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Hints and tips to survive in this thrilling city
The ability to survive a 20-hour flight with swollen ankles and a headache is an achievement worth a gold medal. But that migraine pain behind your eyeballs will not go away when you realize that you’ve just touched down in one of the world’s biggest cities, Bangkok. We promise you; you are not alone when thinking, “ok, so now what?” I should have done my research long before I started my travels..”
Bangkok is by far one of the world´s most thrilling cities to visit. Photo by Fabian / CC BY
The way of thinking “bah, somehow it will solve out” might work when you are in Paris, London or New York because these cities meet our high western expectations. However, it’s not that clever to have that mañana mindset when being in the city that is well known for being a wild concrete jungle. Shemales might sneak up, trying to convince you to see their ping-pong show just around the corner, salesmen might try to rip you off and the inequality between rich and poor can be hard to witness. Nevertheless, the countless colorful markets, cheap food, beautiful parks and golden shimmering temples make Bangkok one of the world´s most thrilling cities to visit. So, with all of this in mind, here are a few hints and tips that might come well in handy when visiting the city of angels or as Thai people call it “Krung Thep”.
Taxis
If the taxi is not an option, why not try the famous tuk-tuks? Photo by Fabian / CC BY
There are many different ways of getting around in Bangkok. Besides the BTS, the easiest way to go from point a to b is by taxi, and the hassle to get one is almost non-existing. The taxis are everywhere, especially around hotels, shopping malls, and other tourist attractions. The fare starts at 35 baht and gradually works its way up with 2 baht per kilometer. Just remember to always ask the taxi driver before you start driving to put the taximeter on. If he refuses and wants to give you a fixed fare, just step out and find another one. You as a customer have all the rights to always drive with the taximeter on, so always insist that the driver uses the meter.
Food
Look for the carts with the most locals, it´s a good indicator that the food is delicious! Photo by Fabian / CC BY
Who does not like Thai food? The Thai cuisine offers an intense mix of different flavors. It´s not exactly french fries with meatballs you are dealing with, nono! The mix of spicey, sour, sweet and salty makes Thailand one of the best dining destinations in the world. To get the best out of your Bangkok experience, you have to try out the street food! To find that legit food corner or food cart, just see if there are many locals eating there. Many locals at one place is an indicator that the food is delicious. What makes the experience even more thrilling is the fact that most of the times the menus are not translated into English. Which means you just have to point and pray you will like what you get. Is the food hygienic? Well, who knows.. But hey, what doesn’t give you the “Montezuma’s revenge”, does only make you stronger!
You might also be interested in: If you’re interested in going to an Asian country, just go! – Laurens
Where to stay?
To use the BTS is the most convenient way to get around in the Silom area. Photo by Fabian / CC BY
To give you a clear guidance where to live in Bangkok is extremely hard as it depends on your personal references. Also, the city is so big meaning there are plenty of cozy areas to stay. However, a friendly neighborhood we want to recommend is Silom. We like this area because of two reasons: it´s not like Khao San Road and it’s easy to access the BTS Skytrain. This financial district contains everything from good restaurants to cozy small malls. If you want to party there’s of course the famous nightlife scene of Patpong.
Watch the sunset from the top!
Octave is considered to be one of the best rooftop bars in Bangkok! Photo by Fabian / CC BY
Where else than in Bangkok can you get the sense of being on top of the world with a mojito in your hand? And for an affordable price too! Dress to impress and visit one of the many rooftop bars and enjoy the unforgettable view! We can recommend you to visit Octave. It’s considered to be one of the best rooftop bars in Bangkok. Octave has three stories and plenty of seats facing 360 degrees views. Live out the James Bond within you and remember to take a selfie once in a while, it´s totally worth it!
Bangkok is the city where tradition meets modernity in Thailand and perfect for students who want the best of both.
Find out more about studying in Bangkok
Asia Exchange is a Finnish company providing study abroad opportunities in Asia Pacific for students from all around the world. Want to get travel tips and new blog posts straight to your inbox? Subscribe to our monthly newsletter! If you have any questions about studying abroad, feel free to contact us! We’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
This article was written by our Digital Marketing Coordinator, Fabian.
