Bangkok is not only the largest of Thailand’s great cities but it is one of the most beautiful and colorful as well. Exploring the city’s shrines, temples, and palaces will keep you occupied for days, as will the myriad of museums and tourist destinations.

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When to Visit Bangkok

Thailand is unique in that it really has only three main seasons. One is hot, one is rainy, and one is cool and humidity levels run relatively high year round. With that in mind, the cool season (between October and February) is by far the most popular time of year for tourists to visit and you’ll often find that hotels, with rates doubling in price compared to the rest of the year, are booked solid.

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The people of Thailand celebrate a number of holidays throughout the year, many of which include celebrations you won’t want to miss. The Chinese New Year is on January 29^th, Chakri Day is on April 6^th, and the Queen’s Birthday is on August 12^th. You’ll find that most government offices and banks are closed on national holidays but smaller shops are open to accommodate celebratory crowds.

Bargaining in Bangkok

Be careful when bargaining with shopkeepers in Bangkok. Aggressive bargaining tactics are considered to be rude in a place where sanuk, or fun, is loved and enjoyed. As a matter of fact, if you approach the bargaining table in a playful manner you’re much more likely to walk away after paying the price you’d hoped for.

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Start by acknowledging the shop owner in a friendly manner when entering. Make a polite inquiry regarding the price of the item you’d like to purchase, wait patiently while browsing other items, and then offer a counter that is a bit lower than you actually want to pay. Keep in mind that shopkeepers in Thailand are not likely to jack up the price of their wares merely to take advantage of tourists. Most of them believe they have put fair prices on their goods, so if you ask for a price that is too low they may become offended.

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Smile and be polite throughout the entire transaction. Thank the shopkeeper and leave if you are not offered a price within your range. The shopkeeper will call you back if he wants to continue negotiating.

Do’s and Don’ts for Travel in Bangkok

The crime rates in Bangkok are relatively low and what little crime there is usually involves locals. Regardless, there is no reason for a tourist to make himself attractive to criminals, so wearing expensive jewelry or flashing your wallet is not recommended. The most common crimes against tourist include pick-pocketing, cell phone theft and, in rare instances, muggings.

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While violent crime is low, scam artists are many – as they are in any major tourist destination. Be very cautious when it comes to dealing with tuk-tuk drivers or anyone who wants to offer you a service in exchange for money. Many are looking to take advantage of you by steering you towards shopping malls instead of your favorite historic attractions.

Do not, under any circumstances, purchase or ingest any illegal drugs while in Thailand. This should go without saying, but drugs are easily accessible in Bangkok and the authorities take drug infractions very seriously. Individuals in clubs that are raided may be subject to drug testing before they’re allowed out of police custody. The police are also very likely to stop you (especially if you are from the west) while you are backpacking in the Khao San region. Anyone caught with drugs in Bangkok, or anywhere in Thailand, is likely to land in a Thai prison.

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Make sure dress neatly throughout your travels in Thailand. Your physical appearance will form a lasting first impression amongst the Thai people. You should also make sure that your shoulders are not revealed when you travel to and from temples where your shoes should be removed as well.

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Any sort of disrespect, in action or word, towards the royal family of Thailand is considered a criminal offense. As such, you need to be very careful not to make any offensive remarks about the monarchy. Even stepping on a Thai banknote in the street is considered a crime – merely because it has a picture of the king on the front.

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Last but not least, make sure you carry your passport with you at all times. While most tourist guides advise you to lock your passport in your hotel safe deposit box, you may find you need it in Bangkok. Believe it or not, Thai law requires all foreigners to carry their passports at all times.

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Make sure you take a few moments to plan your trip to Bangkok in advance. Plan your destinations wisely and avoid putting yourself into any type of dangerous situation. With a little bit of preparation you’re guaranteed to have the trip of a lifetime!