We’re frequently asked for travel tips and advice in Bangkok and Thailand - here are some of the most important ones.
1) Best months to visit? October to January – the cool’ish season when temperatures average between 26–32 degrees. Besides hot season (March to May), the other months are also fine. Rainy season runs from June to November - it doesn’t rain all day just a couple of hours every day.
2) Don’t try to cross major roads - especially via a zebra crossing –
cars do not stop at zebra crossings!!! Always use the over bridge or traffic lights. If there are none – wait for a local to cross and follow closely.
3) It never gets cold in Bangkok so leave woolens and thermals at home.
4) Unless the first price is right for your wallet, bargaining is highly recommended at markets. But remember, storekeepers are much smarter and experienced than you, so don’t be a wiseass or bully. Yelling will not result in a lower price. Rule of thumb – the best starting price is 30-35% below the vendor’s initial asking price.
5) Take it easy and stay hydrated. If you’re a 5
th gear type of person, drop it down a couple of gears to conserve energy. The heat and humidity takes its toll on everyone.
6) Quite a few attractions offer one price for locals and a more expensive one for tourists. This upsets some but consider this… many travellers from the west earn 2-4 times more than local people.
7) All restaurants and hawker stalls provide four condiments (sugar, chilli, vinegar and fish sauce) to add to rice and noodle dishes. You are under no obligation to use them all – just add according to personal taste.
8) Common sense, common sense and common sense - many travellers take on different personas in the Kingdom. Some think they are Valentino Rossi and rent, and ride scooters and motorbikes, sans a helmet - Thai drivers and roads can be as dangerous as the ones in your home country.
9) Some men also transform into Brad Pitt and believe themselves to be irresistible to many women – depending on which bar you are at - ‘all that glitters is not gold’ can apply as does 'caveat emptor.'
10) Tuk Tuks for short distance journeys only and always agree a price before you jump in. And say no to all offers of visits to tailors, gem shops, seafood restaurants, massage parlours and temples.
11) Small notes are big notes especially if you plan to use taxis to get about. Besides asking a cab driver to change radio station, nothing upsets them more than pulling out a 500 or 1,0000 baht note to pay for the fare. So keep a chunk of coins and 20, 50 and 100 baht notes on you at all times. This advice also applies in Singapore.
12) There’s more to Thai cuisine than pad thai, green curry, tom yum soup and banana pancakes so don’t be afraid to broaden your culinary horizons. If you see an amazing dish on another table don’t be shy to ask what it is and order. Equally important - ‘phet’ (pet) = spicy, 'phet mak mak' = very spicy and ‘mai phet’ = not spicy.
13) While you don’t need to return a wai to everyone - it is a nice gesture, especially to seniors.
14) Where possible, use the Sky Train, subway or water taxis to get around Bangkok. Motorbike taxis for emergencies only or super short trips.
15) Jatujak Market is an impenetrable maze for first timers. So if you see something that appeals make the purchase because it's unlikely you'll be able to find the stall again.
16) Beer and ice. Seems strange and is a no-no in many countries. In the tropics however, it makes a lot of sense where an ice cold beer can warm up pretty rapidly without an ice cube or two.
17) Thailand comes to a standstill twice a day - at 8 am and 6 pm - when the national anthem is played so be prepared to stand and pay respect wherever you are. The King's anthem is also played before all film screenings so same rules apply.
18) Sorry pedants. Thai city and suburb names translated into English can often be spelt in two or three ways - e.g. Thong Lor, Thonglo or Thonglor or Jatujak Market or Chaturchak Market. So don't panic if you think you think you have missed a station or gone to the wrong place because of spelling inconsistencies - you have to back your phonetic intuition.
Click
here for part two of our Surviving (and enjoying) Bangkok tips.
