Ask A Local Thailand: Travel Tips & Hidden Gems

At Sim Local, we’re lucky to have customers who travel all over the world, and they’re always discovering incredible places along the way. That’s exactly why we created Ask A Local: to spotlight the must-see hotspots, hidden gems, and real travel tips you only get from people who’ve actually been there.

This month’s Ask A Local insights were shared with us by Ioana, who explored Thailand and loved every second of it, from island adventures to market nights and unforgettable local food. Keep reading to find top travel tips for Thailand including favourite spots, and must-know travel hacks for your own Thailand adventure.

If you’re dreaming of that postcard-perfect Thailand, the Phi Phi Islands are hard to beat.

The water is unbelievably clear, with stunning shades of turquoise you rarely see in real life. But what really makes it special is what’s under the surface. Snorkelling and diving here feels like entering a different world, with:

• colourful coral
• sea urchins (watch your step!)
• fish in every size and shape

One of the most surprising parts? The fish aren’t shy at all, they swim right up to you, curious and unafraid.

While some bays can get busy with tourists on peak days, Ioana’s advice is simple: once you’re underwater, the crowds disappear. Everything becomes calm, quiet, and completely unforgettable.

Thai food is one of the best parts of travelling in Thailand, but if you’re sensitive to spice… it can be a challenge.

Ioana is allergic to chilli, and found that “not spicy” in Thailand often still meant very spicy. So when she and her fiancé discovered Raya Restaurant in Phuket, it was a huge relief.

What made it such a standout?

• they can make dishes at any spice level, from zero spice to extremely spicy
• it’s perfect if one of you loves chilli and the other does not
• you can still enjoy Thai classics without worrying about the heat
• there’s a cosy terrace and garden area out front that’s great for photos

If you’re in Phuket and want a place that feels relaxed but still serves authentic flavours, this one’s worth adding to your list.

If you’re visiting Thailand and want more than beaches, Phuket Old Town is full of personality and hidden gems.

Ioana recommends spending time strolling the streets and letting yourself explore. Every visit felt different, especially around the night market, where she kept discovering something new, including:

• pop-ups that change from day to day
• local artists performing at bars
• game nights and small events
• local artisans setting up shop with handmade goods

It’s the kind of area that rewards curiosity. Even if you went 100 times, you’d still find new spots, quirky little shops, and unexpected experiences along the way.

Thailand’s beaches are stunning, but they’re not always barefoot-friendly.

Ioana’s biggest beach tip is to pack beach shoes, especially if you plan on excursions. The nature is beautiful, but it can be risky underfoot due to:

• sharp stones
• coral
• sea urchins
• lots of tiny crabs (fun to spot, but painful to step on!)

If you don’t pack them, you’ll likely end up having to buy them through your tour provider for an unreasonable price.

Even with full coverage clothing, mosquitoes can still somehow find you. Ioana recommends having insect repellent with you daily, especially in the evenings.

Ioana found great deals for excursions on Trip.com, an Asian travel app similar to GetYourGuide.

Her advice: it often has more tour options and better rates than European platforms, so it’s worth checking if you want to save money or find more variety.

For transport, Ioana recommends using the BOLT app to book either a car or a motorcycle.

The motorbike option is not only budget-friendly, it’s also one of the most fun ways to experience Thailand. It’s quick, cost-saving, and feels properly local.

It’s also especially useful during heavy traffic, since motorbikes can move through congested roads far faster than cars.

Tuk-tuks are definitely part of the Thailand experience, and Ioana noted that many of the ones she encountered were geared towards tourists, complete with impressive light and sound systems.

They’re great for a fun ride, but not always the most efficient way to get where you’re going.

Because Ioana’s trip spanned China, Hong Kong, and Thailand, choosing the right eSIM was essential.

Ioana used the Sim Local Asia eSIM plan from Orange, which covers 24 countries, including every destination she visited.

20 GB eSIM

Asia

24 countries

Orange

Duration

31 Days

Plan

Data/​Calls/​SMS

Speed

4G

Price

US$35.00

More Info

Buy Now

Global Reach, Local Care

What Ioana loved most about the Orange Asia plan:

• Only had to purchase and install it once
• Automatically readjusted based on the country Ioana was in
• Stayed connected everywhere, even on remote day trips
• No issues calling or using data throughout the journey

From exploring cities to island-hopping, having reliable data made everything smoother: maps, bookings, messaging, and staying in touch while travelling.

Ioana’s verdict? It was easy, worry-free, and something she’d recommend to anyone planning a longer multi-country trip across Asia.

For Ioana, the greatest part of Thailand wasn’t just the beaches or the food, it was how closely everyday life feels connected to nature.

Even at Ioana's hotel, she saw wildlife everywhere:

• lizards of all sizes
• monkeys
• tropical birds
• beaches full of tiny crabs

The food in local markets and restaurants also stood out as fresh, seasonal, and locally sourced, adding to the feeling that Thailand is vibrant, alive, and refreshingly real.

If you’re used to busy city life and artificial environments, Thailand is the perfect place to slow down, explore, and enjoy a world where people and nature coexist so closely.

Thailand is one of those places that leaves you already planning your next visit, and Ioana’s tips prove why. From island-hopping in Phi Phi to discovering foodie favourites in Phuket, it’s a destination full of unforgettable moments (and plenty of hidden gems if you know where to look).

If you’ve travelled somewhere recently and have local tips to share, we’d love to hear from you. Until then, stay tuned for the next Ask A Local, and don’t forget to stay connected anywhere (just like home!) with an eSIM plan from Sim Local.