Find out how to spend the most comfortable time in the capital of Thailand in our article.

When to go to Bangkok?

The best time to travel to Bangkok is from November to March. At this time, there is no sweltering heat, the air temperature rarely rises above + 25 … + 27 ° С, and rains, if they happen, are short-lived. In Bangkok, this period is considered a high tourist season, which naturally affects prices. Compared to the summer, the cost of rooms increases by one and a half to two times. And it is extremely difficult to book them right before the trip.

Visa for Thailand

In April 2019, the Thai government canceled the visa regime for Ukrainians entering the country for up to 30 days. From the moment you arrive in Bangkok, your passport must be valid for at least another six months.

What kind of insurance do you need?

In accordance with current legislation, medical insurance is not compulsory when entering Thailand. But we recommend taking out insurance, because treatment in this country is very expensive. A doctor’s appointment and a blood test, for example, cost € 250.

If you are planning to rent a bike, take out insurance to cover the cost of falling from it. Such insurance will cost € 120 per month for two.

Currency exchange at the airport

The currency of Thailand is Thai Baht. It is worth changing or withdrawing a certain amount at the airport. There are a lot of currency exchange offices in Suvarnubhumi, and the rate is the same in all.

The exchange rate in Suvarnabhum is slightly worse than in the resorts, especially than in Pattaya and Bangkok. So here it is better to change € 50-100 to have enough for travel.

Communication and mobile internet in Thailand?

It is quite simple to organize mobile Internet in Thailand 4G / 3G: immediately upon arrival in Thailand, buy a Thai SIM card right at the airport, choose how much Internet traffic you need and for what period.

The seller will help to activate the SIM card and the Internet package. As a result, you will immediately be with mobile Internet + you will be able to call local numbers to friends, landlords and so on. Please note that you need a passport to buy a Thai SIM card. A photocopy of your passport will also work.

At the airport, SIM cards are sold at exit kiosks in the arrivals hall, or at 7/11 stores, major shopping malls and cell phone stores throughout Thailand.

How to get to the city from Suvarnabhumi airport

Suvarnabhumi International Airport is approximately 25 km from the center of Bangkok. There are several ways to get to the city.

A train

The Suvarnabhumi Airport City Line train runs from 06:00 to 00:00 between Phaya Thai and Suvarnabhumi Station and makes intermediate stops at six stations. The road from the airport to the center takes about 30 minutes. The fare is € 4.4.

Taxi

The taxi works around the clock. It can be ordered using special terminals at the airport. The stop is located at the passenger terminal on the ground floor, gates 4 and 7. Prices start from € 9. The main thing is to follow the counter!

Minibus (Public Van)

Lines 549-552, 552A, 554, 555, 559. These white minibuses leave every 20 minutes from the platform at the arrivals terminal on the ground floor (gates 1 and 8). Tickets are sold at the Airport Transport Center, the price depends on the duration of the trip. The fare to the center is € 0.89.

Express bus

Airport Express buses run every 20 minutes on Silom Road, Sukhumvit Road, Khaosan Road and Hualampong Railway Station. The service is located on the ground floor (exit 8) and is open from 05:00 to 00:00. Travel time is 45 minutes. The cost of the prezda is € 4.5.

Where to live in Bangkok?

In Bangkok, you can stay in a hotel, guesthouse, hostel, private apartment or apartment. If you want to live close to top attractions, settle in the Khao San Road area.

Traveling as a Backpacker? In the west of the historical part of Bangkok is Khaosan Street, where you will definitely find budget guesthouses, in particular in old historical houses.

New Bangkok – areas with skyscrapers and large shopping centers. It will be comfortable for those who need round-the-clock entertainment. There are many luxury hotels, mid-price hotels and apartments in this part of the capital. There are also inexpensive hostels.

In the Thonburi area, on the western bank of the Chao Phraya River, there is a calm, cozy atmosphere, here you can easily find a good hotel or guesthouse.

In general, there are a lot of options. But all the same, in Bangkok it is better to rent accommodation in the center, since it is expensive to get to areas without a metro in the evening every time by taxi. And in the morning to stand in huge traffic jams to get to the center is also such entertainment.

Transport

Knock Knock

Tuk-tuk in Bangkok is very popular. But it is worth taking them only in those cases when you need to travel a short distance of 5-15 minutes (on average 100 baht (3 euros) or just for the sake of interest. A trip on this transport for long distances will not justify its price.) Tourists are usually charged 4-5 times more than locals, so be sure to bargain.

Boats

The most popular form of transport in Bangkok – river… There are two main types of express boats: standard express boats, which operate daily from 06:00 to 18:30, and special express boats, which operate from Monday to Friday from 06:00 to 09:00 and from 15:00 to 17:00. Take boats with orange flags, they stop at all piers along the route. By boats, movement around the city and sights will be hundreds of times more convenient than any other transport. The fare is from € 0.3.

Underground

The surface metro (Bangkok SkyTrain), as well as the regular (MRT), are the most convenient, predictable and cheapest ways to get around the capital, as they cover almost the entire city.

Since all the sights, cafes and interesting areas are scattered throughout Bangkok, it is better to buy a BTS pass and ride as much as you like. The cost of the pass is 140 baht (€ 4.16), and one trip is 40 baht (€ 1.2), plus you will need to pay for transfers from line to line.

Taxi

All officially registered taxis in Bangkok have a Taxi-Meter on their roofs, and city taxi companies are painted in bright colors. Payment in them is carried out by the counter. So when you get into the car, make sure the driver turns it on right away. The display will show a figure of about 35 baht (€ 1.4) – this is the cost of the first two kilometers, and then 5 baht (0.15) will be charged for each kilometer.

Buses

The bus is the busiest transport in Bangkok. There are several categories of buses with different fares in the city: ordinary (with opening windows), superior air-conditioned buses, “mini-buses” and “micro-buses” serving routes with low passenger traffic.

Buses operate on more than 400 routes from 5:00 to 23:00 with a departure frequency of 10-15 minutes. There are also round-the-clock routes. The fare for a bus in 2019 is 7-24 baht (€ 0.2-0.7), depending on the type of bus.

Thai food: what to try in Bangkok?

To truly understand Thailand, sightseeing alone won’t be enough. You will not forgive yourself if you do not try traditional Thai food in one of the authentic cafes or restaurants. For example, in Chote Chitr (146th Phraeng Phuton) you will be served exotic: from caramelized onions to fried grasshoppers.

And if you’re after the thrill, Isaan Rot Det at 3 / 5-6, Rangnam Road is just what you need. The seafood is divine here, but many dishes are very spicy.

Baiyok Sky has plenty of options for a hearty snack too. It has everything from rice and shrimp to beef and vegetables.

You can also look at the Thai Room (103 Sukhumvit 22). It serves amazingly delicious seafood and rice noodles in different varieties, as well as many other traditional Thai dishes. True, it is worth clarifying in advance how sharp they are.

Steve Cafe & Cuisine (68, Soi Sri Ayutthaya 2) is an excellent restaurant overlooking the Chao Phraya River. Traditional local cuisine on the menu.

Family-run Suda Restaurant (Suhkumvit Road) serves curries, vegetables with tofu and a signature rice and mango dessert.

Safety

Bangkok (like the rest of Thailand) is, in principle, a safe city. The crime rate is low here and the attitude towards tourists is extremely friendly. But remember that the guarantee of a cloudless vacation is respect for the locals and their traditions. And the laws in Thailand are very strict. To avoid misunderstandings, remember a few simple rules:

• Do not take photographs at the Grand Royal Palace or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. In addition, it is forbidden to shoot military / strategic targets. Before taking a picture of a Thai, ask his permission.
• Temples can be visited only in closed clothes, and it is necessary to enter the shrine barefoot. Women are forbidden to touch the monks, take or give anything to them.
• Do not climb the Buddha statues, even if they are destroyed – this can be taken as an insult to the shrine.

• You should not pat a Thai on the shoulder or touch his / her head – this gesture is considered disrespectful.
• Try to speak quietly without raising your voice. A loud tone is considered rude.
• Carry a photocopy of your passports with you.
• When renting a vehicle, it is worthwhile to clearly specify the price in advance, or even better, write it down on paper and show it to the seller in order to avoid misunderstanding when calculating.
• Any disrespectful act or speech against the royal family (directly or indirectly) can result in jail time. For the desecration of the image of the king in Thailand, criminal punishment shines. If you step on a banknote with the image of His Majesty, you can go to jail for at least 7 years. It is also impossible to speak negatively about the current king online. Pongsak Sriboonpeng received a record term for insulting the monarch in 2015. For 6 unflattering posts on Facebook about the king, the man was jailed for 30 years. At first, Pongsak received 10 years for each of the recordings, but the lawyers managed to get the punishment reduced.

All conflicts related to foreigners are dealt with here by the tourist police, so if necessary it is better to go there.

What to see in Bangkok?

Khao San Road

A popular bar street from which many people start to view the city. From there, the Royal Palace is just a stone’s throw away.

Royal Palace

A must-see in Bangkok and definitely a gem. If you are lucky, you will see a ceremony attended by members of the royal family. Entrance € 10.

Temple of the Reclining Buddha

The oldest temple in the city, on the basis of which the university operates. Working hours: from 08:00 to 17:00. The ticket costs 50 baht.

Chatuchak Market

A giant market where you can buy anything: clothes, food, antiques and even animals. You can get here by metro to the MRT Kamphaeng Phet station.

Pak Khlong flower market

You can get here by minibus boat from Khao San to the Safat Pat stop. The extravaganza of colors and varieties is striking: roses, orchids, lilies, lotuses – and this is far from the limit. At the same time, the price can be significantly brought down if you bargain. Shoots and seedlings can also be bought here if you want to bring an original living souvenir from Thailand.

National Museum

Located next to the palace. A great place to start an intimate acquaintance with Thai culture. The ticket costs 60 baht. Working hours: Tuesday – Friday from 09:00 to 16:00.

Lumpini Park

A masterpiece of park architecture and design, a great place to walk and relax. Admission is free, and the opening hours are from dawn to dusk.

Observation Decks

To enjoy the view of Bangkok, climb the tallest building in the city, the Baiyoke Sky Hotel (ticket price € 9) or head to the Octav Rooftop Bar at the Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit. The views are crazy!