Living in Bangkok: All You Need to Know From Tuk-Tuks to Temples
Welcome to Bangkok, Thailand’s capital!
Bangkok serves a wide range of tastes with its dynamic nightlife, tasty street cuisine, massage culture, and centuries-old heritage. It offers a fusion of modernism, tradition, and culture. This city is one of the most visited tourist spots worldwide.
Anyone who visits Bangkok once wants to visit again. This article will focus on the details that make Bangkok so attractive. Let’s get started!
Living in Bangkok Pros and Cons
As every city has its pros and cons, Bangkok also has its opposing and positive sides. To keep your expectations realistic when traveling to this city, we have compiled the city’s positive and negative sides below.
Pros of Living in Bangkok
- Rich Culture: Bangkok blends modernity with tradition. What you find in this city is determined by what you seek. Bangkok provides a multitude of cultural values with its long history and ancient architecture, particularly its renowned and massive temples. The Bangkok metropolitan region is a conventional metropolis with a distinct way of life. There's always something to find and explore, whether it's the vibrant street markets or the magnificent temples.
- Delicious Thai Food: One of the first things that springs to mind when thinking of Southeast Asia is street food. Bangkok is among the cities that elevate this idea. This city offers a vast array of Thai food, ranging from sweet mango sticky rice to fiery papaya salad.
- Affordable Cost of Living: This city offers reasonable living costs so you can maintain a good quality of life without breaking the bank.
- Modern Amenities: In this city full of temples and culture, do not assume that you will lose modernity. You can embrace the culture while still maintaining modernity! You can easily access high-speed internet, shopping malls, and international schools.
- Easy Travel: Suvarnabhumi International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world and the largest airport in the country. Its extensive flight network provides great convenience for travel.
Cons of Living in Bangkok
- Traffic Congestion: Traffic can be a serious problem in the city, especially during rush hour. Using the BTS Skytrain and waterways for public transportation can help you easily overcome this issue.
- Air Pollution: The country's air quality is generally poor. People with respiratory issues should be cautious.
- Language Barrier: Thailand has one of the lowest rates of English speaking in Southeast Asia. However, you'll have no problem using only English in Bangkok, especially in the more international and touristy areas.
- Extreme Weather: Bangkok's weather is generally humid and rainy. High humidity makes the temperature feel hotter than it actually is. The ideal months to visit Bangkok are November to February, as the weather is generally cooler and less humid during these periods.
- Noise Pollution: Bangkok is generally a noisy city. Loud music and honking horns can be uncomfortable for those who like quiet environments.
Cost of Living in Bangkok
The cost of living depends on lifestyle preferences. Generally, Bangkok’s cost of living is considered reasonable compared to many other major cities in the world. However, living costs can grow in some districts, notably in terms of housing and food.
A large amount of living expenditures are often related to housing. Bangkok, however, provides far more reasonably priced and roomy accommodation than big cities like New York and London, even though it’s the biggest and priciest city in Thailand.
Food and entertainment are often relatively inexpensive in the city, with a wide range of street food and affordable restaurants available. Purchasing groceries and everyday items can also be relatively affordable, especially if you are willing to shop at local markets and supermarkets. The reasonable cost of living in the city makes it attractive for expat life. An approximate idea of Bangkok’s cost of living is provided below:
Accommodation (1 bedroom apartment in city center) |
Transportation (monthly public transportation pass) |
Food (average restaurant meal for one) |
Groceries (basic weekly food shopping) |
Utilities (electricity, water, gas, internet, etc.) |
Entertainment (cinema, gym, etc.) |
Clothing |
฿15,000 – 25,000 |
฿1,000 – 1,500 |
฿50 – 150 |
฿1,500 – 3,000 |
฿3,000 – 5,000 |
฿200 – 500 |
฿500 – 1,500 |
Transportation
The easiest way to travel in the city is by public transportation. You can hop on the Skytrain or riverboat and explore the city. You can also use tuk-tuks or take a motorcycle taxi through the city’s traffic.
Things to do in Bangkok
Bangkok is home to magnificent temples, and visitors must visit these renowned monuments. Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew are two of the most popular temples, offering insights into Thai history and culture. When visiting the temples, it’s important to remove your shoes and dress modestly.
Another destination worth seeing is the Chatuchak Weekend Market, with over 15,000 stalls selling everything from clothing and accessories to food and souvenirs. For a local experience, taste the food offered by street food vendors. Pad Thai is especially a must. The Siam Paragon and Central World malls provide a selection of luxury brands and designer stores for a more prosperous shopping experience.
If you are interested in casual Bangkok nightlife, Khao San Road is a good option for backpackers and tourists. The street is full of bars and cheap drinks. If a more elegant nightlife appeals to you, you can check out the Sky Bar at Lebua for a view of the city from above while sipping your drink.
Top Sights
Bangkok’s most significant cultural element is the wat. These temples, which number over 300, are exemplary of traditional Thai architecture. The majority have walls around them. Numerous states have leased a section of their land for business or residential purposes. Bangkok has many different sights and monuments that are worth seeing in a touristic and cultural sense. Below, we have listed the four most famous and must-see places in the city.
Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Rajwaramahawihan (Wat Po)
Located in Bangkok, Thailand’s Phra Nakhon District, Wat Pho, also called the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, is a complex of Buddhist temples. Situated south of the Grand Palace on Rattanakosin Island, it is the first of six Thai temples to be recognized as first-class royal temples, the highest category. Wat Pho is one of Bangkok’s oldest temples, dating back to before King Rama I established Bangkok as the Thai capital. Originally known as Wat Photaram or Podharam, the temple’s name was eventually shortened to Wat Pho.
The Grand Palace
The Grand Palace is located in the heart of Bangkok. It has been the official residence of the Kings of Siam (and later Thailand) since 1782. The monarch, his court, and his royal administration were located on the palace’s grounds until 1925.
The Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew)
Wat Phra Kaew widely known in English as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and formally as Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram, is regarded as the most holy Buddhist temple in Thailand. The complex comprises of a variety of structures within the confines of the Grand Palace in the historical core of Bangkok. It holds the statue of the Emerald Buddha, which is considered as the country’s palladium.
Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan (Wat Arun)
Wat Arun is among the most renowned sights in Thailand. Although the temple has existed since at least the 17th century, its characteristic prang (spire) was erected in the early 19th century under the reigns of Rama II and Rama III. Wat Arun may be accessed by the Chao Phraya River, and boats sail over the river towards the Maharaj dock. For foreigners, the temple charges an admission fee of 200 baht (as of March 2024). During Kathina, the king journeys to Wat Arun in a procession of royal boats to deliver new garments to the monks there.
Safety
The Thai government has made great investments in security measures to guarantee the protection of both locals and visitors, and the country possesses low crime rates. In addition, the city is populated by hospitable and kind individuals who are delighted to assist guests with getting around.
Like in any metropolitan city, you have to be cautious and aware of your surroundings when you’re exploring it. Nevertheless, Bangkok is a pretty safe city to wander. It’s possible that you may run across little con games intended to defraud you for a few bucks.
Expat Life in Bangkok, Thailand
The number of expats and digital nomads in Thailand is rising. The primary reason behind this is the country’s low cost of expats living, particularly when compared to the USA and Western countries. Bangkok is appealing to expats because of the availability of elegant, cozy, and spacious accommodations at reasonable costs, as well as reasonably priced international healthcare, hospitality, housekeeping assistance, transportation, and international schools. Therefore, it can be easily said that expat life is very comfortable in this city.
Thailand looks appealing to those who are considering working abroad because of the friendly and social nature of the Thai people. Nonetheless, foreigners residing in Bangkok could encounter difficulties in managing linguistic and cultural differences. It’s crucial for foreigners to be aware of the regional traditions and regulations, tries to acquire Thai language proficiency, and work to understand Thai culture.
5 Lessons Learned from Living in Bangkok
Life in Bangkok will teach you lessons like no other. Here are five lessons I learned while living in this chaotic yet gorgeous city:
Embrace the chaos – This city never sleeps! Car honks, traffic, club music, and crowds are literally everywhere! While you are in Bangkok, embrace the chaos and learn to flow with the energy of the city.
Try new things – If you are not familiar with Far Eastern cuisine, this is the place to try it. From exotic fruits to street food culture, be open to new experiences. However, it is important to be cautious about the hygiene of the food you purchase from street vendors.
Stay hydrated – For the majority of the year, the weather is quite hot, and the humidity is very high. Therefore, drink lots of water to help you adjust your body heat and avoid being negatively impacted by the heat and humidity.
Negotiate with a smile – In markets and street vendors, bargaining is a common practice. But remember to do it with a smile and be respectful, as it’s part of the local culture.
Connect with the locals – Bangkok is home to some of the friendliest people in the world. Take the time to connect with the locals and learn about their customs and traditions. You’ll be surprised at how much you’ll learn and how much richer your experience will be.
Living in Bangkok: The Bottom Line
It doesn’t matter if you visit this city as a tourist or as an expat. It offers valuable experiences for everyone. In this article, we have tried to compile the advantages and challenges of living in Bangkok. With its affordable cost of living, colourful culture, rich history, and adaptability to modern requirements, the city is becoming increasingly attractive for digital nomads.
However, as exciting as it sounds to live in a new city or country, language and culture barriers can sometimes be a challenge. Do not let these difficulties discourage you. As a first step to overcoming these situations, you can start learning the Thai language and get to know the culture. So take advantage of everything that this incredible city has to offer and embrace the excitement and energy of Bangkok!
What are some of the challenges of living in Bangkok?
Traffic and air pollution are the first concepts that come to mind when we think of Bangkok's negative aspects. In addition, high humidity and heat at some times of the year are among the factors that make life difficult. The cultural and language barrier and the low rate of English spoken outside the touristic areas are also considered drawbacks.
Is it easy to make friends in Bangkok?
Living away from your home country is very hard, and making some friends might help you feel at home in a new country. The number of expats and digital nomads is already high in the city, and this number is increasing day by day. Given this situation, it is not difficult to make friends in the city. In addition, since the locals are also very friendly and hospitable if you can overcome the language problem or find people who speak English, we can say that socializing in this city will be very easy for you.
How easy is it to find work in Bangkok?
The answer to this question will vary according to the skills and knowledge of the job seeker and, of course, the field and profession in which they work. Generally, it is easier to find a job in sectors such as tourism, education, and finance. In addition, learning the Thai language will undoubtedly put you ahead of your competitors in the job search competition. If you are a company employee, you can apply for jobs in foreign or Thai companies.
What are the best neighborhoods to live in Bangkok?
Bangkok's Siam Square and Ratchaprasong districts are referred to as central Bangkok. The Sukhumvit, Silom, Sathorn, Thonglor, and Ari neighborhoods are some of the city's best-known and most popular areas.
What is the cost of living in Bangkok?
As everywhere else, the cost of living in this city is determined by the preferred lifestyle. However, as an average calculation, the average cost of living in Bangkok for a family of 4 will be around $2,345.
How is the internet connectivity in Bangkok?
You can access Wi-Fi in areas such as cafes and restaurants for free or low fees. If you need a faster internet connection, the country offers 4G and 5G connections from reliable operators.
What are the visa options to live in Bangkok?
- Tourist Visa: This visa allows visitors to stay in Thailand for up to 60 days. Non-Immigrant Visa: This visa is suitable for those who plan to work, study, or invest in Thailand. It is valid for up to 90 days and can be extended up to one year.
- Education Visa: Students who intend to enroll in a university, language school, international schools, or vocational program in Thailand are eligible for this visa. As long as the student stays enrolled, it is good for an additional year. The initial term is one year.
- Retirement Visa: Those who wish to spend their retirement time in Thailand and are 50 years of age or older may apply for this visa. As long as the applicant satisfies the conditions for the visa, it is renewable after the first year.
- Business Visa: This visa is intended for people who want to do business in Thailand. It can be extended up to a year and is valid for a maximum of 90 days.
