10 Travel Tips to Bangkok
Behind the intricate structures, the efficient rail system, the hunger-buster food choices, and the money-breaking shopping areas, it is difficult getting around Thailand without a few Thai phrases up in your sleeve. Out of ten, only three of the entire Bangkok population knows how to speak and/or understand English.
However, don’t let this hinder you from traveling to Bangkok. Please, no. In fact, Bangkok is incredibly beautiful and awfully addicting. Just keep the following things in mind to avoid such hassles and make the most out of your trip.
1. Plan ahead, Research & Speak
From the moment your tickets have been booked, start jotting down lists of places you want to visit. Attraction sites in Bangkok are quite far from each other and are easier to go to and schedule when you have a clear vision of where it is and how to get there.
Attraction sites and establishments such as the Grand Palace may be popularly known to us as “Grand Palace”, but when you ask the locals for directions, most wouldn’t really understand where you’re trying to go to unless you say “Wat Phra Kaew”, which is Grand Palace translated in Thai. So when planning your itinerary around Thailand, be sure to take note of the English name as well as the Thai name.
Most of the locals barely know how to speak in English. That is why it will be a lot easier to come to Thailand with background knowledge of basic Thai phrases, practiced and learnt by heart.
2. Be aware of scams
Over charging with railway price tickets happened to me, and it may happen to you too. Going back to #1, plan ahead and research! If it sounds shady, it may probably be shady. Trust your instincts and go with your guts.
3. You don’t need a lot of cash
When traveling, most of us are used to bringing tons of cash with us to avoid the stress of looking for an ATM or Money Exchange at the last minute. In Bangkok, however, you don’t have to. I survived Bangkok with only USD 300 for three days, with more for extra, you can too.
It is not expensive to travel to Bangkok, to be honest. Food, shopping, accommodation and their means of transportation are not at all expensive. You just have to be smart on when to spend and how to spend it. Plus, it is safer to carry lesser cash.
4. If you can’t stomach it, don’t eat it
Bangkok is quite known for its street foods, like the rest of Southeast Asia. But if you think your tummy’s not trained enough for such food types, don’t. You’ll just end up sick. Try if you want to. By all means, please! But don’t go beyond what you can stomach.
5. “Don’t leave your valuables unattended” still applies
Traveling to Bangkok is safe. The locals are friendly, welcoming and very kind. But don’t be too comfortable. Keep an eye out for your valuables and as much as possible, avoid wearing expensive jewelry in public.
6. Familiarize yourself with your CC
Different credit card types charge accordingly; additional percentage for every transaction made, most especially when you are traveling to a foreign country. Sometimes, they don’t even let you withdraw cash without a certain passcode. So make sure you settle everything before you leave.
7. Dress respectfully
I think this tip is already very well known amongst all of us. But if in case you don’t, Bangkok is a Buddhist country. They are not strict with dress codes, but when visiting a temple or a sacred attraction site, please keep your shoulders and legs covered. Usually, there is a shop nearby these sacred places for you to buy a malong from. But in any case there’s none (which I highly doubt), dress conservatively.
8. Learn to bargain
Bargaining in Bangkok is a way of life. They bargain when they shop for clothes, when they take the cab or the tuk tuk, when they order food; bargaining is normal in Bangkok. The rule is, always start with half of the price. From there, make your way halfway. But if you think their halfway is still way too much, leave. See, they’ll run after you and later agree to your price. If they don’t, don’t worry. There are way more of that in Bangkok in much lesser price. I guarantee that.
9. Don’t underestimate the traffic
The worst thing that you can do is to not anticipate the heaviness of the traffic jam you may run into on the day of your flight. If you’re planning to go to the airport via BTS (their metro), great. But if you want to avoid carrying your packs around and wheeling your suitcases in metro stations, then please be aware that Bangkok’s traffic is real! If you may, leave your apartment or hotel at least 4 hours before the ETD. Better be early than sorry.
10. It’s okay to get lost
Getting lost in Bangkok is inevitable. In fact, it is possible to get lost everywhere, anywhere. Instead of losing your mind and ruining your day, take this as a wonderful opportunity to discover the other side of Bangkok. Most of the time, the unexpected visits turn to be the most memorable ones.
One last thing to remember,
Keep an open mind
Bangkok is such a touristy place and you may or may not have huge expectations when you travel to their country. Either way, always keep in mind that every destination is different. There will always be good and bad, but learning to outweigh the positive from the negative will help you see just how stunning every country is.
Note from the author: This was originally posted on passportbites.wordpress.com, dated November 2, 2015
