Things I wish I knew before visiting Bangkok!

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Things I Wish I Knew Before Visiting Bangkok as a Singaporean 🇸🇬✈️🇹🇭

Hey everyone! I just returned from a trip to Bangkok, and I wanted to share some things I wish I’d known beforehand that might help fellow Singaporeans planning a visit.

1. Crazy Roads: First off, the traffic in Bangkok is absolutely wild! I knew the city wasn’t super developed, but I didn’t expect the chaos on the roads. Some drivers follow traffic lights while others don’t, making crossing the street quite an adventure. One time, our driver dropped us off near a restaurant, and we had to navigate through a busy road where no one seemed to stop for pedestrians. It was terrifying! Thankfully, the drivers know how to brake just in time, but we faced delays in our itinerary because of traffic jams everywhere. We took Bolt (like Uber/Grab) for our rides, but waiting times were long—once, we waited 25 minutes for a car, and the driver often marked “arrived” when he was at the wrong spot. I ended up being charged waiting fees multiple times despite being on time. Just be prepared for a lot of delays!

2. Shopping Reality Check: As a big fan of Shopee and TikTok Shop, I went into Bangkok with certain expectations about shopping. I thought places like Pratunam, Siam Square, MBK Center and Chatuchak would be full of great deals, but honestly, I found MBK to be overpriced and filled with counterfeit goods. The cheapest T-shirt I saw there was around $8, while you can easily find $3 T-shirts on Shopee! After wandering through half the mall, the only things I bought were some hair clips and earrings for about $1 each. I did manage to find one thrifted T-shirt for $4, but I'm not a fan of preloved clothes.

At Bangsue Junction, I faced similar issues. Sure, some items look higher quality, but I found them to be pricey and the cheapest items I grabbed was an $8 pink T-shirt and a $4 oversized black T-shirt. If you’re not into luxury or expensive fashion, avoid places like Siam Square or Siam Paragon. For shopping, I recommend Chatuchak Market. You can finish most of your shopping there! I found cute souvenirs at Mixt Chatuchak—like 4 small pouches for just 100 baht (~$4).

3. Toilet Etiquette: Here’s a tip I really wish someone had told me before I went: don’t throw used tissue in the toilet! I was caught off guard when I had my period and realized the toilet wouldn’t flush with the used tissue. There was a sign indicating that the toilet bowl isn’t a trash bin, but I missed it. Having to fish out that tissue to dispose of it properly was definitely not a pleasant experience!

4. Prepare for the Heat I expected Thailand to be hot, but some days were absolutely unbearable. The sun can be scorching, making it tough to look up. I highly recommend bringing a cap and a portable fan to stay cool while exploring.

5. Price Variations: One thing I noticed was the price variability for similar items across different shops. For example, I found elephant pants for 100 baht (~$4) at Chatuchak, but just a few stalls away, the same pants were priced at 199 baht. So, keep your eyes peeled and compare prices before buying!

6. Booking Tips: Lastly, a quick reminder for everyone using Klook: be sure to book your activities a day in advance. Some places don’t allow on-the-spot purchases, and you might end up paying more. For example, tickets to Siam Amazing Park are about $25 online, but if you buy them at the counter, it’s $40!

I hope these tips help you make the most of your Bangkok trip! Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need more recommendations! Happy travels! 🌟👜✨

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