Tips for Bangkok Travelers
Drugs: Do not carry drugs to Bangkok, whether cannabis, marijuana, ecstasy or any other. Drug trafficking, even in small amounts, is a serious offence in Thailand and visitors found in possession of drugs may face severe penalties, including death.
Pedestrians: Bangkok is popular for its notorious traffic and you never know when you collide with a surging vehicle, if you are not careful while crossing roads. Therefore, all pedestrians must use pedestrian bridges or overhead walkways to cross roads.
Travel Documents: One of the most important things to consider
is the safety of your travel documents. Ensure that you either deposit
your travel documents and other valuable items in a hotel safe under
lock and key, or keep them under observation.Public Display of Affection (PDA): Never indulge in gestures like draping your arms around your partner or kissing him/her, in public. Holding hands is not frowned upon in places like pubs, bars or discotheques. However, in places like roads, stations, shopping centers etc, these things are better avoided.
Drinking Water: While in Bangkok, drink only bottled water, with the seal intact. Tap water is fine for washing, brushing and bathing, but make sure that you drink only bottled water that is easily available at all the general stores. Avoid adding crushed ice, purchased from the streets, to your water and other drinks.
Taxis: Bangkok taxis usually come in two tones - green and yellow or blue and red. They are metered and charge a flat rate of 35 baht for the first 3 km, and 5B per km after that. However, some drivers insist on settling on a price beforehand. You can even do that, if it sounds reasonable.
Credit Card: While doing any kind of monetary transactions through credit cards, be extra careful and keep a check on tricksters. Make sure that you use plastic money only at reputable and well-known stores, and pay vendors and street side shoppers in cash.
Tourist Police: Police in Bangkok is always eager to help. In
case, you find yourself trapped in some tight situation or require any
kind of assistance, do not hesitate to seek help of a police officer.
You can easily spot police personnel near important locations, including
the tourist attractions of the city.Vaccinations: In case, you travel to Bangkok from yellow-fever affected areas, you will have to show a valid certificate of inoculation. In addition, it is recommended that you take vaccination against hepatitis A, diphtheria and tetanus too.
Health Precautions: Do not forget to carry along your regular and general medicines. Also, keep the recommended prescription handy. This will enable you to make further purchases. Besides, stay away from cut fruits and ice sold by roadside vendors.
Safety Guidelines: Always be vigilant and tactful while dealing with strangers. Especially, females should be extra-careful and refrain from being over-friendly with tourist guides, taxi drivers, etc. Do not display cash, jewelry, or other valuables in public places.
Driving: Bangkok has left side driving. In order to drive in the place, you need to have an International Driving Permit (IDP) with you. However, it is more favorable to stick to public vehicles, as the slugging traffic of Bangkok makes driving very difficult.
Business Hours: Business hours in Bangkok are from 08:00 or 08:30 in the morning to 05:30 in the evening, from Monday to Friday. Some business establishments also remain open on Saturdays, between 08:30 am and 12:00 pm. Government offices are open from 08:30 am to 04:30 pm, from Monday to Friday. Banks operate on the weekdays from 09:30 am to 03:30 pm.