Traveling Solo in Thailand: 10 Lessons Learned
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I spent 45 days traveling solo in Thailand.
From getting lost in Bangkok to rafting through a bat-filled cave to meditating with monks in Chiang Dao, I learned the hard way so that you don’t have to!
Here are the top 10 things I learned while traveling solo in Thailand:
Lessons Learned from Traveling Solo in Thailand
1. No matter how hot it gets, do not mail your coat home.
It is hot on the Thai islands.
Like: “I-will-never-use-a-coat-again hot.”
Like: “I-am-mailing-this-damn-coat-home-right-now hot.”
The thing is, no matter how hot you get, you will need a coat again one day.
For me, that day came when I traveled to the mountainous northern region of Thailand where — with my warm coat on its way back to the states — I wore nearly every piece of clothing I had to bed.
I am forever grateful to the kind Russian man in the guesthouse next door to me in Pai, who gifted me a pair of wool socks hand-knitted by his grandmother.
2. Your relationship with toilet paper will change while traveling in Thailand.
Toilet paper is a multi-use material in Thailand. You may, for instance, find a roll sitting in ornate baskets on the dinner table meant to be used as your napkin.
More often than not, you will wish you had taken a bit of extra tissue from the table when you find yourself squatting over a toilet with no TP.
Though, at least, in this case, you won’t forget that you cannot throw the tissue into the toilet in Thailand. I think people quit the habit of smoking faster than I quit the habit of flushing my used toilet paper.
To recap: Keep tissue with you at all times, embrace toilet paper as a napkin, and do not throw TP into the toilet.
Bonus Tip: Built for anyone who squats to pee, a Kula Cloth is an essential piece of gear for any backpacker.
3. Pack a small backpack when solo traveling in Thailand.
One of the things you learn when you travel solo for an extended period of time is, well, you. I learned that I am a traveler, but not a backpacker. Meaning, if given the chance, I would much rather roll a suitcase along beside me than strap all of my belongings on my back while marching along in the hot, sticky sun.
That being said, I often felt sorry for the people trying to roll their suitcases along dirt paths on the island, or strapping their bags to the top of mini-vans in northern Thailand.
So, while I am embracing my anti-backpack sentiment, I will bring the backpack again the next time I return to Thailand. BUT, the bag will be small. I mean, really tiny. It’s just not worth it to carry around a big old bag of clothes. Especially when you’re traveling solo.
I felt incredibly safe most of those 45 days traveling solo in Thailand, but when I did feel a bit uncomfortable, it was because I was obviously tethered to a heavy bag that encumbered any swift movement.
Bonus Tip: It costs about $4 USD in Thailand (if that) to have clothes washed, pressed, and returned to you in a five-hour turnaround. There is no reason to carry tons of clothes like I did!
4. You may be surprised by what you discover about yourself while traveling solo in Thailand.
After 45 days of traveling solo in Thailand, I now know that I do not like to scuba dive. But I do like to attend parties alone. This is the exact opposite of what I expected.
I was so excited to learn to scuba dive on the island of Koh Tao! (Getting your scuba certification is basically a rite of passage on the Thai islands.) But I dropped out of scuba school shortly after my first breath underwater. I hated it.
On the flip side, I thought I would hate the Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan, but I loved it – even though I attended alone.
I arrived in Thailand as a somewhat picky eater but left a street-food connoisseur.
You will unlearn yourself while traveling solo. I learned to accept the experience — and my reaction to it — without preconceived expectations.
Read more: My friend Marya at thebeautraveler.com has a great post about what you should do if you get sick while traveling.
5. Shoes off, people!
Everywhere you go, temples, hotels, shops, you name it, you will take your shoes off before entering. Once you get used to this habit it seems so obvious. Why in the world do we ever wear our dirty shoes indoors anyway? Stop the mayhem!
Bonus Tip: Those sidewalks can get hot on bare feet! Tuck a pair of lightweight socks in your bag or pocket.
6. But don’t leave your shoes outside at night in Thailand.
If you want to keep your kicks, it’s best not to leave them outside where stray dogs will carry them away to a hidden stash of shoes in the woods somewhere.
When my right shoe went missing from outside of my scuba resort in Koh Tao, my scuba instructor (before I dropped out) knew exactly where to look.
This particular dog, she explained likes sneakers — and only the right sneaker at that. She found my right sneaker beneath a picnic table and all was restored.
But I got lucky. If your shoe disappears because you left it outside overnight, you’re probably not getting it back.
7. All cash all the time in Thailand.
I brought a global credit card and hid a backup in my bag, remembering the awful experience of being pickpocketed in Barcelona and being without access to cash.
The thing is, I never touched my credit card. Thailand is an entirely cash economy, with the exception of major hotels in Bangkok.
You will show up at hotels elsewhere in the country and be asked to pay in cash. So, a backup cash stash is essential. No credit card is needed except for emergencies.
8. Being a pedestrian = playing frogger
Much like many major cities (I’m looking at you Rome), it is hard to cross the streets of Thailand. You just have to step into the street and hone your long-forgotten frogger skills. If you were born after 1985 and don’t know what frogger is, then you’re on your own. Peace be with you.
9. Things are one intensity level higher in Thailand.
Mild means spicy; spicy means hot; hot means burn your face off.
Yoga for beginners means yoga for intermediates; intermediate means contortionist; advanced means bloody ninja.
A boat taxi down the river means a fast-paced, water-skimming, heart-pounding adventure from point A to point B. You get the idea.
Still, try everything (within reason – please always keep safety in mind). But pace yourself. And pack Imodium.
10. One more?
You will often get asked by servers if you would like just one more beverage. “One more for you?” They are not cutting you off after that beverage. They are too nice for that. And they don’t care if you drink yourself stupid as long as you have cash.
The nickname “Land of Smiles” is totally legit. The people of Thailand are as nice as they come. So, if you find yourself annoyed by something said, it is probably a language barrier. Brush off the irritation and try rephrasing.
Above all, keep smiling.
About the Author
Hi! I’m Jen!
I’m a freelance writer and travel blogger who quit my nine-to-five after my fiancé, Jeff, died of cancer at the age of 40. When he died, I realized that life is just too short to delay our dreams. Since my dream was to travel and write, I now travel and write full-time. Today I wear hiking boots instead of heels and collect experiences instead of things.
