My Very Short Bangkok City Guide

I’ve been breathing, eating, sleeping, and pooping in Bangkok for 25 years. That’s a long time, considering that’s half my life and counting.

So people ask me:

Is Bangkok safe? How easy is it to get around Bangkok? Are Thai taxis really that bad? What Bangkok scams should I be aware of? Is tap water safe in Thailand? Is there going to be a huge language barrier with locals? What’s the secret sauce to life?

It’s All True, Please Don’t Come Here

I’m just kidding.

Let’s start with whether is Bangkok a Safe City to Explore

Bangkok is a major metropolitan city. Teeming with millions of people and growing. With the laws of mathematical probability, there’s bound to be criminal behavior and activity at every level to some degree. It’s the same as any major city with a sizeable population around the world.

I mean Bangkok is way safer than my native city, New York. Even then I never lull myself into a false sense of security and neither should you.

How easy is it to get around Bangkok?

There are too many variables to supply an ample answer for you.

Here’s my approach:

If I am in sort of a hurry, I’m traveling alone or with my wife and it’s a long distance, it’s raining, and it’s rush hour, but there is a train station near my destination I train it.

Take that same long-distance example, if I’m traveling with 2 or more people, it’s not raining, it’s not rush hour, and even if there is a train station near the destination I will take a taxi. Keep in mind, that Thai taxis can seat 3-4 passengers.

Mainly because the combined costs of train fares for 3-4 people for long-distance train rides will equal or possibly cost more than taxi fares.

But aren’t Thai taxis just a bunch of scammers?????

Back in NYC I could count the number of times I’ve taken yellow cab taxis on one hand. Because NYC yellow cabs are expensive.

Out of those five times in a NYC cab, I was taken for “a ride” once. The meter went way too fast for a short distance.

Now in Bangkok, I’ve used Thai taxis hundreds of times. Short distance, long distance. I’ve only encountered one taxi with an overambitious meter.

That said, I stay away from taxis parked outside of hotels and major tourist attractions. I always wave down metered taxis that are moving along with traffic.

You’ll often hear foreign tourists complain about drivers refusing to go by meter.

This happens most often, you guessed it, near busy tourist attractions.

But guess, what? Locals get the same treatment. Especially when it’s raining.

Finally, this shouldn’t be an issue as much these days. Because many foreign tourists now use the Grab Taxi service.

Bangkok Scams?

Not every local or local business in Thailand is out to scam. Please keep that in mind. There’s a lot of (mis)information floating out about making travelers hyper-paranoid.

Sadly it is a perpetual cycle that is harming well-meaning local Thai businesses.

That said, my advice is very simple.

Wherever you go. Do your research online about your destination. Whether it be a tourist attraction, restaurant, or beauty salon. Google Maps is effective but should just be one source for information.

Do not talk to anyone who approaches you out of nowhere. This includes foreigners in Thailand. Not saying you should quickly get into your karate stance and round-kick them in the face with your best war cry.

Scammers are highly motivated sellers. There are also foreigners in Thailand attempting to take advantage of other foreigners as well.

In most cases, they do not mean harm when you reject their offer. They think they are providing you with a valuable service with compensation.

Most importantly do not be overly defensive. Just smile, walk away, and forget about it.

Is the Tap Water Safe?

I’ve never drank tap water in Thailand. I know of some locals that do but not many. Brushing and showering are fine. Just stick with drinking bottled water.

The Langauge Barrier

English is spoken, particularly in Bangkok and especially around the tourist attractions. Practically everything has signage in English, even the local buses in Bangkok.

Many Thais can speak various foreign East Asian languages, particularly Mandarin.

You’ll be fine.