Traveling in Thailand can conjure up a lot of images: dense tropical jungles, pristine white beaches, sleazy hotels where underhanded deals take place, and crowded marketplaces full of knock-off brand name goods and cheap DVDs. A mecca for young, adventurous travelers, Thailand is not often seen as a great place for seniors to travel. While this can be true, a well-planned trip to Thailand can give you all the beauty and luxury of this jungle paradise while avoiding the rest.

Where to Stay

Thailand is famous for it's budget accommodations. For next to nothing you can book a guesthouse, usually a simple room with a fan and a shared restroom and shower. But if you're a senior looking for a relaxing vacation, you still have plenty of options available. Tourist hotels, while often 10 times more expensive than the cheap guesthouses, are still reasonably priced, and if you're looking for something really high-end, Thailand offers some great luxury hotels, such as the Oriental in Bangkok, a beautiful 5-star hotel with an attached spa.

Looking for a Place to Eat

Thailand has some great food, and Thai food can be found all around the world. Eating Thai at the source is a great experience. Senior travelers should note that if they have any kind of problems with spices or rich food they are not going to be able to fully appreciate a trip to Thailand. Curries, rice and noodle dishes, soups and more make this a great place for food lovers, young or old. Cleanliness and sanitation are reasonably well-enforced in Thailand, so you don't have to worry too much about food poisoning, but it is advisable to steer clear of the tap water.

What to Avoid

If you are a Senior who is going to travel in Thailand, the most important thing to know is what to avoid. For the most part Thailand's reputation as a destination suitable only for rugged adventurers is overblown, but it still holds some risks and dangers that you will not find in other tourist destinations. Scams are not uncommon in Thailand, and you should be wary when a local tells you something or offers to take you anywhere, even if the local is a taxi driver. Drivers will sometimes get commissions to drop tourists off at certain locations, whether they want to go there or not. The best way to avoid these scams is to go through your hotel when planning the day's travel arrangements. Also, be wary of anyone who approaches you with business propositions or is selling something.