Phüket, Thailand

It's official! Tis time for the PipÜdo's and the Üdos-in-law to plan a voyage to the mother country! FUNNNN!! June and July will mark the months of travel abroad. In preparation for my first trip to Asia I'll be posting myriad articles on Thailand - it's customs, it's craft, it's culinary delights! So fun! Also stay tuned for packing tips and warm weather wear... In the meantime, I'll be phsyically getting myself into shape for hiking, biking, and bikini-ing! Weeeee... Here we go go go!

Tipping is not commonly or traditionally practiced in Thailand although it is becoming more widespread as a result of foreign influence. Tips are sometimes expected in the more expensive restaurants, hairdressers and for hotel porters. Don’t add a tip in hotel restaurants (where a service charge is added to the bill anyway) or in street restaurants. Taxi fares should be rounded up to the nearest 5 or 10 baht.

When it rains and floods in Bangkok, don’t bother putting on a heavy raincoat. Slip on something light and cool, a pair of plastic shoes and take your umbrella, just like the Thais.

The temperature in Bangkok sometimes gets up to 40 degrees with high humidity. If you’re sightseeing, take along plenty of bottled water to avoid dehydrating. Sunglasses and sunscreen are a must at all times.

Be wary of the ice in cold drinks. Ice often comes from unhygienic sources and is best avoided. The ice cubes with holes through them are generally OK.

When you’re eating out in the evenings, watch out for mosquitoes. Ask the waiter to put a mosquito coil under the table to discourage them. Wearing pale colored slacks and mosquito repellant will also keep them at bay.

Sightseeing in the heat all day can be exhausting, physically and mentally. Rejuvenate yourself with a traditional Thai massage at one of the many shops around town or at your hotel. A two-hour massage costs less than 10 dollars at one of the massage parlors in Bangkok’s Surawong Plaza. Upcountry it costs even less.

A good way to escape from the heat for a while is to go in a barbers shop and get a haircut. Most places will include a soothing shampoo and scalp massage. The cost? About 5 dollars.

If someone approaches you on the street offering to sell you something such as gems or jewelry, just smile and walk away. Go in a shop and buy them instead. They’re more likely to be genuine and you’ll probably get a better price.

Don’t get angry when someone on the street shouts “hey you” to attract your attention. They don’t realize they’re being impolite. “You” is translated from the Thai word “khun” which is a normal and polite form of address in Thai.

Don’t be surprised if someone addresses you by your first name, like Mr. David or Miss Jennifer. The Thais normally address one another using first names only, usually with the title ‘Khun’ in front. Surnames are not commonly used as a mode of address.

You’ll notice after a short while in Thailand that Thais have three names—a first name, a surname and a nickname. The nickname, usually something short and catchy like Noi or Lek, is given at birth and is used universally among family members and close friends.