Aug 1

Aug 1 Traveling Thailand

Earthlings Love Traveling Thailand

After exploring Japan, we flew out of Tokyo to have a layover dinner at the Hong Kong International Airport, then flew into the Chiang Mai International Airport in Thailand.

The ticket cost about $340 United States dollars aka 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’re exchanging your currency to the Thai Baht aka THB or ฿ at the airport’s currency exchange kiosk. $1 USD equals 30 baht.
Have your passport and the extra currency was hidden away safely, keep about 100 Baht per person handy for quick access.
Apply DEET mosquito repellant
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 bought for the trip from Amazon.

Your best form of travel is a Songthaew aka red car.

The songthaew is a red truck with two bench-style seating in the back that could fit about 8 people.

They’ll drive by honking if they can give you a ride, waive 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 & tell you how much the ride will be in Baht, per person.

If you don’t have a map to show your driver where you want to go, you can tell them a notable landmark nearby and they may know where you’re going. Not all drivers know every nook and cranny of Thailand, so be prepared to explain and show them where you need to go.

The prices start at around 20 baht for a short distance, our ride was 40 baht to our hostel. We stayed 2 nights at Pak-Up Hostel in Krabi that was booked through the Hostelworld app. It cost about 299 TBH which converts to $9.69 USD a night.

Other forms of transportation would run you around 100 baht. The other options are either a tuk-tuk which is a 3-wheeled auto rickshaw that will fit 3 people, or a taxi that fits the standard of three to four people.

Here are some general Thai words I learned that helped bridge the communication gap with the locals.

Hello - sa wat dii
Goodbye - laa kawn
Thank you - kwap khun
Water - nam
Yes - chai
No - mai chai
Toilet - hang nam
Here - tii nii
How much - nee tao rai
Good - dii
My name is - chan chue
No problem - mai pen Rai
Sorry - khaw thot

After exploring Chaing 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 a night.

While in Krabi we visited the Tiger Cave Temple, a Buddhist Temple that’s atop a 278 meter high mountain.

To get to the top of the summit you’ll have to face a grueling 1,260 stairs in humidity, but the reward is getting to experience the presence of a gigantic gold Buddha statue and an unforgettable view of Krabi.

Here’s a few tips if you plan on visiting the Tiger Cave Temple at Wat Tham Sua..

There is a dress code: no bright colors, and your knees and shoulders should be covered. They have cover up rentals for donations if you forget.
There is no fee to enter but bring money to buy bananas to feed to the monkeys.
Eat before you arrive & don’t bring any food with you. The monkeys can smell it in your bag you and will try and get it from you.
Arrive as soon as they open in the morning. We showed up at around 10am and it was already starting to get hot.
Bring an insulated water bottle. There is a water fountain at the top to refill, we were pouring water on ourselves and drinking it all the way up.
Bring a cooling rag or bandana to wet and wear to keep cool.

Be aware of the monkeys, don’t look them in the eyes because it’s a sign of aggression.

The first few levels of stairs is a stomping ground for some of the local monkeys. They can smell if you have food on you and they are not afraid to jump on you and steal your stuff.

Refrain from loose items that can easily be swiped. The monkeys will jump on you and grab your sunglasses or whatever they want and be on their way.

I had a breakfast bar in my fanny pack and when we started up the stairs I instantly had multiple monkeys jump on me. They tried to steal my sarong and then one successfully stole my water bottle. I was mainly focused on them not taking my camera.