10 Things I Didn’t Know About Thailand
Surprising Things I Didn’t Know About Thailand
Things I Didn’t Know About Thailand Before Living There
My two months in Thailand have expired. Life takes me to another country to live like I’m dying—a chance to inhale, absorb, appreciate, and integrate another culture. Butterflies swirl, stress arises, and things I didn’t know about Thailand keep popping up. That used to mess with my everything. Learning to accept that I don’t know what I don’t know—until I know it—isn’t as intimidating.
I never knew I needed a power adapter in Bali, or that luggage weight is a real thing, or that withdrawing money from my Chase Sapphire Preferred card charges 29.9 percent interest IMMEDIATELY.
Now that I know all this, I think, How in the hell didn’t you know this? In every aspect of my life, this happens continually. How did I not know that? How did I not see that? But you don’t know anything until you know it. For me, all this knowing, I know, has cost me more than I want to know.
Anywho haw… here are 10 things I didn’t know about Thailand before, that I know now:
1. Braces Are Everywhere.
Colored braces with matching rubber bands are in the mouths of Thais of all ages.
2. Say “Take Away,” Not “To Go.”
If you want anything to go, don’t say “to go,” it’s always “take away.”
3. Hands Off the Head.
At a hair salon, only Thai people can touch your head. The head is sacred in Buddhism.
4. Meals Have No Rules.
Thai people don’t have specific breakfast, lunch, or dinner menus. Pork blood soup at 6 a.m. or coconut ice cream— they don’t give a shit.
5. Elevator Etiquette.
Old people enter first. They insist. Wish I didn’t know that one.
6. White Lotus Lied.
Don’t believe everything in White Lotus, season 3. I didn’t see ONE wild monkey.
7. Keep Your Face Out of Your Phone.
DO NOT have your face in your phone EVER while walking on the streets of Thailand. Or you won’t have a phone—or a face.
8. Learn Military Time—and Buddhist Years.
Today’s American date is 7/29/2025, which translates to 29/7/2568 in Thailand. Thais use the Solar Calendar for all civil and legal purposes, which aligns with the Gregorian calendar, but it’s counted in the Buddhist Era—543 years ahead of the Common Era. Figure that one out.
9. Shoes Off. Always.
When entering any building—especially a home—shoes are a no-go. This holds true across Asia.
10. Never, Ever Leave Your Debit Card in an ATM.
Life’s a bitch without one. TRUST ME.
These are my top 10 things I didn’t know about Thailand. I’m sure, as I traverse from country to country, I’ll be making comparisons. I know it will be difficult not to. What I love about traveling like this—going from one distinct area to another—is the immediate appreciation for the differences.
Japan is like a regimented father figure who values respect and order, believes strongly in nature and cleanliness, and, outwardly stoic, exhibits little emotion. He loves his family and country deeply.
Thailand is the truant boy whose bedroom is always a mess, loves to take chances, goes to school and temple begrudgingly, and likes to sleep in late. He loves his family and likes to hang around them. Loves to eat.
I’m ready to see how Bali stacks up to the other two. Honestly, I know very little about Bali. Some of it is because I enjoy the wonder of newness, some due to lack of time, but mostly, I truly do my best to live in the moment. So I’m
First category on the Thai-versus-Bali smackdown is… Massage.
One thing I know for sure: I’m on my way to find out.
