You better know these before your trip to Bangkok! Avoid detours!
1. SIM Card
It's recommended to purchase online in advance, or you can buy one after getting off the plane, as you will see SIM card stalls right after customs. I bought mine on Ctrip for 34.9 RMB, which includes unlimited data for 7 days, 50 minutes of talk time, and a phone number to register for taxi apps. If you choose a limited data plan, it's available for just over 20 RMB.
2. Exchanging Thai Baht
Priority: Exchange at domestic banks in advance > Exchange RMB cash for Thai Baht > Withdraw Thai Baht from ATMs
It's advised to exchange Thai Baht in advance domestically, as you'll need cash as soon as you leave the airport. The exchange rate at the airport is worse than in the city. In Bangkok, exchange shops are everywhere, near BTS stations, malls, and on the streets. It's good to compare rates, so don't worry too much if you run out of the Baht you exchanged in China. If you must exchange at the airport, don't do it at the shops right after customs. The ones upstairs near the departure area (3rd or 4th floor) have better rates.
ATMs charge a 220 Baht fee, except for Bank of China machines. I used a card that waives international withdrawal fees, but after the ATM fee, the rate went from 4.8 to 4.2, which is a loss. I highly discourage it! Bank of China has only two branches in Bangkok, one in Ratchada and one in Chong Nonsi. If you're not staying nearby, don't bother coming here specifically to withdraw money.
Mobile payments are accepted at: BTS ticket machines, merchants and restaurants in big malls, stores like 7-11 and Boots
Cash only places: Various night markets, street vendors, restaurants outside malls, airport rail link, taxis, MTR subway ticket purchase, massage parlors
3. Public Transportation
Thailand's BTS and MRT run until midnight. If you're staying close to a BTS or MRT station, even if you leave the airport at 11 pm, there's public transport available. The airport subway costs 45 Baht to the city and only accepts cash. BTS ticket machines accept mobile payments, while MTR subway only accepts cash. To visit the Grand Palace and Wat Arun, just take the public boat, which costs 16 Baht per person (don't end up on a boat that charges thousands per person).
4. Taxis
Downloading just Bolt and Grab is sufficient. Compared to Grab, Bolt is much cheaper, but for the cheaper car models, there are no drivers accepting orders. Only the comfort model gets orders, but it's still a lot cheaper than Grab (160 Baht with Bolt vs. 220 Baht with Grab for the same location). I recommend directly booking Bolt's comfort model and paying in cash at the end.
5. Massage Parlors
I didn't book any fancy massage parlors in advance, just walked into a suitable one near the hotel. Here's a reference for roadside massage parlor prices: 350 Baht for one hour (full body/foot), 250 Baht for half an hour.
6. Food Courts
The food courts in Bangkok's malls are very delicious, with lots of choices. The cheapest is the food court on the top floor of Terminal 21, where a coconut is only 35 Baht (50-70 Baht at other night markets and weekend markets), a coconut ice cream is 28 Baht, and a plate of fried noodles is 40 Baht. Great value for money!
7. Wat Arun
The ticket used to be 100 Baht, but from March it's 200 Baht. Take the boat from Wat Arun Pier Station for 16 Baht per person, and you'll arrive right at the ticket office. I didn't find a place to rent clothes outside, but inside the scenic area, the reference price for renting clothes is 300 Baht, including accessories and hairstyle, no makeup or photography, with a 1000 Baht cash deposit required. Renting clothes outside the scenic area should be cheaper.
maximillian_aureliusravenwood
The tour guide is very friendly. Everyone gets along very well. The tour guide is very gentle and patient! ! ! ! ! Learned a certain knowledge and it was an unforgettable trip. The tour guide is really dedicated! ! ! ! !
The Grand Palace Scenic Area can be said to be the top of the list for Thai tourism. I booked the Grand Palace + Zhengwang Temple double attraction tickets + explanation on Trip.com. The tour guide is a local Thai, but the Chinese is very good. The weather was very hot on the day of the visit, sunscreen, sunglasses, hats, umbrellas, water were all essentials. Because it is a popular attraction, there are many tourists visiting. After the collection of tickets, the first entry is the Jade Buddha Temple. The architecture of the Jade Buddha Temple is very Thai. Thailand is a Buddhist country. The importance of Buddhism is very high. The buildings are magnificent. Listening to the tour guide explaining the gold and silver jewelry spent on the appearance of the building is countless. The tour guide talked about the history of the king of Thailand for a long time, about the association of the Jade Buddha Temple and the royal family of successive generations, and then visited freely. The Buddha Hall in the center of the Jade Buddha Temple is to take off your shoes and enter, and photographs are prohibited inside. The interior walls of the Buddha Hall are covered with murals, very beautiful, and the tourists who come in sit quietly and feel quiet. After leaving the Jade Buddha Temple, walk into the Grand Palace. The Grand Palace Park is a bit like the presidential palace of a modern country. There is a large open space in the manor, and the center is a luxurious mansion. For some historical reasons, the current Thai king is no longer living in the Grand Palace, which is used as a reception place for meetings with foreign heads of state. The temple of Zhengwang and the Grand Palace are separated by a river in the south of the river. Buy a ticket from the pier and upload it in about five minutes to the other side of the river. The landing is the Zhengwang Temple Scenic Area. Zhengwang Temple is a temple established in memory of the Thai national hero Zheng Zhao, and it is also one of the must-check-in attractions in Bangkok. Zhengwang Temple and Jade Buddha Temple compared to the style is obviously different, the main body is stone architecture, the color is not so magnificent, but the appearance decoration is still very beautiful.
When you come to Bangkok, Thailand, you must come to a good place to check in. It is a blockbuster film, and it is also a check-in point for the circle of friends. It is recommended that you come earlier, not so hot 😅😅😅
It is still possible to take pictures to understand the following historical developments and the place itself is not big.
I just visited’The Grand Palace’, Bangkok, Thailand during Feb 2023.This wan my 1st trip booked via Trip.Com…with the well explanation by the local tour guide, this trip became so meaningful in knowing depose about the Thailand history. i was very admire with the building architecture especially the man- craft technique which I believe this technique will be extinct if no cultural perseveration done
The Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand. This palace has been the official residence of the Kings of Siam since 1782. I found it interesting to learn that Thailand was called Siam until 1939. This palace is very detailed. It’s amazing how many people walk through this beautiful setting on a daily basis.