We always pictured Thailand as a chaotic whirlwind of tuk-tuks and bustling markets. While the energy is certainly vibrant, our first trip revealed a country far more nuanced and surprising than we ever imagined. We've always been travel enthusiasts, having explored many corners of North America, Europe, and even a bit of Africa. But our first trip to Thailand surprised us more than almost any other trip! Here are 9 Things that surprised us about traveling to Thailand, plus our thoughts on visiting. (Spoiler alert - we loved it!)

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1. The Spice Level and Amazing Food and Drinks

One of the first things that struck us about Thailand was the intensity of the spices used in their cuisine. We’re no stranger to spicy food. Heck, Kait’s from Louisiana, and Andrew eats chili peppers and Mexican food like they’re going out of style. We consider ourselves adventurous eaters, but Thai food presents a unique spice challenge. Thai dishes often take it to a whole new level. Even when we ordered what we thought was a mild or semi-spicy dish, we found ourselves reaching for a glass of water more often than not. A word of advice: if you're not a fan of spice, ask for "pet mai pet" (no spice) or "pet nit noi" (a little spice) when ordering.

Thailand is a foodie's paradise. From fragrant pad thai to savory satay skewers, Khao pad, pineapple fried rice, seafood fried rice, and pad see ew…we could go on and on about how well we ate in Thailand.

And while Europe barely believes in iced drinks, Thailand is where it shines. From chilled boba teas to strong iced coffees to so many slushie flavors, you’ll never have to miss your favorite iced drinks here!

2. The Ease of Navigation

Despite our initial concerns about navigating a foreign country, we found Thailand to be surprisingly easy to get around. The BTS Skytrain is an efficient, affordable way to explore Bangkok, and the Grab app made it easy to hail taxis or order food deliveries. (Grab works just like Uber in many Asian countries!)

In addition to the Skytrain, ride shares, and taxis, Thailand offers a variety of unique transportation options. You’ll find plenty of boats to take you around the city, for both leisure tours and public transit. And while you’ll see tuk-tuks, we don't recommend taking them. They can be dangerous, untraceable, and often result in scams for tourists. A Grab ride or Skytrain journey is just as affordable and way safer.

3. The Warmth of the Thai People

From the moment we stepped off the plane, we were greeted with smiles and warm welcomes. The Thai people are known for their hospitality, and our experience certainly confirmed this. Elders are highly respected in Thai culture, and it's customary to show them deference. We saw many young people offer their seats to the elderly on public transportation and speak to them with great respect.

Learning a few basic Thai phrases, like "sawasdee krap/ka" (hello - ending is gender-dependent) and "kop khun krap/ka" (thank you - again with a gender-dependent ending), was greatly appreciated. Even just the smallest gesture of learning this frankly quite difficult (for an English speaker) and nuanced language seemed to be greatly appreciated by the locals - it was nice to see their faces light up when we greeted or thanked them in Thai!

4. The Affordable Luxury

We were pleasantly surprised by how affordable accommodations, food, and entertainment were in Thailand. Even in bustling Bangkok, you could find comfortable, trendy hotels and Airbnbs at reasonable prices. If you want international food, prices are similar to the US, but if you want local Thai food, you can eat like a king without spending much. While you’re here, be sure to enjoy a spa day or a classic Thai massage! We also found these experiences to be fairly priced.

The only thing that’s not affordable? Alcoholic drinks. Go ahead and either plan a “dry” visit or save your pennies, because wine, beer, and cocktails come at a steep, steep price here! The cheapest bottles of wine cost nearly $30, and cocktails are very pricey. If you still want to celebrate your vacation with a drink, go for it! But don’t say we didn’t warn you about the sticker shock.

5. The Abundance of Markets

Thailand is a shopper's paradise, with countless markets overflowing with colorful textiles, handcrafted souvenirs, and delicious street food. We spent hours wandering through the Chatuchak Weekend Market, a sprawling maze of stalls selling everything imaginable.

You could spend all day at the Chatuchak market; just pace yourself and hydrate! It’s nearly impossible to over-emphasize how vast, sprawling, winding, a little confusing, and incredibly remarkable this market is. Come hungry and with plenty of cash for the food and goodies you can find here!

6. The Number of Photos of Royalty

Did you know Thailand has royalty? It’s always interesting to learn a little bit about the government of the country you are visiting for the first time. From the moment we got off the plane, we were greeted with massive photos of the current king. The Thai royal family is held in high esteem, and their portraits are displayed prominently throughout the country - you’ll see them everywhere as you travel around. We were surprised by the respect and reverence shown toward the monarchy.

7. The Abundance of Temples

Buddhism is deeply ingrained in Thai culture, and it's evident in the numerous temples and monasteries that dot the landscape. We found the atmosphere in these sacred spaces to be peaceful and serene.

Whether exploring the bustling city of Bangkok or the tranquil countryside, you're never far from a stunning temple. We marveled at the intricate architecture, colorful murals, and serene Buddha statues. Some of the most famous temples you should visit include Wat Pho, Wat Arun, and Wat Phra Kaew. These temples are not only beautiful but also play an important role in Thai culture and religion.

8. The Massive Malls

Okay, okay, the markets get all the mentions from the travel bloggers, but the malls can’t be overlooked. At least one major mall should make it on your must-visit list. We know, we know. A mall? For real? YES! These are destinations to behold. The stores, the decor, the extravagance, and the sheer size are unlike anything we’ve ever seen before. Some mega chain stores will look familiar, like Zara and H&M, but plenty of local Thai and Asian favorite stores are there to pop into while you’re there. If you’re visiting Bangkok, set aside a few hours to wander through Siam Paragon, Iconsiam, or CentralWorld. These are some of the largest malls in Asia, much less the world!

9. The Heat

We knew it wouldn’t be chilly when we visited in winter, but we underestimated Thailand's heat and humidity in February. Nearly every day was 100 degrees Fahrenheit and 90% humidity. While visiting the outdoor markets was fun, the heat honestly felt like a physical challenge. The temps do get more bearable at night, but it’s important to be well-equipped with hand-held fans, breathable clothing, and plenty of sun protection.

On the other hand, we were so grateful to find that, unlike Europe, Thailand really believes in running strong AC in its shops, restaurants, hotels, transportation, and attractions! While the outside temps were killer, the places inside nearly required a jacket! If you’re used to European travel like we are, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find the AC standards more like those of the southern US. It’s vital and found all over!

9 Things That Surprised Us About Our First Trip to Thailand