Thailand: Tips

The law is the law All venues close at 1am or 2am at the latest. Do yourself a favor and don't start arguing with the bartender about “just another round.” He isn't allowed to pour after closing time.

The language It isn't necessary to learn Thai for a short stay - Thai people speak proficient English. Though the writing looks completely alien, it's pretty easy to learn a handful of basic greetings, questions, and numbers. And the Thais will love you for it, even if you don't get the tone right.

High and low In Buddhism, the head is considered the most sacred body part – so do yourself a favor and don’t pat somebody on the head, not even the cutest kid. Accordingly, the feet are a no-go zone: don’t place them on chairs and tables or even point your toes at somebody – it's plain rude.

The food A successful marriage of centuries-old Western and pan-Asian influences, Thai cuisine ranks among the world’s best. The North’s mild food is ideal for novices, while the Northeastern region doles out fresh and very spicy dishes. Southern food tends towards the rich, thanks to Malay influences. Must-tries are pad Thai (fried noodles), tom yam kung (a spicy shrimp chicken soup), yam nua (spicy beef salad) and kaeng phet pet yang (roast duck curry).

Dress up Wear bikini tops and surfer shorts only on the beach. Lose those flip flops and don long pants before entering temples.

Butt out Smoking is not permitted in any air-conditioned restaurant. Exempt are bars and pubs, though the latter tend to allow smoking after 10pm only. Likewise, littering (including throwing butts on the streets) can cost up to $60 – and tourists are likelier to get the highest fines!

Money The Thai Baht (THB) is a fairly stable currency. Major credit cards are accepted by hotels and large shops, but cash is the preferred tender almost everywhere. Traveler’s checks are not widely accepted outside of hotels, so change them for cash at a bank exchange.

Getting around The easiest and most comfortable way to travel in Thailand is by plane (a bus ride from Bangkok to Phuket takes 16 hours!). The trip from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, best experienced on an overnight train, is the one exception; after sleeping in comfy beds onboard, wake up to verdant jungle hills rolling by. www.railway.co.th

Events The calendar kicks off with the Chinese New Year (Feb/Mar). In April, no one escapes being doused with water during Songkhran (the Thai New Year). Phuket’s Vegetarian Festival (Oct) is not for tender souls – Chinese devotees parade through towns performing acts of self-mortification. Throughout the Thai kingdom, hundreds of thousands of ornately decorated banana leaf floats are set adrift in rivers and waterways in a beautiful festival called Loi Krathong (Nov).

History The early Thais migrated south from China, populating the fertile valleys south of the Mekong. The Sukhothai period (1238-1438), Thailand's first dynasty, is considered the golden age of Thai culture. The Thais befriended and traded with neighbouring countries, absorbing elements of various civilizations. The Thai kings of the Ayutthaya Period (1351-1767) expanded Siam's territory, especially eastward towards the Khmer capital of Angkor, but were defeated by the Burmese. After an interlude in Thonburi, the capital was moved to Bangkok in 1782. King Rama III (1824-1851) developed relations with western nations, while King Rama IV (1851-1868) of "The King and I" fame concluded treaties with European countries, avoided colonization, and established modern Thailand. The Constitution of 1932 ended 700 years of absolute monarchy.