Top 10 Misconceptions About Thailand

Who hasn't come across the common stereotypes we're confronted with every day? Both Europe and Thailand have their fair share of misconceptions that aren't always true. In this article, we want to get to the bottom of the top 10 misconceptions about Thailand and check how much truth there really is to them!

Let's start with our first misconception... Is Thailand uninhabitable during the rainy season?... In short, no! The exact rainy season varies a lot from place to place and can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Over the last 5 years, the rainy season on an island like Koh Samui, for example, has been quite short and barely noticeable. As mentioned, the rainy season is relatively short in most areas (around 1 month), and it practically never rains non-stop! And on the rare occasion it does rain for several hours, that's often a welcome way to cool down given the usually long-lasting heat in Thailand! On top of that, Thailand offers a huge range of activities that are great fun even in the rain! The litter problem often portrayed by Western media is limited to a handful of very popular tourist spots: Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, Koh Samui & co. Here, huge amounts of rubbish do indeed pile up every day, which is what leads to these kinds of staged-photo headlines. But claiming that these tourist spots, or even the whole of Thailand, are practically drowning in rubbish is simply untrue! The mountains of rubbish that tend to circulate in photos are found almost exclusively in remote places away from tourism. That said, it's always worth bearing in mind that Thailand is still considered a developing country, and that we Europeans, too, once thought it was fine to throw our rubbish straight onto the street. A negative example of this is the city of Milan, which, until a few years ago, had no active sewage treatment plant, meaning all its wastewater was discharged straight into the Po river and the Adriatic Sea. For several years now, Thailand has had "programmes" against the growing litter problem, giving rise to organisations like the "Trasheros". National parks and other natural sites are also increasingly being closed for longer periods to allow them to regenerate. One small side note: Thailand doesn't have a single nuclear power plant of its own and is therefore, in that sense, "greener" than many Western countries that do, Germany among them! What's a bit of rubbish compared to contaminated water, after all? One of the best-known misconceptions about Thailand is that the country is full of ladyboys... Wrong! Ladyboys are considered a minority in Thailand and are sometimes shunned or merely tolerated by the general population, and even by their own families. These "ladies" are often found in positions with direct contact with tourists, since their English is often excellent compared to other staff, and they tend to be less inhibited about speaking directly with foreigners. Most Thailand travellers visit almost exclusively the popular tourist spots, which is the only reason they get the impression – and spread the idea – that Thailand is full of ladyboys. Sure, massages with a "happy ending" definitely exist in Thailand... But it's a misconception to think every place offers this! Quite the opposite! You'll find well-run spas and massage parlours on practically every street corner! Should you ask for that kind of service at one of these places, it could very quickly lead to misunderstandings and become extremely embarrassing, since this particular service is seen as dirty by the generally conservative Thais! An important indicator when choosing a reputable massage place is the tasteful uniforms worn by the massage therapists. You'll also usually see all the licences and qualification certificates of the trained staff on display near the entrance. If you happen to pass a massage place with women dressed in skimpy outfits, then it's very likely to be a "special massage" instead! For hundreds of years now, the elephant has been considered a working animal in Thailand and has been used, for example in agriculture, much like the horse or the ox once was in Europe (keyword: domestication). Elephants have a natural urge to move that makes them well-suited to physical work. If this urge is completely suppressed (a distance of at least 5 kilometres a day is needed), it leads to significant illnesses, such as thrombosis, and to noticeable behavioural problems in the animals. For some time now, an alternative, more ethical form of elephant tourism has developed, with institutions such as animal shelters, sanctuaries or facilities where you can observe these gentle giants freely in their natural surroundings. Well-known animal shows and elephant riding have increasingly come under fire for several years now, and are thus a dying breed.   This misconception definitely applies in some tourist areas! In some places, taxi drivers do refuse to use the mandatory meter. But if you negotiate cleverly, you can still get a perfectly acceptable price. A little Thai usually helps here! The word "tao rai" means "how much?" and is useful for negotiating. If you voluntarily say "yes" to an "overpriced" offer, though, you shouldn't complain afterwards about being "ripped off"! The fact is that taxis, in Europe, are always overpriced, and you very rarely get good service. Taxi drivers in Thailand, on the other hand, are often keen to show you a bit of their beautiful country and will quickly strike up a conversation with you. A two-hour ride within Bangkok, for instance, can cost the equivalent of around 10 euros... Anyone who still claims that taxis in Thailand are expensive or always rip you off should try that in their own home town! And if, despite the obviously very low prices, taking a taxi is still too expensive for you, you can easily use another means of transport instead, such as a Tuk Tuk, Songthaew, minivan, or simply rent a scooter! For just under 6 euros a day, you get a 125ccm scooter that lets you get around almost anywhere yourself. You definitely won't find that back home! Unfortunately, a very widespread misconception is that Thai food is unhygienic... Thai street kitchens might not always look visually "perfect" to Western eyes, but aside from that, unlike restaurants in Europe, you can see exactly how the food is freshly prepared, right in front of your own eyes. The ingredients used come straight from the local market, since that's where they're cheapest and of the best quality. Always remember: Thai cuisine is considered one of the best in the world, and not without reason! The exotic spices used create a truly unique and unmistakable flavour experience! If you're brave enough to try it, you'll quickly be surprised at just how delicious dishes from simple Thai street kitchens can taste – not to mention the unbeatable prices! The motto here is: Thais are always cheerful, because they live in the "here and now" and don't let themselves be weighed down by the burdens of the past or worries about the future. This inevitably leads to less brooding and more time to enjoy life with a smile! On top of that, their smile even shapes their language. Some of their vowels, in words and individual syllables, are pronounced with a broad smile. A good example is the word "mii" (to have). Watch out for words with a long "ii" vowel, and you'll automatically get a big smile! Thais also use different forms of greeting, and our usual "hello" with a handshake is fairly unfamiliar to them. Instead, they respond with a smile! If Thais find themselves in a complicated or awkward situation, annoyance or displeasure is often simply laughed off out of politeness. Always save face! And let's be honest, with such wonderful weather all year round in Thailand, how could you not be happy and smile all the time! A widespread misunderstanding... Thailand, and especially the tourist strongholds such as Pattaya, Phuket, Bangkok and Koh Samui, have, in recent years, become no longer as cheap as they once were, due to an increasingly unfavourable exchange rate and steadily rising prices. Imported goods in particular, such as Western food products, have become extremely expensive because of ever-increasing import costs and taxes. Anyone who has ever bought cheese, sausage or foreign beer knows what we're talking about. That said, given how appealing Thailand is overall, and especially compared directly with European holiday destinations, Thailand still offers comparatively very affordable options! If you're travelling on a small budget or want to save money, you should do your research in advance and book early! The most common misconception you keep hearing is that most visitors only travel to Thailand for "cheap" sex tourism... Nonsense! That idea comes from the old days, when prostitution in Thailand was still affordable for every visitor. Quite apart from the fact that "working girls" can be found all over the world, prices for the world's oldest profession are actually noticeably lower in some European countries than in Thailand! Ordinary Thai women are very conservative and always dress appropriately in public life, placing great value on decency. Physical affection is generally only shown in private and is a complete taboo in public! Contrary to this misconception, Thailand clearly has so much more to offer! From ancient cultural fascination such as spiritual temple complexes, to breathtaking nature, exotic food, the Thais' unparalleled hospitality, and dream beaches that are unique in the world, there's plenty to discover in Thailand for every taste!

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