Bangkok

Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok is known around the world for chaos, crowded streets, cheap food, and cheap clothes. It has an even crazier nightlife. Many travelers come here and either love or hate it due to the pollution, noise, and crowds. I used to hate it but when I got to know it more, I changed my mind and ended up living here. Bangkok is more than the craziness you see, it has something for everyone and, once you understand it, it’s not so crazy. This is a city where anything can happen. Vegas, eat your heart out!

Thailand Travel Resources

Buying a Travel Backpack
Finding Cheap Accommodation
How to Find a Cheap Flight
Getting off the Tourist Trail in Asia
Great Eats in Bangkok
My Local Guide to Bangkok
Khao Yai National Park
Songkran, Thailand’s Ultimate Water fight

Costs in Bangkok

  • Hostel Prices: Dorm rooms start at 150 baht but nicer dorms in prime locations can cost up to 600 baht. Private rooms in guesthouses start at 200 baht.
  • Budget Hotel Prices: Budget hotels can be found for 400-800 baht per night.
  • Average Cost of Food: In Bangkok, you can eat from the street vendors for as little as 20 baht per meal and eat in a nice restaurant for under 700 baht including a drink or two.
  • Cost of Internet: Internet cafes in the tourist areas generally charge 1 to 3 baht per minute. If you are planning to do a quick email check, beware – many have a “minimum charge” that is equivalent to about 10 minutes of use. Free WiFi is far less common in Bangkok than in other Southeast Asian cities, but most neighborhoods have a few spots. Expect to pay 2 baht per minute for WiFi.
  • Transportation Costs: Although city buses can be very crowded, they are convenient and inexpensive. For a fare of 7.50 baht and up on the non-air conditioned buses and 12 baht and up on the air conditioned buses, you can travel pretty much anywhere in the city. The Skytrain and Metro cost 10-40 baht per trip. Taxis start at 35 baht to turn on the meter and most rides through the city cost under 100 baht.

Things to Do in Bangkok

  • The Grand Palace and Wat Po: The palace was built over the course of 3 years at the end of the 18th century by King Rama I and is the official residence of the current monarchy (though he doesn’t live there any more, it is just used for ceremonies). This is also where you will see the temple of Wat Pra Kaeo housing the 15th century Emerald Buddha whose robes are rotated three times a year by no less than the Thailand’s king himself. Moreover, you’ll find Wat Po to have the famous golden reclining Buddha statue.
  • Lumpini Park: Outdoor enthusiasts will find it hard to tear themselves away from Bangkok’s Lumpini Park. Jogging paths, bicycle roads, picnic and chess tables, Tai Chi classes, plenty of shade trees, weight-lifting, and rowboats for rent on its pair of lakes offer plenty to do and all the time in the world to do it.
  • The Royal Elephant Museum: Elephants have long played a significant role in the lives of the Thai people. The museum is located within the Parliament compound is a video and artifact testament to the value of the largest land animal and to the beliefs surrounding its participation in religious ceremonies. It is open to the public every day from 8:30 to 4:30.
  • Visit the Weekend Market: The weekend market is an ideal place to buy anything and everything. This football stadium sized market place offers the best place to get gifts, knock offs, barter, or have some good food. Definitely come here.
  • Temple Hop: Bangkok is full of history, temples, and Thai ruins. There’s about 10 main temples in the city and you can easily just hire a guy to take you to all of them today. They are all have different architecture and layouts. It will take about 5 hours to see them all.
  • Hang out on Khao’s San Road: Khao San Road is the infamous backpacker/tourist street in Bangkok. All travel roads lead in and out of there. However, it is more than just a transit hub for travelers. Here you can find nightlife, great food, tons of people watching, and activity all day and all night.
  • Floating Market: The floating market is just outside of Bangkok, and while mostly for tourists, I like coming here. The tours that come here are about half a day and leave early in the morning. It’s not a great place to shop but the area is good for photography and eating, two things I love a lot.
  • Shopping Bangkok has so many malls that in the center alone, I can count 12 in a 4 block radius. There is every thing you could ever need here in Bangkok and a great prices. Make sure you check out Siam Paragon (for designer clothes), Pantip (for cheap electronics) and MBK (for cheap knockoffs).
  • Jim Thompson’s House: Jim Thompson was a silk merchant who disappeared under very mysterious circumstances back in the 1950s. His house across from MBK is a traditional teak style house and very informative about life in Thailand. Proceeds from the entrance fee go to help orphaned children.

Budget Tips for Bangkok

  • Eat from the Street Stalls: Food from street vendors in Thailand is some of the best Thai food I have ever had, and so cheap it is ridiculous. You can easily have a soup noodle bowl for 10 baht or even a bit fancier pad thai dish for only around 20 baht.
  • Negotiate with the Tuk Tuk drivers: Unlike taxis the tuk tuk drivers do not have meters, so be sure and set the fixed price before you take off. They are very friendly, but if you are going to play the naive tourist, you will get taken advantage of!
  • Avoid Drinking in Khao San: While fun, a night out in the backpacker area of Khao San Rd will leave your wallet empty.
  • Take Taxis Instead of Tuk-Tuks. Sure, they’re not as fun as tuk-tuks, but they’re always cheaper. Always ask to use the meter before getting in.
  • Avoid Rush Hour. Taking a taxi during rush hour will inevitably take longer and cost you more. Be careful about when you travel, especially on the gridlocked route between Khao San Road and Siam Square.