Thailand is one of those places that looks easy on the surface. You land in the country and step into the heat and the smell of sumptuous street food hits you. You see the tuk tuks flying around and then you instantly assume everything works just like back home. It actually doesn’t. Thailand has its own rhythm and its own unwritten rules. When you understand them, you enjoy your trip even more. But when you don’t, you end up making mistakes that can ruin your experience or waste your money.

I have met so many tourists who ran into problems not because Thailand was dangerous, but because they simply did not know what to expect. Here are the most common mistakes tourists make in Thailand, and how you can avoid them easily.

1. Drinking Tap Water

One of the fastest ways to get sick in Thailand is by drinking tap water. Locals do not drink it and neither do restaurants serve it. Even when you see a sink in your hotel room, that water is for washing and definitely not for drinking.

Solution:

  • Always buy bottled water. It is cheap and can be bought everywhere.
  • Many 7-Eleven stores have water for under 10 baht.
  • Brush your teeth with bottled water too if you want to be extra careful.

Safe drinking water will keep your stomach happy and your trip smooth.

2. Taking the Wrong Taxi

This is a classic mistake most tourists make. A taxi stops and the driver smiles at you and you get in. Then the meter magically disappears and the price goes from 80 baht to 350 baht. Or worse, the driver takes you on a long unnecessary ride.

So how do you avoid this? You can do so by doing the following:

  • Always insist on the meter and if the driver refuses, walk away.
  • Use Grab if you want total peace of mind.
  • From the airport, follow the official taxi line only. Never accept rides from people approaching you directly.

The correct taxi in Thailand is always the one that agrees to use the meter.

3. Overpaying for Fruit and Food at Markets

Vendors selling fruit and street food at a busy Bangkok market where tourists often get charged higher prices than locals.

Thailand has some of the best fruits in the world. The problem is that tourists often get special “tourist prices,” especially in busy markets. You might see mangoes for 200 baht when locals pay 60. Dragon fruit suddenly becomes luxury fruit. Street food can even be marked up if they see you do not know the normal cost.

You can avoid this mistake by doing the following things:

  • Look at the prices on the board. If there is no board, ask before you order.
  • Compare prices between stalls.
  • A lot of fruit stalls in tourist areas will try to charge double. When you walk a few meters away, you will find normal prices again.
  • Go to local fresh markets early in the morning.

Once you understand what locals pay, your trip suddenly becomes a lot cheaper.

4. Falling for “Happy Hour Girls”

Nightlife street in Bangkok where many tourists get lured by happy hour girls offering cheap drinks that lead to expensive surprises.

This is one of the most common mistakes new visitors make, especially men traveling alone or in groups. Thailand nightlife can be fun, but you should remember that it is not totally free. Many visitors get lured into bars by girls offering cheap drinks or free entry. Once inside, the rules change. Suddenly you are paying for lady drinks, surprise bills, and compulsory tips.

Some even follow strangers into side alleys or “private bars” and end up with massive bills they are forced to pay.

There are very simple ways to avoid putting yourself in this situation. My first advice is to stick to well-known nightlife areas like Nana Plaza, Soi Cowboy, and Patpong.

In addition to the above, you should also take note of the following:

  • Never follow anyone to a second location.
  • Keep your bills and check every item.
  • If someone pushes a “free drink”, prepare for a surprise bill later.

Nightlife in Thailand is super great, but it rewards people who stay aware.

5. Ignoring Temple Etiquette

Sign showing the strict rules at the entrance of a Bangkok temple, reminding visitors about dress code, no selfies, no shoes, and general temple etiquette.

Thailand’s temples are sacred spaces, not tourist attractions in the casual sense. Many visitors walk in without understanding the rules and end up doing things that locals find disrespectful, even if the tourist meant no harm. I have seen everything from short shorts to loud conversations to people posing in front of Buddha statues as if it were a theme park. The mistakes are common because no one tells you these things before you arrive.

Common mistakes include:

  • Wearing shorts that are too short
  • Talking loudly inside temple halls
  • Taking pictures of monks at the wrong time
  • Touching Buddha statues for “good luck”
  • Sitting with feet pointed directly toward the Buddha
  • Kissing or hugging your partner inside temple grounds

Tour guides repeat this advice every single day because these mistakes happen all the time. They always say the same things:

  • Keep your voice low as soon as you step inside temple compounds.
  • Dress like you are entering a religious building, not a beach.
  • Public affection is normal in many Western countries, but inside Thai temples it is considered inappropriate. Avoid kissing, hugging, or any intimate gestures.
  • Never climb on Buddha statues or pose with your back turned to them.
  • If you want a photo, stand respectfully at a distance.
  • When sitting, tuck your feet to the side so they do not point toward sacred images.
  • Follow the crowd when unsure. If everyone removes their shoes before entering a hall, do the same.
  • Always walk behind praying locals, not in front of them.

Visitors sitting respectfully on the floor in front of the Golden Buddha inside a Bangkok temple, following proper temple etiquette during worship.

How to avoid this mistake:

  • Dress modestly. Cover your shoulders and knees.
  • Remove shoes before entering any shrine or main hall.
  • Keep your feet away from Buddha images.
  • Do not touch monks if you are a woman.
  • Avoid kissing or hugging your partner while on temple grounds.
  • Move slowly and respectfully, especially when passing people who are praying.

Trust me, the more respect you show, the better your temple experience will be. Thai temples are peaceful places which need to be respected. And when you follow the local customs, you feel that peace even more and enjoy the temples much better.

6. Trusting Every Tour or Taxi Salesperson

This is one of the easiest mistakes to make in Thailand because everyone seems friendly and helpful. Actually most are. Some genuinely want to assist you. But mixed into that group are people who have perfected the art of spotting first-time visitors who don’t yet understand how things work here.

I’ve seen it happen countless times. You arrive at an attraction looking confused and someone suddenly appears, smiling, ready to guide you. They speak good English. They seem harmless, which instantly makes you think, “Wow, Thai hospitality is amazing”. Five minutes later, they are leading you to a tuk tuk or a shop you didn’t ask for. That is usually when the trap begins.

Common scenarios include:

  • Someone standing outside the Grand Palace whispering “closed today, sir”, while the palace is fully open.
  • A tuk tuk driver offering a full city tour for 40 baht which sounds like a bargain but ends up being a day of shop stops and pressure to buy things you don’t want.
  • A “friendly local” who approaches you with a smile and tells you he knows a secret temple or a special discount. The moment you follow him, the plan shifts to jewelry shops, suit makers, or overpriced tourist traps.

I have had people try these exact tricks on me. The “Grand Palace is closed” scam almost got me on my very first trip to Bangkok. A man approached me so confidently that I actually paused for a second. It was only when I saw tourists walking in and out that I realized what was happening. That was the day I learned that in Thailand, you must double check everything for yourself.

These tactics are so common that I dedicated an entire article to breaking them down properly. In my guide to the top scams in Thailand, I share the exact lines scammers use, where they operate, and how you can avoid them. This part of Thailand is not dangerous. It is simply a system that relies on tourists not knowing the rules. Once you know what to expect, you become invisible to scams. Scammers can sense when a traveler is alert.

Here are some simple steps to take to avoid this mistake:

  • Always check official information online before believing anyone standing outside a major attraction.
  • If a deal looks too cheap, it is almost always a setup to take you to shops that pay the driver commissions.
  • Book tours through reputable agencies or trusted websites.
  • If a stranger walks up to you with a story that sounds too polished or too rehearsed, simply smile and walk away.

Thailand is easy and fun to explore, but like anywhere that attracts millions of tourists each year, there are people waiting to take advantage of first-timers. Stay sharp, trust your instincts, and you will enjoy this country the way it was meant to be enjoyed.

7. Renting Scooters Without a License

One of the many mistakes tourists make in Thailand is renting scooters the incorrect way. Riding scooters in Thailand is fun. But the problem is that Thailand requires an international driving permit for this. The thing is without it, insurance is invalid. So for example, if you have an accident, you pay the medical bills yourself.

Police checkpoints are very common and tourists get fined daily.

How to avoid this mistake:

  • Only rent if you have a valid license.
  • Wear a helmet always.
  • If you are not confident riding, use Grab Bike instead.
  • Do not drive on highways.

8. Forgetting Cash

Hand holding Thai baht notes in Bangkok, highlighting why carrying some cash is important when traveling in Thailand.

Thailand might feel modern in Bangkok, but once you step outside the big malls and tourist districts, cash becomes the real king. Street food vendors, tuk tuk drivers, small restaurants, local markets, and especially rural areas often accept cash only. Even in cities like Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, I found myself in situations where the only thing between me and the food I wanted was a missing 20 baht note.

One of my most memorable experiences happened in Chiang Rai. I had visited the White Temple earlier in the day and later found myself wandering through a quiet neighborhood looking for food. I spotted a small family-run eatery that smelled amazing. It was exactly the kind of place I love: plastic chairs, handwritten menu, locals eating happily. When I finished my meal and tried to pay with my card, the woman looked at me and laughed softly. She pointed to her cash box and said “no card machine”.

At that point, I reached into my pocket and realized I had only 10 baht left. In the end, I had to walk almost a kilometer to the nearest ATM under the evening heat, withdraw money, and walk all the way back to pay them. The family was extremely kind and patient, but the experience taught me something important: once you leave the main city centers, your card becomes almost useless.

Chiang Rai especially opened my eyes. Many stalls at the night bazaar still use cash. Small coffee stands in rural areas only accept cash. Even some tuk tuk drivers look confused when you mention card or QR payments.

My advice to travelers is to do the following:

  • Carry small notes at all times because many vendors cannot break large bills.
  • Avoid exchanging money at the airport. Rates are always the worst.
  • Use SuperRich, Kasikorn, or currency exchange shops in malls for the best rates.
  • Always keep at least 100 to 300 baht on you. In rural areas like Chiang Rai, carry more.
  • Withdraw cash in advance if you are doing day trips outside the city.

9. Underestimating the Heat

Thailand’s heat can be brutal and tourists often tend to underestimate it, especially when exploring temples or markets. Dehydration or heat exhaustion happens quicker than you think.

How to avoid this mistake:

  • Drink constantly.
  • Wear lightweight clothing.
  • Take breaks indoors or in malls to cool down.
  • Avoid heavy outdoor activities from 12 pm to 3 pm.

10. Believing Every Price Is Fixed

Tourists browsing a busy Bangkok market where many prices are negotiable, reminding visitors that not everything in Thailand is fixed price.

One of the most common mistakes tourists make in Thailand is thinking that every price they see is the final price. In fact, in many cases, it is only the starting price. Market vendors, tuk tuk drivers, souvenir sellers, and even some tour vendors expect you to negotiate. If you don’t, you end up paying more than you should. I learned this quickly during one of my early trips, but it really became clear to me in Chiang Mai.

I walked into a night market and saw a beautiful hand-crafted wooden bowl. The vendor told me it was 450 baht. The price felt too high, but I wasn’t sure. So I walked to the next stall, and the exact same bowl was 250 baht. By the time I circled back and politely offered 200, the first vendor laughed and agreed immediately. That was when I understood that bargaining isn’t seen as rude in Thailand. It is part of the culture.

Tuk tuks especially start high. In Bangkok, I once asked a driver for a short ride and he quoted 200 baht. I smiled, thanked him, and began walking away. Suddenly the price dropped to 80. If I had jumped into the tuk tuk immediately, I would have paid more than double.

Tours in Thailand can also vary widely. I’ve spoken to tourists who paid 1,500 baht for something another traveler booked for 700. The difference is that they negotiated. Actually most vendors expect the back-and-forth. You just have to approach it with respect and patience.

You can avoid this common mistake by doing the following:

  • Comparing prices before buying anything, especially souvenirs.
  • Bargaining politely. A smile changes the whole atmosphere.
  • Walking away if the price feels wrong. Vendors often call you back with a better offer.
  • Checking what locals are paying if possible.
  • In markets, never agree to the first price unless you know it is fair.

Related posts:

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Kojo Enoch

Traveler. Storyteller. Curious about how people live around the world. I created Explore With Kojo to share real stories from the places I visit and to inspire smart, honest travel.

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