Bangkok Life and Visitor Travel Tips

(Bangkok, Thailand)

Bangkok is a lively city both by day and night, although it is worth familiarising yourself with the local customs before arriving. You will have no problems using your personal mobile phone in Bangkok, providing that you have first arranged international access, although calls can be on the expensive side. Pay phones are readily available all over the city, at most hotels and also at Suvarnabhumi Airport, along with Internet access.

When you arrive in Bangkok, the local Tourism Authority of Thailand offices, better known simply at 'TAT', are worth visiting. Also of importance, the Nation and the Bangkok Post newspapers contain regular information about city events, particularly in the weekend supplements. For information about the local backpacker community, the monthly Farang magazine is worth finding and is free of charge. Travel tips about various aspects of life in Bangkok are below.

Photo of the Palace Street

Contact Information

Founded in 1960, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is full of travel information about the country and its head office is located in Bangkok. The city is also brimming with travel agencies, many of which are to be found along the Th Khao San and the Th Silom.

Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) - Head Office
Address: 1600 New Phetchaburi Road, Makkasan, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand, TH
Tel: +66 02 250 5500
Fax: +66 02 250 5511
Website: www.tourismthailand.org
Email: center@tat.or.th

Tourism Authority of Thailand Tourist Information Counters (TAT) at the Airport
Address: Arrival Hall , Terminal 1, Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), Bangkok, Thailand, TH
Tel: +66 02 504 2701
Address: Arrival Hall, Terminal 2, Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), Bangkok, Thailand, TH
Tel: +66 02 504 2701
Open hours: daily - 08:00 to midnight

Tourism Authority of Thailand Tourist Information Counters (TAT) at Ratchadamnoen
Address: 4 Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue, Bangkok, 10100, Thailand, TH
Open hours: daily - 08:30 to 16:30

Bangkok Tourist Police
Address: 1600 New Phetchaburi Road, Makkasan, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand, TH
Tel: +66 02 678 680
Emergency tel: 1155 (24 hours)
The Bangkok Tourist Police offices can be found within the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) office and feature multilingual staff.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 18:00, Saturday - 09:00 to midnight

Language and Dialect

Thai is the official language in Bangkok and Thailand as a whole, which for most is a difficult language to both learn and comprehend. However, many locals and professionals in the Bangkok hospitality industry do understand English, along with other languages. Particularly helpful are the road signs, which often show locations in both Thai and English. However, should you learn a few Thai phrases, locals in Bangkok will be delighted with your efforts.

Hello - sawàt dii
Good-bye - la gon
My name is... - phom / chan cheu...
Pleased to meet you - yin dii thii dai ruu jak
I do not understand - mâi khâo jai
Please will you speak slowly - karunaa phuut chaa-chaa nawy
I do not speak Thai - phoot Thai mai dai
Where is the toilet? - hong nam yoo tee nai
Hotel - rong-rem
Restaurant - ran-ahaan
Excuse me - khaw thoht
Many thanks - khawp khun maak

View of central shopping malls

Currency

The Thailand baht is the local currency throughout the country and therefore Bangkok. Most banks in the city operate between the hours of 10:00 to 16:00 and cashpoints can be found all over Bangkok, including at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Particularly useful, many main banks feature separate currency exchange offices which often open daily, between 08:30 and 20:00, being located along Charoen Krung, Khao San, Nana Neua, Patpong, Phra Ram I, Silom and also Surawong.

Smoking

Smoking in Bangkok is frowned on and banned in air-conditioned buildings and most indoor public spaces. Smoking is also no longer permitted within shopping malls, bus and train stations, museums and also at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Strict fines are enforced should you be found smoking within restricted places. You will also find it hard to find cigarettes for sale in shops around Bangkok, as these products are not allowed to be displayed in public.

General Dos and Don'ts

Here are some useful tips about how to behave in public, and how to avoid uncomfortable situations.

Affection - avoid kissing and cuddling in public, particularly in front of older members of the local Thai community
Alcohol - whilst it is acceptable to both buy and drink alcohol in Thailand, you will not be able to purchase alcohol between the hours of 14:00 to 17:00, and also on national holidays and during religious events
Buddha Images - any image of Buddha is regarded as sacred. You are not even permitted to take photographs of the most sacred. You will be asked to remove your shoes when visiting temples where images on Buddha are displayed
Drugs - throughout Thailand, drug laws are extremely harsh and the penalties can include many years in prison, or in the worst case, execution
Feet - never point at anything by using your feet or the soles of your feet, particularly images of Buddha
Greetings - when greeting Thai locals, do not shake hands. Instead, place the palms of your hands together close to your face and bow slightly - a custom known as 'wai'
Head - as the highest point of the body, the head is regarded as untouchable and Thais do not appreciate their heads being touched or patted for any reason
Hotel Touts - hotel touts often congregate at the train and bus stations and can be quite persuasive. Most are simply only after their hefty commission, which you will probably end up paying yourself on your bill, and so should be avoided at all costs
Jewellery - be extremely wary when purchasing jewellery and gems, since they are often sold at rather inflated prices
Littering - never drop litter in the street. Large fines are enforced, regardless of what is actually dropped
Monks - monks are not allowed to touch any woman or even accept anything from a woman's hand. Some public transport even features monk-only seats
Religious Beliefs - always dress appropriately when visiting temples (wats) and do not wear shorts, bikinis and tops that do not cover your arms
Shoes - always remove your shoes before entering a local Thai residence
Shouting - whatever the situation, try to avoid shouting or showing anger in any form. This will be frowned upon in most cases