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Do I need a guide for traveling in Thailand?

Jan 14, 2026
4 months ago
Jack ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I'm going to travel to Thailand next month. I need a guide. anyone help me inbox please.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The original poster is seeking advice on whether they need a guide for their upcoming trip to Thailand. Responses vary, with some suggesting that it's very easy to navigate Thailand on your own using resources like YouTube and apps like Grab, while others mention the availability of local guides or friends willing to help. Several commenters emphasize the importance of doing research and being cautious about scams, while others question the necessity of a guide altogether. Overall, it seems many believe that a bit of preparation and common sense will make the trip enjoyable without the need for a formal guide.
Sylvia ********
Each destination would have different guide, only some friends last year rented a minibus with driver for 3 weeks. Then you can tour many provinces and create your own itinerary. He booked hotel each time we moved to new destination so very flexible
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Sylvia ********
Do you mean you want to tour with a driver?

Most tours include a guide for the trip.in the package.

Thus is the best way to see things but if your family want to go private you need a driver
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Toni *********
Tell me you haven’t checked YouTube for Thailand travel videos without telling me. There’s a plethora of information to educate you before you step on a plane. 
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Jim *******
Take a city tour. They will show you around the places you will never revisit again.
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Gary *******
I’m going to America and need a guide, can you help! 🤦‍♂️
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Andrew ********
Contact
@Jane ************
she runs an AirBnB and very helpful with Chiang mai - you wont be disappointed
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Andrew ********
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Andrew *********
That's the most throwing yourself out there to be vulnerable post ever. Be careful!
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Jim *******
@Andrew ********
Hoever the OP post is naive, seems sincere to me.
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Jim *******
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Ken *********
What do you need a guide for, to find a toilet, the bar, a Temple, prostitute ?? Just flag down a taxi driver, Tuk Tuk or where you book your hotel. Need to be more specific when you ask questions like that . Maybe I need to start selling diapers at immigration I could probably make a killing.
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Robert *********
No K Bank you just need to go to a branch to set it up, you don’t need an account. You can’t load it with Thai baht either, so I had to go get some foreign cash to convert to Thai.
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David *******
Guide????? Why?

So easy!

Grab a bar girl if so difficult
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Albert ********
When are you landing?
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Jeff ********
It's so easy to troll this group. Dude makes a nonsense post and gets tons of reactions and comments
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Joey ***********
If you need a guide, please don't come.
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Orustus ***********
Bring your black friend with ya, in case you can't finish her the proper way 😆😆😆
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Mark ******
🤣Soi cowboy in BKK or anywhere in Pattaya . Can find a guide😏😏
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Bonnie *********
Get a tourist book like Lonely Planet, read and figure out what you want to do. Do it.

Tik-tok and Instagram are curated and not reality.
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Mike *******
Anywhere you go from the time you get off the plane ✈️ just smile to everyone

This is the land of smiles and if you have a good heart you will be fine everyone will help and love you

But if your a complete dick head

Like do men who

Arrive in Thailand

BE Warned the teeth bite and they do not take prisoners 😈
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Michael *********
1. Download Thai Friendly

2. Create profile

3. Search city

4. Pick who you like

5. Ask politely

6. Up to you kha
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Michael *********
It’s just a system that works.
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Michael *********
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Robert ***********************
First learn to formulate a question
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Frankie *******
Go to the u t tube channel n watch everything u want to see n learn about bangkok n pattayya.its all there with many bloggers n influcencers promoting thailand
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John *******
Are you hiring someone or you’re expecting someone to show you around for free?
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Steve ********
Get a bike get yourself a mango smoothie an chill
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Stoka *******
I can be your guide

4000 baht per day
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Steve *********
A tour guide or seeing 👀 eye 👁 dog 🐕
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Jo ****
Get the guide to steer clear of the airport you intend departing from. All Thais want is your money ....
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Matteo ***********
You need a guide,

Here are the dangers sorted by the highest to the lowest:

1. Traffic (any transport)

2. Stray dogs

3. Stray women

4. Broken sidewalks
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Steven *******
5. Monkeys
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Steven *******
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Richard ********
Thailand is a piece of cake for the uninitiated. Just use common sense. English is widely spoken in touristed areas.
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Stephen *********
I’m 73. I have to turn my phone off after midnight because locals keep calling or messaging me. They ask about my welfare.They are mostly under 35 and still awake. They are young and beautiful. Some are straight males and some are ladyboys. Most are young girls. I am not a dirty old man. Quite the contrary. I don’t have to show them my wallet. I just show them respect and am non judgmental. It works wonders…For friendship and for my pleasure, and education. I hope this helps.
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Ronnie ********
Shoosh got to where you are going and say hello to anyone and you will be fine
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David **********
Go to Ao Nang. The place to die for. Join "Thai Friendly * app.

Nearly ALL beautiful people in Thailand. Don't worry...it's not like "the west "
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Jim *******
@David *********
Many beaches are called Ao Nang, Thosands of km of the shore line.
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Shane ************
@David *********
lol and now just as fat
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Shane ************
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Daniel *******
Look if you really want someone to show you around go to showaround.com
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Robert *****
Assuming you’re not a freak show, then join

ThaiFriendly dot com today and message people you’re interested in.
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Fizul *********
@Robert ****
Its a hookup site.
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Robert *****
@Fizul ********
I know. She will pick him up at the airport. That’s the whole idea.
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Robert *****
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Steve ***********
I stay in Bangkok but be glad to help
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Toto *****
Be careful with scammers in Thailand !!!!
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Fizul *********
@Toto ****
They are in every country!
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Toto *****
Online scammers, I mean

You might have no idea about Chinese gangsters running scamming centers
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Toto *****
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Sergio *****
Google
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Richard ******
I’m 64 and went there solo for a month last year. I didn’t need any guide. Watch YouTube, use ChatGPT and download the Grab app. You’ll do fine.
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Jim *******
@Richard *****
What an ill advice. Human wrecks tend to talk like that.
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Jim *******
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Rkd ********
Guide to do what? That's what i would ask.
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Terry *******
@Rkd *******
Best not to employ a THAI !!!
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Terry *******
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John *********
Why do you need a guide, are you underage 🤷🏾‍♀️
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Paul ***********
@John ********
Well his name is Jack Junior. Very telling don’t you think.
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Kim *********
@Paul **********
absolutely not - what about John F Kennedy Jr (son) Sammy Davies Jr Martin Luther King Jr etc etc? "junior" is given at the birth registration proces.
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Paul ***********
@Kim ********
wow, so serious mate. My comment was a tongue in cheek one.
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Kim *********
@Paul **********
ohh 😅 sorry 👍
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Kim *********
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Alek *********
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Ning ******
Guide to ?? Shopping ? Food ? Naughty naughty ?? Or temples hopping ?
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Robert ******
I agree with Bob Fom, Why? My wife and I just returned from four weeks in Chiang Mai and four in Bangkok. He’s correct, YouTube is your friend! Get a BTS card at a station and load it! Pay for MRT with your credit card! Use Google Maps! Get the Grab app! Get the Moreta app to pay via QR(awesome)!

You can do it all yourself. We’re 70 and did it easily! Getting confused and then figuring it out makes it better!

Learn a few key phrases! However, you’ll find out that many Thai know understand and speak English!

So, just go have fun!

PS - we’re returning in March because we liked it so much!
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Fizul *********
@Robert *****
Yes Grab is your friend. Loved the motorcycle one only because I love the breeze through my hair. Love how they navigate to the front of the line at traffic lights 😂😎😅
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Robert *********
@Robert *****
the issue with the Moreta app as well as the K bank one is that they don’t work with QR codes that go into a individuals personal bank account, only works with proper vendors so it’s limited to bigger shops/stores, not your little noodle cart on the side of the street.
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Robert ******
@Robert ********
does K bank require an account? I don’t think most tourists want to establish an account for a one or two week trip.
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Robert ******
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Michael ********
@Robert *****
don't recommend scam moreta please
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Robert ******
@Michael *******
we had great success with it. If it didn’t work, we used cash. Cash reigns supreme.
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Robert ******
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Wayne *******
Why am I not shocked that a NYer who 'works' on YT doesnt have a scooby doo about life?
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David ********
Tinder Works too!
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David ********
Go to Spankys in Nana Plaza many beautiful Thai ladies there will be glad to be your guide
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Fizul *********
@David *******
With most economical route back to your room. 😊😃
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Fizul *********
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Rui *********************
Thayland is a big country

Where in thayland ?
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Bob *****
why do you need a guide? are you blind?

if this is a real question then the ultimate guide Thailand is YouTube. and if you haven't watched a ton of that before you booked your ticket then I suggest you get busy.

do not trust other expats when you come over here. and don't go around waving your money saying I need help. most Thai people would just laugh at you and give you your money back some would keep it but it's really the foreigners here that you need to be careful of and I'm not saying they're all bad but there's some out there that you just want to be Leary of. depending on what your preference for Thailand is will show you what videos you should watch. for instance if you're just interested in vacationing here having a great time on beaches and those are the kind of videos you should watch. if you're interested in the cultural aspect of it there's that too. the food aspect yep videos for that. if you're looking for long-term stay and this is your recon then watch a little of everything that suits your interests. know that depending on the time of year and weather increase or decrease your satisfaction if you come during the hottest wettest time of the year and go home thinking this place sucks that's on you. do you research otherwise actually like rainy season .

so good luck be careful enjoy your trip. budget carefully for what you want to do. I recommending bringing cash for what you want from spend while you're here and staying away from credit cards and debit cards. Don't use them here. unless you're staying a long-term there should be no problem.

Hope that helps you
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Fizul *********
@Bob ****
"Stay away from Credit Cards and debit cards"

C'mon mate, Thailand ain't that backward. I have ALWAYS used my cc at 7-11 albeit you need to spend 200 Baht.

No lower ceiling at Lotus. Major stores accept them. Geez!
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Bob *****
@Fizul ********
it's actually good advice. Take it if you want. The reason I say that is you set yourself up for scamming. It took me months to get a new debit card after I used my Debit card at Robinson's department. So. It was the only place I used it.

Now I live here and I have a Thai bank account with a debit card attached to it. Different story though. If you are a vacationer coming for 2 weeks or one month you are better off not using them. But hey you do you.
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Fizul *********
@Bob ****
I have been doing me for years. Lucky you say?
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Fizul *********
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Jim *******
@Fizul ********
How on earth could you have a Thai Credit Card? Do not lie.

I can use my Japan ATM card but it is not a Credit Card.

Bought a new aircon, my Japanese` Credit card, but nothing Thai.
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Jim *******
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Lincoln *******
@Bob ****
overall good advice, i haven't had problems with many expats here in BKK though, we must hang out in different crowds but i would imagine there are some rotten ones, especially based on some of the comments on this group 😅
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Jim *******
@Lincoln ******
Most of the expats are idiots, not worth pissing on them.

Like tattooed British hooligans or Australian bogans.
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Bob *****
@Lincoln ******
thanks. actually I have not had any real issues with expats here either because I'm smart about it. but I know of issues and that's enough for me. I overhear people talking and that's enough for me. most foreigners here though just want to have a good time.
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Bob *****
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Pete *******
@Bob ****
or alternatively just arrive, don’t be a dick and enjoy your stay….
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Robbie *******
Short and to the point , but true .
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Robbie *******
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Martin *********
Any girl in any bar will be happy to show you around, and luckily there's plenty to choose from.
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Hans *************
@Martin ********
the Bargirls only know the way from her room to the bar 555
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Hans *************
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