Even though traveling alone can be described as boring or even unsafe, there is something particularly primordial and manly about this very thought. Furthermore, traveling on your own gives you a level of independence you could never achieve otherwise. Think about it – no more stopping because someone else has to go to the bathroom, no reason to take tours you don’t care about and no more voting when it comes to the future course of action. You call all the shots and you partake in all the action. Still, it goes without saying that traveling alone has more than several downsides as well. With this in mind and without further ado, here are few tips for all alone travelers in Thailand.
Think about Safety
The first thing first, you need to think about safety. Sure, going in groups might make you feel more comfortable in some aspects, but when it comes to pickpocketing and losing things, this form of travel is as powerless as going on your own. In order to prevent this, you need to take several steps of percussion. First, you don’t want to carry around more than you can afford to lose. Most luxury hotels have a safe in a room, so leaving the majority of your funds there seems like a smart move.
Next, you probably shouldn’t carry too much tech around. Looking out for your phone on its own can be quite demanding and the last thing you want is for your attention to be split between several items. Finally, you might want to consider getting those pants with zipped pockets in order to put an extra barrier between your wallet and a potential thief.
Also, a lot of people go to Thailand for its incredible nightlife. This usually involves a substance or two, which can become a bit of a problem. Keep in mind that you are on your own in a foreign country, so try to keep this in check. All things in moderation.
One last thing, you also need to worry about the safety of assets you leave back at home. So, don’t announce your departure on social networks, make sure someone checks in on your home every once in a while and make sure everything is properly closed and locked. As for some of your most valuable possessions, you might want to deposit them in a reliable mobile storage unit until you come back home.
Make Your Trip Frugal
Another thing you need to keep in mind is that in order to fully enjoy your trip you also need to get the most out of the money you intend to spend on it. In other words, the less you spend on some of the more mundane expenses (hotel, food or souvenirs) the more you will be able to spend on scuba lessons and clubbing. When it comes to the lodging, hotel hopping can both save you quite a bit of cash and help you see the most of the city you are staying in.
As for the food, you might both save money and get the authentic taste of Thailand by turning towards street food. In fact, there are some parts of the town that specialize in different delicacies and it could be worth your while to discover them all. As for the souvenirs, it is much more frugal to buy some authentic Thai items like sauces, spices, silk, spa products and handmade Thai jewelry at the market, rather than to go to a souvenir shop. The prices in most of these shops are inflated to meet the standard of the tourist’s homeland and in no way reflect local prices.
Thai Nightlife
So far in this article, we addressed the issue of Thai nightlife several times, so, it is only fair that we make a brief summary of the places that are worth visiting. One of the most common misconceptions about Thailand is that the prostitution is legal in the country. While this is not the case, it is tolerated in practice and in some areas it is even indirectly protected by local officials. For those who are interested in sex tourism, Thailand has three red light districts: Soi Cowboy, Nana Plaza and Patpong. As for those interested in clubbing, Ce La Vi and Onyx are the probably the first two places you want to visit.
Visit the Landmarks
Finally, those who want to see the full beauty of Thailand absolutely must take a tour that entails visiting some of its most iconic landmarks. We are talking about places such as Erawan Falls, Wat Arun, Phang Nga Bay and, of course, Ko Phi Phi. These natural wonders, locations of historic value and incredible beaches are all worth paying a visit. Still, seeing all that this amazing place has to offer exceeds the time-span of a single visit.
At the very end, it is important to mention one thing – even though Thailand is a great country for a family visit or a trip with your friends, going out there alone is bound to give you a completely unique experience. By not having anyone to chit-chat to every single step of the way you will be able to fully focus on the trip and trip alone. Needless to say, this kind of pilgrimage can help you discover yourself, somewhere along the way.