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Life.Culture.Discovery.

Backpacker travel tips for beginners in Southeast Asia: where to eat, who to avoid, what clothes to pack, and much more

  • Experienced backpacker and travel writer Tim Pile gives his son tips as the lad heads out into the world on his first solo adventure
  • Why should you not use a bum bag? Where to get currency at the best rate? How to get more prawns in your tom yum goong? That and more is all here

Reading Time:4 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
A backpacker walks through the Khao San Market in Bangkok, Thailand. Tile Pile passes on his beginner backpacking tips for Southeast Asia to his son as he starts his first solo trip. Photo: Shutterstock

Saying goodbye to a son or daughter as they head out into the world on their first solo adventure can be a bittersweet moment, full of excitement for what they are about to experience, and anxiety – also for what they are about to experience.

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Here, I pass on some fatherly advice in an email:

Hi son, I’m delighted to hear that you’re about to begin your first backpacking trip. I did a bit of that myself back in the day.

Exploring new places will broaden your perspective, create lasting memories and provide opportunities to meet some wonderful people (and a few less than lovely characters, too).

Eating where the locals go should save backpackers cash and get them some great food in the process. Photo: Shutterstock
Eating where the locals go should save backpackers cash and get them some great food in the process. Photo: Shutterstock

Things can go wrong, of course, but with preparation, common sense and these tips, I’m confident you won’t encounter any problems.

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Firstly, pack light. You’ll be living in T-shirts, shorts and flip-flops most of the time and you can easily pick up cheap clothes in Southeast Asia.

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