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COMMUNICATION
Thai is a total tonal language so do not reassure the Thai words you read in English are pronounced correctly. If you mispronounced, you may end up with nothing or worse, something different (i.e. food, destination.) The rule of the thumb is, talk less and show more. Here’s what you should do and carry alongside: 1. A notebook (no, not a computer,) for writing down the Thai names in English. 2. A name card or brochure of your hotel to show the taxi driver when in need. 3. A map of Bangkok (of course) but also mark your hotel on it. 4. When ordering food from the menu, point at your order in the menu.
MONEY
100 Satangs=1 Baht
| Coins | Bank notes |
| Satangs (2 sizes): 25, 50 Baht (4 sizes): 1, 2*, 5, 10 | Baht (5 sizes): 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000 |
Note: Available in silver and bronze of the same size. Most people misuse the 2 Baht silver coin with that of 1 Baht since it is slightly bigger. Check well before using it.
ELECTRICITY
| Electric current: 220 V, 50 Hz AC Power/plug adaptor |
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TV/VIDEO SYSTEM
PAL 625 lines
BUSINESS HOURS
It is difficult to clear cut the opening hours for any individual business in Bangkok since there are so many and widespread. For example, some stores and floors housing in the same shopping mall have slightly different business hours. That said, Bangkok people could no way keep track of these hours. To make it simple, they go during the best hours which means there are goodies and most shops are open. Unless otherwise stated in BangkokEasyGuide.com, these are the best hours recommended for each category:
Department stores|Shopping malls|Hypermarkets: 11:00-20:00, daily (many department stores open till midnight during month-end (pay day.)
Standalone stores: 11:00-17:00 or 18:00, Mon-Sat
Street markets : 11:00-16:00, Tue-Sun
Night street markets/bazaars: 19:00-23:30, every night
Trade fairs: 11:00-19:00, during the fair
Temples: 10:00-14:30, daily
Museums: 09:00-15:00, Tue-Sun mostly closed on Mondays
Libraries: 09:00-17:00, Tue-Sun mostly closed on Mondays
Banks: 08:30-15:30, Mon-Fri (unless noted)
Banks in malls: 11:00-19:00, daily
Government offices: 09:00-15:30 (officially 08:30-16:30)
Standalone restaurants: dinner Open-air restaurants: lunch-dinner
Shop house restaurants: breakfast-lunch
Street eats: dinner
PRICES
Food / Restaurant price
Here’s a meal for 2 people priced on the Thais’ living standard: Reasonable: 100-300 Baht Fair: 400-700 Baht Pricey: over 800 Baht Note: The criterion above may not be applicable to all eats. For example, a 200+ Baht meal at a fast food restaurant for 2 people is pricey for Thai living standard.
Shopping
1. Fixed price: Department stores, shopping malls, hypermarkets, chain stores
2. Bargaining: Street/flea markets, bazaars
Samples of Thai to Thai bargain: From 500 Baht to 480-470 Baht, from 150 Baht to 140-130 Baht
Note: * No bargain in fractions like 50 Baht to 48 Baht. * No bargain on food. * No bargain for deals less than 20-40 Baht.
Note: Thais do not bargain in fractions but in full. There is no bargain at 80.50 or 203 Baht but at 80 or 200 Baht, respectively.
3. Discount/Sales: Department stores and shopping malls (during month-end pay day,) trade fairs
DRESS CODE
As a year round hot city (and noted as the hottest capital on earth,) light clothes are recommended. Casual wear is generally acceptable only in certain cases as follows: * Sleeveless string shirts and shorts (worsen if showing one’s tattoos) are not appropriate for an official visit to government offices, academic institutions, office buildings., etc. * Flip flops (especially for men) are in appropriate no different than sleeveless shirts and some Thais even refrain from wearing them in shopping centers. If you prefer to wear open shoes, get a pair of sandals with a strap around the ankle. They are more acceptable.
Note: Because clothes are cheap, some travelers would carry a few clothes and shop for more in Bangkok.
Dress code for temples and palaces
Besides shoes which must be taken off when entering inside any monasteries (or private homes,) you should also dress appropriately upon visiting temples and palaces. Here’s a dress code guide taken directly from the sign at the entrance of the Grand Palace and can also be applied to any other places of the like: The Grand Palace & The Emerald Buddha Temple is open everyday from 8.30 a.m. until 3.30 p.m. Please dress appropriately according to the regulations of the Grand Palace Sleeveless shirts, torn shirts, very short blouses, spaghetti-strap blouses, see-through clothes, skin tight pants, shorts three quarter length pants and/or culottes are prohibited. Clothes are available in the dress room (free of charge) Language audio guides are available for rent Note: Some buildings are closed on holiday and ceremonial events Dressing room are closed during ceremonial events For more information please contact officials or the information room Do Not Trust Wily Strangers
DISCLAIMER
1. The attractions in BangkokEasyGuide.com are provided for your information. BangkokEasyGuide.com does not accept payment of any parties for exchange of the contents or listings. They are selected based on the value and benefits of the readers. 2. Most attractions mentioned in BangkokEasyGuide.com are for the readers’ general reference. Some can also be found elsewhere around Bangkok apart from the listings here. These are mainly department stores, hypermarkets, shopping malls, specialty store chains, restaurant chains, etc. 3. Though the contents in this website are updated regularly, BangkokEasyGuide.com still could not guarantee that they are accurate at all times.