The Poor Traveler® Itinerary Blog

Top 10 MISTAKES to Avoid in BANGKOK

Asta Alvarez

Bangkok is among the top most visited cities in Southeast Asia, welcoming millions of tourists every year. It’s one of those destinations our team really looks forward to visiting again and again. Its lively nightlife, bustling shopping districts, historical landmarks, and rich culinary scene make up for the absence of beaches that tourists usually look for in a destination. And of course, it’s affordability, attracting droves of budget travelers around the globe.

For us Pinoy travelers, its proximity to us is also a big factor why it’s among our favorite international destinations. Plus, the fact that we don’t need to secure a visa to enter Thailand because we are ASEAN neighbors. It’s easy to feel comfortable when exploring Bangkok because of our similarities, but this familiarity can sometimes lead us to overlook important details and cause us to commit mistakes. We must still remind ourselves that we are still visitors and must be aware of cultural norms and traditions while we’re here to avoid any problems.

Whether it’s your first time traveling or not, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the culture and rules of the place you’re visiting. This will help you be more mindful of your actions while exploring. Here are some common mistakes travelers make in Bangkok.

1. Don’t get confused with Thai Baht notes.

Thai baht is the official currency of Thailand. Always check the banknotes or bills you’re holding before paying for something because they look similar and the colors are almost the same. It’s a bit confusing, especially if it’s your first time to visit the country. Don’t confuse 50 with 500, as well as 100 with 1,000 (its highest value banknote). As much as possible, separate the 50 and 100 bills with the 500 and 1,000 bills.

Thai banknotes with the portrait of King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great or Rama IX (Left) and King Vajiralongkorn or Rama X (Right)

Another thing to take note of is the king’s portrait printed on them. There’s a possibility that you might see two different faces. Some banknotes feature King Vajiralongkorn (Rama X), the current king, while other bills still carry the picture of King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great (Rama IX), the late king. There’s nothing to worry, though, because both versions are accepted.

As of writing, the exchange rate of Thai baht (THB) to Philippine peso (PhP) is 1 (THB) = 1.6 (PHP). For easy reference, a ฿100 is equivalent to about ₱160.

2. Don’t underestimate hot-and-spicy levels.

Thais love spicy food. It’s already in their DNA. But even with this in mind, we still get blown away by the level of spiciness of their dishes! Our team can handle spicy food. But for me, their NORMAL spicy is already my EXTREME level, experiencing all of these at the same time: involuntarily shedding tears, sauna-level sweating, and instant runny nose. Hahaha!

My teammate Pycan could barely handle the heat

By default, most — if not all — of their dishes are spicy. Think of tom yum, som tam (papaya salad), pad kra pao (ground pork with basil), curries (red, yellow, or green), and other popular Thai dishes. They are normally spicy. But don’t fret! Because Thais are used to tourists, most establishments and food stalls can adjust the spiciness level. They will usually ask you how spicy you want your dish to be — not spicy, mild, or spicy.

REMINDER! Their “mild” is often the equivalent of super spicy for the ordinary Pinoy palate, so it’s safer to just opt for “NOT SPICY/NO SPICY” level.

3. Don’t stay in the wrong area.

Bangkok is never short of accommodation options. Many districts are considered ideal tourist bases. However, they cater to different types of travelers. Each district has its pros and cons. So, where is the best area to stay in Bangkok? Choosing the appropriate base for you will depend on your priorities — budget, comfort, accessibility, and itinerary.

Here are some of the popular bases for tourists:

Bang Lamphu District

You’ll find Bangkok’s most popular backpacking hub — Khao San Road. This area is dotted with affordable hostels and night spots. This is perfect for backpackers and those traveling on a budget. If you are traveling as a family, especially with kids and elderly or if you prefer a quieter place, this might not be the best option for you. Another thing to note is that it’s far from both BTS or MRT lines.

Here are some of the top-rated properties in the area based on online user reviews:

Sukhumvit Road

This is part of the national highway and is a major road in Bangkok, running from central Bangkok to the southeastern provinces of Thailand. Most areas within Bangkok are very accessible via BTS Skytrain, especially Nana and Asok (or Asoke). It also has a vibrant night scene, ideal for those looking for a good night cap.

Here are some of the top-rated properties in the area based on online user reviews:

Siam Area

Consider this area, particularly the area near Siam Square, if you are traveling with your family. It’s convenient and family-friendly because it is centrally located and covers a number of BTS stations, so it’s also very accessible. As a popular shopping district, the area is bustling with merchants and shoppers during the day.

Here are some of the top-rated properties in the area based on online user reviews:

Silom Area

This particularly refer to the area close to Silom Road, running between Sala Daeng Station and Saphan Taksin Station. This is Bangkok’s business district, so it exudes a serious vibe during the day, but come evening, it becomes energetic and wild! It boasts a good number of clubs and bars, including gay clubs, and the greatest concentration of drag shows. If you are a member of the LGBTQIA+ community or you’re a fan of drag shows, this might be your turf.

Here are some of the top-rated properties in the area based on online user reviews:

Search for more Bangkok Hotels!

4. Don’t speak ill about the Thai royalty.

Did you know that you can be imprisoned for insulting or defaming the Thai royalty? According to Section 112 of Thai Criminal Code: “Whoever defames, insults or threatens the King, the Queen, the Heir-apparent or the Regent, shall be punished with imprisonment of three to fifteen years.” This law does not only apply to locals but also to foreigners/tourists.

The locals have a high regard for the Royal Family. All throughout the country, especially in Bangkok, you’ll see numerous portraits of the king and other members of the royal family — along the road, malls, and other establishments. It’s really not a wise move to insult or speak ill about the Royal Family. Again, it’s against the law.

5. Don’t dress inappropriately at Grand Palace.

Most of Bangkok’s key tourist attractions are religious sites — Wat Pho, Wat Arun, and Temple of the Emerald Buddha within the Grand Palace. They are all accessible to the public, but you need to dress appropriately to enter these places.

At the Grand Palace, they are strict. You really need to follow the dress code. This means, NO:

  • sleeveless shirts
  • short tops
  • vests
  • see-through tops
  • torn pants
  • short hot pants/short pants
  • tight pants
  • bike pants/cycling shorts
  • mini skirts
  • sandals/slippers

The general rule is, the knees, shoulders, and heels must be covered. You may bring a sarong for cover or extra loose pants and outerwear. Otherwise, you’ll be forced to purchase there. On our previous visit (2022), Yosh had to purchase a pair of pants because he forgot that we’re going to the Grand Palace that day. LOL! In the past, it was normal to rent clothing, but that time, no more rental place in sight.

6. Don’t easily believe that the temples are closed.

And while we’re on the subject of visiting temples, it also helps to research first before going, so you won’t fall for scams. One of the typical scams around key tourist attractions, especially temples, is when someone approaches you at the entrance of a temple and will “inform” you that it’s CLOSED for the day. Another version is, only locals are allowed to enter for “prayer” time and the temple will open at a later time.

REMEMBER! Their goal is to make you believe that you can’t enter the temple, so they can suggest another temple or tourist spot to you. They will usually introduce themselves as a tour guide or a teacher. Once you fall for it, they will “hail” a tuktuk for you (which is actually their accomplice).

Usually, the tuktuk driver will make a stop at a souvenir store (jewelry store, tailor shop, etc.) before taking you to a suggested tourist attraction. Both the tuktuk fare and the souvenir item price are unreasonably high, you’ll feel robbed.

7. Don’t fall for Tuktuk and taxi scams.

Another scam alert! Well, this also happens in other cities and countries: taxis or local/traditional vehicles overcharging passengers. Tuktuk is a motorized three-wheeled vehicle in Thailand, much like our Pinoy tricycles. It not only serves as one of the means of transportation in Bangkok but also among its icons. If you want to experience riding a tuktuk, just remember to NEGOTIATE and AGREE on the price first before the ride begins.

Not sure about the fare? You can also download the Grab app, which includes GrabTuktuk in the options. There, you can book a tuktuk without having to guess how much the ride will cost you because it will immediately reflect the fare.

In our case, if our next stop is not walkable (we love walking!) or if we’re far from any train stations, we usually prefer using Grab app over hailing a taxi. There are regular taxi drivers who really don’t want to turn their meter on and will just charge you double or triple, especially around touristy spots like Khao San Road and the temple complex.

If you are not traveling with a group or you are a solo traveler, you can also book their GrabBike, which is a motorcycle taxi option.

8. Don’t get scammed at a ping pong show.

If you are thinking about table tennis, this is not it. Ping pong shows in Bangkok are different. Honestly, no one from the team saw or went to these shows, but to give you an idea, it’s usually performed in strip clubs. That’s the farthest I can go. Hahaha! If you want more information, just search about it on Google or check out National Geographic’s Scam City documentary special on YouTube.

The notorious Pat Pong

Anyway, this is one of the chronic and widespread scams in Bangkok, specifically in red light districts. Touts carrying posters along busy strips will lure tourists with “free ping pong show” offer; you only need to buy drinks. WARNING! This is probably the most expensive drink you’ll ever buy while in Bangkok, even amounting to thousands of baht.

So, it’s okay to be paranoid sometimes. Always think twice when the offer is too good to be true.

9. Don’t forget to bargain at some shops. But don’t overdo it.

Bangkok is known as one of the most affordable cities in the world, making it a paradise for shopping enthusiasts! You can find plenty of good-quality items at low prices. And the best part? You can still bargain over the price!

Generally, the price displayed is not the final price, and store owners or vendors expect customers to negotiate. Usually, the discount is more significant if you purchase more than one item. TIP! If you’re a group, you can combine and purchase your items as a single transaction.

Below are the popular shopping destinations in Bangkok:

  • Platinum Fashion Mall
  • Palladium World Shopping
  • Chatuchak Market
  • Union Mall

Happy shopping! Just a friendly reminder: haggle reasonably and respectfully.

10. Don’t dismiss tax refund.

Did you know that you are eligible to claim the Tax Refund in Thailand when you reach the minimum amount of 2,000 baht from participating stores? YES! To ensure that your purchase will be counted, look for the VAT REFUND FOR TOURISTS sign at the store.

VAT Refund Customs Inspection Counter at the Departure Hall. This is where you’ll have your tax form stamped.

How to Get Tax Refund

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to avail of the Tax Refund:

  • Step 1: When paying at the store’s cashier, let them know that you want to avail of the tax refund. They will ask for your passport, so make sure you have it with you.
  • Step 2: Usually, you need to fill out the yellow Tax Refund Form at a separate Tax Refund counter. Sometimes, the staff will fill out the form for you and you only need to sign it. Keep the form with you. Don’t lose it.
  • Step 3: At the airport, don’t check in your luggage yet if the total amount of the items you purchase is over ฿20,000. Head first to the VAT Refund counter, specifically the customs check counter, at the departure hall. Then, present your passport and all your tax refund forms. They will check the forms and stamp them if everything is cleared. Sometimes, they will also check the items, so its important to do this first before checking in your luggage. If the total amount of your purchase is less than ฿20,000, you may skip this step and proceed to Step 4.
  • Step 4: After going through the Immigration process, look for the Tax Refund Counter (airside area), and then present your passport and tax refund forms. Again, if the total amount of your receipts is more than 20,000 baht, the forms should have stamps.
  • Step 5: Upon checking and confirmation, the staff will finally hand you the cashback money (in Thai baht). Woohoo!

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