1. Be wary of scams! Any business that is not strictly run by the Thai government can, and often is, run by people with the aim of ripping off ignorant tourists. If a tuk tuk ride or the repair costs of a damaged jet ski sound too expensive, it often is! Be sure to have a knowledgeable person, such as a local or frequent tourist with you that can help identify these scams.

2. Always bargain ANY goods or services that you plan on buying. Most businesses in Thailand are not firm about their prices, therefore there is always room for negotiation. Worst case scenario, the vendor says no. Best case scenario, you walk away with a substantial discount on an item that is already extremely inexpensive!

3. Dress appropriately for temples or religious sites. Most religious areas in Thailand have strict rules regarding clothing. A general rule would be to wear clothes that cover your shoulder and extend to at least your knees. A scarf or sarong would be extremely handy to bring with you! A lot of places also require you to frequently remove your shoes, so flip flops can come in handy as well.

4. Do not drink tap water and be careful about where you buy your food. Food poisoning is a somewhat common occurrence for many tourists who visit Thailand. Avoiding it is easy! Make sure to buy lots of bottled water when you are travelling and be cautious about where you buy your street food from and you will not experience any difficulties.

5. Do not forget sunscreen or insect repellent. Regardless of how tolerant you think you are to the sun, the weather extremes of Thailand are guaranteed to give you a sunburn if you do not put on sunscreen. Furthermore, wearing insect repellent will be especially handy in deterring mosquitoes from biting you; something many neglect until they are already bitten!