Bangkok

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Bangkok, Thailand

 

• Bangkok is Thailand’s capital and largest city. The place is packed with high-rise buildings, traffic jams, intense heat as well as naughty nightlife. Such first views of the city may not give a warm welcome for US tourists. However, such first impression should not mislead visitors to the real beauty of Bangkok.
• In fact, Bangkok stands out to be among the most tourist-friendly cities throughout Asia.

The Life:

• The city is home to superb temples and palaces. Its markets tend to be very busy. The busyness of life during the day extends until the evening as experienced in its vibrant nightlife.
• Nightlife in Bangkok has a wild and rowdy reputation. However, it is also described as relaxed, safe, exciting and really fun!

Cost of Living:

• Daily life can be cheap including taxi fares, street food and apartment cost in some areas. A regular meal can cost about $3 to $4. Eating out in a midrange restaurant with a friend will cost about $20. There are also expensive restaurants that serve meals at $30 per plate.
• Monthly fees in apartments range from $360 to $580 for single rooms and $960 to $1560 for three-bedroom accommodations.
• While services are cheap, goods, in general are very expensive.

Poker:

• Online poker in foreign sites is available. Gambling is illegal in Thailand.

Internet Access/Speed:

• There are internet cafes all over Bangkok with a generally high speed connection. Other pubs and cafes provide free Wi-Fi

Weather:

• Bangkok is a very hot, possibly the hottest in the world as reported by the World Meteorological Organization. All year round would be sunny days with temperatures that can rise above 30°C.
• The cool season is present though, which is also considered as driest period of the year. This pleasant season and the best time to travel to Bangkok normally fall in the months of November up to February.

U.S. Visa/Entry Difficulty Level:

• US tourists can stay in Bangkok for a month without a visa. Requirements include a valid passport and travel documents. Yellow fever vaccination is required if the visitor comes from an infected area.

Language:

• Thai is the main language in Bangkok but other languages are also widely spoken. They consist of English, Chinese and Malay.

Language Schools:

• Visiting the city also means a great opportunity to learn Thai not just through its locals but also through language schools in Bangkok.

Food:

• Bangkok owns quite a number of interesting restaurants but not inexpensive. Nicely-decorated buildings with elegant-looking tables and exceptional services would mean expensive meals.
• Some of the best restaurants in the city are found in Sukhumvit where every cuisine from almost all parts of the world is represented. However, expect to pay high prices on these dining areas.
• Vegetarian restaurants are also present in tourist-friendly areas in town.

Recreation:

• One of the interesting activities that US tourists can try in Bangkok is cycling. However, the right roads for bicycle tours must be known first as it is extremely dangerous to cycle on the city’s main roads. Cycling will take tourists to parks, temple complexes, various markets and even to quiet residential areas.
• Aside from cycle tours, US tourists can also go for food tours and canal tours; both are ideal ways to experience the best of Bangkok.
• Learning Muay Thai or Thai Boxing will be great too, not just as a sports activity but also as a way of self-defense.

Safety:

• Although there could be different impressions for Bangkok, the city is considered a safe place to visit. Petty crimes are common in the same way that they are in many cities.
• Scams through different strategies may be present in tourist spots. Some crimes to tourists can be as dangerous as being held with knives for money.
• US tourists are advised to be with some friends when going out especially at night to avoid being targets for crimes.