Bangkok is among the many prime most visited cities in Southeast Asia, welcoming tens of millions of vacationers yearly. It’s a type of locations our crew actually seems to be ahead to visiting many times. Its energetic nightlife, bustling purchasing 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 price range vacationers across the globe.
For us Pinoy vacationers, its proximity to us can 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 essential particulars and trigger us to commit errors. We should nonetheless remind ourselves that we’re nonetheless guests and should concentrate on 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 essential to familiarize your self with the tradition and guidelines of the place you’re visiting. This can enable 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 foreign money of Thailand. All the time verify the banknotes or payments you’re holding earlier than paying for one thing as a result of they look related and the colours are nearly 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 be aware of is the king’s portrait printed on them. There’s a risk that you simply would possibly see two totally 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 alternate fee 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 crew 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 prompt 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 well-liked 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 regulate the spiciness stage. They may often ask you ways spicy you need your dish to be — not spicy, delicate, or spicy.
REMINDER! Their “delicate” is usually the equal of tremendous spicy for the atypical Pinoy palate, so it’s safer to simply go for “NOT SPICY/NO SPICY” stage.
3. Don’t keep within the unsuitable space.
Bangkok isn’t wanting lodging choices. Many districts are thought-about very best vacationer bases. Nevertheless, they cater to several types 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 — price range, consolation, accessibility, and itinerary.
Listed below are a few of the well-liked 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 evening spots. That is excellent for backpackers and people touring on a price range. In case you are touring as a household, particularly with children and aged or when you desire 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 traces.
Listed below are a few of the top-rated properties within the space based mostly on on-line person evaluations:
Sukhumvit Street
That is a part of the nationwide freeway and is a serious street in Bangkok, working 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 evening scene, very best for these searching for evening cap.
Listed below are a few of the top-rated properties within the space based mostly on on-line person evaluations:
Siam Space
Think about this space, notably 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 situated and covers various BTS stations, so it’s additionally very accessible. As a preferred purchasing district, the realm is bustling with retailers and consumers in the course of the day.
Listed below are a few of the top-rated properties within the space based mostly on on-line person evaluations:
Silom Space
This notably discuss with the realm near Silom Street, working between Sala Daeng Station and Saphan Taksin Station. That is Bangkok’s enterprise district, so it exudes a critical vibe in the course of the day, however come night, it turns into energetic and wild! It boasts variety of golf equipment and bars, together with homosexual golf equipment, and the best focus of drag exhibits. In case you are a member of the LGBTQIA+ neighborhood otherwise you’re a fan of drag exhibits, this could be your turf.
Listed below are a few of the top-rated properties within the space based mostly on on-line person evaluations:
Seek for extra Bangkok Accommodations!
4. Don’t converse ailing in regards to the Thai royalty.
Do you know you can 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 legislation doesn’t solely apply to locals but additionally 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 sensible transfer to insult or converse ailing in regards to the Royal Household. Once more, it’s towards the legislation.
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 you could 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
- brief tops
- vests
- see-through tops
- torn pants
- brief sizzling pants/brief pants
- tight pants
- bike pants/biking shorts
- mini skirts
- sandals/slippers
The basic rule is, the knees, shoulders, and heels have to be coated. It’s possible you’ll 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 imagine 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 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 objective is to make you imagine 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 trainer. When you fall for it, they may “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 steered vacationer attraction. Each the tuktuk fare and the memento merchandise worth are unreasonably excessive, you’ll really feel robbed.
7. Don’t fall for Tuktuk and taxi scams.
One other rip-off alert! Effectively, this additionally occurs in different cities and international locations: taxis or native/conventional automobiles overcharging passengers. Tuktuk is a motorized three-wheeled car in Thailand, very similar to our Pinoy tricycles. It not solely serves as one of many technique of transportation in Bangkok but additionally amongst its icons. If you wish to expertise driving a tuktuk, simply bear in mind to NEGOTIATE and AGREE on the value first earlier than the trip begins.
Unsure in regards to the fare? You may as well obtain the Seize app, which incorporates GrabTuktuk within the choices. There, you’ll be able to e-book a tuktuk with out having to guess how a lot the trip will price you as a result of it’ll instantly replicate the fare.
In our case, if our subsequent cease is just not walkable (we love strolling!) or if we’re removed from any prepare stations, we often desire utilizing Seize app over hailing a taxi. There are common taxi drivers who actually don’t wish to flip their meter on and can simply cost you double or triple, particularly round touristy spots like Khao San Street 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 motorbike taxi choice.
8. Don’t get scammed at a ping pong present.
In case you are interested by desk tennis, this isn’t it. Ping pong exhibits in Bangkok are totally different. Actually, nobody from the crew noticed or went to those exhibits, however to present you an thought, it’s often carried out in strip golf equipment. That’s the farthest I can go. Hahaha! In order for you extra data, simply search about it on Google or take a look at Nationwide Geographic’s Rip-off Metropolis documentary particular on YouTube.
Anyway, this is among the power 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 in all probability the costliest drink you’ll ever purchase whereas in Bangkok, even amounting to hundreds of baht.
So, it’s okay to be paranoid typically. All the time suppose twice when the provide is just too good to be true.
9. Don’t neglect to discount at some outlets. However don’t overdo it.
Bangkok is called some of the inexpensive cities on this planet, making it a paradise for purchasing fanatics! You will discover loads of good-quality gadgets at low costs. And the most effective half? You possibly can nonetheless discount over the value!
Usually, the value displayed is just not the ultimate worth, and retailer homeowners or distributors count on clients to barter. Normally, the low cost is extra vital if you buy multiple merchandise. TIP! Should you’re a bunch, you’ll be able to mix and buy your gadgets as a single transaction.
Under are the favored purchasing locations in Bangkok:
- Platinum Trend Mall
- Palladium World Buying
- Chatuchak Market
- Union Mall
Pleased purchasing! 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 if you attain the minimal quantity of two,000 baht from collaborating shops? YES! To make sure that your buy shall be counted, search for the VAT REFUND FOR TOURISTS signal on the retailer.
Tips on how to Get Tax Refund
Right here’s a step-by-step information on learn how to avail of the Tax Refund:
- Step 1: When paying on the retailer’s cashier, allow them to know that you simply wish to avail of the tax refund. They may ask on your passport, so ensure you have it with you.
- Step 2: Normally, you could 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. Hold the shape with you. Don’t lose it.
- Step 3: On the airport, don’t verify in your baggage but if the entire quantity of the gadgets you buy is over ฿20,000. Head first to the VAT Refund counter, particularly the customs verify counter, on the departure corridor. Then, current your passport and all of your tax refund varieties. They may verify the varieties and stamp them if all the things is cleared. Typically, they may even verify the gadgets, so its essential to do that first earlier than checking in your baggage. If the entire quantity of your buy is lower than ฿20,000, you could skip this step and proceed to Step 4.
- Step 4: After going by the Immigration course of, search for the Tax Refund Counter (airside space), after which current your passport and tax refund varieties. Once more, if the entire quantity of your receipts is greater than 20,000 baht, the varieties ought to have stamps.
- Step 5: Upon checking and affirmation, the employees will lastly hand you the cashback cash (in Thai baht). Woohoo!
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2025 4 22 – First uploaded