Photo by Florian Wehde on Unsplash
A favourite among travellers for decades, the Kingdom of Thailand is a vibrant and exciting destination that receives millions of visitors every year. The first place most visitors end up staying is the capital city, Bangkok. Although it is large and loud, it is also modern, developed, and accommodating. But part of its appeal to foreign visitors is the fact that many things there are different from what they are used to.
For the most part, these differences are charming and interesting. However, unfamiliar surroundings can also put people at risk of committing a social faux pas, being scammed, or getting into harm’s way. To help you avoid embarrassing or dangerous situations, here are three little-known things that you should not do in Bangkok.
Wearing your beachwear out
The first thing you will notice when stepping outside of the airport is that Thailand is very hot and humid. While in other countries it is perfectly acceptable in such weather to head to a city park and sunbathe, that is not the custom in Bangkok. It is best to stay covered up. You can still wear very casual, cool clothes. You will see plenty of locals in vests, shorts, and T-shirts.
Although there is no specific law prohibiting sunbathing or wearing beachwear in public, there have been cases where pictures of scantily clad tourists in the city have gone viral online, drawing heavy criticism from the local population. However, if your Bangkok residence hotel has a pool, you are of course free to don your swimwear and lounge around it.
Assuming drivers will stop at crossings
Provided that you behave well and take the same sorts of precautions you’d take when visiting any major city, you are unlikely to come to any physical harm in Bangkok. That is, except for one thing that catches people out all too often – vehicles not stopping at crossings.
Take care at red lights, where there is often a large lag between the lights changing and vehicles actually stopping. At most junctions, cars can still turn left even when the lights are red, which means you often need to check behind you too. As for crosswalks, they are functionally useless and many pedestrians die each year on them.
Agreeing to taxi rides with no metre
The fact that it’s not allowed does not stop some Bangkok taxi drivers from either refusing journeys they don’t want to take or refusing to use the metre. In the latter case, they usually invent an inflated price.
Something else to look out for when you are exploring Thailand’s hidden gems is your driver saying that he thinks your destination is closed today and that he knows a great alternative. You are likely being scammed.
Most drivers, however, are honest and hardworking. If you encounter one who isn’t, you can report them to the Ministry of Transport.
Conclusion
Most travellers enjoy a trouble-free trip to the Thai capital, and with these tips and some simple common sense, you can too. Wherever you travel, it is important to remember that some things are done differently, and not everybody has your best interests at heart. It is wise to do some homework about your chosen destination.
Daniel J. Morgan is the founder of Invidiata Magazine, a premier publication showcasing luxury living, arts, and culture. With a passion for excellence, Daniel has established the magazine as a beacon of sophistication and refinement, captivating discerning audiences worldwide.
