There are so many great places to explore out there in the world. However, there is a good reason that Thailand is often on people’s bucket lists. It’s filled with incredible sights and sounds that are unlike anything else in the world.
Want to ride in a tuk tuk? How about seeing some of Mother Nature’s most exceptional work? Sun bears, Siamese crocodiles, and tigers are just some of the beautiful creatures that walk the land. That’s before we even get to the temples and sacred buildings that are found all throughout the nation. The views? They are unlike anything that many of us have ever seen.
While Thailand is a place of wonder, it’s also a land that’s filled with some pretty unique sights – some for more hilarious reasons than others.
Eyes on the road
Although motorbikes can be a great way to get around busy streets and feel a sense of freedom, they also have their flaws. One on the list? The fact that you’re exposed to the elements. Bikes are great for cooling down as you feel the wind in your hair. It looked as though one pair were in for a surprise shower when it started to rain. Have no fear; they had a plan.
We get the feeling that this duo has been caught in the rain on their bike before, and they didn’t want to risk it again. Thankfully, the guy at the back is there to keep the driver dry. We’re just not sure that we’d feel safe if the driver only had one hand on the handlebars.
A drink to go
Most of us are used to getting offered a cup with our takeout drink. Think again if you head to Thailand. Here, you need to get used to drinking your drink out of a plastic bag instead. It might look a little strange on the surface, but there is a good reason that drinks are served in this way. People in Thailand have an unwritten ‘one finger’ rule.
This means that everything needs to be packaged in a way that it can be carried on, you guessed it, one finger. That’s not all. Most people across the country use a motorbike to get around. Having a bag in a drink means that people can simply hang it from the handles on their bike and get going. How clever!
Moves like Jagger
If you’ve ever been to any kind of business or sales exhibition, then the chances are you’ve seen a variety of sellers all trying to sell you their goods. It can be tough to stand out from the crowd. Some businesses have found the perfect way to make sure that they are the center of attention. Various companies have employed models over the years. Thailand business owners?
They take it one step further. It’s pretty common to see models advertising products by dancing away for the audience. This can be choreographed routines or sporadic dance moves. Either way, their dances seem to work as many people are drawn in by their performances. These women certainly appeared to be getting pretty into their routine.
Sit back and relax
Picture the scene. You’re lying there enjoying some time in the sun when all of a sudden, you feel an enormous weight on your back only to find that an elephant is giving you a massage. Sound like something straight out of a movie? It turns out that they are a reality in Thailand. People have the chance to get up close and personal with the giant creatures in an entirely new way than ever before.
However, you might want to think twice before you head for an elephant massage. Some companies have the best trained and cared for across the country. Others? They have come under questioning in recent years. It’s all about doing your research before you book in for one of these unique massages.
A power nap
A trip to Thailand is usually filled with plenty of adventures. The chances are that it won’t take long to spot just how many motorbikes are used across the nation. It’s estimated that there are 20 million motorbikes across the land as they are easy to find, cheap to run, and great for squeezing in and out of the busy streets.
It’s pretty common to see three or four people all riding a bike at once. So what happens when you’ve been riding your motorcycle all morning, and you need somewhere to get out of the sun and catch up on sleep? Have no fear; it turns out that your motorbike also doubles up as a bed in Thailand. And we always thought that motorhomes were the way forward…
A gentle reminder
It can be easy to think that we all know how to use the bathroom. After all, all you do is go into the bathroom, flip open the lid, and take your position, right? It turns out that things might not be that easy for people across the world. In fact, many countries have been using squat toilets for years, and it looks as though people have had a tough time getting into the new position.
It’s often pretty common to see footprints on public toilet seats as people tend to take the position on the sign rather than the one that most of us are used to. While many of us probably don’t need a reminder, others still need a bathroom prompt every now and then.
Straight to the point
Heading to a new country can be an exciting adventure. Although you might be worried about finding your way around, it turns out that Thailand could have you covered. Sadly, there might have been a few translation confusions along the way. That or people in Thailand really like to get to the point.
You might be looking for the bathroom sign or one with a picture of a toilet, then save yourself the trouble. All you need to do is find the sign that tells you what you need to do and where you need to be to do it. At the very least, signs like this give us a new thing to look out for as we travel the world.
Cables, cables everywhere
The sun is shining, the surroundings are beautiful, and the smell of fresh food is all around. What’s that? Why are there so many cables up above? If you’re heading to Thailand, then prepare yourself for the number of overhead wires that are about to come your way. It can seem unbelievable to many of us, but it’s an everyday sight for this nation.
It turns out that when the cables are replaced, that many companies just lay new ones and leave the old ones in their place. It’s not long before poles are overrun with wires as a result. To top it off, the roads often flood across Thailand. Having underground cables could lead to plenty of outages as soon as the rainy season hits.
Forever washing dishes
We suddenly think that we have to return that food we just brought from the stall down the street. We get that doing dishes can be tough, and it might be easier to pass the time with our friends, but we think that this might be taking it a little too far. Unlike many other places in the world, Thailand has pretty relaxed laws when it comes to certain things.
Apparently, cleaning dishes is one of those. While we’re over here worrying about all of the other things that are probably lurking on the floor, these women don’t seem too concerned about the fact that they’re washing dishes on the floor. Just make sure that you have some disinfectant by your side before your next trip.
All kinds of young Kate
Many of us love to travel for all different reasons. Some want to see what sights are on offer out there in the world while others want to give their taste buds a treat in every continent. Thailand is famous for its street food. Some people travel from far and wide to get a taste of the good stuff.
Sadly, it might be time to step away from this restaurant if you want to stay safe – especially if your name is Kate. If that’s your kind of thing, then be sure to check out the “Stir fried young Kate with chicken.” We hear it’s delicious. We hope that this is just a mistranslated item on the menu and not their way of telling others what really happened to Kate.
Up and active
There are all kinds of martial arts in the world. A trip to Thailand could be enough to introduce you to the world of Thai boxing. It was invented back in medieval times as the soldiers thought they needed a way to fight without weapons in wars. The style of boxing says that it only has eight weapons: feet, knees, fists, and elbows, but modern participants are allowed to wear shin guards, hand wraps, and padded gloves.
Thai boxing has influenced a lot of Mixed Martial Arts fighting styles over the years, and it turns out that we can have a go at the sport whenever we head to the nation. Simply step into the ring with your friends and learn how to pull all the moves.
Hundreds of years in the making
You probably want to feel as safe as possible when building a skyscraper. While some of us reach for the screws and metal poles, it turns out that people in Thailand often use bamboo scaffolding instead. The idea has been used for hundreds of years and can be used to help with buildings that are hundreds of feet high.
However, there is something scary about this type of scaffolding: there are no screws. Instead, people have to rely on builders tying knots to keep the poles in place. Thankfully, the job has plenty of pay off as skilled scaffolding builders can earn around $150 a day, all thanks to their craft. All you need to do is unwind the rope and slide out the bamboo poles when you are done.
Keep quiet
Going to a cafe can be a great way to watch the world go by. Some people head there to enjoy some peace and quiet. Others use it as a chance to catch up on work or to study. Some people even have business meetings in cafes. No matter where you are in the world, the chances are that most cafes have something in common: they’re pretty loud.
Thankfully, that doesn’t seem to be a problem for one cafe in Thailand. That’s because people know what to do before they have even ordered their coffee, thanks to the helpful sign outside. Don’t worry; the cafe offers wifi. At least scrolling endlessly through social media means that you’ll have something to do when you’re sitting there quietly.
A trip to the sun
Sitting out in the sun can seem like a good idea at the time. That is until we head back inside and realize our skin has burned, and we can’t breathe without being reminded of the pain that our skin is in. It can be pretty tempting to enjoy the warmth on your vacation but be warned, it comes at a price.
There is a good reason there are so many warnings about staying safe in the sun, and we think it’s safe to say that this couple has earned themselves a spot on the list of reasons to stay out of the sun for a while. We can almost feel the heat from here. Even looking at them is starting to make us feel uncomfortable.
Reduce, reuse, recycle
Many of us want to do all that we can to help reduce, reuse, and recycle all that we can in our every day lives. It seems that Thailand might be one step ahead of us in some ways. This is more than just a trash can – it’s a trash can made from recycled tires! The main bulk of the cans are typically made from large tractor tires that have been turned inside out and trimmed down.
The stands and the handles on the trash cans are then made from the likes of motorbike tires. They’re great for all kinds of reasons. They find a new use for old tires, they’re durable, they’re easy to make, and they are found along most of the roads throughout Thailand.
Yes, you read that correctly
You know those signs that you need to read a couple of times to understand? Yeah, this isn’t one of them. In fact, you can probably read it 100 times, and you’ll probably be no closer to getting an answer. Let’s start at the beginning. It seems to be a sign asking us to stay away from drink. However, things quickly take a turn. Why do we need to stay away from glass containers?
We didn’t even know foam guitars were a thing, but we want one now. No one can make us stay away from our pets no matter what the sign says. “Into the waterfall”? Maybe people need to cool off after trying to figure out what this sign is trying to say?
Left with no choice
Let’s be honest; it can often feel as though people need to go back to driving school and learn how to stay in their lane, use their blinkers, and generally remember the rules of the road. If you’re driving down the street and notice that people are missing corners and swerving all over the place, then be sure to look out for one of these signs.
Apparently, in Thailand, you have no choice but to be blind! Thankfully, it just seems like a hilarious translation error. Rather than looking out for visually impaired people that could be walking down the street, you might find some people try to take the sign a little too literally. Hey, they did warn us with their sign.
Keeping things simple
Every now and then, we need to keep an eye out for a road sign to make sure that we’re following the rules. So, you pull up to the junction, look around, and notice that there are a few signs to look at. The one on the left says that you can’t turn right. However, the one on the right says that we can’t turn left either. Confusing enough? We’re only just getting started.
There’s no weaving, merging, turning, breathing, star jumps, algebra equations, or making life decisions either. In fact, if you get to this junction, then be prepared to sit there in your car for the rest of your life without moving anywhere. This is your home now. You may never leave.
No free foot spas
If you see a sign telling you not to do something, then the chances are there is a very good reason that it’s there. Yes, someone must have thought that it was a great idea to wash their feet in the toilet. Perhaps they felt that it was some kind of foot spa when they flushed? Maybe they got something on their shoe and didn’t want to wait until they got home to clean it off?
Whatever the case, we’re glad to see that someone has taken it upon themselves to remind people that feet need to be kept out of the toilet. Now that we think about it, we’re not sure how much of a difference it makes, but we’re not the ones that make the rules.
Hands up!
If you’re heading to Phuket, then be sure to try and time your trip with the city’s water throwing festival. It’s a time where people come together to, well, throw water at each other. It really is that simple! Watch out for the ‘water warriors’ who patrol the city in their trucks. No, they aren’t here to put a stop to your fun.
They actually have crates filled with ice-cold water that’s ready to be thrown on anyone unlucky enough to get too close. They’re not the only ones that enjoy the festival. Even police officers love to get in on the fun. It’s common to see officers swap out their standard weapons for water guns instead. It sure does look like fun.
Travel in style
How do you get a vehicle that suits your family’s needs? Many of us might think of investing in an SUV or truck to get everyone from A to B. Sadly, they aren’t the most practical things in Thailand. What about public transport? While it can help those of us in a pickle, it can sometimes be like taking your life into your own hands.
There’s only one thing to do: invest in a moped! It might not sound like the best way to get your family around town, but that hasn’t stopped parents in Thailand from using what they have. It’s all a careful balancing act to make sure everyone fits on. They might just need a few more helmets before this family is ready to go.
Celebrating the month
It turns out that people in Thailand don’t always need much of an excuse to get down and boogie the night away. The Full Moon Party takes place on a beach on the island of Koh Phangan. Each month, thousands of people from across the world all gather to party all night long and enjoy the festivals that take place along the beach.
If you want to look the part, then be sure to grab some neon clothing and cover yourself in bright, neon paints. They can be any design you like. The more colorful, the better! The streets and lined with vendors who have drinks and trinkets in all shapes and sizes. People at the Full Moon Party just need to be prepared to party until the sun comes up.
An annual celebration
There are plenty of festivals that take place throughout the year in Thailand. Songkran is just one of the many on the list. It’s often considered to be the most important festival on the calendar as it celebrates the Thai New Year. It’s also one of the largest water fights in the world. It initially started as a way to wash away your sins from the year before so that you can start the new year with a fresh mind.
Now, it’s turned into one giant water fight as people carry buckets of water and water pistols in the street. No one is safe from a good soaking during Songkran. It’s an experience that’s unlike any other in the world.
Strap it down
There’s one thing that seems to be a recurring theme in Thailand. If you don’t have something you need, you find a way to make what you have to hand work instead. Take this person. It looks as though someone needed a truck to get all of their goods across the city. Sadly, there was no vehicle that was large enough. No worries.
All they needed to do was grab a piece of plastic sheet and some long straps, and they were good to go! Worried about it falling over or the goods flying off? Have no fear; people in Thailand are often well-practiced at this kind of thing. All they need to do is make sure they can get from one destination to the other, and everything is good.
Nice and comfortable
It’s thought that there are more than seven million dogs in Thailand, and almost one million of those live on the street. It’s common to see these dogs sleeping anywhere they drop – including in the middle of the road. As if that wasn’t enough, most of these dogs have got so used to passing cars and people that they have learned how to ignore the people trying to get them out of the way.
Some of these stray dogs have even formed packs that roam the streets. Believe it or not, but these dogs could be the next best law enforcement officers across Thailand. Some of the dogs have been fitted with jackets that contain hidden cameras to help keep an eye on the streets.
Take the weight off your feet
It’s not just motorbikes that fill the streets of Thailand. They are also crowded with tuk tuks, too. They are one of the unofficial national symbols as many travel to Thailand just to ride on one of these impressive vehicles. They have three wheels, have an open back, and can usually take two or three people at a time.
It’s a great way to take in the bustling streets of Thailand, but it looks as though this tuk tuk has a way to relax as your driver focuses on the road ahead. Yes, this vehicle comes with a built-in fish foot spa, meaning you can enjoy a relaxing treatment during your journey. A vehicle like this sure is something you would only ever see in Thailand.
Extreme cooking
A trip to Thailand is sure to take your taste buds on an adventure. The food across the nation is often thought to be some of the most delicious in the world. Jay Fai is more than just a chef; she is a Michelin Star chef. Jay Fai had been working in her outdoor kitchen for three decades before she was recognized as one of the most talented chefs in the world.
The cook uses a selection of fresh seafood and prime ingredients to bring her dishes to life. However, it’s her ski goggles that have got many people talking. Jai Fai is the only chef at her restaurant and works over flaming woks for most of her recipes, and she wants to protect her eyes.
Asking politely
There are all kinds of times in our lives that can push us to up our gym routines. Some of us have an event coming up and want to look our best. Others are training for a big competition. Some of us even enjoy going to the gym. Who would have thought?
If you’ve just stepped foot in the gym for the first time in years or you’ve pushed your way through a spin class, then the chances are that you’ve felt a little bit tired and wanted to take a nap. Just be sure that you aren’t in this gym in Thailand. It looks as though the gym had such an issue with people trying to catch up on sleep rather than working out that they needed a sign.
Nerves of steel
You know those posts all over social media where people try to pull off yoga poses against impressive backdrops? Yeah, this monk put everyone to shame in one quick moment. A video emerged of the monk who appeared to be sat in a bowl of boiling oil. The dish was balanced above a roaring fire, yet the monk looked as though he was sat there without any issues in the world.
Was he really magic, or was there something else at play? No one knows the truth. Some people were handing the monk amulets and jewels to bless as they believed he had further powers. Others think there may have been a layer between the monk and the fire to stop the oil from boiling.
The untrustworthy sign
The chances are that if you see a sign at the beach, you think it’s there to warn you about dangers, right? That might not always be the case, especially when it comes to the great outdoors in Thailand. One sign has left many people scratching their heads. Is this just a translation error, and it’s really pretty dangerous to swim in the area, or is it safe to dive into the water?
It sure doesn’t look as though a lot of people trust the water as there seems to be no one else swimming behind the sign. We think that it’s probably best to trust your first instinct and avoid taking a dip in this water – unless you want to live life on the edge.
Going out happy
It can be tough to decide what you want to order from a restaurant when everything sounds so delicious. It looks as though one place has everything covered. Not only can you enjoy a meal for yourself, but it could be enough to feed the entire family. Oh wait, we may have got the wrong end of the stick. It turns out they might literally be serving a family instead.
We really hope that this is a comical translation error and not the answer as to what happened to the Johnsons on their family vacation. We’re just glad to know that they were happy before they were turned into a special on the menu. We suppose it could be worse, right?
Never closed
There is a hint of comical irony in this photo. On one side, it’s telling us that the store is never closed – and it looks pretty proud to boast about this fact. On the other side of the door, it says that the store is closed. So which is it? We get that emergencies might crop up or that something could have happened that’s out of their control, but it might be best to alter your hours to make room for the unexpected.
If not, it might not be long before the store earns a reputation for itself around town. After all, if they have said they’re never closed, and now they’re shut, what else could they have told us that wasn’t the truth? We may never know.
Slithering intruders
There is plenty of wildlife to see in Thailand. However, there are some animals that some of us would prefer to avoid. That’s right; we’re talking about snakes. Of course, some of them are venomous. King cobras, Malayan pit vipers, green keelbacks, spitting cobras – they are just some of the many that you might want to keep an eye out for during your trip.
Thankfully, these snakes aren’t venomous. They just give their prey a really tight cuddle instead. While the pair of snakes might be enough to make some of us run for the hills, these kids don’t seem to be bothered by the additions. Perhaps living in a country that’s filled to the brim with the crawling creatures is enough to make them look a little less scary?
Monkey see monkey do
Monkeys. They’re cute and cuddly, right? Well, that might not always be the case in Thailand. Many visitors want to get up close and personal with the fluffy additions. It can be tempting to throw food to the monkeys or even try and get them to take it out of your hand. However, many of these monkeys can be pretty dangerous toward humans.
As if that wasn’t enough, these little primates have even been known to steal purses and sunglasses from unsuspecting tourists. It looks as though being around humans for so long has taught these monkeys a few new tricks. One of the many they have learned is how to drink out of discarded cans. Apparently, fizzy cola really is that irresistible.
Definitely not on the menu
Many of us are used to seeing signs and menus that list everything that a restaurant has on offer. So what about one that says everything they don’t serve instead? Does that mean that all other ingredients could be in their food? We just don’t know what to believe anymore. Plus, we’re not sure that we’d have much of an appetite after reading this sign.
You can rest assured in the knowledge that this place doesn’t serve worms, rats, cats, or dogs in its food – or does it? The place might have a tough time convincing customers that they really don’t have any of these in their dishes. At least customers can now enjoy their definitely not a worm, rat, cat, or dog, on a new hot plate.
Take the fine
It might seem tempting, but it’s probably never a good idea to sneak into an event when you need a ticket. You might just have to watch the show back online. However, there is an incredibly good reason that you should avoid trying to make your way into this venue. If you don’t have a ticket, then there’s a chance that you might be eaten.
We’re not sure who will be doing the eating, but we don’t think that we’d like to find out. We think that we’d prefer to take the fine than risk becoming someone’s next meal. Not many of us have ever been faced with such a situation before, so just make sure you bring some hot sauce in case someone asks to see your ticket.
Remy, is that you?
We don’t know whether to laugh or cry about this one. If you’ve ever been browsing through the grocery store and found yourself looking for some snacky snacks, then you might want to think twice before you grab this off of the shelf. Yes, that really does say “Thai rats” on the poster. Do we believe the sign or what’s on display?
One the one hand, we’re worried about accidentally eating a rodent. On the other hand, it looks as though the bags are actually filled with some kind of bread or pastry. Maybe rats are more delicious than we thought? We’re not sure that we’re willing to give them a try just yet. We think we’ll leave them for someone else to enjoy instead.
Diving in
We’ve seen people go fishing in all kinds of strange ways. However, we can’t say that we’ve ever seen people jump into water filled with jellyfish to prepare their meal. That is until now. At Haad Pak Phra beach, there’s a sight that could change it all. The smell may hit you before the view or the noise of people talking away.
At first, it often looks as though it’s water filled with fishermen enjoying their catch of the day. The reality? It’s actually jellyfish. It’s all people washing them off before they are dried and sold at local markets. Women, children, and just about anyone gathers in the water to prepare the food as marinated and dried jellyfish is quite a delicacy in the area.
No eating the animals
Heading to the zoo can be a great way to see animals from all around the world and learn about species that we never even knew existed. We can’t say that we’ve ever used a trip to the zoo to think about all of the animals that we could put on the menu. It looks as though people in Thailand might have different views about what the zoo is all about.
It turns out that some people look at a tiger and see a delicious meal before making their way to the penguin exhibit where dessert is on the menu. We guess that’s the reason there’s a sign telling guests not to eat the animals. Leave the mustard at home; dinner is not served.
