10 Big Mistakes To Avoid When Planning A Trip To Thailand

Many people know that smoking vape in Thailand is prohibited by law, but there are at least 8 other things that you need to remember when planning a trip to this country. Even if you buy a tour through a tour operator and do not plan to leave the hotel for a long time, many unpleasant surprises on the street can be avoided if you read this article.

1. Book a hotel in remote areas of the city without taking into account proximity to places planned for visiting and seeing

Bangkok is a big city. Very big. But you do not want to spend an hour or two, or even more of your precious time, only on the round trip? And it will be a mistake to book a hotel, guided exclusively by its cheapness and worthy (judging by the photo on the reservation website) rooms. Of course, often the farther from the central areas of the city, the cheaper. But taking into account the fact that in Bangkok, most likely, you will only come to your room to take a shower and sleep, at the hotel you will not need a swimming pool, fitness center, SPA-salon and a selection of additional infrastructure. In the central areas of the city (for example, Pratunam or Siam Square and nearby) there are more than enough new, inexpensive guesthouses and modest hotels such as Bed and Breakfast. Also, an absolute advantage of these areas will be the proximity of Skytrain.

2. To devote too little time to Bangkok

Of course, most of us can afford a short vacation. But, coming to Thailand, it would be a big mistake to make the capital an exclusive destination for a trip to Koh Samui, Phuket or Pattaya. Spend at least two, or better, three or four days in Bangkok.

3. Eat at a hotel restaurant, expensive restaurants and cafes, and McDonald's chain restaurants

Of course, everyone has different preferences in food. But! Bangkok is considered to be the capital of delicious street food. Here and there, literally at every step, you will find carts and trays, which are fried, steamed and boiled. We do not urge you to immediately rush to eat fried grasshoppers (although this is delicious) or green catfish papaya salad with raw crabs. But delicious donuts 5 steps from the hotel exit to morning coffee, pad thai rice noodles, breaded fried chicken, spring rolls, pork leg stewed in a sweet sauce with rice, a bowl of soup with chicken, pork and noodles, intercepted literally on the go or at a table right on the sidewalk, they will give you the strength to continue the Bangkok marathon. And if any fears remain, then the usually activated carbon is sold in any 7-eleven or Family Mart called carbon.

4. Refuse to use public transport due to not knowing the city

There are two types of metro in the capital of Thailand: this is the MRT underground metro and the unusual for us BTS aerial metro, it is also Skytrain. Schemes are on the Internet, on maps of Bangkok and at every metro station. Far from everyone knows that from the airport in 30 minutes and 45 Thai baht you can get to Skytrain directly to one of the central areas of Pratunam. Returning to the choice of hotels, according to the author, it would be optimal to stay at a hotel along the light green Skytrain line (aka Sukhumvit line) from Victory Monument station to Nana station. It is not far from the old city with all its attractions, Yaowarat Chinatown, Khao San Road and the largest shopping centers in Siam Square. On weekends, you can get directly to Mochit Station and spend the whole day at Chatuchak Market! (Clarification: due to the peculiarities of building directly in the old center of Bangkok, there is no subway yet.) Yes, and just passing a few stations back and forth, exploring the city from above, will be a curious experience. Besides, it is very convenient to take the Bangkok bus stations Mochit or Ekkamai by overground subway if you plan to travel by regular bus to any part of the country. It will also be interesting to ride a shuttle boat - Bangkok is dotted with canals up and down, some of the canals are navigable, and boats are the usual transport.

And yes, if you decide to take a taxi, check with the driver before starting the trip whether he will turn on the meter. There are thousands of them in Bangkok, and if the first refuses, the second will agree.

5. Take frivolous things and documents. Get caught by fortune-tellers or tuk-tuk taxi drivers

As in any tourist city in the world, thieves and pickpockets hunt in Bangkok. It is better to hang the backpack on the chest, the bag across the chest and arm, do not wear massive gold chains and earrings.

Do not start a conversation with the Indians - fortune tellers - they masterfully lure money. There are frequent cases when a family of Indians or Pakistanis comes up to you in a store and asks to show what large Thai bills look like. Pretend that you don't understand, because as soon as the bill with the aim of "considering better" is transferred to the head of the family, you can't prove anything. Do not succumb to the assurances of tuk-tuk taxi drivers that, for example, the Royal Palace, which you were heading to, is closed right now, and it can take you to a good leather or souvenir store before it opens for nominal money. He makes money on you, you lose money and valuable time. The author of these lines, after repeated and in most cases unsuccessful experience using tuk-tuk, recommends not using this transport.

6. Smoking in inappropriate places, in particular, electronic cigarettes (vape)

We will not go into details, but smoking electronic cigarettes and hookah in Thailand is prohibited. It is a fact. Do not even put electronic cigarette and liquid in it in your luggage, because if you find these objects when crossing the border, your stay in Bangkok may be delayed for reasons beyond your control. At the same time, tobacco smoking is allowed, but in strictly designated places. You can safely smoke if you see an ashtray and / or the inscription Smoking place. Smoking in the temples and near them, on the street, as well as a cigarette butt was thrown to the ground - "because I do not see an ashtray or urns" (and this is a problem in Bangkok), can cost you 2,000 baht. And in Bangkok, a foreigner is fined more likely than anywhere else in the country. If you apologize for a long time and show remorse with all your appearance, the amount of the fine can be slightly reduced. The author once went through this experience himself. And do not try to prove to the policeman that a Thai man smokes 5 meters away from you (tobacco or vape - it doesn't matter) - what you can do with him doesn't mean that you are allowed.

7. Do not bargain at all or bargain everywhere and too persistently

In Bangkok, everyone is selling everywhere and everyone. You can and even need to bargain in the markets and souvenir shops, on street stalls with souvenirs and other goods. Here bargaining is a national tradition. There is a small trick - your negotiations with the seller, for example, a wooden figurine of an elephant, was unsuccessful, and he does not agree to the proposed price. Pretend to leave. If they call you and say "Okay" - fine, you will get what you want for your price. If you are not asked to return, it means that the seller is not interested in the proposed transaction. Do not bargain if the thing is not of interest to you, do not waste time with the seller. Do not bargain for food on stalls or in street cafes, or for a bottle of water near the temple. You should agree that the seller had to buy this water and bring it (bring) it to where you buy it.

8. Trying to buy marijuana or other drugs

In Bangkok, you can buy everything. Even what is forbidden. But buying a cigarette with marijuana or amphetamine tablets, not to mention other more serious drugs, can significantly ruin your vacation. Most of these nimble businessmen work in tandem with a policeman who, as soon as the substance has moved into your hands or pocket, appears most unexpectedly from around the corner. You will have to give these "partners" all the money that you have with you, and perhaps ask your relatives to send more, just so as not to bring the case to the police station with all the ensuing consequences. Thai anti-drug legislation is very harsh.

9. Strictly follow the plan for visiting the sights of the city

In the daytime, if you take minimal precautions (as in any big city in the world), any areas of Bangkok are reasonably safe. Add some adventure to your walks. We do not urge you to go looking for adventure in the Bangkok red-light districts (although it might be very interesting to someone) but allow yourself a walk in the old city or Chinatown just where your eyes look. And it is possible that you accidentally get, for example, to the amulets market near the Royal Palace, to the weapons quarter on the canals, to the Golden Mountain Temple, to the Pak Klong Talat flower market or a host of another no less curious places of the City of Angels.

About the author: Melisa Marzett is a traveler with much experience in this area let alone with experience in writing working for writing-help at the time. She reads a lot, listens more than talks, shares more than gives and observes the world.