Bangkok is known as the City of Angels, and this is one of the most visited cities in the world for many reasons. The vibrant nightlife, the delicious street food and the colourful culture are all compelling reasons why this sprawling metropolis is a tourist favourite. It is regarded as the hub of Southeast Asia, and many tourists use Bangkok as a base when they travel to Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.
Like every city, there are pitfalls, and in this short article, we point out some of the more common things to watch out for when staying in Bangkok.
- Taxi drivers who won’t turn on the meter – When a foreigner gets into a taxi, the driver tries to agree on a fare in advance, which will inevitably be higher than the meter would show. If this happens, tell the driver to stop and exit the vehicle, and in more cases than not, they will start the meter. If, for example, you want to go to your 4 star hotel on Sukhumvit Soi 11 Bangkok, make sure the driver turns on the meter before the vehicle is in motion.
- Crossing the street – You should only cross the street at a designated pedestrian crossing and do not expect the traffic to stop, as they often do not. If you come from a country where they drive on the opposite side of the road (the US and Europe), make sure you look right first when crossing, as traffic comes from this direction. When crossing a one-way street, never expect that the other direction is free of oncoming traffic; motorcycles often travel the wrong way down a one-way street. There are often accidents when tourists step out on a pedestrian crossing without looking, as they presume all traffic halts; this is definitely not the case in Bangkok.
- Vaping is illegal – If you vape, leave your gear at home, as this habit is illegal in Thailand. This has nothing to do with health; there is no tax classification for vape pens, so they are illegal, and if caught in possession, you can expect a fine at the very least. Don’t be surprised to see street vendors openly selling vape pens and liquid, despite the illegality. If you must vape, do it discreetly out of sight of anyone. Click here for some great backpack reviews.
- Always carry some ID – Rather than carrying your passport everywhere you go, take images of the photo page and also your visa with your smartphone and should you be asked for ID, this should suffice.
- Keep your personal possessions close to your body in busy places – While Bangkok is a safe city, there are gangs of pickpockets and they operate in crowded places. Keep all valuables in zip pockets and be mindful when people are jostling in crowds.
If you use your common sense, Bangkok is a very safe city, and you should not encounter any issues. One thing is for sure, you will be back at some time in the future.
