Thai Beach Essentials

Here it is, the essential guide to what you need to take to the beach with you in Thailand, depending on your circumstances, every item has a use. First of all you need to be aware of the possible dangers of rip currents, to avoid danger such as rip currents you should familiarize yourself with the hazard warning flag system used on Thailand’s beaches.

Sun Glasses are a must, the sun shines brightly in Thailand, a pair of sun glasses will protect your eyes from the glare reflected off the water and sand. They are also a very useful weapon against beach hawkers because you don’t have to make eye contact, if you are a man you can unashamedly watch the eye candy (see photo below) without your wife becoming suspicious.

Sandals or Crocs are a good idea on rocky beaches, not just to protect you feet from sharp rocks or dangerous marine life, as you can see in the photo, below.

Tin opener: rather a strange object to take to the beach, but some of the chair vendors on Pattaya Beach like to pack the punters in like sardines (photo below), you can use the tin opener when it’s time to leave.

If you are heading off to one of the idyllic beaches such as Koh Samet (photo below), you can leave the tin opener behind.

• Shorts not Speedo’s: old, wrinkly, overweight men like to look ridiculous in speedos, you’ll stand out from the crowd if you wear shorts.
• Iodine: very useful for treating cuts and scrapes caused by coral or shells.
• Vinegar: the best treatment for jellyfish stings, it’s a good idea to take your own because finding it in a time of crisis can be very frustrating.
• Baseball Cap: keep the sun off your head and prevent sun stroke.
• Mosquito repellent: many of the beaches in Thailand are surrounded by lush jungle, if you are sat in the shade underneath a tree there is a likelihood you will be bitten by mosquitoes.
• Sun Cream, obvious one but don’t forget it, especially if you have children with you.
• Nasal Inhaler: keep you airways clear so you can smell a scam.
• Fat wallet: if your wife or girlfriend is Thai there is a good chance she is going to feast on crab and prawn, have a manicure and pedicure, a foot massage, and maybe even get her hair braided.
• Air of indifference: it helps when dealing with beach hawkers.
• 5 baht coins: for the toilet, I know everybody pees in the sea, but surely you’re not going to poo in the sea.
• Toilet roll: Unless you really do poo in the sea, the local toilets might likely be Thai squat toilets without toilet paper.
• Waterproof camera: get some great photos of your kids playing in the sea without worrying about splashing your camera.
• A book: just sitting on the beach can get pretty boring.
• Ipad or Tab; so you can get your fix of PattayaUnlimited.com.