Do's and Dont's for the Visitor To Bangkok, Thailand.
First of all I must stress that Thailand belongs to the Thais. Foreigners are only welcome in the country if they contribute to the countries economy.
Foreigners cannot buy land in their own name and they cannot stay here indefinitely without jumping through many hoops. It is important to realise this or the visitor can find themselves in an emabarrassing position !
Thailand is not like the west where foreigners can treat their host western country with contempt and get away with it.
1. Have respect for the Monarchy. The King of Thailand is held, quite rightly, in very high regard. Any disrespect to him or his family is not tolerated - in 2007 a western man was sentenced to 10 years in jail for defacing a picture of the King.
2. Do not climb on, or show disrespect, to anything connected to Buddhism.
3. Try not to show anger. Showing anger, for whatever reason, is frowned upon. Tolerance is the keyword however frustrating that maybe.
4. Do not admit to Taxi or Tuk Tuk drivers that this is your first time in Bangkok. If you do, some will try to take advantage of you and travel a roundabout route to your destination.
4. When getting a taxi beware of taxi drivers who quote a fare for a particular local journey instead of using the meter. Insist on them using the 'meter'. If they refuse get another taxi.
5. Tuk Tuks. There are no meters in Tuk Tuks so negotiate the fare before you get in the Tuk Tuk. If the driver wants to take you 'shopping' decline. If you accept, he will take you to shops where he gets a high percentage of what you pay, and what you pay is normally way to much.
6. Also, if you are offered gemstones at very low prices in a bar, on the street, or a dodgy looking shop - have nothing to do with them, however tempting it may be. 9 times out of 10 the gemstones you end up with are coloured glass.
7. On arrival at the airport do not listen to the touts who are outside customs wanting to take you to a hotel, or get you a taxi. Use the official limousine kiosks or go outside to the official taxi stand. If you need to book an hotel, use an official hotel information kiosk.
For those on a low budget use the official airport bus service to downtown Bangkok.
If you talk to a tout and name a specific hotel he / she will state it is full and try to get you to go to a hotel of the touts choosing - which will be cheap, but will be miles away from where you want to be. They will appear helpful but they only want to help themselves.
In the authors view it is best, cheaper and more efficient to book a hotel on the internet prior to your arrival.
8. Bars in the Patpong area. The Patpong area of Bangkok is a well known tourist area. But beware of the bars on the floors above ground level of the 2 Sois (roads) which make up the main Patpong entertainment area. These Sois are known as Patpong 1 and Patpong 2.
85 percent of the bars located on upper floors charge exorbitant entrance fees/ cover charges and drink prices which you only get to know about when you try to leave. Failure to pay can result in a nasty experience.
If you take heed of the above paragraphs you will have a great time in Bangkok - as i do !!
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Contributor's Note
The author has lived in Bangkok for 6 years, and loves it !!
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