I first came to Thailand as a stereotypical tourist, trying to maximize fun and excitement with the small amount of baht I had in my pocket.
I consider that experience part of my initiation to the country – sketchy budget hotels and hostels, three times-a-day street noodles and khao man gai (still not tired of it), and low cost ways of entertaining myself, like getting lost in a new neighborhood. Aside from Khao San Road, I avoided what I considered to be the money-sucking tourist traps.
I still carry vestiges of that scrupulous, frugal mentality but with my normal 9-5 day job in Bangkok, I learned to indulge. Despite living on a Thai salary, I love traveling through the country mostly on weekends and long holidays and occasionally for work.
You can find general cultural tips, visa information, and how not to get scammed across the internet. But here I share some of the quirky and lesser-known tips for navigating life as a foreigner as well as some of the random things you notice.
