The 10 Dos and Don’ts for Visiting Bangkok, Thailand

Thai isn’t going to be the easiest language you attempt to learn if you come from the West. It’s tonal, meaning a slight uptick or downtick in pronunciation can change an entire word. Hilariously, if you mispronounce the phrase for “sorry,” you might end up saying, “May I fart?” However, the effort produces some of the best rewards––beaming smiles and a gateway to making new friends.

Pick a neighborhood per day to avoid long stretches sitting in traffic. Bangkok is famous for traffic jams but is also renowned for being flat and walkable in the best neighborhoods.

If you only have one day in the city, stay near the riverside. Here, you’ll find iconic temples, ancient architecture, boat piers, and vibrant street food culture.

If you have more than one day, venture into the city’s center neighborhoods along Sukhumvit Road, like Sathorn (a large expat population, European cafes on leafy, tree-lined streets), Siam (a shopper’s paradise with interconnected malls), and ThongLor (Bangkok’s version of Brooklyn, rife with craft cocktails and hipster vibes).

Bartering for goods at street stalls is welcome and appropriate. Brick-and-mortar shops will have set prices. When discussing the price, it’s important to follow the rules.

Step 1: Ask for the price.

Step 2: Politely ask if they can do a lower price or suggest a lower price. Don’t suggest one so low as to be offensive.

Step 3: It’s customary to only go back and forth a few times. Don’t get carried away.

Step 4: If you propose a lower price and the vendor comes to it, you need to buy the item. It’s rude to haggle to your price and then walk off without purchasing.

Step 5: At the finish, say “Chok Dee,” which wishes the vendor further “good luck” in his or her day.

Many cab drivers in Thailand speak impressive, conversational English. Some, however, do not. Having your hotel’s business card in your pocket ensures it’s simple and easy to get back.

The monarchy of Thailand is revered. Disrespecting pictures of the King or other members of the monarchy is a punishable offense. You can fold currency but do not crumple monetary notes that have the picture of the king. And, it should go without saying, but do not make rude gestures towards any photos of the royal family. If the national anthem is played––which happens before every movie at the theater, for example––it’s polite to mirror the locals and stand up.

When visiting any temple, cover your knees and shoulders. This is also advisable outside of big cities, in rural areas, where locals might be more conservative, or if you’ve been invited into someone’s home. For ladies, packing a large shawl helps to cover up when necessary. At the beaches and around Bangkok, sleeveless shirts and shorts are fine, so long as they aren’t in a sacred space.

Thailand’s street food is globally famous, and it’s an essential experience. Avoid misconceptions about cleanliness. The vendors are careful to wash woks and ice chicken, and the dishes sold are some of the best in the city, if not the world. Still nervous? Opt for popular places, at peak times, where proteins are not sitting out and vendors are vetted.

Bangkok really makes the most of a rooftop, from skyscraper infinity pools to cozy al fresco meals on the top of the shophouses. Every trip should include a little moment sky-high.

For the coolest cloud-adjacent pool experiences, book a room at 137 Pillars or The Okura Prestige. For incredible roof dining, we love snacking at Smalls–a romantic, Parisian-influenced jazz and absinthe bar–and Above Eleven, where dizzying, glittering, skyscraper views are paired with haute sushi.

Thailand is a very safe country in Southeast Asia for travelers, but you should be aware of a few scams. The first is the gem shop scam, where taxi drivers will explain they get a bonus payment if you are willing to stop along your route, at a gem shop. Do not fall for this. The gem dealers will pressure you to purchase, and the gems are often of questionable quality. Mostly, your time is wasted. Just politely decline and insist on your destination only.

Outside of popular destinations––especially the Grand Palace and Wat Pho–– strangers may approach you and say that the attraction is closed for the day. They will then offer to take you on a different tour at another site. It’s not nefarious, and you aren’t in imminent danger. They simply get kickbacks from other tour operators, who are trying to steal business. This writer fell for it her first time and ended up taking a lovely boat tour, but the Grand Palace she’d planned to see was, in fact, open. Simply decline and go to the front gate of the attraction as planned.