Traveling to Bangkok, Thailand, is an adventure filled with ancient temples, colorful marketplaces, exotic nightlife, and the excitement that comes with encountering one of the world’s oldest cultures clashing with the latest digital technology. Bangkok is a city of both the past and the present, both of which exist simultaneously, making it one of the most interesting – and diverse – cities in the world.
Like the other major world capitals, Bangkok is big, busy and fast-paced. There is a lot to see and do, but it’s also easy to get lost, often aggravating to get around, and even potentially dangerous, especially if you don’t speak the Thai language.
But visiting Bangkok is also rewarding, educational, thrilling, and fun – often all at the same time!
If you want to make the most of your visit to Bangkok – and avoid getting in trouble, getting lost, or simply not making the most out of every moment during your visit – here are five helpful tips to make your Bangkok visit one of the most memorable times in your entire life.
Take an Organized Tour
Ask the concierge at your hotel to recommend an organized tour that you can use to get your bearings when you first arrive in Bangkok. This lets you see the major sites while learning a little bit about the lay of the land before heading out on your own.
Getting Around
Bangkok can be confusing, even for people who have lived there their entire lives. Unlike many Western cities, the streets are not laid out on an easy-to-grasp grid, there’s a winding river through the center of the busiest parts of the city, and the street signs are in Thai, not English – all of which can make the city seem more like a labyrinth than a world capital.
Your best bet is to learn to speak Thai before visiting Bangkok. But if that isn’t practical, then the next best thing is to get yourself a map of the city with the street names in both Thai and English – then carry this with you as you navigate the city’s busy, crowded streets.
While Bangkok is a large urban center, the people are very friendly and will usually be more than happy to give you directions to where you are going. Many Bangkok residents speak English. And if they don’t, at the very least they can point you in the right direction.
Rapid Transit Is Your Friend
While there are rickshaws and smoke-belching tuk-tuks you can use to get where you are going, if you don’t want to look like a tourist and hope to experience Bangkok like a native, take the Skytrain and the underground to get where you are going.
The Skytrain soars above the city’s crowded streets, offering you panoramic views of Bangkok’s colorful neighborhoods while whisking you away to where you want to be. The underground is a world-class subway that is clean, fast, efficient and safer than you will find in most other major cities.
Both also have the benefit of being air-conditioned -- which can be a godsend on one of Bangkok’s frequent sweltering summer days. You can purchase a day pass, a week-long pass, or simply pay by the trip.
Play It Safe
Like any big city, Bangkok has its share of scammers, danger, and people looking to separate you from your money.
While taxis are widely available throughout the city, it’s best to avoid traveling at street level during rush hour. You simply won’t get anywhere fast. If you do jump into a taxicab, make sure the driver switches his meter on at the beginning of your trip. Some drivers will try to rip off tourists by charging them a flat rate which normally is much higher than what the trip would normally cost. If your driver won’t turn on the cab’s meter, get out and find another one.
The Thai people are very friendly, but be on your toes if you are approached by someone who promises to show you around or take you on a private tour. Usually, these people have been hired by jewelry merchants to bring you to their gem store.
“Don’t Leave Home without It”
When traveling in Bangkok, there are two things you should always keep on your person: A photocopy of your passport and your hotel room key with the address written in both English and Thai.
Carrying ID is mandatory for everybody in Thailand, but you don’t need to risk losing your passport as you make your way through the city’s wild nightlife or tour the busy marketplaces. A photocopy will do just fine.
Think of your room key as an insurance policy that you can use if you get lost and need to find your way back to your hotel. All you need to do is show it to a taxi or tuk-tuk driver and they can get you back in your safe, comfortable bed as quickly as possible.
Author Bio – This guest post is a work of Sam Jenkins in support of Ferry Samui. If you're on the lookout for transport options from Bangkok to Koh Tao, don't forget to visit ferry samui.com today for all the details.
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