Things you should know before traveling to Thailand

Millions of people flock to Thailand each year, and the number of annual visitors is continuing to grow. Having a basic knowledge of what to expect before you arrive in the Kingdom will be helpful both for you and for the local people you meet along the way. Here are things to know before you arrive.

Avoid animal tourism

Getting up close and personal with some of Thailand’s most exotic animals has become a must-do activity on many tourists’ itineraries. Elephant trekking, tiger temples, and photo ops with monkeys are a few activities you may come across while visiting the country. If one of these attractions is on your bucket list, we suggest crossing it out. Many travelers are unaware of how these animals are mistreated and neglected. Before arriving in Thailand, make sure you do some thorough research into the ethical ways you can interact with the native wildlife. If you’re dying to see elephants, see elephants! Just do so responsibly.

There are a lot of soi dogs

There are about 300,000 strays roaming the streets of Thailand’s capital city alone. While the exact number of soi dogs (street dogs) is unclear, one thing remains certain: you’re going to run into at least a handful of them while visiting Thailand. Lesions, fleas, rashes: these are just some of the conditions that street dogs are suffering from. Caring locals provide food and water for these animals, but many are still neglected. Help out when you can, but also be vigilant.

Do not feed the monkeys

You’ll come across plenty of monkey-filled beaches in Thailand. These animals are cute, clever, and are definitely cool to see up close. That does not mean you should feed them. Feeding the monkeys means they become less able to find food on their own, making them vulnerable in the wild. It also means that they’ll associate people with food. It’s not uncommon to see monkeys steal bags, clothing, and more from tourists in hopes of finding food. These monkeys become less cute when they are tearing your purse apart. Remember these are wild animals. Monkeys bite, and unless you had your rabies shot and there’s a hospital nearby, an enjoyable experience could quickly turn into something very dangerous.

Bargain responsibly

Bartering in Thailand can be fun. There are few places in the Western world that allow you to exchange numbers back and forth with a merchant until you both agree on a price. That being said, there is always a time and a place to fight for a discount. If you’re visiting Chatuchak Weekend Market, barter away! If something doesn’t have a visible price tag, you should definitely suggest a merchant go lower for an item than what they originally said. If you’re blatantly making a merchant uncomfortable or bartering is no longer a friendly banter, move onto the next shop. Don’t be the tourist fighting over a single dollar.

Read more: All you need to know about Ayutthaya, Thailand

Invest in bug spray

One too many trips to Thailand have been cut short by an unfortunate encounter with one too many bug bites. Whether you are left confined to your hotel room because the itching is simply unbearable, or worse, you contract a virus, you’ll certainly regret being so brazen. Bug spray should replace your perfume or cologne while in Thailand. Be sure to have a travel-size spray with you at all times. You never know when a bloodthirsty mosquito is going to be out for dinner.

Source The Culture Trip

Pad Thai, the most famous dish in Thailand

Pad thai is a dish synonymous with Thailand and unlike Singapore noodles, is actually Thai from the place it’s named for Thai people take great pride in the dish and use it as a yardstick for their own cuisine.

“Whenever we try Thai food,” chef and Thailand native Nick Srisawat tells Gastronomica,“ we try pad thai first because that is a way to judge how good a restaurant is.” It’s become a staple in Bangkok and is loved across the world, but the story of its inception is one you might not know.

Back in 1938, a man named Phibunsongkhram, better known as Phibun in the West, had just played a prominent role as a military officer in a coup that dethroned Thailand’s monarchy and, after rising through the ranks of government, became Prime Minister (dictator).

Despite being the center of power in Thailand, Phibun was worried. Siam - as Thailand was then known - had never been colonized but was surrounded by the French and British. Siam was also an ethnically diverse country with strong regional identities, and with the removal of the monarchy, there was little to hold these disparate groups together.

So, in an effort to forge a true national identity and - more importantly - cement his power, Phibun decided to transform the country’s culture and identity. From 1939 to 1942, Phibun passed 12 Cultural Mandates that would - hopefully - encourage the Siamese people to be productive, well-mannered, and proud of their country.

Phibun’s mandates were incredibly nationalistic, and like a lot of modern-day legislation, were aimed to curb foreign influence within Siam. Some of his mandates - like his desire for everyone to wear hats in public - have faded into the fog of history. But his decision to change the name of the country to Thailand has stuck, and his ability to forge a true national identity has lived on. But what has this got to do with pad thai I hear you ask? Patience, we’re getting to that.

Before Phibun, pad thai didn’t’ exist. In fact, most Thai people ate rice with chilli paste, leaves, and salt and bought lunch and snacks from Chinese food vendors. But during world war II, Thailand suffered a shortage of rice, and Phibun used this shortage as a nationalistic propaganda opportunity. Thus pad thai was born, ironically from a dish with Chinese origins. The original name for Pad Thai, was ‘Gway Teow Pad Thai.’ Gway Teow’ is a Chinese word for rice noodles, while ‘Pad’ means fried and ‘Thai’ means in Thai style. Some people believe that a similar creation to Pad Thai was brought to Siam by Chinese traders in the 1700s.

Phibun’s son told Gastronomica that his family cooked pad thai before his father made it the national dish of Thailand, but is unsure who invented it. Others say there was a national competition held and pad thai won. What everyone does agree on is that the dish was used to protect Thailand’s rice resources. Noodles are cheap and economical to produce and could be dried and kept for long periods of time. The amount of rice used to make noodles was 50% of what would be consumed if it was eaten unprocessed, so noodles essentially doubled Thailand’s rice stores.

Married with Phibuns mandates, pad thai was promoted heavily up and down the country under the campaign slogan “noodle is your lunch”. The propaganda led menu change told the Thai people they were “helping the war effort” and “supporting your country” all while reducing the influence of non-Thai within the country. The Public Welfare Department gave out recipes to restaurants and even gave free food carts to people to sell pad thai in the streets, all while quietly banning foreign nationals from selling their wares.

But it worked. The Thai people adopted pad thai and started eating it regularly. Phibun’s push to unite the Thai people under his nationalist agenda worked and the Thai nation started to become the country Australians regularly visit today.
So next time you order pad thai from your local Thai, remember it was the delicious brainchild of a dictator.

Oh and Phibun? The vocal fan of Mussolini and the man who forged an alliance with Japan during World War II? After numerous coups where he lost and then regained power, he was forced into exile in Japan in 1957 and lived there till his death in 1964.

Read more: 4 popular Thai noodle dishes you should try

Source Asian Inspiration

5 best places to go for a cycling tour in the Philippines

The Philippines is a country studded with magnificent views suitable for a cycling tour. From the mountains to the shores, it delivers breathtaking sights that cyclists will love. Here are the 5 best places in the country for a visit on your two-wheeler.

Sagada

The town of Sagada in the Mountain Province should be at the top of the cycling list. Not to be underestimated, cycling within the Cordillera Mountains naturally calls for a sturdy mountain bike. Popular trails in the area include Kiltepan and Marlboro Country. Traversing these uphill routes at the right times rewards visitors with surreal views of the sunrise within a sea of clouds. If more relaxed cycling is desired, however, slow riding around town and rice paddies still gives gorgeous views of surrounding mountains. The town’s activities and attractions shouldn’t be missed either. Cyclists can make a side trip to the famous Hanging Coffins of Sagada or take a bike-break for a day of spelunking in Sumaging Cave.

Palawan

Palawan is rarely recognised as the cyclist’s paradise but it undoubtedly is. The main island of Palawan is one long, narrow stretch of land. With the the capital city, Puerto Princesa, at the center of the island, travellers begin here and venture much further up north, normally to the popular tourist destinations of El Nido and Coron. But what many have yet to discover are the places in between. This is good for cyclists since these areas, such as Sabang, Roxas, and San Vicente, aren’t as heavy on the traffic, vehicle- and people-wise. Cyclists are best taking on these long-haul journeys from Puerto Princesa, northward, making multiple stops along the way, to truly appreciate the beauty of Palawan.

Mindoro

Most cyclists' favorite in this island province is the route from Calapan to Puerto Galera. This paved, winding route seems to offer every desired view imaginable, from shimmery coastlines to volcanoes and lush mountains. Cyclists can also enjoy many refreshing nature stops along the way in places like Infinity Farm, Tukuran Falls, and Tamaraw Falls. And at the end of the long journey, the UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve-declared town of Puerto Galera awaits with beautiful beaches and flourishing coral reefs.

Corregidor

For a taste of something different, cyclists can take a step back in time with a trip to the island of Corregidor. Because of its strategic location at the gate of Manila Bay, Corregidor was a crucial fortress of defense used to protect the city of Manila. Due to this, it carries centuries of history that are still visible in its sites and ruins. The island is best for leisurely cycling and stopping at the various landmarks for tales of the past. For bike enthusiasts who also happen to be history buffs, this cycling destination should not be missed.

Batanes

Cyclists shouldn’t come to Batanes for difficult trails. Instead, cyclists should visit Batanes to admire the spectacular landscapes that can’t be found in any other part of the Philippines. The green rolling hills and high cliffs overlook views many compare to springtime in countries like Scotland and New Zealand. Cyclists should allot ample time for cycling North Batan, South Batan, and Sabtang Island because each one is truly worth the trip. The difficulty of reaching this island province brought by its remoteness and unpredictable weather is all made worth it by the lovely locals – sworn by visitors as being among the nicest in the country – and sights that are nothing short of spectacular.

See more: Top most beautiful towns in the Philippines

Source: Internet