Pros & Cons Of Visiting Thailand: Tips + What To Expect

Thailand has long been one of the most welcoming and easiest countries to travel to. The backpacker trail is well-trodden, the tourism industry is used to foreigners, and every year it is among the top 10 most visited countries in the world.

Many rave about the sandy beaches, intricate temples, and the addicting mango sticky rice, but Thailand also has a few quirks that may make you rethink your expectations of a pristine paradise. Do they outweigh the upsides? I will let you decide, although if you ask me – probably not, with a few caveats.

I’ve traveled in Thailand enough to know how to recognize fake elephant sanctuaries at a glance, correctly pronounce Pad Thai, and know that popular temples are never actually closed.

Here are the reasons I keep coming back and the downsides that bother me the most.

Pros of Traveling in Thailand

Thailand’s Welcoming Spirit

Thai people are nice, welcoming, and polite. You may think it’s of the fake kind – the tourism mask. After all, many countries boast about their hospitality. Having also been to places in Thailand off the backpacker’s radar, I believe it’s genuine.

Thai kids are taught consideration for others, politeness, and respect from a young age. It’s encapsulated in a Thai principle known as Kreng Jai which roughly translates as “awe of heart”. It can also be interpreted as a non-confrontational mindset.

We, foreigners, cannot fully grasp the depth to which Kreng Jai penetrates the collective spirit of the Thai people. It shows up everywhere in social interactions, from politely declining offers to trying not to disturb someone, even in small ways, like quietly slipping out of a room.

As an alien, I sometimes find this non-confrontational stance to be a bit annoying even, as locals may be more concerned with helping me save face than correcting me when I am wrong.

Anyhow, these courtesy and respect are never faked.

Buddhism culture also influences everyday life with its teachings of kindness, patience, and giving. Most Thai people are non-judgmental and do not convey entitlement.

This is to say that Thai hospitality is sincere and locals really do like to help from their hearts.

Use your Thailand trip to learn humility from the source and give back kindness when you receive it.

The Home of Gastrodiplomacy

Tom Yum

In 2002, Thailand launched a campaign to promote its cuisine abroad to boost tourism at home. It’s the reason why you probably know of at least a couple of good Thai restaurants in your area. This is what we call gastrodiplomacy.

The campaign has been a success owing as much to its execution as to Thai cuisine being indeed delicious.

It aims to balance the main flavors: sweet, sour, salty, and spicy. It also emphasizes fresh ingredients which just so happens to be in line with the global trends towards health-conscious eating. Thailand’s traditional dishes, like Pad Thai, Tom Yum, various curries, and Khao Soi appeal to both the newbies and the foodies.

What better reason to visit Thailand than to eat a different, tasty, affordable meal every day? Best of all, with abundant street food, you’re never too far from a wonderful place to have lunch.

Effortless Exploration

The infrastructure in Thailand is more advanced than in neighboring countries (except perhaps Malaysia) and almost up to par with advanced economies. Traveling in Thailand is easy and well-organized.

The train network is substantial and extensive. You can choose between dirt-cheap commuter trains, seated carriages, comfortable sleepers, and even luxury panoramic trains. The 5 main lines cross in Bangkok and reach every corner of the country.

Buses are also comfortable and reliable. Getting to any island is easy as most ferries run several times per day.

Daily domestic flights connect Phuket, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and several smaller regional airports.

Backpacking routes are well-trodden and information is readily available both online and in the hostels on the way.

Hassle-Free Entry

Since the summer of 2024, nationals of 93 countries are visa-exempted for up to 60 days when traveling to Thailand. Most Western countries are on this list.

This means you probably don’t need to worry about a visa and Thailand is a very convenient destination. Nonetheless, you will probably need to have an onward ticket.

Landscape Diversity

Thailand is huge! It’s roughly the size of continental France and larger than California!

Additionally, it stretches over 1600 km from south to north. This geographical fact guarantees diverse natural landscapes. Of which there are indeed plenty.

Starting with the iconic karst cliffs around southern islands like Ko Phi Phi, moving on to national parks with lush jungles like Khao Sok, Khao Yai, Erawan, and Khao Laem, the Central Plains of the Chao Praya River, and up in the mountainous north – the highlands near Chiang Mai, including the highest peak – Doi Ithanon.

Can you visit all in a month-long trip? Probably not. But this diversity is one reason why so many travelers return to Thailand to see more and different places!

Endless Entertainment for Everyone

Those who haven’t been to Thailand before likely associate it with its nightlife in Bangkok and Pattaya. The streets with bright neon lights where scantily clad girls try to lure single males inside the clubs. It is one form of entertainment for sure.

Younger crowds like the Full Moon Parties at Ko Pha Ngan Island where beach bars stay open throughout the night. Backpacker-friendly party areas exist on pretty much every island and in the big cities.

But wait, Thailand is for everyone!

Quieter folk can find peace on the hiking trails in the northwestern highlands and relax in the numerous hot springs around the country. Or visit an elephant sanctuary and have a mud bath together with the gray banana-lovers.

Shall I go on? I hate when someone says that a destination has it all but tourism in Thailand is expected to hit 30% of GDP in the next 10 years, so it has a lot to offer.

Let’s not forget about the various activities and courses. You can sign up for a Muay Thai class (yes, even if your trip is just 10 days!) or get your PADI diving certification.

Remember the delicious food? You can put on one of those cylindrical chef hats and prepare a Massaman curry during a quick cooking course. Or just join a walking street food tour.

No? You’re ascetic and frown upon the hedonistic modern traveler? Did you know that you could become a Buddhist monk for a few months in one of the monasteries?

We can agree that the jump from neon seduction to disciplined serenity within the same country is a long one. Hence why I claim that any desires (or lack of) are covered in Thailand!

Budget Bliss

Thailand is cheap!

All of those pros listed above won’t break the bank. Even shoestring backpackers will find it easy to live comfortably and have fun.

But not everywhere and not all the time.

Bangkok, for example, is becoming a world city with all the price tags that come with an influx of an international crowd. Similarly, Phuket has already turned into the most expensive beach holiday destination in Southeast Asia.

If you want cheaper delights, go to Koh Lanta for beaches and Chiang Mai for a city break. Or better yet – go somewhere off the grid for accommodation under 10$ and meals for less than a dollar!

Cons of Traveling in Thailand

The Growing Pollution Problem

I have to be fair – Thailand is not the dirtiest country in Southeast Asia. However, I can’t just ignore the obvious either – pollution is omnipresent and worsening every year.

Urban areas cannot cope with the amount of trash and management is always playing catch-up. One moment it’s clean, the next there’s trash again. City rivers are often neglected. Smaller streams can be outright dangerous to be around.

Tourist destinations (Phuket, Koh Samui, Krabi, etc) have some well-maintained, pristine areas, especially resorts, main beaches, and main attractions. However, less commercialized areas suffer from poor waste management and visible litter.

National parks are kept relatively clean, though, as they should be.

The situation is worse when it comes to air quality. It all comes crashing down at the end of the dry season (March-May) when widespread agricultural burning creates a persistent smog suffocating most of Thailand. Also called the Burning Season, being outside in cities is literally hazardous to health. For example, for a few weeks in 2023, Chiang Mai was the most polluted city in the world.

Stuck in Traffic

Bigger Thai cities suffer from congestion. It’s most pronounced in Bangkok where you may get stuck in traffic for hours. The Skytrain and the MRT are viable alternatives for moving around.

Traffic isn’t an issue just in Thailand. Everywhere in Southeast Asia, streets are often clogged with vehicles. Thailand is actually not as bad as South Bali or Manila, but that doesn’t mean it’s good either.

So just be prepared to spend a bit more time in traffic than you may be used to.

Dual Pricing

Is it fair that the entrance ticket to a national park costs 30 Baht for locals and 300 Baht for foreigners?

This is a debate as old as tourism in Thailand. The reasoning behind it is that locals contribute to the maintenance of such tourist infrastructure through their taxes and that the dual pricing system is a way to earn tourism revenue without pricing locals out of attractions.

Makes sense. There isn’t a simple solution.

Still, I find it unfair and it leaves me feeling more like a walking wallet than a welcome guest. The good news is that the less known a destination is, the lower the multiplier. So if you’re like me, go explore less-touristy sites or attractions without an entrance fee altogether.

Overtourism

The root of all evil in Thai tourism is the sheer number of international tourists. All the drawbacks listed above can be easily attributed to overtourism.

Popular tourist destinations, such as Phuket, Krabi, Ko Samui, Ayutthaya, and Ko Phi Phi, suffer from overcrowding, especially during peak tourist seasons. The incessant stream of tourists has changed these areas from hidden tropical escapes in the 1980s to gentrified, cramped concrete jungles today.

Don’t even get me started about Pattaya, the sole receiver of over 23 million visitors in 2023. The number speaks for itself – don’t go there unless you want to elbow your way through the crowds just to end up at a ridiculously busy beach or an overcommercialized walking street.

The good news is that other options exist if you want unique experiences away from the tourist horde.

The province of Prachuap Khiri Khan has all the nice beaches with a laid-back vibe.

Bueng Kan Province in the northeast is a secret (shhh) ecotourism destination.

Ubon Ratchathani hosts a very unique and not-too-popular Candle Festival in the summer.

Stay in Lampang instead of Chiang Mai and in Kamphaeng Phet instead of Sukhothai.

Visit the islands in Trat instead of Koh Samui. Explore Surin Province instead of Ayutthaya.

Traverse this big country for both its sake and your own. You will find that places off the radar are just as worthy of your visit.

So, Thailand: Yay or Nay?

I have tried to be clear-headed and objective with the pros and cons of visiting Thailand. However, the truth is that I love this country and all it has to offer us.

Thailand welcomes everyone and this is its greatest strength. It’s the Land of Smiles and true to its nickname. Travelers keep coming back despite any of the inconveniences and minor annoyances.

Ultimately, the responsibility to protect and maintain falls on us, the foreign tourists. Don’t litter, don’t be rude or confrontational, and embrace the kind, happy-go-lucky spirit of Thailand.

In my books, it’s a solid yay!