Top Ten Tips to Having the Best Holiday of Your Life in Thailand

Thailand is a fascinating country, full of amazing things to do and see. But, if you want to have the best vacation possible, there are things you can do to make sure that happens. I've been living in Thailand for 4 years and have come up with a list of, what I think are the Top 10 things to do to make sure your holiday is perfect.

1.Get a tourist visa at your local Thai embassy or consulate. Until last year, it was easy to come to Thailand as a tourist and, by doing visa runs every month (going over the border into Cambodia or Laos then coming right back to Thailand again), you could stay here as long as you wanted.The Thai government have now clamped down on too many visa runs, so it's best to get a 60-day tourist visa at a Thai embassy in your own country. This can then be extended for an additional 30 days at an Immigration office in Thailand, giving you 90 days before you have to leave the country.

2. Learn a little Thai before you get here. Thai is a language that really nobody else speaks except the Thais, and there are only 60 million of them. So if you come to Thailand and can speak some Thai, you will find your experience is even more enjoyable, as the locals love anyone who even attempts to speak their language. "Sawatdee kha" Hello and Goodbye, (or Sawatdee krap, if you're a man), "Kop Khun kha/krap" Thank you, "Tow rai kha/krap?" How much is that? - all will get you a smile and a nod and usually a cheaper price!

For those of you who are even more adventurous, sign up for a Thai language class at a local Thai temple in your country before you come, or check out Learning Thai for more in-depth Thai language lessons online for free!

3.Don't bring much cash with you. Not only is it safer to not carry around huge wads of cash (although I've never had a problem with pickpockets in Thailand), you will also find you'll get a better exchange rate if you pull money through to Thailand from your bank account with your ATM card. All the money changers and the banks charge a fee and give you a lower exchange rate. Most banks in the US and Europe have low fees or no fees for withdrawing money via an ATM.