❌ The 7 mistakes to avoid when you arrive in Thailand

📌 Updated: April 2025 | Reading time: 3 min

Are you setting foot in Thailand for the first time? Whether it’s for a trip, a long stay or the beginning of an expatriation, there are classic traps that many travelers (and even digital nomads) make… and that can spoil the beginning of your adventure.

Here are the 7 most common mistakes to avoid when you arrive in Thailand. Some can make you lose money, others time – or worse: get you a real bad trip.

1. Not checking visa requirements

Many arrive without knowing if they are entitled to 30 or 60 days. The result: stress, overstay or visa run. Always check your type of entry (exemption, tourist visa, eVisa…) and its rules.

🔗 Read also: Visa run in Thailand: how to avoid mistakes

2. Underestimating the climate (and fatigue)

You arrive, you’re hot, you want to do everything in 2 days. Problem: 35°C, humidity at 90%, air conditioning at full blast in the malls… The result: heat stroke, colds or sunstroke. Give yourself 2 days of quiet adaptation.

3. Negotiate like a bully

Yes, in Thailand you can negotiate… but not everywhere, and not just any old way. If you arrive aggressively at the market or discuss the price of a Pad Thai at 40฿, you look like an idiot. Rule: negotiate with a smile – or abstain.

4. Forgetting the local SIM card

No data = no Grab, no Google Maps, no translator. As soon as you arrive at the airport or at 7-Eleven, grab a SIM card (AIS, DTAC or True Move). 100฿ is enough to get started.

5. Believing that everything is safe and that nothing costs anything

Some arrive naïve: “Everything is cheaper here!” Yes, but not everything, and especially not for the farangs. Taxi scams, “special tourist” prices, dirty inns… Be smart, compare, read reviews, stay vigilant.

6. Trust everyone

The majority of Thais are adorable, but like everywhere, there are scammers. If a “new friend” wants to take you to play cards or buy jewelry, politely decline and chart your course.

7. Believing yourself to be above local rules

You’re not at home. In Thailand, people take off their shoes before entering, they respect the temples, they avoid criticizing the monarchy. If you want to enjoy the country for a long time, behave respectfully.

👉 In short

• ✅ Find out about your visa BEFORE you land
• ✅ Take your time to adapt
• ✅ Be cool but not naïve
• ✅ Respect the local culture

💬 Have you ever made one of these mistakes? Told in comments, we share without judging 😅