Bangkok is easy once you stop negotiating tuk-tuks. The city has rails, boats, and an app that already knows the fare.
Grab, BTS, and the river
Use Grab for door-to-door. Use the BTS and MRT for the hotel strip. Use Chao Phraya boats for the temples. Tuk-tuks are a one-time photo, often routed via a gem shop. Airport Rail Link from Suvarnabhumi is ฿45 to Phaya Thai — faster than a stuck expressway.
Money
Thai baht. SuperRich (green signs) beats hotel and airport counters by several percent. Cards work in malls and hotels; cash for stalls, wats, and boats. ATMs charge a fee — fewer, larger withdrawals.
Temple dress and manners
Shoulders and knees covered at the Grand Palace and major wats. Shoes off in the viharn. Never touch a monk (especially if you are a woman). Do not criticise the Royal Family, including on social media — lèse-majesté is not a joke here.
SIM, heat, and scams
Buy an AIS or DTAC SIM at the airport. The heat is real — coconut water, shade, morning temples. Ignore “lucky day” temple tours from tuk-tuk drivers. Follow Thai queues for food; ignore laminated menus waved on the pavement.
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Frequently Asked Questions
No. Most tourist-facing staff speak English. Learning a few polite phrases — sawasdee, khob khun — is appreciated.
Most visitors drink bottled or filtered water. Ice in busy restaurants is usually made from treated water; street stalls vary. When in doubt, skip the ice.
Stay near a BTS stop, eat street food, use Grab and river boats, and change baht at SuperRich rather than the airport.
Not if they sit above the knee. Shoulders and knees must be covered. Carry a sarong or rent one at the gate.