Bangkok is among the many prime most visited cities in Southeast Asia, welcoming thousands and thousands of vacationers yearly. It’s a type of locations our staff actually seems to be ahead to visiting many times. Its energetic nightlife, bustling buying districts, historic landmarks, and wealthy culinary scene make up for the absence of seashores that vacationers normally 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 a giant issue why it’s amongst our favourite worldwide locations. Plus, the truth that we don’t have to safe a visa to enter Thailand as a result of we’re ASEAN neighbors. It’s simple to really feel comfy when exploring Bangkok due to our similarities, however this familiarity can typically lead us to miss vital 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 vital to familiarize your self with the tradition and guidelines of the place you’re visiting. This may assist you be extra conscious of your actions whereas exploring. Listed below are some frequent errors vacationers make in Bangkok.
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 comparable 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 attainable, 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 chance that you simply may see two completely different faces. Some banknotes characteristic 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 change price of Thai baht (THB) to Philippine peso (PhP) is 1 (THB) = 1.6 (PHP). For simple 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 stage, experiencing all of those on the identical time: involuntarily shedding tears, sauna-level sweating, and instantaneous 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 (pink, yellow, or inexperienced), and different widespread 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 stage. They may normally 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” stage.
Searching for a guided meals tour in Bangkok? Think about 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 may as well try our extra detailed Bangkok meals journey article right here: The place to Eat Low-cost in Bangkok
3. Don’t keep within the fallacious space.
Bangkok is rarely in need of lodging choices. Many districts are thought-about supreme vacationer bases. Nevertheless, they cater to various kinds of vacationers. Every district has its execs and cons. So, the place is the most effective space to remain in Bangkok? Selecting the suitable base for you’ll rely in your priorities — finances, consolation, accessibility, and itinerary.
Listed below are among the widespread bases for vacationers:
Bang Lamphu District
You’ll discover Bangkok’s hottest backpacking hub — Khao San Street. This space is dotted with inexpensive hostels and night time spots. That is good for backpackers and people touring on a finances. If you’re touring as a household, particularly with children and aged or for those who want a quieter place, this may not be the best choice for you. One other factor to notice is that it’s removed from each BTS or MRT strains.
Listed below are among the top-rated properties within the space based mostly on on-line person critiques:
Sukhumvit Street
That is a part of the nationwide freeway and is a significant street in Bangkok, operating from central Bangkok to the southeastern provinces of Thailand. Most areas inside Bangkok are very accessible by way of BTS Skytrain, particularly Nana and Asok (or Asoke). It additionally has a vibrant night time scene, supreme for these searching for an excellent night time cap.
Listed below are among the top-rated properties within the space based mostly on on-line person critiques:
Siam Space
Think about this space, significantly the realm close to Siam Sq., in case you are touring with your loved ones. It’s handy and family-friendly as a result of it’s centrally positioned and covers a variety of BTS stations, so it’s additionally very accessible. As a preferred buying district, the realm is bustling with retailers and customers through the day.
Listed below are among the top-rated properties within the space based mostly on on-line person critiques:
Silom Space
This significantly check with the realm near Silom Street, operating between Sala Daeng Station and Saphan Taksin Station. That is Bangkok’s enterprise district, so it exudes a severe vibe through the day, however come night, it turns into energetic and wild! It boasts an excellent variety of golf equipment and bars, together with homosexual golf equipment, and the best focus of drag exhibits. If you’re a member of the LGBTQIA+ group otherwise you’re a fan of drag exhibits, this is perhaps your turf.
Listed below are among the top-rated properties within the space based mostly on on-line person critiques:
Seek for extra Bangkok Inns!
4. Don’t communicate sick concerning the Thai royalty.
Do you know you could be imprisoned for insulting or defaming the Thai royalty? In keeping with Part 112 of Thai Prison 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 regulation 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 street, malls, and different institutions. It’s actually not a clever transfer to insult or communicate sick concerning the Royal Household. Once more, it’s in opposition to the regulation.
5. Don’t costume inappropriately at Grand Palace.
Most of Bangkok’s key vacationer sights are spiritual websites — Wat Pho, Wat Arun, and Temple of the Emerald Buddha throughout the Grand Palace. They’re all accessible to the general public, however that you must costume appropriately to enter these locations.
On the Grand Palace, they’re strict. You really want 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 convey a sarong for canopy or additional unfastened pants and outerwear. In any other case, you’ll be compelled 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 imagine that the temples are closed.
And whereas we’re with regards to visiting temples, it additionally helps to analysis first earlier than going, so that you gained’t fall for scams. One of many typical scams round key vacationer sights, 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 purpose is to make you imagine you could’t enter the temple, to allow them to counsel one other temple or vacationer spot to you. They may normally 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 so forth.) earlier than taking you to a instructed 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 for those who want a guided tour that additionally consists of different iconic temples and landmarks in Bangkok, you’ll find one from Klook! This one additionally covers admission tickets, an English-speaking information, a ship switch payment, 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! Effectively, this additionally occurs in different cities and nations: taxis or native/conventional automobiles 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 worth first earlier than the trip begins.
Undecided concerning the fare? You may as well obtain the Seize app, which incorporates GrabTuktuk within the choices. There, you may guide a tuktuk with out having to guess how a lot the trip will value you as a result of it can instantly mirror the fare.
After all, you’ll want web connection to easily navigate town and securing a trip via Seize (and different ride-hailing apps). You may get a Knowledge SIM or WiFi conveniently on-line via Klook!
Alright, shifting on! In our case, if our subsequent cease will not be walkable (we love strolling!) or if we’re removed from any practice stations, we normally want 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 Street and the temple complicated.
If you’re not touring with a gaggle or you’re a solo traveler, you may also guide their GrabBike, which is a bike taxi possibility.
8. Don’t get scammed at a ping pong present.
If you’re fascinated about desk tennis, this isn’t it. Ping pong exhibits in Bangkok are completely different. Truthfully, nobody from the staff noticed or went to those exhibits, however to offer you an concept, it’s normally carried out in strip golf equipment. That’s the farthest I can go. Hahaha! In order for you extra info, 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 pink mild districts. Touts carrying posters alongside busy strips will lure vacationers with “free ping pong present” supply; you solely want to purchase drinks. WARNING! That is in all probability 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 assume twice when the supply is just too good to be true.
In order for you protected nightlife enjoyable, you’ll discover many protected and respected operators and guides on-line. E-book the one which fits your choice for the pub crawl expertise. The package deal beneath consists of stopping at Cowboy Road, Nana plaza, and the nightclub space. You even have the choice to hitch a gaggle or avail of the non-public tour.
9. Don’t neglect to cut price at some retailers. However don’t overdo it.
Bangkok is called one of the vital inexpensive cities on the planet, making it a paradise for buying lovers! You could find loads of good-quality gadgets at low costs. And the most effective half? You’ll be able to nonetheless cut price over the worth!
Typically, the worth displayed will not be the ultimate value, and retailer house owners or distributors count on clients to barter. Normally, the low cost is extra vital if you buy multiple merchandise. TIP! In the event you’re a gaggle, you may mix and buy your gadgets as a single transaction.
Under are the favored buying locations in Bangkok:
- Platinum Trend Mall
- Palladium World Procuring
- Chatuchak Market
- Union Mall
Comfortable buying! Only a pleasant reminder: haggle fairly and respectfully.
10. Don’t dismiss tax refund.
Do you know that you’re eligible to say the Tax Refund in Thailand whenever 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.
Get Tax Refund
Right here’s a step-by-step information on the right way to 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 to your passport, so be sure you have it with you.
- Step 2: Normally, that you must fill out the yellow Tax Refund Kind at a separate Tax Refund counter. Typically, the employees will fill out the shape for you and also you solely have to signal it. Preserve the shape with you. Don’t lose it.
- Step 3: On the airport, don’t examine in your baggage but if the whole quantity of the gadgets 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 little thing is cleared. Typically, they will even examine the gadgets, so its vital to do that first earlier than checking in your baggage. If the whole quantity of your buy is lower than ฿20,000, it’s possible you’ll skip this step and proceed to Step 4.
- Step 4: After going via 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 whole quantity of your receipts is greater than 20,000 baht, the kinds ought to have stamps.
- Step 5: Upon checking and affirmation, the employees 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 will 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 inexpensive price.
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