Let's Talk Bangkok
Bangkok, Thailand……oh the Land of Smiles and the City of Angels. It is a frenetic city, culturally rich, and has loads of potential. Once you look beneath the pollution, noise, and traffic you see the beauty in the people, food, and why it is so culturally attractive, then the love story begins.
It’s easy to want to visit Bangkok because many social media influencers say it’s a top destination. But what do you really know about the culture, dominant religion, and the city? Mina Oh, Mark Weins, Eight Miles From Home, and others are very skilled at helping viewers plan their trips - nothing compares to being open and embracing the surprises that await you. Please know - there will be surprises.
The city will challenge, welcome, perhaps scare, and amaze you. Bangkok is beautiful, but maybe not the beautiful you’re used to. The sidewalk will have holes and bumps. That goes to show it’s highly traveled. The BTS and water taxis are full of people. That goes to show it’s a happening city - people work, go to school, and are active. Those same people you’re traveling with will later be serving you food, drinks, massaging your feet, may be your tour guide, tuk tuk driver, boat driver, etc. Traffic can be slow as molasses but that means the infrastructure is reliable and people can afford cars and gas. The water canal is dirty and sometimes smells, but hop in that water taxi anyway and enjoy the ride.
You get to choose what kind of experience you have in Bangkok and how you tell the story. I will say, you’re cheating yourself if you don’t experience ‘any’ city doing ‘local’ things. Shop where locals shop, ride the public transportation locals ride, buy food locals buy, drink what locals drink, visit locally owned restaurants, street vendors, and coffee shops, and do activities locals do (within reason). Learn about the history of the city by researching info before going, visiting historical sites, and talking to people.
Now let’s talk about the budget in Bangkok
Cultural Tip: Each day at 0800 and 1800 the royal/national anthem is played and you should follow your neighbor, stop and stand quietly until the anthem is over. It is played on the radio, sky train, underground, bus station, in parks, movie theaters, and other public places.
Costs
Hotel
If you plan to stay a few weeks and you want to get comfortable, you can stay somewhere like Urbana Sathorn. A 1-2 bedroom suite at this 5 star hotel will cost you approximately $100 - $130 a night. If you’re not in need of a 5 star accommodation, maybe a Holiday Inn Express (for example) would suit you just fine. This will run you about $63 a night. On the other hand, you can book an Airbnb for roughly $40 a night. Note: If you want to be adventurous and budget friendly, choose a hostel or a guest house.
You can see places I’ve stayed here.
Food
In this bustling city, you can eat “street food” (food bought at vendors on the side of the street) for cheap……low-low. I mean the best pad thai you ever put in your pie hole with shrimp for 60 THB = less than $2 USD. Restaurant meals vary, but if you're thrifty you'll be fine at still a low $5-$10 for a nice sized meal. You can shop the 7-Eleven for snacks and water for dirt cheap.
Travel Tip: You will need lots of water (bottle water) and only ice with a hole in it (made from filtered water). Also, only eat at recommended, clean, and safe street vendors. Pray cleansing and give thanks for everything you put into your body. 😊
Transportation
The BTS, Skytrain, and water taxis were excellent for traveling and extremely cheap. For instance, we could take a water taxi for less than $1 USD and get where we needed to go and fast. I suggest knowing your stops and having pictures of the stops in Thai when taking a water taxi, the maps there can be tricky when viewing them for the first time. We took the airport link to the airport. It cost 30 THB from Ram Khamhaeng station and it’s a 20 minute ride. There is a red bus in the metro area that is FREE. Transportation is very inexpensive. See bus rates here.
If you’re looking for a trip outside the city to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market or Ayutthaya for example, I suggest contacting Yoso Travel.
Travel Tip: Use the GRAB app for taxi. If you take a regular taxi – make sure the meter is ON. If they don’t turn it on or don’t have one, then don’t ride with them. I suggest walking when you can so you can take photos, chat with people, and dive into places as needed (wear comfy shoes).
Suggested Daily Budget
If you’re a smart spender, I recommend budgeting for about 990 THB/$30 USD a day. If you like to shop, use taxis, and eat at the fancier restaurants – expect to spend more.
Read this post for Things Do in Bangkok - eating is also a thing we do.
Want more travel information on Thailand?
Check out TaushPointo’s Thailand posts as she travels from North to South Thailand with her husband and their 6 year old daughter.
Outside This Small Town has an intense 11 day Thailand Travel Guide which takes you from North Thailand to South, then on to Cambodia.
Hopefully, this will help you plan for your first, or next, trip to Bangkok. If you have questions, please ask. I’m on Corona Virus lockdown, so I would love to answer questions.
What did you learn while traveling in Bangkok?
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