Religion

Almost equally insensitive would be to disregard certain religious precepts.

Buddhism plays an essential part in the lives of most Thais, and Buddhist monuments should be treated with respect – which basically means wearing long trousers or knee-length skirts, covering your arms and removing your shoes whenever you visit one.

All Buddha images are sacred, however small, tacky or ruined, and should never be used as a backdrop for a portrait photo, clambered over, placed in a position of inferiority or treated in any manner that could be construed as disrespectful. In an attempt to prevent foreigners from committing any kind of transgression the government requires a special licence for all Buddha statues exported from the country. With the above in mind, there is however no need to worry about taking photos of Buddha images or temples, inside and out. So long as it's tasteful in their eyes.

Your Safety

Thailand has more than its fair share of scams, but most are easily avoided with a modicum of common sense;

Below mostly important if you're new to Thailand and planning to spend a little time in Bkk before joining us in Chiang Mai. Number ONE Rule: DON'T look up! Why? Because NEWBIES, anywhere, for some strange reason seem to be amazed (open-mouthed too, usually) by everything above 1st storey? Think about it...lol! laughing Honestly, see how many newbies you're able to spot next time on holiday! We stop doing it after the first few days.

More a nuisance than a danger, a common scam by touts, taxi drivers and tuk-tuk drivers in Thailand is to wait by important monuments and temples and waylay Western travellers, telling them that the site is closed for a "Buddhist holiday", "repairs" or a similar reason. The 'helpful' driver will then offer to take the traveller to another site, such as a market or store. Travelers who accept these offers will often end up at out-of-the-way markets with outrageous prices - and no way to get back to the centre of town where they came from. So always check at the front gate of the site you're visiting to make sure it's really closed.

Don't buy any sightseeing tours at the airport. If you do, they will phone several times to your hotel in order to remind you about the tour. During the tour, you will be shortly taken to a small temple, without a guide, and then one shop after another as they get commission. They might refuse to take you back home until you see all the shops. On your way back, they pressure you to buy more tours. No need to fear this on our tours, we'll take care of you from start to finish.