I live in Phuket and the cops stopping you for not wearing helmets is not a scam, Under Thai traffic law you must have a Thai riding license and the cops can refuse to accept international ones, We have so many young tourists the same as yourself and your girlfriends that are seriously injured or killed because they have either never ridden or have very little experience on motorbikes before they come here, Good Helmets protective clothing and 1st class riding Insurance are essential if Biking in Thailand and the only way you can become insured here is with a full Thai Riding licence and if you do have an accident here on a rental scooter and your fault you could suffer massive compensation claims........My advice to all you guys is keep well of of Scooters when you visit unless you have a Thai riding license comprehensive Thai insurance and fully understand the rules of the road here,ps I worked for the Thai Tourist Police here involved with sorting out foreigners involved here on Scooter. accidents........Hoping you will amend your comments accordingly and educate the dangers of novice riders coming here and renting bikes.

@swisscheese8628

4 ай бұрын

It is a scam when the police pocket the money instead of making you go pay at the station like in pattaya, phuket is the worst for this scam

@lucca_lee

3 ай бұрын

​@@swisscheese8628 it wasn't scam but its coruption to be precise, not wearing helmet is definately illegal according to the law not only in Thailand but the rest of the whole and in most developed country they will enforce it strictly It kinda common sense, if the police see those who don't, they have to enforce the law it needed to have punishment, to be clear those who being caught because of whatever reasons either driving license or helmet l have 2 options one do the coruption pay direct to the police pocket and they wont enforce the law or 2 follow the law and pay to the government which of course normally 3-4 times more expensive than coruption so choose yourself or just wear the freaking helmet and do the correct drive licence, I went over 40 countries I studied the law before I go and never have problems I wonder if dont wear helmet and dont driving license in a country like Germany or Japan what it gonna be I might be locked up in jail already.

@FlyMc17

3 ай бұрын

1) No, they can't refuse an international driver's license. What are you talking about. There are agreements in place for that. A cop even showd me some pictures of all the various int. driver licenses so that they know how they look. 2) It is kind of a scam because nowhere else do they care about that and I live in Thailand too. Do you get a receipt? I watched sooo many cops driving by where 3 (thai) kids are on a motorcycle and they don't care. In some parts of the country basically nobody wears a helmet. Yesterday I saw a mom with her baby in one arm and with one hand steering the motorcycle. It is insane what you see here....

@unnathin1129

3 ай бұрын

Wanted to know, if March is bad time to visit ? Is it like too hot ?

@fendermatt874

2 ай бұрын

How can they refuse international licence .

this video is so good! No BS, straight to the point, love it!

Thank you for your video. As a Thai people I hope we could be able to welcome your visiting again 😊

Joel speaks really fast and he's very clear and puts everything together quickly in a nutshell and is great listening

Thankyou this was so informative! I’m so glad you mentioned about finding an ethical place to see elephants.

Well done Joel I've just subscribed. I'm an old fella and I haven't been back there since 2009. now planning my return. Really useful tips thanks for the update mate.

Thank you! One of the only videos that answered alot of questions I had in mind like the scooter rental ect I'm going for 1 month in April. So excited 😊

I'm planning to visit Bangkok and Phuket in mid November of this year and I'm so excited. I've always dreamed of going there. So I'm watching everything I can find about how to make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime experience. And to be a respectful tourist. I'm thrilled to finally get to visit this magical place at 53! Thank you for the guidance!

Awesome video you Covered a variety of topics I didn't think about but is essential

Great vid and advice. Lived in Thailand from 1992 to 1994. Stayed in Pattaya and Jomtien, worked in Map ta Phut. Best time of my life. Surely very different now, but what a great adventure every chance I had time off (including every evening).

Such a helpful breakdown for a first time visitor planning my trip in a few months

As a local I can confirm that everything you say is true.

@Joelfriend

Жыл бұрын

Thank you! 😊

@diegudr

12 күн бұрын

So how do you avoid the police scooter scam?

@mailotfy2494

4 күн бұрын

Is June a good time to visit Thailand?

Maybe to add: taxi is often cheaper than grab. But Never use Taxi without taximeter!! And you can normally see whether it’s industrial ice cubes or self made (hole in the middle of the ice cube = industrial).

Excellent!!! Thank you so much!!! Such great info!!! Heading to Thailand for our 30 anniversary trip this March. Sure wish we could stay longer than 3 weeks! 😊

If you like beach&sea, Krabi and Trang are great too. Also Trad or Koh Chang on the east.

Great info! Leaving for Thailand in 5 days & your videos have been such a big help! So excited ☺️

I'm 72 and just got back 2 days ago and I fell in love with Thailand. We did the island tour on the long boat to Phi Phi... and decided to stay the night in only the clothes we were wearing. Best decision ever and I cannot wait to go back...bucket list ticked. This video was excellent and full of very good advice. 👍

@silasadams8053

Ай бұрын

I agree I'm 41 had the pleasure of travelling Thailand 3 times can hardly wait to go back again

@redscot5651

Ай бұрын

​@silasadams8053 I had seen the islands on tv but getting up close and personal to them was magical. I never met a Thai that wasn't friendly or annoying like Bali. Plus the food although a bit rich for me was amazing, loved all the night markets too. So think I'll be a returning tourist like yourself. 👍

Thanks mate. This was really useful. Looks like you had a great time.

เป็น VDO ที่สนุกสนานเลยครับ ขอบคุณที่ทำ Vlog เกี่ยวกับประเทศไทย อย่างตรงไปตรงมา...มีประโยชน์ดี Welcome to Thailand 🇹🇭 The land of smile 🙂😀😊😃😋😁😅😂 Hopefully you enjoy in our beloved home 🏡. Thank you 🙏 ❤️🙏❤️🇹🇭

Great video bro, extremely helpfull for our vacation this year. Cheers!

Doing Thailand in November. Great info. I love when you do these kinds of videos.

@Joelfriend

Жыл бұрын

Awesome! Thank you! Have a great time in Thailand!

Every travel video of yours is great. I learn many things from your video. Keep posting such videos. It's great that you mention that excellence in every place.

Regarding the ice: Most restaurants and cafes and even food carts use the ice with the HOLE in it. This is the correct kind of ice. If it has a hole in the center, it's safe.

@keangwooichoo6138

Жыл бұрын

Agree like in mcd, kfc etc etc

@keangwooichoo6138

Жыл бұрын

However the downside of processed ice instead of traditional ice blocks are they put ammonia into it to freeze it quicker and sell it to shops. I know the process as my friend sells hino delivery trucks to some ice making bosses. I hv visited them with him. Some workers died in the factory due to ammonia leaks.

@MukdumOfficial

Жыл бұрын

you can buy a ice block in 7-11 for sure. there is plastic bag for service around 8 bath (0.2usd) as you can carry it.

@onalonan

Жыл бұрын

@@keangwooichoo6138 Mc, Kfc and any food chain here they use small ice my friend not a big ice with a hole in it like this guys talking about. I guessed they probably made it themself. Because manytimes it looks like a unique rectangular shape. You can buy a pack of big ice with a hole in it for about 9 baht per bag in 7-11 it is a cheap one and there is a special slowly melt ice too but it doesn't have a hole in it but it's much better because it's harder to melt much better quality but it's a little more expensive like 1x baht and the cheapest and most famous is the 7-11 machine made ice that you could buy for just 8 baht but it's a small machine made ice and you have to press the ice at the machine by yourself.

@keangwooichoo6138

Жыл бұрын

@@onalonan do to buy too much ice especially factory produced ones. I know a owner of such factory in Malaysia. They put ammonia to quicken the process as too many orders for ice. It is not like your house where you just put water and freeze it.

It is really good tip to travel around of Thailand!! 😍😍 I can see your effort and I love it! Thank you for sharing this my new friend!!👍👍

Thanks for sharing this information about your experience in Thailand.😊

As a Brit living in Thailand! This video was brilliant, 👏 excellent advice for all travelers ❤

@raerae6824

4 ай бұрын

I'm planning to go and wanted visit Bangkok, chiang mai, and possibly phi phi. What's the most efficient way of visiting all 3? I've seen a return flight to Bangkok

@Joelfriend

2 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@debS20

2 ай бұрын

​@@JoelfriendHi, I have two questions: where should I exchange USD money in Phuket? Also did you guys get any vaccines before traveling to Thailand, for example: Dengue vaccine? Thank you in advance 😃

Great video my friend. 💯👏🏼👏🏼 Thanks for sharing your time with us all. Cheers from 2 Canadians 🇨🇦 living in Mexico.🇲🇽 ✌🏼🥰

hey bro, thank you for your kind share! its been a while since we ve been to thailand....

Thanks for the video mate , thailand is definitely on my bucket list!

Thanks for sharing this is great! I'm heading out there soon!

@Joelfriend

Жыл бұрын

Hope you enjoy it! Thanks for watching!

Smashed this vid lad, really helpful 💯💯

we just booked our one month trip with our 10 year old...and i cant wait!!!

Very helpful.. Thanks for sharing.. Our flight is next week..

Thanks Mate, Helped alot

😵‍💫You "nailed"it!! Excellent, will look for others that you've done!

Very helpful.Thanks for sharing.❤

Thanks bro this was super resourceful!!

Outstanding Information Byddy!!! Will be there next Month!!!!

Thank you so much for this. AWESOME video👏🏻

Can't wait to go back to Thailand in two years!

Very well done and great tips too !!! Thanks Bro ! Agree 100% , Thai people are super nice and Thailand is way Kool !!

Thank s alot! Leaving for thailand in 7 days and Im very excited!

Thank you for all the information!

Absolutely an excellent video, thanks! 🤗

Thank you so much for your this video ❤

A great video Thank you!!!

Very informative video😊🙌❤️🙏 Thankyou.

Thanks for the video and information

You were very informative thank you young Sir.

Great video. Very usfull. Simple and good explained. Thanks!

Thanks for the tips. We're going next month, God Willing 🏞🏝💯👌🏾

Once I was travelling by train through a small village where I had to stop and get on a different train and a bunch of kids came to me and gave me some photogallery of their king and I really didnt know what to do with it, so I took it with me and was so afraid of discarding it, so I still have it with me to this day. The kids were very friendly, I dont think they have seen much tourists in this rural part of thailand so I have played with them the whole train ride. People in Thailand are so awesome

Thank you for recommending 👍

I loved Thailand and can’t wait to go back again

Thanks for the helpful tips.

Don't miss the street food in Bangkok. So delicious, so cheap, and so tasty, plus never once had any gastric problems from it. You sit on benches on the street along with all the Thai people. Fun! Definitely not to be missed - and way better than most restaurants.

@mollykeane2571

Жыл бұрын

For the Thais the cost of a meal has doubled in Bangkok (not sure about elsewhere) since Covid and many people are really struggling financially so they really need the support tourism can provide.

@FlyMc17

8 ай бұрын

Streetfood is yummy...but you should still be careful and picky what food stand...I already had food poisoning...twice. not that much fun...

Thanks for such useful info.. thanks for making this video

This was great! Thank you!!

Merci beaucoup....and I love your lovely accent by the way 😊

We are planning a trip in 2025 and have thought about February but might rethink after watching this. I hate crowds. Good info.

Great info, consolidated. Thanks

Nice video Joel ❤I was in Thailand 🇹🇭 for the first time and I love 🇹🇭already 😊❤

I think wet season is not that bad, it doesn’t rain all the time, many people are scared of rainy season. It rains for couple hours a day, sometimes no rain for couple day. I think when it rains it’s even better, the air more fresh, leas dust.

Thanks for all information ^^

you a legend thank you for the info

I remember full moon beach parties back in the 80s....there still doing that...cool

i have been twice thailand and i am going back again , your tips on point , and i can confirm that thai people are so nice

Thank you Joel, we are heading there in 1 week

Nice video. Straight to the point.

Very helpful-Thank you

If you get the tube ice or round with the hole in the middle it is fine because it was made in a machine and the water is already clean but if you get a drink and it just has icecubes in it then they could be from the tap.

Great info Joe!!

I went solo travelling back in 2013 the full moon party experience was magical went back with friends in 2019 it was nothing like before 😢

Awesome! Thanks!

Lovely :) and thanks for the info. My only fear is the heat but I am considering retirement there.

Nice, concise video. Thanks.

@Joelfriend

Жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

I'm glad to know you enjoy travelling in Thailand 😊😊 my Home country

Next year I might be travelling to Bangkok to Thailand and I can’t wait

Thank you!!!

Thx, Great informative video

@Joelfriend

Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

This was so helpful thankyou!! 😊 Just wondering how did you both find making friends in hostels travelling as a couple?

Thai plugs are 220v. So if you are using US plugs you need a voltage converter.

Thailand is so amazing! We love it

@Joelfriend

Жыл бұрын

We love Thailand too!!

Thailand has 3 seasons buddy cool season (Nov-Feb) Hot Season (March-May) Wet Season (July-Oct) June visits are the best kept secret in Thailand! Almost Jan temperatures with Wet season prices!

Hey young bro. Solid advice, succinct and useful. On the back side of raising kids. Now time to explore. Need to learn how to edit like you. Thank you. Scott in USA

Well have you heard of kolkata, mumbai, delhi belly? Food poisoning can happen whenever you least expected. When traveling better eat hot food. Drinks if from fridge is already cold or chilled, do not add ice anymore.

I like the suggestion of landing in Phuket first. Interesting idea.

We lived off 7 eleven ham toasties when I went for 3 weeks a few years ago! Thailand is magical!! Aw the memories! ❤

I’ve been living in Bangkok for the past 5 years and I think you did a great job on this video 👏 As a traveler you seem to have picked up on a lot of things that most miss so good for you. Living here for the past 5 years I eat Thai food everyday and I’ve never gotten food poisoning (yet)🤞 If the locals are eating it, you should be ok. Where you get into trouble is when you eat western dishes prepared by someone who has never/would never eat it. The preparation is typically different to what westerners are used to so you may get sick that way. If you’re in Bangkok, eat what the locals eat. If you’re out in a suburb province then I recommend easing into it because their diet will include things that are specific to that region. My Thai wife refuses to eat so many Thai dishes that I eat so it just depends on your preferences.

@Joelfriend

Жыл бұрын

Exactly, I have never gotten sick in Thailand once, but practically only eat Thai food so that could be why! Yers, following the Thai people and where they eat is always a great idea! Thanks for the comment! :)

@bingeclub7893

Жыл бұрын

Also lived in Bangkok for many years and tbh I think it really depends on where you come from in how often it happens. I've noticed that Americans/Canadians get food poisoning the most. I'm American, eat about an even mix between Thai and western food and I get bad food poisoning a few times a year and mild food poisoning a few times a year, as do most of my other NA friends. Europeans tend to get food poisoning a lot as well but not as much as NA people. Most of my EU friends that live here usually get bad food poisoning at least 1-2 times a year. One of my EU friends living here was actually hospitalized twice in one year from bacteria infections from food. There was also a 3-4 month period in 2022 where food poisoning reports spiked incredibly high, not really sure of the reason. While Thai people obviously have much stronger stomachs because they are used to eating Thai food, they often get food poisoning as well although it's usually just mild cases. Anyone who lives here and has a lot of close Thai friends knows this. Getting sick/diarrhea from food is common place, so saying just eat what locals eat when even they often have issues from the food, just means you are likely to have more issues than them.

@FlyMc17

9 ай бұрын

I got food poisoning twice. By now I also live in Thailand. Never eat something that the old grandma on the farm is mixing up in her little pot, be careful with street food (check that it is grilled all the way, especially fish and fish balls and if it is on a busy road and the food is not covered, don't eat it) and some little "restaurants". also never get food at markets where the meat is out in the open in the heat. I can absolutely agree with the general rule that if a lot of Thai people go into a restaurant and it looks nice you should be safe

@lassevge

8 ай бұрын

You can even drink the water in BKK... Yes, you can!

@nvan78

3 ай бұрын

When back at my Thai village, my wife will actually advise me when not to eat a certain food; in 20 yrs. of travel in rural Laos and Thailand, as well as major urban cities the only time I had an issue with food was actually a hotel meal in Vientiane (duck as I recall). lol

Thanks, very informative

can you please do this video for each southeast asian country you’ve been to!

I agree with all the info, the only thing I liked when there was getting the true sim card at 7-11 at a great deal, or at the mall at the true store.

Wish I’d found this video before I’d travelled to Thailand! I went to bangkok and vlogged it 🥰

Thanks for this

lol I did go to 711 a lot when I visited. Get the cheese tosty!!! I also got an unlimited data sim. It was from AIS but it was about 1,000 bhat or $30. I probably could have gotten a cheaper one outside of the Bangkok airport.

I've been living in Thailand for about 10 years. I've had food poisoning twice. The first time, I don't remember or know where I got it. But the second time, I know I got food poisoning from a foreigner-owned restaurant in Kanchanaburi. In terms of cleanliness, I will eat most anything from a night market or restaurant, but I do avoid eating from stalls set up on the street. They typically have lower quality foods, less refrigeration, they typically use oil until it's black, and they aren't able to properly wash their hands or equipment. Pollution from passing traffic can be nasty too. Anyways, very cool video. I was looking for things to nit pick, but couldn't really find anything, except that I've never been asked whether I have a license while renting a motorbike. Passport or deposit has been the only requirement. Anyways, cheers on this cool video!

@sectorofzee422

8 ай бұрын

hi just want to ask which is more way better where to stay, Bangkok Or in Phuket? thank you for the response 😊

Very informative. I will travel from phuket up north and fly hone from there

Great job!

Maybe I missed it somewhere because you were speaking quite fast but the number 1 thing every foreigner should know is to always use your right hand when giving, receiving, touching, pointing (full hand, not finger), you name it. The left hand is use to wipe your you know what. Yes, I know some locals use their left hand but that's just them showing you disrespect.

@3Peakswellness

5 ай бұрын

Not in Thailand you’re thinking of India I think

@yogawithandy

5 ай бұрын

@@3Peakswellness I was born in Burma, so can tell you first hand that it's not just India. When you grow up in SE Asia you can feel it in your system that using your left hand for certain things is not OK. Sure, Thais will use their left hand but it would be out of laziness or directing disrespect. My Westerner wife once had money rejected by a Thai shop seller because my wife handed her money using her left hand.

@3Peakswellness

5 ай бұрын

@@yogawithandy oh wow I lived in Thailand for a year and never noticed, but I don’t think most Thai people use their left hand for wiping they have bum guns or TP in almost every bathroom no?

@youarewrongdevil1296

5 ай бұрын

​@@3Peakswellnessbut you never know, what the other person is using their left hand for. Thai people never shake hands anyway.

@rudraganesh

5 ай бұрын

@@3Peakswellnessbro it’s in the whole of Asia. Wherever water is used instead of toilet paper.

Great vid Joel!!!! Thanks for the tips 😊 Was also wondering about traveling south east Asia if you needed a credit card aswell as a Travelex or debit?

@Joelfriend

Жыл бұрын

I only book flights on a credit card everything else I use a debit card ti withdraw cash

@monicam7980

Жыл бұрын

@@Joelfriend awesome thanks! 👌👌