When my husband and I visited Bangkok for a brief three days and two nights we made a lot of mistakes. Matt forgot to pack pants for the rooftop bar, I wore too little on our day to see the temples, we did not give ourselves enough time to do all the things we planned for and we stayed too far away from the places we wanted to visit. Below are some things I wish I knew before going to Bangkok, so you don’t make the same mistakes.
BANGKOK IS HUGE
Our first night there we wanted to go to a rooftop bar. The tuk tuk ride was 45 minutes, but only about $3. It may look close on a map, but it is not.
DRESS CODE
It may be hot, but that does not mean wear cutoff shorts and a crop top. Respect the beliefs and religions of the country you are traveling to. In Bangkok, while visiting temples, wear modest clothing that covers your shoulders and knees (or even better ankles). For women I suggest loose fitting beach pants and a loose fitting t-shirt with comfortable shoes or sandals. For guys, lightweight shorts or pants with a t-shirt and slip-ons. At night is a different story, if you want to get into a fancy rooftop bar or club you must dress accordingly. Guys must wear pants with nice close-toed shoes and a nice shirt. For girls I suggest at least a maxi dress and wedges or full on club wear.
GIVE YOURSELF ENOUGH TIME
Don’t be like us and try to fit in a cooking class and seeing the temples all in one day. When planning your trip, plan a full day for the temples and hire a guide in advance.
EVERYTHING IS CHEAP IN THAILAND
I knew this before going, but still decided to pick the cheapest little hostel. I should have listened to the blogs I read beforehand and just booked the five star hotel. Nothing was wrong with our hostel, except for the location. When choosing where to stay I suggest picking something close to the temples and restaurants/bars you want to go to.
ENJOY THE CHAOS
There is a lot going on in Bangkok, don’t let it fluster you. Enjoy it, take it all in and remember to SMILE. Talk to people, have a few beers and try eating an insect. Just relax and have fun being in an unknown place!
Hope these tips were helpful and have an amazing trip to Thailand, “The Land of Smiles!” Don’t forget to book your trip with your favorite travel planner, yours truly. If you liked this post, check out A Day with Asian Elephants!
