Tell them 'mai phet' (not spicy) upfront. 'Phet nit noi' means a little. 'Phet mak' = very spicy. Servers will give you tourist-level spice if you say nothing.
🍜Shared dishes, Thai-style
Thai meals are family-style. Order 2–3 dishes for 2 people with rice. Don't order individual dishes expecting a full plate.
💳Cash vs card
Street food and local spots: cash only. Malls and hotels: card OK. 1,000 baht bills not always broken at street stalls — carry 20–100 baht notes.
🕐Peak hours
Bangkok lunch rush is 12–1:30pm, dinner 6:30–8pm. Arrive 15 min before for top spots. Most good street food closes by 9pm.
🪑No reservations (mostly)
Most local places don't take reservations. High-end spots do — book through their website or Line app. Walk-in wait at popular spots is 15–30 min.
🐾Street dogs at stalls
Normal to see dogs near street stalls. They're generally harmless and fed by vendors. Don't worry — the food prep area stays clean.
🗺️ Getting around Bangkok — all transport modes explained
🚄
BTS Skytrain
Shopping malls, hotels, restaurants near BTS stations
฿16–59 per trip
Sukhumvit Line + Silom Line — covers central Bangkok tourist areas
💡 Rabbit card saves 15% vs single-journey tickets. Works on MRT too. Fastest option 7am–9am and 5pm–8pm rush hour when roads are gridlocked.
🚇
MRT Subway
Chinatown, Chatuchak, connecting between BTS lines
฿17–42 per trip
Blue Line: Chinatown, Chatuchak, Silom, Sukhumvit. Purple Line: Bang Yai. Yellow Line: On Nut–Bang Na
💡 Yellow Line (opened 2023) is underused but great for reaching On Nut and Bang Na areas. Blue Line covers Chinatown (Sam Yan station) and Lat Phrao.
📱
Grab (ride-hailing)
Anywhere BTS/MRT doesn't go, late nights, luggage
Car: ฿100–300 most trips. Motorbike: ฿40–100
Citywide. Works even in areas BTS/MRT doesn't reach
💡 Download app before arriving in Thailand. Premium car ฿150–250 more but avoids negotiating. GrabBike (motorbike taxi) is 3× faster in traffic — recommend for solo travelers only.
🚕
Metered Taxi
Late night when Grab surges, multiple passengers, fixed address destinations
Flag fall ฿35, roughly ฿60–150 for most trips
Citywide
💡 Always say 'pid meter' (turn on the meter) when entering. Refuse if driver won't use meter. Pink/orange taxis registered and safer. No tip expected but common.
⛵
Chao Phraya Express Boat
Avoiding traffic, riverside sightseeing, Khao San / Grand Palace area
฿15–33 depending on flag color (orange = ฿15 locals, yellow = tourist)
Riverside from Nonthaburi to Sathorn (BTS connection)
💡 Orange flag = local boat (cheapest). Blue flag = tourist boat with guide narration. Runs 6am–8pm. Connects to Khao San Road, Grand Palace, Chinatown areas.
Bangkok Showdown
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