Bangkok
Bangkok is the kind of city where you can eat a ¥40 pad thai on a plastic stool at 2 AM and then walk past a gold-covered temple on your way back to the hotel. The traffic is genuinely terrible — use the BTS Skytrain and MRT instead of taxis during rush hour. Summers are brutally hot and humid, but the food makes up for it. A day pass on the BTS costs about ฿140.
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Bangkok travel FAQ
How many days do I need in Bangkok?
Three to four days works well. One day for the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun cluster along the river. One day for Chatuchak Market (weekends only) or Chinatown. One day for shopping at Siam and nightlife. If you have a fourth day, the floating markets at Amphawa (about 90 minutes out) are worth the trip — skip Damnoen Saduak, it's a tourist trap.
Is Bangkok safe for tourists?
Generally yes — violent crime targeting tourists is rare. The real risks are scams: tuk-tuk drivers offering "special" tours that end at gem shops, taxi drivers who refuse to use the meter, and the occasional pickpocket in crowded areas like Khao San Road. Always insist on the meter in metered taxis (look for the sign), and use Grab (the local ride-hailing app) when possible.
How do I get around Bangkok?
The BTS Skytrain and MRT subway cover the modern part of the city well — a single trip costs ฿16–59. For the old town (Grand Palace area), take the Chao Phraya Express Boat for ฿15–32 per trip. Grab is reliable and usually cheaper than metered taxis. Avoid tuk-tuks for transport — they're fine as a one-time experience but will always cost more. Traffic between 7–9 AM and 5–8 PM is genuinely gridlocked.