It’s been just over a year since I took the leap and made Thailand my home. Moving from regular visitor to someone who lives and works here has let me fully embrace what I love about the country — and given me a front-row seat to the same tourist mistakes playing out again and again.
Thailand has a way of pulling people back, but first-timers are easy to spot. They’re not just navigating a new place; they’re often doing it in ways that cost more money, create unnecessary stress, and lead to a less authentic experience.
After a year of watching the pattern repeat, here are the five mistakes I see tourists make most often.
1. Booking the big group tour
Thailand is incredibly diverse, which is why booking a big, generic group tour feels like a waste. I can’t be the only one who internally groans at the sight of a herd trailing a tiny red flag.
Those tours often trade intimacy for efficiency. Some of my best days here have been simple: a private long-tail boat, a captain who knows the secret spots, a Bluetooth speaker, and a couple of convenience-store beers. I get to lazily explore empty beaches at my own pace.
Yes, a new country can feel overwhelming. But today, anyone can build their own trip online. Even last-minute planners can rely on apps for everything — Grab for transport, Agoda for hotels, and Google Translate for communication.
The real magic starts when you step off the programmed path.
2. Visiting during high season
Avoid peak periods whenever you can. After living through all of Thailand’s seasons, the difference is dramatic, and not in a good way.
An influx of visitors can turn charming villages into overcrowded nightmares. High season also varies by region: Phuket often fills up from December to April, Koh Samui stays busy through July, and Bangkok peaks from November to February — though it never truly slows down.
During these months, my normal routine disappears. Simple errands turn chaotic as traffic builds, delivery times stretch into hours, ride-share cars vanish, and prices spike. On islands like Phuket and Koh Samui, everything from hotels to coconuts can cost up to five times more.
Shoulder and low seasons offer better value, fewer crowds, and a far more authentic feel. Less time in traffic, more time enjoying the place. It’s a win-win.
3. Sticking to the familiar
I’ll confess: on my very first trip to Thailand, I was so intimidated by the local food that I ate Burger King for a week straight. It took me a few visits to discover that the true magic of Thai cuisine lies in its incredible street food scene.
I see tourists spending massive amounts on mediocre hotel meals and overpriced Western chains, when local Thai food is not only cheaper but often fresher, healthier, and, quite frankly, better.
Why fly halfway around the world to spend $20 on a pizza when you can have a delicious plate of pad krapow (a stir-fry with basil and minced meat) or som tum (green papaya salad) for under $3?
The same applies to accommodation. Why book a small, balcony-less room in a five-star international chain in a busy district when you could stay in a spacious, four-star hotel apartment in a charming neighborhood for the same price?
This leads me to an important point on spending. In Thailand, nothing comes across more classless than a tourist who flashes their cash and constantly announces how “cheap” everything is. Because, in reality, it’s not cheap for everyone.
4. Letting the party scene spin too far out of control
Many tourists, myself included, initially fall in love with Thailand for its party scene. But there’s a line between fun and just plain embarrassing.
Excessive drinking and irresponsible drug use create chaos and danger. Last month, I was having a quiet dinner in Phuket when a lone tourist spun out of control. He was drunk, confused, and in full fight mode, adamant he’d been ripped off. Watching how fast the situation was escalating, I jumped in, took him aside, and essentially played babysitter.
I genuinely felt sorry for him. What feels like a consequence-free zone in the moment can quickly become a scary, vulnerable, or legally perilous situation in a foreign country. Party, have fun, but keep a grip on yourself.
5. Renting a motorbike
Thailand, from the hills of the north to Bangkok’s packed streets, runs on a traffic rhythm locals spend a lifetime mastering. Why anyone would rent a motorbike and willingly throw themselves into that chaos is beyond me.
First, the scams. Tourists assume they’re legally covered, only to be hit with fines for not having the correct international license — something nearly all renters lack.
Then there’s the danger. My friend Pod, a medical assistant, says tourist motorbike crashes are his biggest headache. Many injured riders don’t have proper insurance, leaving them stranded with massive hospital bills. Worse, he’s seen partners forced to switch off life support on what was meant to be a dream holiday.
Motorbikes are vital to local life and help ease congestion. But you and your drunk best friend weaving through peak traffic isn’t. For your safety — and mine — please don’t rent one.
Do you have a story to share about living abroad? Contact the editor at akarplus@businessinsider.com.
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