13 Things People Miss When They Leave Thailand

Whether you’ve been to Thailand and fallen in love with its charms or have it marked on your travel bucket list, it’s a nation that tugs on most people’s heart strings. Thailand is known for exotic adventures, tropical islands, lush jungles, delicious food, friendly people, epic parties – the list is endless. We’ve put together 13 popular things people miss when they leave Thailand’s shores.

The people

Thai people are friendly, welcoming and hospitable. Locals will often invite you to have a drink with them, offer you some interesting food to try or guide you in the right direction if you are lost.

The weather

There is nothing worse than leaving the azure waters of a stunning Thai island to head back to winter in your home land. Thailand’s tropical climate is one of the many reasons it remains such a hot holiday destination.

This is definitely a biggy! So many people adore the flavours of Thai cuisine and let’s face it, the Pad Thai take away back home is just not the same (and much more expensive) than the one you get fresh from the local Thai street-side vendor.

The ease of travel

Once you have worked out that there is order to the chaos you’ll be missing the inexpensive, easy and generally reliable transport in Thailand. Travelling anywhere in the Land of Smiles or beyond is super convenient.

The sense of freedom

For many, Thailand is a place where they feel they can let their hair down and shelve their responsibilities. Leaving that sense of freedom and returning to said responsibilities can leave plenty lusting for a hasty return.

The sandals aka flip flops, jandals, thongs etc

After months of having your feet schlep you around in sandals, putting on shoes can feel rather odd. Your feet are likely to miss their freedom and want to rebel.

The shopping

Whether you’re a fan of finding a great bargain at a local market or perusing the high-end boutiques, Thailand is a shoppers’ heaven. Prices are generally much more affordable and you can try your luck at bargaining for an extra good deal.

The massages

Paying $7 for a one-hour massage. At that price, it’s ok to justify one a day while you are in Thailand, back home it’s a different story.

The “bum gun”

Yes, we had to go there. For those who have acclimatized to using the bidet sprayer in Thailand (aka the bum gun) you are likely to have gone off only using toilet paper and are making plans to install the far-superior bum gun at home.

The location

Thailand is the perfect jumping point to other southeast Asian countries. Many a traveller has made Thailand their base from which to explore the likes of Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and beyond.

The landscape

The white sand beaches, the turquoise waters, the lush jungles … need we say more.

The cheap drinks

Let’s be honest, a Sang Som set might not be the best tasting beverage you’ve ever had but it surely is much cheaper than a round back in your local pub.

The 7/11’s

There is literally another 7/11 on every corner in Thailand. These convenience stores not only provide a sense of comfort to the average traveller they are also home to a few location specific favourites, like the iconic ham and cheese toasty, Tom Yum flavoured potato chips and sweet and salty tamarind to name a few.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.