January 12, 2023, 7:01 am | Read time: 4 minutes
On her first trip to Thailand, our author encountered several things she hadn’t expected. Read more about it at TRAVELBOOK.
“The people are sooo nice, especially on the islands!” “The food is very good and also cheap!” Such personal impressions from my friends weren’t necessary to spark my excitement for my first trip to Thailand, but they certainly heightened it. Once there, I was even more surprised by what I hadn’t been told…
Overview
- 1. If you want rice, you usually have to order it separately
- 2. Wine is very expensive–or doesn’t taste good
- 3. Unusual bottle sizes of Thai beer
- 4. The good organization of public transportation
- 5. The bathroom experience is different
- 6. The enormous plastic consumption
- 7. “Ping-Pong Show” has nothing to do with table tennis
1. If you want rice, you usually have to order it separately
Thai food, or rather a variation of it, was something I had only known from restaurants and takeaways in Europe. It was expected that the authentic cuisine would be quite different. However, I hadn’t anticipated how far the meat-sauce dish with the large rice ball would be from the original.
I somehow assumed rice would be served with meals. However, we found in various eateries in Bangkok and on the islands that you often had to order it separately. If you want plain rice, you should specify that, as “fried rice” with egg and a bit of vegetables is even more common.
Also interesting: Thailand decides not to implement COVID-19 entry rules
2. Wine is very expensive–or doesn’t taste good
In my experience, finding wine–let alone a selection of different varieties–on most menus in Thailand is a lost cause. In upscale restaurants that do offer wine, the prices are almost exorbitant. It’s similar in grocery stores. The reason is the “sin tax” introduced in Thailand in 2017, which significantly increased the price of imported alcohol. This was something I wasn’t aware of before my trip. Despite this, I never came across Thai wine during my travels, although a report from the wine and gourmet journal “Falstaff” suggests that there is high-quality Thai wine, especially in the northeast of Bangkok, where the climate is optimal for wine cultivation.
Also interesting: Thailand postpones entry fee for tourists
3. Unusual bottle sizes of Thai beer
I had the chance to try Thai Chang beer, which seasoned beer drinkers would describe as a “pleasant international lager.” This, like other Thai beers, comes in unusual 620-milliliter bottles, with enough glasses for all drinking companions. It did have a certain “wine vibe” to it.
4. The well-organized public transportation
While the public transportation system is convenient, you should still take the opportunity to ride a tuk-tuk at least once. These colorfully decorated vehicles are a fun experience, though not for the faint-hearted.
Also interesting: Grand Palace – one of the most important sights
5. The bathroom experience is different
No toilet brushes in Thailand
In Thailand, you will search in vain for toilet brushes. Instead, water hoses are provided in the area, as guests find it unhygienic to use the same toilet brush.
In hotels, the absence of toilet brushes is also common. Guests find it unhygienic to use the same toilet brush, according to a report from the Wine and Gourmet Journal.
Toilet paper should not be flushed
In Thai restaurants or cafes, signs or at least notes are often posted near toilets warning against flushing toilet paper. Used toilet paper is not to be flushed because the pipes are narrow and could become clogged. If you’ve ever been to places like Brazil, you might be familiar with this practice, as some South American countries have similar rules.
Why Do Hotels Often Lack Toilet Brushes?
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6. The enormous plastic consumption
In Thailand, I noticed that cutlery was often wrapped in plastic, and even simple street food stalls packaged their food in plastic containers and then in a bag. While too many single-use packages are still used in the U.S., awareness of the need for change seems less developed in Thailand.
7. “Ping-Pong Show” has nothing to do with table tennis
Our hotel was close to Bangkok’s red-light district, Patpong. From the afternoon onwards, it was almost impossible to walk two meters without being approached by employees trying to lure you into a strip club. Why did they keep mentioning a “ping-pong show”? I later learned that the use of small colorful balls has nothing to do with traditional table tennis.