Bangkok is among the many high most visited cities in Southeast Asia, welcoming tens of millions of vacationers yearly. It’s a kind of locations our staff actually seems ahead to visiting many times. Its vigorous nightlife, bustling buying districts, historic landmarks, and wealthy culinary scene make up for the absence of seashores that vacationers often search for in a vacation spot. And naturally, it’s affordability, attracting droves of finances vacationers across the globe.
For us Pinoy vacationers, its proximity to us can also be an enormous issue why it’s amongst our favourite worldwide locations. Plus, the truth that we don’t must safe a visa to enter Thailand as a result of we’re ASEAN neighbors. It’s simple to really feel snug when exploring Bangkok due to our similarities, however this familiarity can typically lead us to miss necessary particulars and trigger us to commit errors. We should nonetheless remind ourselves that we’re nonetheless guests and should pay attention to cultural norms and traditions whereas we’re right here to keep away from any issues.
Whether or not it’s your first time touring or not, it’s necessary to familiarize your self with the tradition and guidelines of the place you’re visiting. It will assist you to be extra conscious of your actions whereas exploring. Listed below are some frequent errors vacationers make in Bangkok.
Bangkok Journey Errors
1. Don’t get confused with Thai Baht notes.
Thai baht is the official forex of Thailand. At all times examine the banknotes or payments you’re holding earlier than paying for one thing as a result of they look related and the colours are virtually the identical. It’s a bit complicated, particularly if it’s your first time to go to the nation. Don’t confuse 50 with 500, in addition to 100 with 1,000 (its highest worth banknote). As a lot as potential, separate the 50 and 100 payments with the five hundred and 1,000 payments.
One other factor to pay attention to is the king’s portrait printed on them. There’s a risk that you simply may see two totally different faces. Some banknotes function King Vajiralongkorn (Rama X), the present king, whereas different payments nonetheless carry the image of King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Nice (Rama IX), the late king. There’s nothing to fret, although, as a result of each variations are accepted.
As of writing, the trade price of Thai baht (THB) to Philippine peso (PhP) is 1 (THB) = 1.6 (PHP). For straightforward reference, a ฿100 is equal to about ₱160.
2. Don’t underestimate hot-and-spicy ranges.
Thais love spicy meals. It’s already of their DNA. However even with this in thoughts, we nonetheless get blown away by the extent of spiciness of their dishes! Our staff can deal with spicy meals. However for me, their NORMAL spicy is already my EXTREME degree, experiencing all of those on the similar time: involuntarily shedding tears, sauna-level sweating, and immediate runny nostril. Hahaha!
By default, most — if not all — of their dishes are spicy. Consider tom yum, som tam (papaya salad), pad kra pao (floor pork with basil), curries (crimson, yellow, or inexperienced), and different standard Thai dishes. They’re usually spicy. However don’t fret! As a result of Thais are used to vacationers, most institutions and meals stalls can alter the spiciness degree. They may often ask you ways spicy you need your dish to be — not spicy, gentle, or spicy.
REMINDER! Their “gentle” is commonly the equal of tremendous spicy for the abnormal Pinoy palate, so it’s safer to only go for “NOT SPICY/NO SPICY” degree.
Searching for a guided meals tour in Bangkok? Take into account this midnight meals tour from Klook! Fulfill your starvation for Thai meals and tradition as you scour the streets of Bangkok in a Tuktuk!
✅ BANGKOK MIDNIGHT FOOD TOUR by TUKTUK
✅ You can even try our extra detailed Bangkok meals journey article right here: The place to Eat Low cost in Bangkok
3. Don’t keep within the unsuitable space.
Bangkok is rarely wanting lodging choices. Many districts are thought-about splendid vacationer bases. Nevertheless, they cater to several types of vacationers. Every district has its professionals and cons. So, the place is the perfect space to remain in Bangkok? Selecting the suitable base for you’ll rely in your priorities — finances, consolation, accessibility, and itinerary.
Listed below are a few of the standard bases for vacationers:
Bang Lamphu District
You’ll discover Bangkok’s hottest backpacking hub — Khao San Highway. This space is dotted with reasonably priced hostels and night time spots. That is excellent for backpackers and people touring on a finances. In case you are touring as a household, particularly with youngsters and aged or when you favor a quieter place, this won’t be the best choice for you. One other factor to notice is that it’s removed from each BTS or MRT traces.
Listed below are a few of the top-rated properties within the space based mostly on on-line consumer critiques:
Sukhumvit Highway
That is a part of the nationwide freeway and is a significant highway in Bangkok, operating from central Bangkok to the southeastern provinces of Thailand. Most areas inside Bangkok are very accessible through BTS Skytrain, particularly Nana and Asok (or Asoke). It additionally has a vibrant night time scene, splendid for these searching for a very good night time cap.
Listed below are a few of the top-rated properties within the space based mostly on on-line consumer critiques:
Siam Space
Take into account this space, significantly the realm close to Siam Sq., if you’re touring with your loved ones. It’s handy and family-friendly as a result of it’s centrally situated and covers a variety of BTS stations, so it’s additionally very accessible. As a well-liked buying district, the realm is bustling with retailers and customers throughout the day.
Listed below are a few of the top-rated properties within the space based mostly on on-line consumer critiques:
Silom Space
This significantly confer with the realm near Silom Highway, operating between Sala Daeng Station and Saphan Taksin Station. That is Bangkok’s enterprise district, so it exudes a critical vibe throughout the day, however come night, it turns into energetic and wild! It boasts a very good variety of golf equipment and bars, together with homosexual golf equipment, and the best focus of drag reveals. In case you are a member of the LGBTQIA+ group otherwise you’re a fan of drag reveals, this is likely to be your turf.
Listed below are a few of the top-rated properties within the space based mostly on on-line consumer critiques:
Seek for extra Bangkok Inns!
4. Don’t communicate sick concerning the Thai royalty.
Do you know which you can be imprisoned for insulting or defaming the Thai royalty? Based on Part 112 of Thai Legal Code: “Whoever defames, insults or threatens the King, the Queen, the Inheritor-apparent or the Regent, shall be punished with imprisonment of three to fifteen years.” This legislation doesn’t solely apply to locals but in addition to foreigners/vacationers.
The locals have a excessive regard for the Royal Household. All all through the nation, particularly in Bangkok, you’ll see quite a few portraits of the king and different members of the royal household — alongside the highway, malls, and different institutions. It’s actually not a sensible transfer to insult or communicate sick concerning the Royal Household. Once more, it’s towards the legislation.
5. Don’t costume inappropriately at Grand Palace.
Most of Bangkok’s key vacationer points of interest are non secular websites — Wat Pho, Wat Arun, and Temple of the Emerald Buddha throughout the Grand Palace. They’re all accessible to the general public, however you want to costume appropriately to enter these locations.
On the Grand Palace, they’re strict. You actually need to comply with the costume code. This implies, NO:
- sleeveless shirts
- quick tops
- vests
- see-through tops
- torn pants
- quick sizzling pants/quick pants
- tight pants
- bike pants/biking shorts
- mini skirts
- sandals/slippers
The normal rule is, the knees, shoulders, and heels have to be lined. You could deliver a sarong for canopy or additional unfastened pants and outerwear. In any other case, you’ll be pressured to buy there. On our earlier go to (2022), Yosh needed to buy a pair of pants as a result of he forgot that we’re going to the Grand Palace that day. LOL! Prior to now, it was regular to lease clothes, however that point, no extra rental place in sight.
6. Don’t simply consider that the temples are closed.
And whereas we’re as regards to visiting temples, it additionally helps to analysis first earlier than going, so that you received’t fall for scams. One of many typical scams round key vacationer points of interest, particularly temples, is when somebody approaches you on the entrance of a temple and can “inform” you that it’s CLOSED for the day. One other model is, solely locals are allowed to enter for “prayer” time and the temple will open at a later time.
REMEMBER! Their aim is to make you consider which you can’t enter the temple, to allow them to recommend one other temple or vacationer spot to you. They may often introduce themselves as a tour information or a instructor. When you fall for it, they are going to “hail” a tuktuk for you (which is definitely their confederate).
Normally, the tuktuk driver will make a cease at a memento retailer (jewellery retailer, tailor store, and many others.) earlier than taking you to a advised vacationer attraction. Each the tuktuk fare and the memento merchandise value are unreasonably excessive, you’ll really feel robbed.
You are able to do temple-hopping by your self, however when you favor a guided tour that additionally consists of different iconic temples and landmarks in Bangkok, you could find one from Klook! This one additionally covers admission tickets, an English-speaking information, a ship switch charge, insurance coverage, a refreshing face towel, and ingesting water.
✅ BOOK GRAND PALACE & TEMPLES GUIDED TOUR HERE!
7. Don’t fall for Tuktuk and taxi scams.
One other rip-off alert! Nicely, this additionally occurs in different cities and international locations: taxis or native/conventional autos overcharging passengers. Tuktuk is a motorized three-wheeled car in Thailand, very like our Pinoy tricycles. It not solely serves as one of many technique of transportation in Bangkok but in addition amongst its icons. If you wish to expertise driving a tuktuk, simply keep in mind to NEGOTIATE and AGREE on the value first earlier than the journey begins.
Unsure concerning the fare? You can even obtain the Seize app, which incorporates GrabTuktuk within the choices. There, you may e-book a tuktuk with out having to guess how a lot the journey will value you as a result of it should instantly replicate the fare.
In fact, you’ll want web connection to easily navigate the town and securing a journey by way of Seize (and different ride-hailing apps). You may get a Information SIM or WiFi conveniently on-line by way of Klook!
Alright, transferring on! In our case, if our subsequent cease shouldn’t be walkable (we love strolling!) or if we’re removed from any prepare stations, we often favor utilizing Seize app over hailing a taxi. There are common taxi drivers who actually don’t need to flip their meter on and can simply cost you double or triple, particularly round touristy spots like Khao San Highway and the temple advanced.
In case you are not touring with a bunch or you’re a solo traveler, you may as well e-book their GrabBike, which is a bike taxi possibility.
8. Don’t get scammed at a ping pong present.
In case you are excited about desk tennis, this isn’t it. Ping pong reveals in Bangkok are totally different. Truthfully, nobody from the staff noticed or went to those reveals, however to present you an concept, it’s often carried out in strip golf equipment. That’s the farthest I can go. Hahaha! If you need extra data, simply search about it on Google or try Nationwide Geographic’s Rip-off Metropolis documentary particular on YouTube.
Anyway, this is without doubt one of the persistent and widespread scams in Bangkok, particularly in crimson gentle districts. Touts carrying posters alongside busy strips will lure vacationers with “free ping pong present” provide; you solely want to purchase drinks. WARNING! That is most likely the most costly drink you’ll ever purchase whereas in Bangkok, even amounting to 1000’s of baht.
So, it’s okay to be paranoid typically. At all times suppose twice when the provide is just too good to be true.
If you need protected nightlife enjoyable, you’ll discover many protected and respected operators and guides on-line. E book the one which fits your desire for the pub crawl expertise. The bundle beneath consists of stopping at Cowboy Avenue, Nana plaza, and the nightclub space. You even have the choice to hitch a bunch or avail of the non-public tour.
9. Don’t neglect to cut price at some retailers. However don’t overdo it.
Bangkok is named some of the reasonably priced cities on the earth, making it a paradise for buying fanatics! You will discover loads of good-quality objects at low costs. And the perfect half? You’ll be able to nonetheless cut price over the value!
Typically, the value displayed shouldn’t be the ultimate value, and retailer homeowners or distributors count on prospects to barter. Normally, the low cost is extra vital if you buy a couple of merchandise. TIP! If you happen to’re a bunch, you may mix and buy your objects as a single transaction.
Under are the favored buying locations in Bangkok:
- Platinum Vogue Mall
- Palladium World Procuring
- Chatuchak Market
- Union Mall
Blissful buying! Only a pleasant reminder: haggle moderately and respectfully.
10. Don’t dismiss tax refund.
Do you know that you’re eligible to say the Tax Refund in Thailand once you attain the minimal quantity of two,000 baht from collaborating shops? YES! To make sure that your buy might be counted, search for the VAT REFUND FOR TOURISTS signal on the retailer.
The right way to Get Tax Refund
Right here’s a step-by-step information on avail of the Tax Refund:
- Step 1: When paying on the retailer’s cashier, allow them to know that you simply need to avail of the tax refund. They may ask in your passport, so be sure you have it with you.
- Step 2: Normally, you want to fill out the yellow Tax Refund Kind at a separate Tax Refund counter. Typically, the workers will fill out the shape for you and also you solely must signal it. Hold the shape with you. Don’t lose it.
- Step 3: On the airport, don’t examine in your baggage but if the entire quantity of the objects you buy is over ฿20,000. Head first to the VAT Refund counter, particularly the customs examine counter, on the departure corridor. Then, current your passport and all of your tax refund kinds. They may examine the kinds and stamp them if every part is cleared. Typically, they can even examine the objects, so its necessary to do that first earlier than checking in your baggage. If the entire quantity of your buy is lower than ฿20,000, you might skip this step and proceed to Step 4.
- Step 4: After going by way of the Immigration course of, search for the Tax Refund Counter (airside space), after which current your passport and tax refund kinds. Once more, if the entire quantity of your receipts is greater than 20,000 baht, the kinds ought to have stamps.
- Step 5: Upon checking and affirmation, the workers will lastly hand you the cashback cash (in Thai baht). Woohoo!
Have Peace of Thoughts Whereas Touring!
Getting a journey insurance coverage is non-compulsory, however we extremely suggest this, particularly when touring overseas. Journey might be unpredictable, and although we hope we’ll by no means use it, having it offers us peace of thoughts in case of surprising delays, cancellations, or emergencies.
For worldwide locations, take into account PGA Sompo’s TravelJOY Plus insurance coverage. You’ll be able to GET IT HERE. Don’t neglect to make use of WORTHIT for a particular reasonably priced price.
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2025 4 22 – First uploaded