Bangkok is the most exciting city in Southeast Asia and is an excellent first stop on any Thailand itinerary. 3 Days in Bangkok I think is enough to be able to get around the city. But first you need to know what to expect in Bangkok.
There is so much going on in Bangkok that it is important to make sure you make the most of your time there. When I started writing this article about Bangkok, I wanted to give you a good balance between seeing the main attractions and experiencing the culture and food Bangkok has to offer, especially for first-time travelers to the Thai capital.
Let’s start with basic information that cannot be missing. What to expect in Bangkok.
Lenguage
Thai is the local language; not everyone speaks English.
Valute
Thai Baht is the local currency. Get ready for the shopping spree.
Credit card
ATMs are common. Not all accept credit card payments, it is advisable to pay in cash but be careful about the places you go to exchange them, fraud on money exchange is common.
Travel Insurance
take travel insurance, some credit cards offer travel insurance.
Taxi
Download the Grab app to get around (it is the Asian Uber). Local taxi drivers may raise prices just because you are a tourist, if you really have to take it be sure to haggle the amount before you get in or have the meter turn on.
Weather
Rain is most common between May and November, which means most visitors arrive between December and April. I went in January it was great.
Culture
When visiting temples, be sure to cover your shoulders and knees. You can buy local capes and shorts or bring appropriate clothing from home. This is valid for the entire territory of Thailand.
Water
Do not drink tap water at all. Be careful when eating fruit because it may have been washed with tap water.
Vaccines
Some vaccines are recommended before departure to avoid losing days during our trip or ruining our vacation and be safer. Among the most recommended are: Hepatitis a; Hepatitis B; Diphtheria ; Cholera; Tetanus.
Food
The street food is really good, costs very little (2-3 Euro), and the dishes are plentiful and tasty. Note: Some foods you find around markets are prohibited in almost all buildings, hotels, stores, buses and subways, these foods are: the Durian
Durian
The durian is a very popular fruit in asia full of beneficial properties, but it has one characteristic that makes the spread of this fruit difficult because the durian stinks. It doesn’t just smell as soon as you open it, it smells as you chew it, and if you eat it with your hands that smell stays with you, for hours.
In fact, at markets you can find whole durians and ready-to-eat durians wrapped in plastic containers to prevent the smell from escaping. That is why they are banned in all public places except on the street.
Where stay in Bangkok
In Bangkok you can experience the luxury of staying in luxurious hotels, objectively the prices are lower than in European capitals, which allows us to indulge in a few more luxuries. So why not take advantage of it.
What to do in Bangkok
attractions in Bangkok are diverse, from Temples, to nightlife, cooking classes, day and night markets, riverside markets, and park exploration.
Getting around Bangkok: As before it is best to download the Grab app to get around, but the traffic in Bangkok is tremendous and you may take hours, so much better to take the BTS Skytrain, an elevated train system throughout the city.
Neighborhoods in Bangkok
Bangkok is divided into 6 different districts including:
Silom: When the Thai sun is high, Silom is Bangkok’s answer to Wall Street. After sunset, Silom shows its true colors: crowded market stalls pop up, fine restaurants open their doors, and nightclubs come alive.
Dusit: The development of Dusit dates back to the early 1900s, when King Rama V built the Dusit Palace, a complex of royal palaces and residences. Seat of power to this day, there are numerous political institutions, international organizations and royal palaces scattered everywhere.. The district houses most of the government’s political and administrative buildings.
Sukhumvit: Sukhumvit is one of Bangkok’s most action-packed and important areas, with excellent stores, restaurants, and nightclubs. The many trendy restaurants, bars, air-conditioned shopping malls, luxury hotels and fashionable clubs give the area a distinctly modern and cosmopolitan flavor.
Here you will also find some of the most sinful places in the city, namely the red light districts.
Riverside: You will find most of the more luxurious hotels scattered along the river, offering breathtaking views and a good base for exploring most tourist attractions.
Khao San Road: It is home to some popular budget hostels, great for backpacking adventures. Filled with an array of bars, along with the historic Phra Sumen Fort (one of the oldest remaining fortifications in the city). Unfortunately, the Skytrain is not super accessible from this area, so keep that in mind.
Rattanakosin/Old Town: This is where most of Thailand’s wonders are located, many of the city’s historic sites, including the Grand Palace and the incredible Buddha statue at Wat Pho.
