Joanna James
Bangkok is one of the most popular cities to visit in South East Asia. Thailand's capital is often praised for its friendliness and hospitality. However, if you've never been here, here are a few helpful tips that'll help you get the most out of your vacation.
When travelling to a prominent city for the first time, it's always a good idea to brush up on the rules and expected etiquette of the region. This will help ensure that you don't unnecessarily offend the locals and have the best time possible. Thailand, like most Asian countries, places great value on the concept of face – particularly saving face. This means that acts which come across as being unnecessarily confrontational or losing one's temper and showing intense negative emotions in public are looked down upon. A great deal of value is also placed on modesty and humbleness, so for starters, try to wear relatively simple clothing during your time in Bangkok. If you're visiting someone's home, you're expected to remove your shoes at the doorstep. Public displays of affection – such as kissing or hugging – are considered to be crude and should be reserved for private settings. With the basic rules of etiquette known, you'll be able to have a far better time interacting and making friends with the local populace. With most Thai people being a friendly bunch who are fluent in English, don't be afraid to strike up a conversation!
One thing you'll notice immediately upon arriving in Bangkok is the crowds. This shouldn't really be surprising given how popular Bangkok has become a tourist destination. Still, it's one thing to expect it and another to experience it first-hand. This also extends to the traffic as well, and congestion can be pretty bad during rush hour especially. As such, it's a good idea to plan ahead and always keep the traffic and crowd in mind when travelling between the capital. On a side note, if the crowds seem a bit too much to handle, you can always explore the outskirts of Bangkok – there's plenty to see and do there as well.
If you're ever in Bangkok – or Thailand as a whole for that matter – you owe it to yourself to go on a bit of a culinary adventure. Thai cuisine has quite a rich mix of flavours and aromas that'll stick to your palate well past the duration of our trip. If you're staying at one of the best hotels in Thailand – say, for example, the Avani Hotels & Resorts – you can try a number of signature Thai dishes right then and there.
Bangkok's weather can be somewhat temperamental and not every season is ideal for visiting the country. If the opportunity is there, try to time your trip between October and April. During this time the weather is mostly stable and it isn't overly warm or cold.
There are several fantastic temples you can visit here in Bangkok. They provide a window into the city's history as well as the opportunity for you to immerse yourself in the local culture. There are few things to be mindful of when visiting these religious sites, however. Firstly, you'll have to dress modestly to get into a temple. Once you get in, try not to make too much noise or take photographs without express permission.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
