Thailand, often referred to as the land of the White Elephant, is a popular tourist destination in Southeast Asia. Thailand also became one of the founders of ASEAN, on 8 August 1967. Have you ever heard of Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai? These favourite vacation spots are in Thailand.
Thailand itself is geographically located to the north with Myanmar and Laos, while to the south with Malaysia and the Gulf of Siam, to the east with Cambodia and the Gulf of Thailand, and to the west with Myanmar and the Andaman Sea.
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The white elephant is the signature animal of Thailand. The White Elephant itself is an animal that symbolises a law-based monarchy, which means that the country will always be in a state of prosperity and peace.
It is said that the Buddha's mother had a dream in which a white elephant gave her a lotus flower, which symbolises wisdom and purity on the night of the Buddha's birth. As 90 percent of the people in Thailand are Buddhist, and the others are HIndu, Islam and Christianity.
Thailand also has a wealth of culture, history, festivals, ancient temples, and cheap transport. One of the most famous public accommodations is the Tuk Tuk.
Prices and How to Ride Tuk Tuk in Thailand
When choosing the country of Thailand to visit, one thing that you must try in the land of the White Elephant is to ride its traditional transport. This is the Tuk-tuk, a modified three-wheeled vehicle. Tuk tuk has a spacious back seat and has a cover so that passengers will not overheat if they ride this vehicle. However, Tuk-tuk does not have a door.
It is called Tuk tuk because the engine of this public transport makes a sound like "Tuk ... tuk ...."
But if you decide to try this traditional Tuk tuk transport, don't forget to bargain to avoid being ripped off by the driver. Tuk tuk prices fluctuate, and it is widely known that there are many Tuk tuk scams in Thailand.
Some offer cheap prices to tourist attractions, but then the driver send you to the shopping centre area. Why is it so? Because Tuk Tuk drivers will get a commission, if they can bring customers to these shops.
Tuk tuk prices go up and down, you have to be good at bargaining
In every country visited on holiday, there must be some unique things that can be tried so as not to be curious. In Thailand there is such a thing as traditional transport, called Tuk Tuk. The problem is that as a first-time visitor to Thailand with no experience, you have to be careful. In order not to be deceived, here are tips on how to ride a Tuk Tuk and bargain for the price.
Tuk tuk prices go up and down, you have to be good at bargaining
This unique three-wheeled transport in Thailand, Tuk Tk, is indeed very iconic and must be tried to explore the country of Thailand. But as a visitor who has no experience riding this vehicle, you must be smart in bargaining for prices.
The price for a Tuk tuk ride is usually adjusted according to the distance travelled. It ranges from 30 baths to 180 baths. The price may seem cheap, but often Tuk tuk drivers are shrewd and deliberately increase the price to foreign tourists who come to Thailand.
The tip is to bargain for the price of the Tuk tuk that the driver charges below, for example 20-40%. Especially if you are travelling in a group, ask for a discount.
Looking for Tuk tuks at the base
Tuk tuks are actually on the side of the road and often hang out in various strategic places, so it is not easy to get them. But so that you are safe in getting prices compare one with another.
Despite the ups and downs of tuk tuk prices, this traditional transport is a great way to explore Thailand, from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. Exploring the small streets of Thailand is also very cool by riding Tuk Tuk.
Tips to Avoid Scams in Tuk Tuk Bargaining
To avoid scams that often occur when you want to ride a Tuk Tuk, you need to know the following tips:
Every tuk tuk driver will definitely offer high prices to foreign tourists, so don't be afraid to bargain. For example, if they give a price of 100 baths, then bargain for half of it, no problem.
Compare several tuk tuk drivers so you know what the market price is, if you fail to bargain. Don't worry, there are hundreds of other Tuk tuks waiting for you to ride.
It is common knowledge that sometimes there are fraudulent guises that occur from tuk tuk drivers, the intention of wanting to tour famous tourist destinations in Thailand instead the Tuk Tuk driver takes you to a shopping centre or shopping, which collaborates with them. Every tuk tuk driver who brings tourists to the shop, usually will get a commission.
Get around by using a calculator, in calculating the price to ride Tuk Tuk. Because often there will be a miss of price communication.
There are many things to do in Thailand. such as visiting Bangkok, Thon Buri, Khlong San, Khlong Ton Sai, and also Tuk Tuk Night Tour.
By choosing the Tuk Tuk night tour booked on Traveloka website, you can enjoy a fun tour schedule, such as the following:
In addition, you can also get a lot of exciting experiences. It is not only enjoying night tours, but also exploring Bangkok's delicious markets, temples, and food stalls at night. The real beauty of Bangkok night will be seen there.
You can enjoy Klongsan market at night, where you can shop for clothes, food and souvenirs. If you stop by Wat Prayoon, you will see many Buddhist artefacts and bell-shaped stupas. At Pass by Wat Pho, you will see the home of the golden reclining Buddha and so on.
The land of the White Elephant is indeed a favourite holiday destination, it is not only about enjoying beauty and culture, but it is also pocket-friendly. If you are planning a holiday to Thailand, here are some tips to make your holiday perfect:
Before your holiday comes, please make a complete itinerary, right? So that the time spent on holiday is not wasted. If you prefer city trips, Bangkok can be an option. But if you prefer nature, you can go to Phuket or Pattaya.
Public transport can be an option so that you can save your budget as long as you have to be able to bargain, such as taking traditional Tuk tuk transportation. But you can also use the BTS Skytrain as an alternative option.
Exchanging foreign currency in your own country will be much cheaper than having to exchange in the destination country. Especially for those of you who come for the first time, there is a sense of confusion sometimes, right?
There are many temples to visit in Thailand, and it is best to dress appropriately when visiting Buddhist temples. Avoid wearing revealing clothes in the first place, even if it's a very hot day when visiting a temple.
To make your trip even more convenient, book your tickets and accommodations through Traveloka. With Traveloka, you can find the best deals on any tickets, nearby hotels, flights and more tourist attractions. Plus, you can read reviews and get travel tips to ensure you make the most of your visit. Start planning your adventure today with Traveloka and enjoy a hassle-free memorable trip!