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        <title>Been there | Tips</title>
        
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        <description>
            Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love,
            live in or have just visited - are what make this guide.
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                <title>Don't make yourself a tout magnet</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13605</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[People are quite correct about the locals sometimes being persistent in trying to sell you useless junk that you don't want - and that they will drive you all around the area taking you to places you are not interested in. <br><br>I found that after living in Thailand for several months that this was less of a problem, as I had started to learn the language and became aware of how you make yourself a victim for their scams. <br><br>As a previous writer said: Don't make yourself a tout magnet by stopping and looking lost; walking round in circles; poring over a guide on street corners, etc.<br> <br>After living in the country for a year it was easy to get around and enjoy without any hassles ... mainly because by then, I had learned what to do and not do that causes problems. <br><br>One solution was to tell the taxi driver exactly where you wanted to go and how much you would pay before you got into the taxi (remember to be fair in your offer). <br><br>This seemed to solve a lot of problems upfront. <br><br>Speaking the language helped a lot even though I had only one year of experience speaking Thai. <br><br>When you make an effort to learn to speak their language, most Thai people are very nice and helpful to you.<br> <br>I have been in Bangkok six times and each time was very enjoyable.<br><br>And I really enjoyed travelling around the country as it has a lot of beauty to offer. The area I lived in was eastern Thailand in the city of Ubon. The only hard part was getting used to the tropical heat and humidity.]]></description>
                
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                <title>Avoiding the torturous locals</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13356</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[Seriously, I was tortured by these people. Every step I took someone was trying to get cash off me, trying to recommend a rip-off place or trying to get me on a tuk tuk. <br><br>When on the tuk tuk they take you to places you don't even want to go. Places supposedly closed etc, I found them a constant harassment. <br><br>The final straw was when the local law student (who, incidentally, knew nothing about Thai law when asked) ended up being the same guy taking me to the airport. Needless to say, he didn't get a tip and was lucky to be paid.]]></description>
                
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                <title>Local customs</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12028</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[Check up on Thai manners and customs – this will earn you more respect from the locals. Keep up some dress sense – how you dress in Thailand is quite important. Don’t go topless without checking out if it’s acceptable where you are – usually it’s frowned upon. You’ll notice that Thai women (even sex workers) are very modest in public –they usually swim fully clothed.<br><br>Check out table manners – Thais tend to eat from communal dishes in the centre of the table – don’t pour everything onto your own plate! Don’t knock the royal family – even in jest. Don’t point your feet at people – the body is seen as hierarchical and the feet are the lowest part and should not be waved about (this is like a “fingers up” sign). It’s not necessary to “Wai” people - the Thai greeting - as you’ll probably get it wrong. If they Wai you, you might wai back. Remember, this is the Land of Smiles and you will find everything goes much better when you have a smile on your face - whatever the situation.]]></description>
                
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                <title>Transport advice</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12026</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[Public transport is cheap. Planes, trains, buses, minibuses and taxis from town to town. If you’re in a minibus or taxi, tell the driver you’ll tip him if he keeps the speed below 90/100 kmph! National speed limit is 90kph (120 on motorways).<br><br>Around Bkk try to use meter taxis with the meter on - it’ll be cheaper than the tuk-tuks (take a tuk-tuk once for the experience then use meter taxis).<br><br>Don’t let the drivers take you out of your way...they’ll try to take you to some store where they get commission.]]></description>
                
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                <title>Driving</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12025</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[Bring an International driving licence – although most national ones are accepted by motorbike and car hire companies and anyone else who wants to hire you something, you may not be insured without an IDL! In Thailand they drive on the left - cars are right-hand-drive. However driving is really only for the experienced. Be especially careful on a motorbike - Samui has the highest accident rate in Thailand. If you are stopped by the police, it is advisable to have 200 baht handy as you may be required to pay an on the spot “fine”; it is inadvisable to get out your wallet and display a large amount of cash or the “fine” might increase.]]></description>
                
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                <title>Eating</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12023</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[Thai food is very unlikely to give you food poisoning but can contain more chillies than you ever thought possible. Street food is usually safe (and delicious!), check for numbers of customers and general looks of the stall. Western (“farang”) food is much more likely to give you food poisoning – fridges are not part of Thai cooking lore yet…beware of western fast food outlets and hotel buffets - food that has been out for over an hour or so. Drink bottled water - not tap water. Even consider not brushing your teeth with tap water. Ice is usually safe in drinks and for anything else.]]></description>
                
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                <title>What to take with you</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12022</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[Very few clothes – they are so cheap here and you’ll only bring stuff that is too warm. Very little luggage – this makes you more mobile if you need to be and less vulnerable to taxi touts and undesirable men. (before you go home you can buy any extra luggage (cheap) to take souvenirs etc).]]></description>
                
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                <title>Money</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12021</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[Don’t rely just on travellers checks in any currency - they are too much hassle. I have witnessed a friend being refused. Bring ATM and/or credit cards. - check fees and tell your bank your are going abroad. Bring very little cash – you tend to get a better rate of exchange here than any home country. Just enough to get you out of the airport to somewhere nice for the first night - avoid carrying large amounts of cash...you’ll lose it when drunk or get it nicked.<br><br>Beware! - The 1000 baht note looks very similar to a 20baht note. You might give an overlarge tip!]]></description>
                
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                <title>Restaurant at Bangkok airport</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2903</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[When in Bangkok airport don't queue for coffee in a throwaway cup at the self-service point on the main concourse. Co to the Thai restaurant where a waiter will bring you coffee in a cup and saucer at the same price. Peaceful surroundings and good food too.]]></description>
                
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