Thailand is frequently top of the list when it comes to Gap Years and independent travel. It’s easy to see why, as it massively ticks so many boxes. It has a unique culture, 5 UNESCO world heritage sites, it’s home to the must visit cities of Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. Plus, it has the best island hopping in the world, amazing food and best of all it’s cheap. However, you do need to be travel savvy to stay safe, as there are potentially a lot of cons to The Land of Smiles.
Pros:
Lots of culture, beaches and temples.
Cheap and good accommodation.
Great, budget-friendly food everywhere.
Good travel infrastructure of buses, boats and cheap flights.
Established backpacker scene throughout the country.
Good for adventure – diving and jungles.
Great for markets, festivals and nightlife.
Fantastic hub for travel to nearby countries – Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar and Vietnam.
Cons:
Scams are prevalent – jet ski “damage”, fake gems, taxi and tuk-tuk fare fixing etc.
The political situation is unpredictable and sometimes volatile – so you often need to keep across the news.
Some locations feel touristy and overdeveloped.
Violent attacks and sexual attacks have taken place in tourist areas and the islands – often during full moon parties.
Beware drink spiking in bars.
The safety standards for adventure sports often don’t meet western standards.
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