First, lighten your load. You’ll be living in T-shirts, shorts, and flip-flops most of the time, but cheap clothes are easy to come by in Southeast Asia.
Of course, you don’t need to bring a coat, but if the air conditioning is set to 11 degrees (e.g. in a shopping mall, bus, restaurant, etc.), a long-sleeved shirt will come in handy.
By booking on low-cost airlines instead of buying expensive tickets on flag carriers, you’ve already earned your first backpacker merit points. With the money you save, you can buy lots of tie-dyed clothes, ethnic bangles, beer, and more.
Be sure to make copies of your passport and other important documents before you leave. As a backup, please take a photo of these documents and email them to yourself.
One more thing: Money exchange offices at the airport are convenient, but the rates are not competitive. Also, avoid exchange offices that advertise no fees. They trick inexperienced travelers into offering low exchange rates. Instead, use your ATM card upon arrival.
It’s a good idea to book an aisle or window seat (middle seats aren’t much fun on long-haul flights). Once you’re on board, please charge your phone. Each seat has an electrical outlet.
You will also want to use your mobile phone as soon as you arrive in Bangkok. Even if it’s just to send a selfie to dad from the baggage carousel.
The author’s son Sam at baggage claim in Bangkok.
Thefts on airplanes have increased in recent years, so be wary of people rummaging through overhead lockers.
I don’t think you’re smart enough to get scammed out of your money during a flight, but don’t let your guard down once you arrive. Tourists are more likely to be pickpocketed or scammed within hours of their arrival than at any other stage of their trip.
Scammers and con artists are attracted to areas filled with jet-lagged and disoriented travelers, making airports, bus stations and train stations particularly risky.
In Southeast Asia, backpackers spend most of their time in T-shirts, shorts, and flip-flops. Photo: Shutterstock
Once you’ve settled into your hostel dorm (backpackers don’t stay in hotels), check for bedbugs, politely ask the person on the top bunk to wash your socks, then head out and meet people. It’s time.
Please note that Southeast Asians usually do not approach foreigners on the street. If someone comes up to you with the charisma of a game show host and asks you what country you’re from, they’re probably trying to sell you something.
Smile, say “no thanks” and keep walking.
If your hostel doesn’t have a safe, carry your valuables in a money belt or neck pouch that you slip under your clothes. Don’t buy those fanny packs that novices wear outside — they’re just waiting to be snatched.
Always haggle politely in shops and markets. It’s not a good look to haggle as if your life depends on saving a few coins. Photo: Photo: Shutterstock
Refuse food or drink offered by strangers, at least until you get used to it. Although it’s unlikely that your coffee is laced with drugs, it makes sense to be cautious.
The problem is, if you never accept offers of hospitality, you miss out on getting to know people. That’s one of the reasons I booked a round-the-world ticket in the first place.
You can get more out of your trip by reading up on responsible tourism. Informed travelers are in a better position to make ethical choices.
Should I ride an elephant or visit a tiger reserve? Should I ask before taking a photo of a monk? What are the rules about tipping?
Find out what actions make the locals angry and what actions make them smile. For example, avoid yelling or having angry outbursts in public. But do learn a little of the local language and try some of the cuisine.
When paying a bill, don’t take a large stack of large bills out of your pocket for everyone to see.
Always haggle politely in shops and markets. It’s not a good look to haggle as if your life depends on saving a few pennies.
When it comes to food, avoid restaurants that are well located near major tourist attractions. You are on a budget so you don’t want to blow your savings eating at overpriced restaurants.
There’s no need to look for the cheapest noodle shop. Food poisoning is no fun. Look for clean shops with friendly staff that are popular with locals.
If you go to the same restaurant several times, you will notice that the smiles become more natural, the portions increase, and the number of shrimp in the tom yum kung increases.
Once you’re settled into your hostel dorm, it’s time to get out and meet people. Photo: Shutterstock
When it’s time to pay, don’t pull a wad of denomination bills out of your pocket for everyone to see.
Thais think that all tourists are rich, so there is no need to emphasize that idea. Plus, you don’t want to signal to those handy assholes that you have a lot of cash.
You’ll probably want to rent a bike at some point, but have you ever noticed how many of your tie-dye friends have bandages on their elbows or knees? If so, ask the rental car company exactly what their insurance covers.
If you can rent a strong set of wheels using an old library card rather than an international driver’s license, then that insurance probably isn’t worth the paper it’s written on.
Take photos of the bike from all angles – you’ll need to sign a form acknowledging liability for any damage – it’s strange how often you find dents that staff claim weren’t there when you rented the vehicle.
Oh, and under no circumstances should you leave your passport as a deposit or collateral.
One final warning: driving in much of Southeast Asia is not the same as driving in the country. You can follow the traffic rules all you like, but don’t expect others to do the same.
Many of my fellow motorcyclists don’t care about driver’s licenses, helmets, lights, etc. Some of them routinely race through red lights, and many of them drink and drive.
It is unheard of to provide sufficient braking distance between cars, and turn signals flash only during festivals.
Yes, that’s enough to drum up fear from me. In reality, the chances of suffering any kind of accident are very low. have fun. We look forward to traveling with you in the coming weeks.
But don’t expect me to stay in a hostel dorm.
