adventure and use the bus when traveling to places, then you can do so.

When planning your holidays in Thailand, you must know most answers to your questions beforehand for a hassle-free tour 🧐 The above Q&A will answer almost all your queries regarding your travel to Thailand.

 Vocabulary Time!

Beforehand
: before an action or event; in advance

Cacophony
: a combination of words with loud, harsh sounds

Courteous
: polite, respectful, or considerate in manner

Mulling
: to think about or consider

Numerous
: tremendous in number; many