Walking around any Thai town or city can be an amazing experience in more ways than one. Seemingly mundane things like taking a stroll can be an adventure, so don’t assume that the pavements or sidewalks are there for the sole benefit of pedestrians.
If you are walking, you might think that the most you have to worry about is the heat and humidity, but you’ll also find you have to negotiate potholes, hawker stalls and motorbikes all of which may force you to walk part of the way on the road. The pavements and sidewalks in Thailand are often uneven and poorly maintained and manhole covers aren’t always replaced when they should be, so watch your step. With the number of stray dogs roaming around Thailand there are other reasons to watch where you place your feet. As well as watching for dog muck and potholes, beware of dangling cables at head height. It’s all part of life in Thailand so go with the flow and accept it for what it is. Looking at it from a Thai perspective, they can’t understand why somebody would want to walk when you can jump on a motorbike or public transport and save yourself discomfort from the heat and humidity.
I still enjoy getting around by foot because it does give you a chance to see and experience sights, sounds and smells you otherwise wouldn’t if you were on the back of a motorbike or on public transport. The trade-off with that is that you have to have your wits about you when you’re walking around.
