5 things you should know before your Bangkok Trip

on Mar 28by Camille

5 things to know before your Bangkok Trip

Bangkok is a city with the perfect balance of tradition and modernity. The city offers you a stunning skyscrapers' view of bustling city life alongside majestic temples and traditional Thai culture.

Upon arrival, you'll be swept up in the hustle and bustle of Bangkok city life. First-time visitors are most likely to spend their trip visiting Grand Palace, Wat Arun, Wat Pho and the famous floating markets.

When the sun goes down, the city becomes even more energetic. Bangkok nightlife zones and night markets are the most popular destinations. The vibrant Bangkok nightlife is comprised of new clubs and bars, as well as Thai-style bars like Go Go bars.

However, if you are looking for a more chill and relaxed night, Bangkok night markets are the place to go. They have a great selection of vintage merchandise, clothing and food.

To help make sure you have the best experience possible, we've made a shortlist of helpful tips. Here are five things you should know before heading to Bangkok.

Tip#1: Bring a map, water and sunscreen.

The Thai language has its own alphabet that looks nothing like English. If you venture a little outside the tourist zones, the street names, street directions and stations are all in Thai.

If you are going to Bangkok on your own, you must bring a map with you. It will help you to ask for directions from the taxi drivers or people on the street. Some places have very similar names, so pay attention to the spelling.

On average, Bangkok is one of the hottest cities on earth. All year long, the temperature fluctuates between 26 and 39 degrees Celsius (80-100°F), depending on the season. So don’t forget to stay hydrated and apply some sunscreen. You don't want to spend your post-holiday nursing your burnt skin.


Tip #2: Bargaining is a must

Bargaining is an important skill that you should learn before going to Southeast Asia. Street merchants are usually open to negotiating prices. Many sellers also increase their prices when they sell to tourists.

When you go to a market - for instance, Chatuchak Market, the must-visit market on your Bangkok trip - sellers expect you to bargain. Even though there are a few stores that put fixed price tags, the majority of vendors there display their highest prices.

How do I bargain?

There are no fixed rules on bargaining. Always be polite and kind when you are bargaining. Here are some tips:

1. You can bargain up to 50% off the original price. That would be your most optimistic scenario.
2. The more things you buy, the lower price you should get.
3. When the seller agrees on your requested price, don’t bail on it!

Besides bargaining in the market, you can also negotiate with Tuk Tuk drivers. A Tuk Tuk is a three-wheeled traditional Thai transportation. The Tuk Tuk is a motorcycle that has been reconstructed to carry more than one passenger. Always agree on a price before riding it.

However, keep in mind it is less common to bargain on food. Some sellers might take it as an insult.


Tip #3: Street food is better than restaurant food

Who doesn’t love Thai food? Even if you've tried the tastiest Thai food in your town, your Bangkok trip is not complete without tasting Thai street food.

You might get several warnings about consuming street food in Thailand because of the food hygiene. In any case, Thai food is quite spicy, so take it a bit lightly at first and let your stomach adjust.

Why is street food better than restaurant food?

Many restaurants have adjusted or mixed their recipes to fit tourist preferences. Besides, you won’t get the same experience. Experience Bangkok like a local: buy street food and eat it as you wander.

Thai street food vendors are mostly located on the sidewalk or in night markets. Even though most of them may have no proper seating or table service, the prices are incredibly low! The average street food prices range between 30 to 50 Baht ($1-1.5) for soup, pad thai, fried rice or Thai tea.

If the street vendor doesn’t speak English, don’t worry! They will be happy to serve you and try to explain what they're selling.


Tip #4: Beware of scams

Many locals perceive tourists as very wealthy people. There are many kinds of scams, like overcharging tourists on ticket prices, proposing extra tours and services that you didn’t intend to buy, selling merchandise at a very high price, or lending a jet ski without any official documents.

It is best if you have your own itinerary before heading to Bangkok. Research everything, including ticket prices, transportation, rental fees and time required to travel from one site to another. It helps you to keep track and make sure your trip runs smoothly. Be careful when someone is suddenly offering you an additional tour or lower price on something- don’t trust them right away. If possible, just stick to your trip as you planned.

Another thing you need to keep in mind is always keeping your valuable items close to avoid being pickpocketed. Finally, stay out of trouble. Some policemen may try to make a profit off fining foreigners.


Tip #5. That pretty lady you met might be a ladyboy

Ladyboys are a huge part of Thai culture. Thanks to the liberal Buddhism culture, Thai people highly respect and appreciate the ladyboy community. Compared to the rest of the world, there is very little discrimination toward this community. Ladyboys have the same right to work and life as other Thai people.

Many ladyboys look just like ordinary Thai girls. They are petite, with fair white skin and long hair, and their behavior is very ladylike. You won’t believe your eyes when you meet them.


If you are interested in meeting ladyboys, you can add a Bangkok Cabaret show to your itinerary. There are several famous cabaret shows around the city, such as Calypso Show and Playhouse Magical Cabaret.

Another place you can find them is in a Go Go Bar. A Go Go Bar is a kind of bar where several girls keep you company while you drink. Interested?

Hopefully, with these tips, you'll be on your way to navigating Bangkok like a local and making the most of your Bangkok trip. Safe travels and enjoy Bangkok!

 

About the author: Alifa works as the Web Content Manager for www.activityfan.com, a London-based online activity booking company. She lives and works remotely from Indonesia, enjoying the sun, beaches and tasty food.

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