Bangkok travel advice
Posted by admin on October 12th, 2009 filed in Bangkokians, Getting by, SightseeingThe Thai capital is one of the most populous and hectic metropolises on the globe and can be rather overwhelming to first time visitors. However, Bangkok is a world-famous tourist destination with convenient opportunities for visitors wishing to get about and explore this colourful city. Thailand, on a whole, is tourist-friendly, but the city of Bangkok can be somewhat confusing and has a higher risk of difficulties than other popular travel destinations.
In tourist hotspots, pimps can often be rude, persistently trying to invite tourists to attend an erotic show. Resolute saying ‘may ow!’ normally shakes them off.
Bangkok is notorious for its severe traffic congestion and it’s not rare spending a few hours sitting in a cab; luckily their fees are inexpensive but it surely does wear on the passenger’s patience. Avoid joining traffic before 10:30 and between 16:00 and 19:00. Make use of the underground metro or BTS sky train instead.
Bangkok becomes incredibly humid and unbearably hot in the summer, between February and October. Air-conditioned shopping malls can be found throughout the city; do not be too ambitious with your Bangkok sightseeing plan as it might leave you dehydrated.
Getting around on foot in Bangkok is an inconvenient and dangerous option, with vendor-laden, disrupted sidewalks, huge holes everywhere and hazardous situations created by undisciplined motorists.
Common crimes reported by tourists include fake jewellery scams. Be cautious of any person offering you ‘the greatest deal’ on semi-legal goods. Numerous tuk-tuk drivers offer visiting tourists ‘free’ trips which include several stop offs at tailor and jewellery outlets.
Cooking hygiene may be a problem at the very cheap, road-side noodle stalls. Just because Bangkok residents are able to stomach a 25 baht bowl of noodles does not guarantee you won’t become sick. Sticking to the licensed eateries, which have been inspected for safety and health, is probably the most efficient way avoiding getting ill.
Locals at touristy locations tend to shamelessly overcharge naïve visitors who assume everything in the country as relatively inexpensive. Learning how to bargain is a must, insist on using metered taxis, ask for bills, and verify rates.
There is of course also the tendency for Bangkok to flair up with political protests that can turn ugly, as happened in November 2009, when the airport was closed. This can occur at short notice in the current climate and we advise you check up to date travel news on sites such as asap.co.uk