Bangkok Thailand
A quick guide of your destination
Our offline app for Bangkok HERE
Find apps of other cities
https://mytripnavi.com/maps/all
🌇 Must Visit in Bangkok
-
Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew – iconic Thai royal architecture.
-
Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) – riverside temple best viewed at sunset.
-
Wat Pho – giant reclining Buddha and traditional Thai massage school.
-
Chatuchak Weekend Market – world’s largest weekend market.
-
Jim Thompson House – traditional Thai teak house museum.
-
Khao San Road – backpacker street with lively bars and street food.
-
Asiatique The Riverfront – open-air night bazaar with Ferris wheel.
-
ICONSIAM – luxury mall with floating market inside.
-
Chinatown (Yaowarat) – street food and gold shops galore.
-
Lumphini Park – a green escape from the city’s chaos.
🍜 Must Eat in Bangkok
-
Pad Thai – try Thipsamai or Pad Thai Narok Taek.
-
Tom Yum Goong – spicy shrimp soup.
-
Som Tum (Papaya Salad) – from street vendors or Som Tam Jay So.
-
Mango Sticky Rice – Mae Varee near Thonglor is famous.
-
Boat Noodles – Victory Monument area.
-
Thai BBQ (Mookata) – family-style grill.
-
Roti & Thai Iced Tea – great street snack.
-
Michelin Street Food – Jay Fai (crab omelette), Nai Mong Hoy Tod (oyster omelette).
🚇 Public Transport Guide to Bangkok
Main systems:
-
BTS Skytrain – above-ground, covers Sukhumvit, Silom, and Siam areas.
-
MRT Metro – underground, connects Chinatown, Chatuchak, and Sukhumvit.
-
Airport Rail Link – connects Suvarnabhumi Airport to downtown (Phaya Thai).
-
Public Bus – cheapest but slower.
-
Chao Phraya Express Boat – scenic river route to temples and Old City.
-
Tuk-tuk – short, fun rides; negotiate before entering.
-
Motorbike Taxi – fast for short distances, use Grab app for safety.
-
Grab App – ride-hailing for cars, bikes, and food delivery.
🧭 How to Use Public Transport in Bangkok
-
Buy a Rabbit Card for BTS and MRT Card separately.
-
For Airport Rail Link, buy tokens or use a stored-value card.
-
For boats: look for color flags (Orange = regular line, Blue = tourist line).
-
For buses: pay conductor in cash (coins or small notes).
-
Use Google Maps or Moovit for route planning.
-
Avoid rush hours (7–9 AM, 5–7 PM) when trains are packed.
💡 Tips and Tricks for Transportation in Bangkok
-
Avoid rush hour traffic — use BTS/MRT instead of taxis.
-
Negotiate tuk-tuk fares before the ride.
-
Use Grab to avoid taxi scams.
-
Carry small change for tickets and buses.
-
Use River Ferry for temple hopping – it’s scenic and cheap.
-
Stay near a BTS/MRT station for easiest access to sights.
✈️ Public Transport From & To Airport
Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)
-
Airport Rail Link → BTS Phaya Thai (30–45 min, ~45 THB).
-
Airport Bus S1 → Khao San Road (60 THB).
-
Grab/Taxi → downtown (~300–400 THB).
Don Mueang Airport (DMK)
-
A1/A2 Bus → BTS Mochit (30 THB).
-
Train from DMK → Hua Lamphong (slow but cheap).
-
Grab/Taxi (~250–350 THB to city).
🗓️ 3-Night Itinerary (Bangkok Highlights)
Day 1:
-
Arrive & explore Asiatique Riverfront.
-
Dinner cruise on Chao Phraya.
Day 2:
-
Grand Palace → Wat Pho → Wat Arun (by ferry).
-
Chinatown street food night.
Day 3:
-
Chatuchak Market (weekend) or ICONSIAM.
-
Massage + rooftop bar (Vertigo, Sky Bar).
🗓️ 5-Night Itinerary (City + Culture + Shopping)
Day 1–2: Same as above.
Day 3: Jim Thompson House → Siam Paragon → MBK Center.
Day 4: Ayutthaya Day Trip or Floating Market (Damnoen Saduak).
Day 5: Chill in Thonglor or Ari area cafés, massage, night market.
🗓️ 10-Night Itinerary (Bangkok + Nearby Trips)
Days 1–4: Explore Bangkok highlights & shopping.
Days 5–6: Day trips to Ayutthaya & Amphawa Floating Market.
Days 7–8: Kanchanaburi (River Kwai bridge, nature).
Days 9–10: Back to Bangkok for last-minute shopping, rooftop dinner, and night market stroll.
💸 Budget Traveler to Bangkok
-
Stay in hostels or guesthouses (250–600 THB/night).
-
Eat street food (40–80 THB/meal).
-
Use BTS, MRT, or boats instead of taxis.
-
Free sights: temples like Wat Saket, local markets, parks.
-
Avoid tourist traps and over-negotiated tuk-tuks.
-
Refill water at 7-Eleven for 7 THB instead of buying bottles.
💕 Honeymoon to Bangkok
-
Stay riverside (Mandarin Oriental, Avani+ Riverside).
-
Romantic dinner cruise on Chao Phraya.
-
Couple spa at Banyan Tree or Divana Spa.
-
Visit Rooftop bar at Lebua State Tower (Sky Bar).
-
Day trip to Ayutthaya or floating market.
-
Take a sunset photo at Wat Arun.
👨👩👧 Family Trip with Small Kids to Bangkok
-
Stay near BTS (e.g., Siam or Asok).
-
Kid-friendly attractions:
-
SEA LIFE Ocean World
-
Safari World & Marine Park
-
Dream World amusement park
-
Dusit Zoo (new location opening soon)
-
Lumphini Park playground
-
-
Use BTS/MRT for convenience, avoid long walks in heat.
-
Many malls have nursing rooms & children’s play zones.
🌤️ Best Time to Visit Bangkok
Seasons
-
Cool Season (Nov–Feb):
✅ Best time to visit. Comfortable weather (25–30°C), clear skies, and many festivals.
– Great for sightseeing and outdoor markets. -
Hot Season (Mar–May):
☀️ Very hot (up to 38°C). Best for pool days, malls, and night activities.
– Songkran Festival (Thai New Year) in April is fun but messy (water fights). -
Rainy Season (Jun–Oct):
🌧️ Heavy afternoon showers, high humidity.
– Still travelable, but carry an umbrella and waterproof shoes.
Worst Season to Avoid
- September is usually the wettest month — constant rain and some flooding in low-lying areas.
🛡️ Safety Level in Bangkok
-
Crime:
Bangkok is generally safe for tourists. Violent crime is rare; petty theft like pickpocketing can happen in crowded markets or buses. -
Political Stability:
Occasional protests occur but are usually peaceful; avoid protest areas if any. -
Scams:
Common near tourist spots (see list below). -
Solo & female travelers:
Widely considered safe. Avoid dark alleys and use Grab for late-night rides.
Overall Safety Score: ⭐ 8.5/10 (safe with basic caution)
📶 Internet Access & SIM Card Options
Wi-Fi:
Available in most hotels, cafés, and malls.
Tourist SIM Cards (available at airport booths):
-
AIS Traveller SIM – strong coverage, eSIM option, from 299 THB.
-
TrueMove H Tourist SIM – great city coverage, from 299 THB.
-
dtac Happy Tourist SIM – good balance of price and speed.
Average Data Plan:
-
8–15 GB for 8–15 days ≈ 300–500 THB.
-
You can also buy at 7-Eleven (staff can activate it for you).
💰 Currency & Exchange Rate
-
Currency: Thai Baht (THB)
-
Exchange rate (Oct 2025): ~1 USD = 36–37 THB / 1 EUR = 39–40 THB / 1 SEK ≈ 3.3–3.5 THB
-
Exchange tips:
-
Superrich (green logo) gives best rates.
-
Avoid airport kiosks except for small first-day cash.
-
Use cash for markets and taxis; cards for malls/hotels.
-
ATMs charge ~220 THB per withdrawal (use Wise or Revolut card to save fees).
-
🗣️ Languages Spoken
-
Official: Thai 🇹🇭
-
English: widely understood in tourist zones, hotels, and malls.
-
Taxi drivers and market vendors may speak limited English — show destinations written in Thai if needed.
-
Useful phrases:
-
Hello: Sawasdee ka/krap
-
Thank you: Khop khun ka/krap
-
How much?: Tao rai ka/krap?
-
💸 Ways to Save Money
-
BTS One-Day Pass: 140 THB (unlimited rides per day).
-
Rabbit Card: prepaid BTS card — saves time.
-
MRT Stored Value Card: for metro convenience.
-
Tourist Passes:
-
Bangkok Pass (includes attractions like Grand Palace, cruise, etc.).
-
Klook & KKday offer discounted tickets for temples, shows, and floating markets.
-
-
Markets:
-
Chatuchak Market for cheap souvenirs.
-
Pratunam Market for fashion bargains.
-
-
Eat local: Street food (30–80 THB/meal) instead of restaurants.
-
Use public boats: cheaper than tourist cruises.
🎉 Seasonal & Cultural Events
Month
Event
Description
Jan–Feb
Chinese New Year
Dragon dances, fireworks in Chinatown
Apr 13–15
Songkran Festival
Thai New Year water fights everywhere
May
Royal Ploughing Ceremony
Blessing of rice planting season
Jul–Oct
Buddhist Lent
Monks retreat season, candle processions
Nov
Loy Krathong
Floating candle festival, very photogenic
Dec 5
King’s Birthday
National holiday, parades, lights everywhere
Dec 31
New Year Countdown
Fireworks at ICONSIAM & CentralWorld
🔌 Power Plug & Voltage
-
Voltage: 220V / 50Hz
-
Plug types: Type A, B, C (same as US and EU two-pin)
→ Most modern adapters or USB chargers work fine. -
Tip: Bring a universal travel adapter with surge protection.
🚨 Emergency Numbers & Hospitals
-
Tourist Police: ☎️ 1155 (English-speaking, 24 hours)
-
Police: ☎️ 191
-
Ambulance & Fire: ☎️ 199
-
Hospitals (with English service):
-
Bumrungrad International Hospital (Sukhumvit)
-
Bangkok Hospital (Huai Khwang)
-
Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital (family-friendly)
-
BNH Hospital (Silom area)
-
⚠️ Common Tourist Scams to Avoid
-
“Temple Closed” scam:
A tuk-tuk driver says a temple is closed and offers a cheap tour elsewhere. Ignore and go directly. -
Gem store scam:
Fake “government gem sale” – overpriced stones, avoid buying. -
Taxi without meter:
Always ask to use the meter, or use Grab instead. -
Tuk-tuk for 20 baht:
Leads you to shops where drivers earn commissions. -
Overpriced boat tours:
At river piers, insist on public boat (flagged ferry). -
Tailor shops scam:
Cheap “custom suit in one day” offers poor quality — check reviews first. -
Pickpockets in crowded areas:
Keep your bag zipped and valuables secure.
How to Get Around by Public Transportation
- BTS(BTS Skytrain): bookmark the jpg link below to use in our app for high resolution.
https://www.bts.co.th/assets/images/yellow-map.jpg https://www.bts.co.th/eng/routemap.html - MRT
https://metro.bemplc.co.th/MRT-System-Map?lang=en - ARL Airport Rail Link
https://www.bangkokairportonline.com/bangkok-airport-rail-link/ - SRT red line: The SRT Dark Red Line operates between Bang Sue Grand Station and Rangsit in Pathum Thani province, just North of Bangkok
https://www.thailandee.com/en/transportation-thailand/srt-red-line-bangkok - Chao Phraya River Express Boat
https://www.chaophrayaexpressboat.com/chaophrayaexpressboat?lang=en - Taxi https://www.thaiembassy.com/travel-to-thailand/bangkok-taxi-tips-how-to-get-a-taxi-in-bangkok
- Tuk Tuk
- River Ferry
- River Dinner Cruise
Airport:
Suvarnabhumi International Airport
https://suvarnabhumi.airportthai.co.th/
Departure flight information
https://suvarnabhumi.airportthai.co.th/flight
Arriving flights
https://suvarnabhumi.airportthai.co.th/flight
Transit guide
Getting to the Airport
https://suvarnabhumi.airportthai.co.th/service/transportation
Passenger Guide
https://suvarnabhumi.airportthai.co.th/service/airport-guide
Promotion and Services
https://suvarnabhumi.airportthai.co.th/promotion
Shop, Dine, Relax and do more
Dine
Restaurant:
https://suvarnabhumi.airportthai.co.th/explore/restaurant
Shop
https://suvarnabhumi.airportthai.co.th/service/shop-and-dine?cate_id=27&cate_name=Shop
Thailand foods/gourmet you must try
Famous food top 5
- ต้มยำกุ้ง(Tom yum goong): It’s derived from the Thai words “tom,” which refers to the boiling process, “yam,” a Thai spicy and sour salad, and “kung” for shrimp. There’s not much information about its origins, but many locals say it’s a central Thai soup that emerged due to the abundance of freshwater shrimp mainly from the Chao Phraya River
- ข้าวมันไก่(Khao Man Gai): Khao Man Gai is often called the Thai variation of Hainanese Chicken Rice. It’s very unique to Thai cuisine, however, as on its own, it is free of spice or any additional flavors, unlike most Thai dishes. It is however, very popular! Khao Man Gai literally means rice oily chicken in Thai.
- ผัดไทย(phat thai=Thai fried rice noodle): Pad thai, phat thai, or phad thai, is a stir-fried rice noodle dish commonly served as a street food in Thailand as part of the country’s cuisine. It is typically made with rice noodles, shrimp, peanuts, a scrambled egg, and bean sprouts. The ingredients are fried in a wok.
- แกงเขียวหวาน(Green curry): Green curry is a central Thai variety of curry. Main ingredients: Coconut milk; green curry paste; palm sugar; fish sauce; kaffir lime leaves; Thai basil.
- แกงมัสมั่น(Massaman, Matsaman- Massaman curry): Massaman curry is a rich, flavourful, and mildly spicy Thai curry. It is a fusion dish, combining ingredients from three sources: Persia, the Indian Subcontinent, and the Malay Archipelago with ingredients more commonly used in native Thai cuisine to make massaman curry paste.
Famous Sweets
- ข้าวเหนียวมะม่วง(Khao Neow Ma Muang-Mango sticky rice): Khao Niew means ‘sticky rice’ in Thai while Ma Muang means ‘mango. ’ The sticky rice that is used in this dessert is a common staple for many Thai dishes and desserts found throughout the country. To prepare the dessert, the sticky rice is cooked and then added to a mixture of coconut cream or milk and natural sugar.
- ทับทิมกรอบ(Thapthim krop-crispy rubies): Thapthim krop is one of the best known Thai desserts, having been named one of the world’s best 50 desserts by CNN Travel. It is made of cubes of water chestnuts soaked in grenadine or red food dye, then boiled in tapioca flour. This dessert is known as “pomegranate seeds” or “rubies” because of its appearance.
- บัวลอย(Bua loi): Bua loi or bua loy is a Thai dessert. It consists of rice flour rolled into small balls, and cooked in coconut milk and sugar. Some Bua loi also adds sweet egg into the recipe. It was inspired by Tangyuan, a Chinese dessert that is traditionally eaten around the Lantern festival.
Famous Drinks
ชาเย็น
(cha yen-Thai tea): Thai tea is usually known as a Thai drink made from Ceylon black tea, milk, and sugar. Thai tea as it is consumed in Thailand is not typically brewed with spices, though many English language recipes inspired by Thai tea include ingredients such as star anise or cardamom to enhance the flavor.
Thailand food trivia
- อร่อย=Aroi: means “It’s delicious”
- Though Thailand is an Asian country but they use folks and spoons for foods, instead of chopstick.
- 4 types of noodle: เส้นหมี่ thin, เส้นเล็ก middle, เส้นใหญ่ thick noodle, and บะหมี่ Bakmi(egg noodle).
- Thai curry doesn’t use curry powder which is different with Indian curry. Thai curries have a brighter, fresher flavor and often include lemongrass, galangal, and kaffir lime leaves.
Other famous foods
- ส้มตำ(Som tam or som tum=Thai Papaya Salad): is a traditional Thai-style papaya salad from the Isan region of northeastern Thailand . Som means sour and tam means beaten, and the name comes from the fact that green papaya slices are pounded together with ingredients such as fish sauce and garlic.
- น้ำตกหมู(Mu Yang Nam tok): is either a soup or a meat salad from Southeast Asia. In the Lao and Thai language, the phrase means waterfall. The meat salad in Lao cuisine is just a sliced instead of minced meat version of larb, Laos’ national dish.
- ไก่ย่าง(Kai yang): roasted chicken. A whole chicken is often halved and pounded flat. It is marinated and then grilled over a low heat on a charcoal flame for a long time, but is not cooked to be burnt or dry. The marinade typically includes fish sauce, garlic, turmeric, coriander root (cilantro), and white pepper. Many variations exist, and it is also quite common to find black soy sauce, hoisin sauce, shallots, leaves and seeds of coriander, lemongrass, chilis, ginger, vinegar, palm sugar, and MSG.
- ต้มข่าไก่(Tom kha kai): Tom kha kai, tom kha gai, or Thai coconut soup is a spicy and sour hot soup with coconut milk in Thai cuisine.
- ข้าวซอย(Khao soi): The name means ‘cut rice’, although it is possible that it is simply a corruption of the Burmese word for noodles – “khao swè” – which may account for the variations. This is a deliciously rich, creamy, slightly spicy yellow curry dish originating in Northern Thailand.
- เย็นตาโฟ(Yong tau foo): It is a noodle dish topped with benifu milk (fermented tofu with red malt) and surimi dumplings (mainly meat or fish).
- ปูผัดผงกะหรี่(Poo Pad Pong Curry): is a curry- flavored stir-fried crab dish that is mainly eaten in Thailand . In Thai , phu (ปู) means crab, pad (ผัด) means stir-fried, pon (ผง) means powder, and curry (กะหรี่) means curry.
- ก๋วยเตี๋ยว(Kuyteav): the name of a type of food Made from rice flour into strips. If boiled and then cooked with ingredients such as pork, it is called dry noodles. If it is added to soup, it is called water noodles. If the noodles are stir-fried, it is called fried noodles.
- ข้าวยำ-khao yum means cooked rice or steamed rice eaten with various types of vegetables. and meat Mixed with various types of cooking water or sauce that gives a sour, salty, sweet taste, giving the same characteristics as a salad.
- ไอศกรีม ขนม= icecream bread
- จิ้มจุ่ม(Chim chum): It is traditionally made with chicken or pork and fresh herbs such as galangal, sweet basil, lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves, cooked in a small clay pot on a charcoal stove. It is often served with nam chim.