Here we are! Thailand – a country full of contrasts, amazing food, smiling people, and endless adventures. Right from the start, we were surprised by Bangkok's modern infrastructure – wide roads, fast trains, and skyscrapers that we honestly didn't expect. We have no expectations; we're just going with the flow and we'll see where this journey takes us. One thing's for sure – it's going to be a ride! 😎🔥 

Basic Information You Need to Know Before Traveling

• Drinking Water – It is not recommended to drink tap water in Thailand. Buy bottled water or use filtration systems. In larger cities, you can even find water vending machines (1L = 1 THB).

• Weather – The peak season is from November to March (dry and sunny). The rainy season lasts from June to October.

• Currency – The Thai Baht (THB) is used. The exchange rate is approximately 35 THB = 1 €.

• Vaccination – It is recommended to get vaccinated against yellow fever, hepatitis A and B, typhoid fever, and Japanese encephalitis.

• Visa – A visa is not required for stays of up to 60 days; only a valid passport is needed.

Apps and Websites That Can Be Useful on Your Journey:

Agoda.com – The best platform for booking accommodation in Thailand.

Booking.com – A reliable alternative, but often more expensive than Agoda in Thailand.

Trivago.com and Google Maps – Helpful for comparing prices and navigating.

Bolt – Yes, Bolt is available in Thailand! It's not in all cities, but it's always good to have it installed. It's cheaper than Grab.

Google Translate – An essential tool for communicating with locals, especially since Thai script is different. You can scan signs directly using the app.

Airbnb – We've had mostly bad experiences with Airbnb, and accommodations there tend to be more expensive — but maybe you'll have better luck.

Grab – A popular app for ordering taxis, food, and deliveries.

Thailandtrains.com – Thailand has a very good and affordable train system.

Thainationalparks.com – Information about national parks throughout Thailand.

Getyourguide.com – A wide range of activities worldwide with English - speaking guides (trust us, an English-speaking guide in Thailand is rare!). If you book an activity through our link, we'll get a small commission — which would be a big help and a way to thank us for the info we're providing. If you can't find the activity you're looking for in our articles, feel free to reach out, and we'll help you find it.

Revolut – If you're a traveler and you're not using a Revolut card, you're probably losing money unnecessarily. If you'd like to know more about the Revolut card, check out the bonus tips at the end of this article!

Departure from Vietnam to Thailand

We left our beloved Vietnam after three months! It wasn't the hardest goodbye, but we definitely got used to the vibe and lifestyle that dominates Vietnam. However, since our visas were expiring, we were forced to leave the country. If you want to know more about visa conditions, check out this article: Vietnam – Da Nang and the Crazy Life in Asia.

Before our flight, we cleaned out our little apartment and returned our poor scooter to our friend – a local Vietnamese woman. Originally, we had a buyer lined up, but on the day of the sale, they didn't have the money.

Marcel took the scooter, and I took an InDrive car with our suitcases – and let me tell you, that driver gave me a city tour I never had during my whole stay in Da Nang! What should have been a 10-minute ride turned into a 25-minute one. Oh well! We had one last coffee with condensed milk, and then our friend kindly drove us to the airport.

We're flying with VietJetAir, and the flight only takes 1 hour and 15 minutes. Our luggage weighs 57 kg, even though the limit is 44 kg. Be careful with this! Most Asian airlines allow only 15 kg for checked baggage and 7 kg for carry-ons (backpacks), and they really do check this at the counter!

Of course, we handled it as we always do – cosmetic bag in the jacket pocket, hiking boots on our feet, half a kilo of rice – tossed. Final weight = 47 kg – luckily, they let us slide with 3 extra kilos. Victorious, we head to security when I suddenly realize I have a pocket knife in my fanny pack – not just any knife, but a souvenir from Austria. The security officer notices it and confiscates it, but at least she said, "Sorry."

At the airport, we immediately got scammed. We were hungry and spotted a Burger King. Confident that the prices were in VND, we ordered without hesitation – only to realize we had just paid €6 for one burger instead of €2. Oh, how we already miss Vietnamese prices!

VietJet planes are similar to Wizzair, and the food on VietJet is cheaper than at the airport. The flight is short, and soon we're landing in Bangkok! It's hot and sunny (we're arriving in the high season – November to March)! We're thrilled about this since we experienced the rainy season in Da Nang.

Apart from the Burger King mistake, we booked a hotel in Bangkok through Agoda.com – it's more popular than Booking.com here (more info in the accommodation section). Still stuck in the Vietnamese mindset, we thought €32 would cover three nights at a hotel with a rooftop pool – outside the city center. But once we landed, we realized it was €32 per night and non-refundable. Oh well, guess we'll have to survive one night in luxury! 

After Arriving in Thailand, We Realize We're Not Just Adventurous Travelers – We're Also TIME TRAVELERS!

Yes, we arrived in the year 2568! In Thailand, they follow the Buddhist calendar, which means it's already 2568 here. We also quickly realize that they drive on the left side of the road.

At the airport, the SIM cards are ridiculously overpriced – 999 THB = €25 for one month. So, I decide to buy an eSIM online using the airport Wi-Fi – €8 for 5 GB. Done! But here comes another surprise – the eSIM isn't compatible with my iPhone. Thankfully, Marcel scans the QR code, and it works perfectly on his phone (even though we have the same model). Always check if the eSIM is compatible with your phone before purchasing!

We exchanged the smallest possible amount – €10 – because the exchange rate at the airport was terrible: 32 THB = €1, even though the usual rate should be around 35 THB = €1 or even 37 THB = €1! Never exchange money at the airport unless you have to. We had no choice since we needed cash to buy a metro ticket.

Yes, there's a metro from Bangkok airport (you'll find it underground) that takes you to the city center in about 30 minutes. No need to waste money on taxis or airport shuttles. A metro ticket to the city center costs about 40 THB/person = €1.10.

How We Search for Accommodation in Asia:

We use Booking.com, Agoda.com, Trivago, and Google Maps to find accommodation. We've also tried Airbnb, but accommodations there have always been more expensive than on the other platforms mentioned.

Tip: ALWAYS search for accommodation using your phone rather than a laptop or other device — the prices are usually better!

Comparison of These 3 Platforms:

✅ Booking.com

• Advantages: Reliable, widely known, easy to use, and trustworthy.
• Disadvantages: In Asia, the same hotel is often more expensive on Booking.com compared to Agoda.

✅ Agoda

• Advantages: Cheaper accommodation than on other platforms.
• Disadvantages: Complicated and confusing interface, unclear final price, and the so-called cashback (meaning you pay more at the time of booking, and the difference is refunded after a few days).

✅ Trivago & Google Maps

• These platforms are mainly for comparison and navigation. Google Maps helps us with orientation and finding the hotel's location, while Trivago helps us compare prices.

Best Places to Stay in Bangkok

It's best to stay in the city center because prices are relatively similar across Bangkok, and you'll have easy access to everything you need.

We stayed at NAT 2 Guesthouse - Book: HERE , which had a perfect location. The price per night is 400–500 THB (€11–€14), depending on whether you book directly at the reception, through Agoda, or through Booking.com. It's hard to say which option is the cheapest, but booking directly at the reception is often the best deal.

The hotel is located in a quiet alley, but within 5 minutes of walking you'll reach the famous Khaosan Road. This street is absolutely wild — you'll find everything here: grilled scorpions, spiders, cockroaches, caterpillars, and of course, more common dishes as well.

They also sell cheap clothes, marijuana (which is legal in Thailand and available on nearly every corner), and there are bars all along the street. Every bar tries to attract people with different promotions, and Happy Hours usually last until 10:00 PM — but we found an even better and more budget-friendly option.

At the end of the street, there's a CJ Supermarket where you can still be part of the action while drinking a beer at half the price (60 THB for a 620 ml beer = €1.70).

Khaosan Road is wild fun, but if you've had enough of the chaos and still want to stay out, head to the side street Thanon Rambuttri via Happy Bar (the signs will guide you). This street also has bars, but it's much more relaxed. Happy Bar itself is a great experience — it offers live music every evening, a wide variety of drinks, and cool design. However, it can be hard to find a seat. If you go early (around 8:00 PM), you'll likely get a spot — but the atmosphere really picks up around midnight.

Places Worth Visiting in Bangkok:

Several well-known attractions are within walking distance of our accommodation, and we highly recommend visiting them:

1. The Grand Palace

A massive historic complex that served as the official residence of the Thai kings. It includes Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), which houses the most valuable Buddha statue — the Emerald Buddha.

• Entrance fee: 500 THB (~€14), which can be purchased directly at the ticket window or from a machine.
• Opening hours: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM.
• We recommend visiting in the morning as the complex is quite large — you'll need around 2–4 hours to explore it, depending on your pace. Plus, there are fewer people in the morning.
• The entrance is easy to find, but note that it's across the street, and you'll need to enter through an underpass.

Dress Code: It's essential to wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees, and avoid deep necklines. This applies to both men and women! While not everyone follows this rule strictly, it's respectful to adhere to it. You must also remove your shoes and any head coverings before entering Wat Phra Kaew.

👉 Tip: I always bring socks with me because I don't like being completely barefoot!

• Your ticket also includes entry to the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles (located near the exit). The museum tour takes around 30 minutes (again, depending on your pace).
• A pleasant surprise included with the ticket is a traditional Thai masked dance performance called Khon at the Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre.

👉 Heads up: The performance takes place only on weekdays.

• Showtimes: 1:00 PM, 2:30 PM, and 4:00 PM.
• A shuttle bus runs about 40 minutes before each performance, departing every 5–10 minutes.
• The show lasts approximately 30 minutes and gives you a taste of Thai culture — it was a lovely surprise!

👉 Tip: Near the theatre is The Old Siam Plaza shopping center, where you can find delicious and affordable food (around 40 THB = €1.10). The food court is on the upper floor, and you'll need to exchange cash for a card, which you then use to "pay" for food at your chosen vendor.

2. Wat Arun

An iconic temple in Bangkok known for its 70-meter-high slender tower decorated with porcelain mosaics. It sits on the banks of the Chao Phraya River and is best visited at sunset.

• The best sunset view is from the Wat Pho Pier, where the temple is beautifully illuminated by the setting sun and the sky displays stunning colors.
• Even though it can get crowded, the view remains unique, and the atmosphere is truly special — the most beautiful sunset in Bangkok!

3. Democracy Monument

An important historical and political landmark built in 1939, symbolizing Thailand's transition to a constitutional monarchy. It's also a common site for political gatherings.

• You'll likely pass by it on the way to the Grand Palace since it's located in the middle of the road.
• At night, the monument is beautifully illuminated.

4. Chinatown

Bangkok's Chinatown is quite large and becomes very lively in the evening with a bustling mix of people, scooters, and cars.

• You can enjoy cheap street food and soak in the vibrant atmosphere.
• There's a huge variety of food options — from traditional Thai dishes to Chinese specialties.

5. Lumphini Park

Take a walk along the river — if you're lucky, you might spot a monitor lizard!

• If you really want to see many monitor lizard, head to Lumphini Park.
• This peaceful park is located about 40 minutes by bus from the city center.
• It's a great spot to relax and escape the chaos of the city.

Outside of Bangkok's City Center — A Whole Different World

We ventured out to Happy Land, but honestly… we weren't very happy there.

Our Airbnb accommodation was a disaster. We were eaten alive by mosquitoes all night, the toilet seat wasn't even attached, and there was no sink — we had to brush our teeth in the shower. But on the bright side, we met a super friendly Thai guy named Thó.

Another proof that Asians have no concept of personal space or privacy — Thó would knock on our door and window, explaining everything to us in broken English until we finally gave in and went for a walk with him. He was genuinely sweet, and in the end, we grew to really like him.

We chose to stay in Happy Land mainly because of its proximity to the Siam Amazing Park (our sixth stop).

We're working on a separate article about this amusement park with rides and water slides, but here's a quick tip:

• It's cheaper to buy tickets online (you can save about 50%), and it's worth including the buffet option.
• Feel free to spend most of your time on the rides — the water park is relatively small.
• The park is a bit old, but if you enjoy amusement parks, it's definitely worth a visit!
• 👉 Tip: Don´t bring your own food or drinks, you will have to leave it on the table before the main gate (we were lucky and in the evening we found our things, where we left it).

After visiting the park, we returned to a great hotel — the same price as the Airbnb — called Happy Land Mansion - Book: HERE.

We definitely recommend this hotel if you need accommodation in this area. It comes with a fridge, coffee, water, and air conditioning, all for a very reasonable price.

How long to stay in Bangkok?

We recommend staying in Bangkok for 3 to 5 days, depending on your travel pace!

TIP: Bangkok is cheaper than the more southern destinations we've visited so far. 

Summary of Information about Thailand

✅ Cannabis is legal and available almost everywhere.
✅ On the streets of Bangkok, you can try scorpions, spiders, and larvae.
✅ Temples: Proper attire is required (shoulders and knees must be covered).
✅ Personal space: Thai people are friendly but don't really recognize the concept of personal space.
✅ In Thailand, it's currently the year 2568 according to the Buddhist calendar, and they have an Emperor.
✅ They drive on the left side of the road.
✅ Check your baggage allowance – Asian airlines have strict limits (7 kg for hand luggage and 15 kg for checked baggage).
✅ Avoid overpriced food at the airport and don't exchange large amounts of money due to the bad exchange rate.
✅ In Bangkok, it's better to use the metro instead of taxis.
✅ When buying an e-SIM, always check if it's compatible with your device.
✅ Street food prices: Around 40 THB (€1.10) per portion.

Transportation in Thailand

🚇 Bangkok Metro – The best way to get from the airport to the city.
🚖 Bolt and Grab – The best apps for cheap rides.
⛴️ Boat transport – A convenient alternative in Bangkok.
🚌 Buses – Cheap but slow.

Bonus Tips from DuoTravel Monkeys

🍜 7-Eleven is a lifesaver – You can find almost everything here: coffee, instant noodles, spaghetti, toasts (all hot, cheap, fast, and with utensils). You can even buy toilet paper (yes, even a single roll!), laundry detergent, and other travel essentials. They also sell SIM cards for 190 THB — we didn't know and got ours from AIS for 250 THB (still happy with it).

💰 CASH – Always carry cash in Thailand! Very few places accept card payments.
💳 Withdraw large amounts – Thai ATMs charge 220 THB (€6) per withdrawal.

🍺 Alcohol sales ban – Alcohol sales are prohibited in stores from 2 PM to 5 PM and after midnight.
👉 Alcohol is also not sold during Buddhist holidays and elections.

Use Revolut – It's an online bank, and opening an account is free — link to create an account is HERE (if you have any questions, feel free to message us!).

✔️ Good exchange rates – No hidden fees, better rates than exchange offices.
✔️ Security – You can instantly block your card through the app and set limits.
✔️ Free ATM withdrawals – Up to a certain limit per month.
✔️ Easy payments – Works anywhere that accepts Visa/Mastercard, plus Apple Pay and Google Pay.
✔️ Virtual cards – Protection against online scams.
✔️ Fast transfers – Instantly send money to friends without fees.

We're off to explore Southern Thailand by train – We're writing this article from Surat Thani! Follow our Instagram @duotravelmonkeys where we post daily videos.

If you want to know more about Thailand, check out our services – we can plan a trip for you directly from Thailand or even send you Thai products at introductory prices!

👉 Book your activities through our GetYourGuide links and enjoy Bangkok stress-free!