Traveling Thailand: Real Tips from Chiang Mai to Krabi
Traveling Thailand
Earthlings Love Traveling in Thailand
After exploring Japan, we flew out of Tokyo for a layover dinner at Hong Kong International Airport, then flew into Chiang Mai International Airport in Thailand.
The ticket cost about $340 United States dollars (USD).
As soon as you get off the plane in Thailand, you’re going to want to have a few things ready:
The money you want to exchange. You’ll be exchanging your currency for the Thai Baht (THB or ฿) at the airport’s currency exchange kiosk. $1 USD equals about 30 baht.
Have your passport ready, and keep extra currency hidden away safely. Keep about 100 baht per person handy for quick access.
Apply DEET mosquito repellent.
Have a map and location details of where you’re staying to tell your driver.
I was prepared with the proper bug spray, water bottle, and other essentials. Click here to see a complete list of everything I brought for the trip from Amazon.
Getting Around Thailand
Your best form of travel is a songthaew, also known as a red car.
The songthaew is a red truck with two bench-style seats in the back that can fit about 8 people. They’ll drive by honking if they can give you a ride. Wave one down like a taxi, and they will pull over if they have available seats.
The driver will ask you where you want to go and tell you how much the ride will be in baht per person.
If you don’t have a map to show your driver, you can tell them a nearby landmark. Not all drivers know every location, so be prepared to explain where you need to go.
Prices start at around 20 baht for short distances. Our ride was 40 baht to our hostel.
We stayed two nights at Pak-Up Hostel in Krabi, booked through the Hostelworld app. It costs about 299 THB, which converts to $9.69 USD per night.
Other forms of transportation run around 100 baht. Options include:
Tuk-tuk (three-wheeled auto rickshaw, fits about 3 people)
Taxi (fits 3–4 people)
Helpful Thai Words
Here are some general Thai words I learned that helped bridge the communication gap with locals:
Hello — sa wat dii
Goodbye — laa kawn
Thank you — khap khun
Water — nam
Yes — chai
No — mai chai
Toilet — hong nam
Here — tii nii
How much — nee tao rai
Good — dii
My name is — chan chue
No problem — mai pen rai
Sorry — khaw thot
Traveling Through Thailand
After exploring Chiang Mai, we flew down to Bangkok for about $54 USD.
After a short time in Bangkok, we flew to Krabi for about $70 USD. We stayed at the Ao Nang hostel for $36.45 USD per night.
Tiger Cave Temple Experience (Wat Tham Sua)
While in Krabi, we visited the Tiger Cave Temple, a Buddhist temple atop a 278-meter-high mountain.
To reach the summit, you’ll have to climb 1,260 stairs in heavy humidity. The reward is a massive gold Buddha statue and an unforgettable view of Krabi.
Tips for Visiting Tiger Cave Temple
There is a dress code: no bright colors, and your knees and shoulders should be covered. Cover-ups are available for donation if needed.
There is no entry fee, but bring money to buy bananas to feed the monkeys.
Eat before you arrive and don’t bring food with you. The monkeys can smell it and will try to take it.
Arrive early. We showed up around 10 AM, and it was already getting hot.
Bring an insulated water bottle. There is a refill station at the top.
Bring a cooling rag or bandana to stay cool.
Be aware of the monkeys. Avoid eye contact as it’s seen as aggression.
The first few levels of stairs are where the monkeys hang out. They can smell food and aren’t afraid to jump on you and take what they want.
Avoid loose items like sunglasses or anything easy to grab.
I had a breakfast bar in my fanny pack, and as soon as we started climbing, multiple monkeys jumped on me. They tried to take my sarong, and one successfully stole my water bottle. I was mainly focused on keeping them from grabbing my camera.
Luckily, I managed to snap a photo while it was happening and ended up with an incredible shot of the monkey that stole my water bottle.
There’s also a photograph of the monkey jacking taking place.. lol
Here are some photographs of calmer monkeys we fed at the base of the summit.
Some of the sculptures, and architecture at the top of the summit…
The view from the top of the summit…
And the best part, the gigantic golden Buddha..
