FAQs

Question

Can I bring a cell phone/can I buy a sim card there?

Answer

Of course! Thailand offers tourist sim cards which allowed x amount of data, messaging and minutes. In Thailand, it's rare for people to use SMS texts and instead resort to iMessage, Line, WhatsApp, etc. The sim cards range from $10-$30 each. $30 will get you 10 GB good for 30 days! You can also re-up data at most malls (I've purchased another 15 GB of data for an additional $30). Sim cards can be purchased at the airport from carriers such as AIS, TRUE, or DTAC. Just be sure that your existing phone is unlocked for international use or you have a spare phone that is unlocked. If you don't have an unlocked cell phone, no problem! AIS offers a pocket wifi that you can purchase for $50 and data is less than $3 a week.

Question

What do I do about currency?

Answer

We recommend to exchange currency in Thailand (the airport has pretty decent exchange rates) and carry smaller bills (eg. 20 baht, 50 baht, 100 baht). There is also baht coins so try to get rid of as many coins as possible. Products and services are relatively cheap in Thailand so make sure you plan accordingly! A large solo sized cup of fruit is usually 30 baht (<$1 US) and elephant pants are usually 200 baht ($6 US). Meals range anywhere from $1.50-$5 US per person for food stalls. If you dine at a restaurant, be prepared to pay semi-normal pricing for meals ($10-$20 US per person).

Question

How well do Thai people speak English? Do I need to learn Thai?

Answer

Most Thai people in Bangkok (as well as tourist areas such as Chiang Mai and Phuket) speak very well English and are very accommodating! After all, it's called the land of smiles. But we do recommend learning a few key phrases to help you feel more comfortable. All phrases listed are phonetic. In Thai, the ending of the phrase is dependent on your gender and is "mandatory politeness". If you identify as male, you end your sentences with krup (pronounced kup) and if you identify as female, you end your sentences with ka (pronounced kah). +Sa-wat-dee-krup/ka = hello (eg. Conner: Sa-wat-dee-krup) +Kop-khun-krup/ka = thank you (eg. Amanda: kop-khun-ka) For more helpful phrases and their audio clip, check out this site: https://www.omniglot.com/language/phrases/thai.php

Question

How spicy is Thai food?

Answer

VERY. If you are ordering a 3-4 star rating here in the US, please know that this will translate to a Thai 1-2 on the spicy scale. We recommend to be cautious and to always bring pepto bismol and/or immodium just in case.

Question

What is the proper attire? (Non-wedding days)

Answer

+For activities outside the wedding day, we recommend to be prepared for hot and humid. It's perfectly normal to wear shorts and tank tops/t-shirts. As the city is large, we recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes as we've averaged at 15,000-20,000 steps per day when exploring Bangkok. Keep in mind that if you have plans to visit any Thai temples, they will ask you to cover shoulders and knees prior to entering. Feel free to bring along essentials in a backpack or purse but keep in mind that there are pick-pocketers and to be extremely mindful of your belongings when out and about. You also don't have to worry about bringing a giant backpack with all your daily essentials as there are usually convenience stores (eg. 7-11) every block. Those convenience stores will have everything you could possibly need (eg. water, snacks, meds).

Question

What is the proper attire? (Wedding Day)

Answer

+For the Thai ceremony, we ask for cocktail attire. If you would like to dress in traditional Thai garb, please reach out to Conner or Amanda to coordinate as we can provide an affordable rental (think less than $12 for the entire outfit) +For the reception, we ask for black tie with evening gowns and suits. There will be a large break between ceremony and evening reception so you'll have plenty of time to get ready between the two!

Question

What are some Thai customs I should be aware of?

Answer

+ DON'T point at anything with your feet! Feet are considered the lowest/dirtiest and is considered extremely rude to use for any indication +DO use the Wai! The "wai" (prounounced why) is a form of communication and a customary greeting in Thailand. Essentially, the palms of the hands are momentarily pressed together in a prayer-like gesture with fingers pointing upwards, usually close to the chest, and the head slightly bowed. It's proper etiquette to use when saying hello, thank you, sorry, or showing respect. +DON'T forget to tip! Thai people love a good tip especially if they do a great job. This remains true for restaurants and service providers (eg. massage persons). +DO negotiate for non-food items! When you're shopping at the night markets and street vendors, it's "customary" to bargain for a better price. Just note that this doesn't always work so do also be polite if they tell you it's a fixed price.

Question

What are some Thai customs I should be aware of? (PART 2)

Answer

+DON'T wear inappropriate clothes to the temples! For women, you cannot wear yoga pants, shorts, or sleeveless tops to the temple. For men, no sleeveless tops. A good rule of thumb is if your knees are covered and your shoulders are covered, you should be okay. +DO respect the monks! Monks are not allowed to make any contact with women so please be courteous of their space.