Unique Things to Discover in Thailand
Each country you travel to always has something very unique to offer. What may seem totally unusual and even weird appears to be very common and widely accepted. You may find that some of the idiosyncrasies that you discover in Thailand are quite hard to grasp for an average western traveler, however, it by no means takes away their usefulness or worth. In any event, be ready to discover some new and unusual things while traveling in Thailand.
Want a snack? Try some insects!
The idea of snacking on an insect may seem like a nightmarish proposition for the squeamish. However, in Thailand, insects are a menu item! Initially, the idea of using fried insects for snacks originated in the northwestern part of the country – Isaan. Today, you can find such ‘delicacies’ as crickets, silk and bamboo worms, water beetles in many metro areas in Thailand, including Bangkok, as well as on the menus in many restaurants. One of the all-time favorites here is grasshoppers. With that said, snacking on insects isn’t quite the common norm, but do not be surprised to come across the full-blown menus of various critters showcased in many restaurants. It is worth giving at least a try – after all most are deeply fried and you may even enjoy the taste!
Toilet paper for napkins
In many countries using napkins for dining is pretty much a given. However such formalities are not so much in vogue in Thailand so be ready to find a roll of toilet paper on your dining table instead when visiting restaurants. It is quite standard so no need to be in shock.
Ice cubes in beer
Thais often add ice cubes to their glass of beer. Although it may seem odd at first, it really comes in handy – in hot and humid weather it will keep your beverage nice and cold. In fact, once you give it a try, do not be surprised that it becomes one of your favorite tricks as well.
Get soaked in Songkran
Those who travel in Thailand in the middle of April will find themselves amidst the Thai celebration of the New Year – Songkran. The part of the celebration includes soaking fellow revelers, as well as pretty much anyone else with water using buckets, water guns or plastic containers. The ‘lucky’ targets may include anyone, even policemen! Anyone is welcome to participate, even the tourists!
Be careful on the roads!
Although traffic laws do exist, following them in Thailand is another matter. Pedestrians do not seem to enjoy the same ‘right of way’ as they do in the western countries. Be mindful of this fact and be very cautious when crossing streets or generally on the roads.
Reckless driving
To continue with the previous point: it is extremely easy to get a driving license in Thailand. This largely contributes to the fact that the country always ranks in the top three in the world with the highest number of traffic-related accidents. You will notice many examples of the reckless behavior especially exhibited by motorcycle and scooter riders: way too many people riding, multitasking, riding with an umbrella in the rain, not using a helmet, etc. Check out these health and safety tips for traveling in Thailand.
Drinks in Plastic Bags
It is not uncommon to see a Thai using a plastic bag instead of a cup as the preferred method of having a refreshment on the go – they find it to be a more cheap and convenient way!
Since I was 7 years-old little girl I went for my first trip to abroad which made me fall in love with traveling and made it my passion for all my life. I like to discover different cultures, people, the way they look and behave according to their traditions, new places and incredible views, new food, and new flavors. And I want to share my discovers with you here in my blog. In addition to it, I'll give you the tips how to make your trip a "varied experience" and how to travel in a cheaper way.
Let's discover the world together 😉
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