10 reasons not to go on holiday to Thailand!
28 September 2024
While Thailand may seem like the ultimate dream destination for many – think pearly white beaches, temples and cocktails for next to nothing – it’s not all roses and sunshine.
Before you know it, you’ll be run over by a tuk-tuk while trying to haggle with a street vendor who’s selling fake Ray-Bans with more passion than you’ve ever put into your relationship. And let’s not even mention the “authentic” Thai curry that’ll give your guts a crash course in yoga. So before you book your tickets, find out why Thailand might not be such a great idea after all!
10 reasons not to go on holiday to Thailand!
There are certainly reasons why you might consider choosing a different holiday destination. Here are ten reasons not to go on holiday to Thailand:
- Mass tourism, overwhelming crowds in popular places
Destinations like Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya can be extremely busy during peak season. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself surrounded by throngs of tourists, which can take away from the charm of these places. Some beaches are also overcrowded. - The risk of food poisoning
Although Thai food is delicious, food poisoning is always lurking. Especially at street stalls it is sometimes difficult to estimate whether the hygiene is sufficient. Spending a few days in bed with stomach complaints is of course not the intention of your holiday. - Unpredictable weather
Thailand has a tropical climate, which means that heavy rain showers and high humidity can occur regularly. Especially during the rainy season (June to October) you can be stuck in the rain for days. - Annoying street vendors and tuk-tuk drivers
In tourist areas you can be constantly approached by street vendors and tuk-tuk drivers who want to offer their services or products. This can be quite tiring and sometimes gives you the feeling that you have to be on your guard all the time. - Animal abuse in tourist attractions
Many tourist attractions in Thailand, such as elephant rides and tiger temples, have been criticized for the way the animals are treated. If you are an animal lover, this can really put a damper on your holiday. - Traffic chaos and dangerous situations
Traffic in Thailand, especially in big cities like Bangkok, is chaotic and sometimes life-threatening. Tuk-tuks that run red lights, motorbikes that come from all directions and hardly any sidewalks make walking and crossing the road a challenge. Thailand is one of the most dangerous countries in the world in terms of traffic with a huge number of traffic fatalities. - Unreliable taxis and scams
Unfortunately, scams are common in Thailand, and taxis are notorious for this. Taxi drivers who refuse to turn on the meter or charge exorbitant prices are not uncommon. This can lead to frustration and unpleasant discussions. - Too many western tourists
If you’re hoping for an authentic, local experience, you may be disappointed in some parts of Thailand. In popular places, you may see more Western tourists than locals, and English or Russian menus everywhere, which can take away from the charm of Thailand. - Long travel times within the country
Although Thailand has a lot to offer, the distances between the different highlights are quite large. This means that you can spend a lot of time traveling, which can detract from your relaxation and the time you actually want to spend at your destination. - Health risks and required vaccinations
In addition to the risk of food poisoning, there are other health risks, such as dengue or malaria, depending on where you go. In addition, you often have to get vaccinated before traveling to Thailand, which can be an annoying side effect for some.
While Thailand certainly has its beautiful sides, it is good to consider these drawbacks before packing your bags to avoid a disappointing vacation.
About this blogger
- The Expat (66) has been living in Pattaya for 17 years and enjoys every day in the land of milk and honey! Previously employed in road and hydraulic engineering, but fled the capricious weather in the Netherlands. Lives here with his Thai girlfriend and two dogs just outside Pattaya, a 3-minute walk from the beach. Hobbies: enjoying life, going out, sports and philosophizing with friends about football, Formula 1 and politics.
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Don't forget the air pollution. Especially the months of March April when the fields are being burned.
It's funny that I've never met anyone who's been there and didn't like it at all and never wants to go back. But think carefully before you go
You just have to go to the right places.!!! Every country has its own charms.
Another negative story about the beautiful and wonderful Thailand. Vaccinations, travel insurance you need for every holiday destination. We have been coming to Thailand for 18 years, rent a car there, drive from east to west, from north to south without any problems, good roads, of course the cities are busier, pay attention, you have to everywhere, no rules... wonderful! Never been sick from "street food", In addition, the medical care (certainly for Farangs) is better and faster and more luxurious than here without waiting times, most is reimbursed (travel insurance). They can still learn something from this.
If you agree on the price of a taxi or tuk tuk in advance, there will never be a problem.
What is true is the animal abuse….but who caused that? The tourists! Then, in every holiday country there is tourism, if you don't want to see that, you should stay home. Enjoy Thailand.
Grossly exaggerated!
This is just the culture in Asia.
If you can't handle that, you can save yourself the long journey and just go to the campsite on the corner of the street!
In contrast to this extremely negative story, there are hundreds of reasons to go. A fantastic country with friendly, helpful people. A country with its own customs, habits and traditions. A wonderful country to live in.
This is in stark contrast to the rules and regulations from the EU and far-reaching deterioration.
Geert, I'd like to see who wrote this piece 😉
I will no longer let anyone mess with my feet like I did in his previous topics.
I can think of many more reasons not to go back to the Netherlands
So negative, how is it possible. I have been living in Thailand for over 18 years with my Dutch wife. The best thing that ever happened to us. Still enjoying this wonderful Thailand every day. My wife is a risk patient and took an anti-flu injection in Belgium every year. Since we live here in Thailand this has never happened again.
The writer has been living in Thailand for 17 years, he can keep it up that long. And then he also writes. Hobbies: enjoying life, going out, sports and philosophizing with friends about football, Formula 1 and politics. When will he go back to Belgium / the Netherlands, it is a lot better there.
Next week we will read a new topic with the title:
“10 reasons why you should definitely visit Thailand” 🙂
A new topic from the same writer Greet.
Actually, this is all a bit nonsense.
People who only read this topic are only being misled. Thailandblog should be promoting this beautiful country instead of spreading such negativity.
The Expat
The Expat (66) has been living in Pattaya for 17 years and enjoys every day in the land of milk and honey! Previously employed in road and hydraulic engineering, but fled the capricious weather in the Netherlands. Lives here with his Thai girlfriend and two dogs just outside Pattaya, a 3-minute walk from the beach. Hobbies: enjoy, going out, playing sports and philosophizing with friends about football, Formula 1 and politics.
Well, enjoying the land of milk and honey every day! And then list 10 reasons not to visit Thailand. And … living there for 17 years myself. doesn't sound very credible.
Have traveled to Thailand 10 times, never been sick, when I traveled to Turkey or other Muslim countries I suffered a lot from diarrhea. It will always be my favorite country where I will live when I retire and it is busy in Brussels too, I will live in the countryside nice and quiet.
what negative weather. I have been to Thailand 50 times now, of course you can think of something negative, but many more positive ones I think. If you approach it like that, you can't go to any country.
If you have lived in Pattaya for 17 years, I don't understand why you don't live in a quieter place. There are many more of them than what you describe here.
I know if I lived there for 17 years I would come up with a positive story.
Oh how sad, it's more fun to lie on a Spanish beach like herrings in a tin.
The writer of this would do best to go on holiday to Staphorst.u
This topic should simply not be given any attention. Simply do not respond to it. Then our Expat due to lack of interest, I will stop writing such nonsense.
I have lived in Pattaya for 17 years and I advise everyone against going on holiday to Thailand.
With such a statement you make yourself ridiculous.
The extra reasons.
11. Smog and air pollution
especially in the big cities and in the countryside after harvesting the rice or corn, smoke combined with the higher temperatures gives an unpleasant feeling. Sometimes it is very bad when the smoke does not really rise but hangs.
12. Pollution and waste on the streets and beaches
There is no real central waste management and sanitation service in Thailand. You often see piles of waste and plastic bags with rubbish lying on the side of the roads. Especially in the streets behind hotels and such where the buses are parked.
13. The high temperatures
It can sometimes get up to 40 degrees. That is inhumane so Iceland is a good alternative
14. The abundance of beautiful women who are after money.
Everywhere you go you are likely to be approached by women, often with simple questions.
a. Hello how are you is the most general one that you can still answer.
b. Where are you from or where you live, is often the next one and is actually meant to find out if the country you are from is known to be rich and interesting enough for the woman to live. My answer is definitely Zambia.
c. Are you on holiday? is a question to find out whether it is for 1 night 1 week or longer to meet you and how much effort should be put into the person addressed.
d. What is your job is of course to know to what level you belong. The answer manager or doctor does it better than truck driver.
15. There is also an increased risk of being confronted with converted women. These entities are called ladyboys in Thailand.
Please add
Hahaha, you did it again expat.
A little sarcasm and boom, they go at you again.
Wonderful, I enjoyed your piece again.
Regards Mike.
I personally don't see the added value and don't enjoy it. But if you need it to entertain yourself, why not. They're 'going wild' on the poor guy because he almost literally asks for it, of course.
Mike,
I also knew someone who liked to play such pranks on his colleagues. At first it was all fun. But after a while all these misplaced jokes started to get boring and we didn't know when to believe or trust that person anymore.
Enjoy all these topics. With all due respect, but if this is the trend on our beautiful blog, then the credibility here will quickly drop. All this only causes distrust. Is this a good thing? Maybe we should all ask ourselves that question.
I am certainly not a fan of such antics. This shows little decency.
Have a nice evening.
You forgot when to go, March April and May are the hottest months and my least favorite November to February, when it is often cold and gloomy in the Netherlands, are the best months in Thailand in my opinion, just wait out October and then we will go again
In 2018 visited Thailand for the first time with family. It is true that all the people I know in the Netherlands say that Thailand is a fantastic country where they would like to go again. How come 10, 15 or more reasons not to go?
In 2019 I met my current Thai girlfriend from the Udon Thani area. Due to planning at work and Corona, unfortunately only daily contact and since 2022 I met her for the first time in real life. Due to my busy job I will visit her again soon. I am looking forward to arriving in Bangkok. Wonderful! It is already a bit like coming home. If you can resist the wonderful hustle and bustle of Bangkok, all reasons not to go are no longer important. You have to learn to understand Thailand and its people how everything works. If you understand that, you may learn even more every day and you can enjoy this beautiful country.
I'm looking forward to my next visit with my LAT girlfriend and of course you get one for free: Her family 🙂
have been going to Thailand for 27 years, this story is a bit exaggerated
Dear Ginette,
You have to understand that the writer of this piece has only lived here for 17 years. He is not yet fully aware of how things work here. I understand that.
Great piece.
And what nonsense responses again.
He does not advise anyone against going on holiday to Thailand.
He's just being realistic while mentioning some possible drawbacks.
All those negative comments are again written by the rose-colored glasses brigade.
They absolutely do not want to hear any discord about Thailand.
As long as it's realistic, I'm happy to read the pros and cons.
If I put on my rose-colored glasses, I also think it is a great country.
If I don't put it on, I get annoyed by various things every day.
Not keeping appointments, always arriving late or not at all, excessive drinking from early in the morning, absolutely no talent for driving or participating in traffic at all.
I'll just stay here too, before I get any more comments like, if something bothers you, then stay in the Netherlands
Turn your reasoning around, if you are bothered by the 10 annoyances listed, then you would be better off packing your bags immediately and returning to your own country.
You see, I can talk nonsense too.
He advises no one against going on holiday to Thailand? Then read the title again.
Those negative reactions have nothing to do with rose-colored glasses.
Some people are tired of the nonsense of someone who comes here one week to tell a story and then contradicts himself the next week.
I am in some way indignant that the editors allow all this. The 3 previous topics of the Expat about Pattaya were just a mud fight between the readers of the blog. What is the added value of that? What does the author want to achieve? A little attention perhaps? Some pretentiousness?
The story of all the negative things about this country has been told here to the point of boredom. How many times will it be repeated? And as the icing on the cake, next week we will read the 10 positive points why we should definitely visit Thailand. Worthless.
Clearly another article by someone who doesn't know Thailand, or has sat on a bar stool too much... if these points annoy you, you'd better go to the Dutch coast, oh yes, you'll also encounter many western tourists there 555
Don't be misled Ruud!
That “someone” is a person who likes to hear themselves talk. There is a medical term for that (eludes me at the moment).
And let's assume that this "someone" knows Thailand all too well. He just wants us to react en masse. That gives him wet dreams 😉
Well, not really convincing, but the illustration is great!
So next week I expect '10 reasons to go on holiday to Thailand!'
The writer advises people “not to go on holiday to Thailand”! That is literally the title of his argument. Of course it is meant to provoke people, but because he is quite assertive, many people fail to notice that he uses the title as a 'figure of speech': a method to achieve a certain effect. Unfortunately, by forgetting to embellish his text with humour/hilarity/subtleties, the writer has angered people. Nevertheless: the 10 reasons listed do not lie, @RoRi adds another 5, and as the 16th I would say: the pent-up grumpiness of the farang. The irony of his story is that it is better not to come to Thailand in order to avoid having to encounter 'The Expat'.
What will you answer next week when the same EXPAT tells us that Thailand is absolutely worth a holiday?
Shhh...don't tell yet Toon! Wait until next week with your comment. Then we'll read it in the relevant topic.
And the title: a nice example of what they call “CLICKBAIT” …
Yesterday in The Phuket News an article by the Phuket Governor. He pleads for only welcoming quality tourists (a repetitive nonsense song). Should come on holiday with B 300.000 in their wallet, then they will stay longer, thinks Governor.
Just thinking about something like that. :-))
Quick analysis: No welcome non-quality tourist? What is Governor's definition of 'non-quality'? Tourists with a holiday budget?
Then budget hotels, guest houses can close. Also less tuk tuks, motor cycle rentals, beach chair rentals,
black smoking blue lorries buses with wooden benches needed!
How quiet will red light part Patong be.
Quality tourists stay at the private beach/garden/terrace hotels, use quality hotel transportation.
Fewer foreign currency exchange boots, lots of use of credit cards.
In the 'lower segment' tourist services many jobs will disappear. Those workers can all return to their 'home provinces'.