Tiger Temple in Kanchanaburi Thailand

Unlike Advices for travelers, here we list advices and different situations, which will bring many troubles to you and other people.

Most of these advices were collected by real people in quite ordinary situations. If you have your own additions to these advices - you are welcome to send them!

It's always better buying pasteboards privately - this way you will spend less time for purchase and save your time.

When you are going into a trip, don't forget to put all your belongings in beautiful and expensive bags - this way all other people will understand that you are a rich person and respect you.

1. It's better to put all good and expensive things in one or two biggest bags - let everybody know that you can afford yourself many good things.

2. Take much money with you, put them in one pocket or bag - in case you see something interesting on the way - you will be able to buy it at once without troubles.

3. You need to put big banknote in your purse - you always need to have cash for purchase.

4. You need to dress yourself stylishly and with comfort. In winter women will like a mink or blue fox fur, in summer - miniskirt.

5. You should put your pasteboard in a purse, put there also passport, driving license, documents etc. You always should have everything with you.

6. When you are already on a platform, act this way: put all your belongings in a big and long raw and turn away - somebody will need them. During this time you will be able to enjoy sunrise or a beautiful view on opposite side.

7. As soon as you take your place in a compartment, tell your fellow travelers about your destination, occupation, business - you have nothing to hide from other people - you're an honest man.

8. Do not put all your belongings under lower seat - you know, it's difficult to take things from there - it's better to put everything on open upper shelves - it will be easier to take them.

9. You need to hang your overcoat on a hook close to the door - allow passers-by throwing a surprise into your pocket.

10. While unpacking your luggage, turn bag to your fellow traveler - he should see how many interesting things you have.

11. Buy most appetizing and tasty foods on all stops: meat, cutlets, cakes, fish - even raw - you will cook it when you come home.

12. If your fellow-traveller offers you drinks, which he prepared for you while you were absent, drink as much as you can - they use sleeping-draughts only in detectives.

13. If you are alone in your compartment, visit diner - find a friend there and invite him to your compartment - you will have more fun with a stranger.

14. If somebody asks you to change big banknote - do it - may be you will need it.

15. If you are offered to buy some electrical appliance: radio, player, electric razor, electric kettle etc. - buy it, don't worry that you cannot test their work - they are so cheap.

16. Hide all your money in underwear on all custom houses and enter small sum in a customs declaration - you know, nobody will search you and doubt in your words.

17. When you go to bed, do not close the door - this way you will receive fresh air and have a good sleep.

18. You should better sleep with your head to the window - this way you won't hear passers-by and fall asleep calmly.

19. It's better to leave all your money and documents in pockets for the night - this way you will be able to pay for everything in case of necessity.

20. It's better to leave good shoes close to a shelf for the night - you may want to go out in the night, and slippers are not good for this - you know, you are a rich man.

21. Leave your compartment as often as you can - you do not need to know what your fellow traveler is doing there.

22. Play cards for money to entertain yourself - this way time will pass quicker.

23. When you arrive at your station - take all your bags and run out from your carriage - don't waste time to check your luggage.

24. Drink more beer (juice, soda water) before all big stations, where train stops for 10-15 minutes. Your stomach will never let you down.

25. Take more perishable goods with you (summer sausage, cakes etc.) - this will give you a stimulus to eat everything quicker.

26. Eat more garlic, onion and other spices on the journey - people should see you're an epicure.

27. Do not wash yourself before departure - you still can sweat. You will take a shower on your arrival. And people should understand this.

28. Do not put clean underwear and cloth on the journey - you can soil them.

29. Never take medicines on the journey - your stomach, heart and head will never let you down.

30. Try to arrive at a strange city closer to midnight - you will have much time for night's familiarization walks.

31. Upon arrival register your luggage and write large the number on paper, so that a man, standing next to you, could see it.

32. Do not take a toilet-set with you - may be they will start distributing tooth-brushes in trains.

33. Do not ask about train arrival - your inner "Ego" will tell you.

34. Never learn rules of behavior on the railroad. This is unnecessary information for you.

35. If you need to change trains, take care that interval between trains on a station is no longer than 5-10 minutes. Trains run according to time-table, why should you waste your time on a railway station?

With air travel so readily available, every Tom Dick and Harry has been to Spain, France and Greece for their summer holiday and it only takes a couple of hours to get home if it all goes wrong, but Asia, now this is another thing. If you're planning on travelling to Thailand, you might find these tips helpful for that first, slightly daunting week.

Arriving in Bangkok at the beginning of your Thailand trip is similar to arriving in any large city around the world. The airport is huge and daunting, but essentially you are lead off the plan, directed to collect your luggage and set free where Bangkok if you oyster.

My first trip to Thailand was at the age of 19 when a friend and I planned 3 months travelling around Thailand. With a Lonely Planet in my hand and a rucksack on my back we had no real plans and no hotels booked! Walking out of the arrival lounge the warm evening heat of the city was a pleasant contrast to the cold winter day we had left in England. We jumped in a taxi and like 9 out of 10 other backpackers asked the taxi driver to head for Koh San Road, the essential place to kick off your Thailand trip. The journey took about an hour along a surprisingly good quality motorways and back streets with fantastic views of the citys at night time. Arriving in Koh San Road we paid our driver a considerably small amount for an hours ride in a taxi and were faced with the bustling streets, bright neon lights and throng of backpacker of Koh San Road. As we walked down the street with our backpacks obviously fresh off the plane at the beginning of our Thailand trip, we were approached by numerous hotel owners proudly holding pictures of rooms they had to offer. We settled for the best priced room above a noodle bar, dumped our bags and although we had just got off a 15 hour flight the excitement of the city were too much to go to sleep. We headed out as the time neared midnight for a cold beer and a bowl of noodles - to begin our Thailand trip in style.

The following few days we got into a routine of waking up eating a typically English breakfast of eggs, bacon of a bowl a muesli in the hotel restaurant and looking through our lonely planet to see how we would spend our day. We visited Wats, Buddha's, temples, markets, parks and even took a trip to pat pong to see the infamous ping pong show! We drank local Chang Beer and chatted to other Thailand travellers about their experiences and the best places to head to.

Bangkok is easy for travellers to Thailand to navigate, with a million tuk-tuk drivers willing to take you anywhere, usually via a tailors to get their petrol vouchers. Like with any large city there are a plethora of amazing place to visit. There are ATMs, banks, shopping centres, street vendors selling amazing food from deep fried crickets to sticky rice and coconut. There's a boots pharmacy and the end of the road and a of course a MacDonald's! Thailand travel agents offering excursions to the jungles and the beaches, to the river Kwai and to the ancient temples of Ayutthaya and so all the things that you could possible could of worried about before you begin your Thailand trip are quickly forgotten. With the friendly Thai nature I never heard a word raised in anger and although there are of course the occasional scams, I think Bangkok was everything and more I could have wanted from a city.

Thailand is really traveller friendly, with a great transport system that includes buses, trains and planes, all running through Bangkok. After we left Bangkok to continue travelling around Thailand, we returned numerous times as we passed through for the night on our way to a different part of the country each time making it feel even more familiar and a little bit like home in a country so far away from England.

I hope that this will put your mind at rest about travelling in Thailand, as it's a brilliant place that is really welcoming to travellers from all over the world.

THAILAND HIGHLIGHTS

Bangkok - The vibrant capital of Thailand and the essential place to begin any Thailand tour. Wander around the Grand Palace, enjoy a massage at Wat Po, visit the floating markets and sample the street food.

Chiang Mai - A highlight of any trip to Thailand. Take part in a traditionalThai cookery course or visit the historic Old Town. Ride an elephant, stay in a Hill Tribe village or float down the river on a bamboo raft on one of the many jungle treks that depart from this charming city.

Kanchanaburi - Visit the famous bridge over the river Kwai, travel along the Death Railway, stay overnight on a floating jungle raft, and swim in the fairytale Erawan waterfalls.

Ayutthaya - The ancient capital of Thailand. Take a sunset tour of the ancient ruins.

Ko Phangan - Home to the infamous Full Moon Party. Head over to the far side of this island where few tourists venture out, and you will find idyllic beaches.

Ko Tao - This tiny island is one of the best places in the world to dive. Phuket - This colourful and cosmopolitan island is the largest and most popular of Thailand's islands.

Ko Phi Phi - The setting of the 2000 movie 'The Beach', the Phi Phi islands Krabi - Visit the Tiger Cave Valley, wander around the morning market or cruise around the nearby islands.

Ko Samui - Soak up the sun on a sandy beach, visit the night market, or hop into a jeep and explore the less traveled roads of Koh Samui.

Ko Chang - Laze in a hammock on a beach with a cocktail in hand, hike alongside waterfalls, or trek by elephant.

MAIN TRAVELLERS ROUTES Most people travelling to Thailand start off in Bangkok, visit Kanchanaburi for a couple of days before working their way up to Ayutthaya and Chiang Mai. Many people choose to end their trip in Thailand with some time on the islands in the South before returning to Bangkok for their international flights home.

CAPITAL AND MAIN CITIES Bangkok Other main populated areas: Chiang Mai (north)

LANGUAGES Thai English Chinese

CURRENCY Thai Baht

VISA Tourists from the UK do not require a visa if planning a trip to Thailand of less than 30 days. If you are planning to stay in Thailand for more than 30 days, then you will require a 6 month visa. Alternatively, it is possible to renew the tourist visa by leaving and then re-entering the country.