First Time in Bangkok? Everything You Need to Know

Bangkok is a city that operates on sensory overload. The moment you step outside Suvarnabhumi Airport into the thick tropical air, you are entering one of the most exhilarating, chaotic, delicious, and overwhelming cities on Earth.

Towering glass skyscrapers stand next to crumbling shophouses draped in electrical cables. Monks in saffron robes walk past neon-lit go-go bars. A street vendor grills satay on a charcoal brazier while a luxury Mercedes idles in traffic three feet away.

The Chao Phraya River, brown and wide, carries long-tail boats past centuries-old temples while a rooftop bar sixty stories above serves cocktails at sunset. Bangkok contains multitudes, and it gives its best to visitors who arrive with some preparation, an open mind, and the willingness to sweat through a few hours of walking in tropical heat.

This guide covers everything a first-time visitor needs to know: the visa situation, how to actually get from the airport to your hotel without being ripped off, which neighborhood to base yourself in, the ten experiences you absolutely cannot miss, the cultural rules that will keep you out of trouble, and the scams that target newcomers every single day. Bangkok has been welcoming travelers for decades, and its tourism infrastructure is excellent — but the city rewards preparation and punishes ignorance in roughly equal measure.

Before You Go — Visa, Currency, and Connectivity

Visa and Entry Requirements

Thailand operates one of the most generous visa-exemption policies in Southeast Asia. Citizens of over 90 countries — including the US, UK, Australia, Canada, most EU nations, Japan, South Korea, and many others — can enter Thailand without a visa for up to 60 days (recently extended from the previous 30-day allowance).

You simply arrive at the airport, clear immigration, and receive a stamp in your passport. This 60-day exemption can be extended once at any Thai immigration office for an additional 30 days for a fee of THB 1,900, giving you up to 90 days total.

Your passport must have at least six months of validity remaining and at least one blank page. Immigration officers may ask for proof of onward travel (a flight out of Thailand) and proof of sufficient funds (THB 20,000 or equivalent per person), though these checks are rare for Western passport holders arriving by air.

If you plan to stay longer than 90 days or are from a country not on the exemption list, you will need to arrange a tourist visa through a Thai embassy or consulate before departure — the single-entry tourist visa (TR) costs approximately USD 40 and allows 60 days with the same 30-day extension option. The arrival process at Suvarnabhumi is well-organized, with automated passport gates available for some nationalities.

Budget 20-45 minutes for immigration during peak hours.

Currency and Money

The Thai baht (THB) trades at roughly 34-36 to 1 USD, making mental math relatively straightforward. Thailand is still significantly cash-based despite the growing acceptance of cards and mobile payments. Street food, tuk-tuks, market shopping, small restaurants, and most taxis operate on cash only.

Credit cards are accepted at hotels, shopping malls, upscale restaurants, and convenience stores (7-Eleven accepts cards for purchases over THB 300 at most locations). Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted; American Express less so.

ATMs are everywhere — look for purple Bangkok Bank, green Kasikorn Bank, or blue TMBThanachart machines. Be aware that Thai ATMs charge a flat THB 220 foreign card fee per withdrawal on top of whatever your home bank charges, which makes frequent small withdrawals expensive.

Withdraw the maximum amount each time (typically THB 20,000-30,000) to minimize fees. SuperRich, the green-fronted exchange chain with locations at both airports and throughout the city (Central World, Siam Paragon area), consistently offers the best exchange rates in Bangkok.

Avoid exchanging money at hotel front desks or airport arrival-hall booths, which offer significantly worse rates. The SuperRich counter at Suvarnabhumi arrivals is an exception — it offers good rates and is worth using on arrival for your first THB.

SIM Card and Connectivity

Purchase a Thai tourist SIM card at the airport immediately after clearing immigration. Both Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang have counters for all three major carriers right in the arrivals hall.

AIS (the largest network with the best coverage nationwide) and DTAC both offer tourist SIM packages starting at THB 299 for 8 days of unlimited data (with speed throttling after a generous high-speed allocation, typically 15-30 GB). TrueMove H is the third option and offers comparable packages.

For stays longer than a week, 15-day and 30-day packages are available at THB 599-899 with larger data allocations. You will need your passport for SIM registration, and the counter staff handle the entire setup — you walk away with a working phone in about five minutes.

Free WiFi is available at most hotels, restaurants, cafes, and shopping malls, but having mobile data is essential for navigation, ride-hailing apps (Grab is indispensable in Bangkok), and real-time transit information. Download the offline Google Maps for Bangkok before your trip as backup.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Bangkok is during the cool and dry season from November to February, when temperatures drop to a relatively comfortable 25-32°C with low humidity and virtually no rain. This is peak tourist season, so hotel prices rise and popular sites are busier, but the weather makes a dramatic difference to the experience of walking around a tropical city.

March to May is the hot season, when Bangkok becomes genuinely punishing — temperatures regularly hit 36-40°C with suffocating humidity, and the air quality deteriorates. April is the hottest month but also hosts Songkran (Thai New Year, April 13-15), the famous water festival that turns the entire city into a massive water fight and is one of the most joyful celebrations in the world.

The rainy season runs from June to October, with heavy afternoon downpours that are usually short and intense — an hour of spectacular rain followed by clearing skies. The city is less crowded, hotel prices drop significantly, and the rain provides welcome relief from the heat.

Bangkok is a year-round destination, but November through February is unquestionably the sweet spot.

Getting from the Airport to Your Hotel

From Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)

Suvarnabhumi is Bangkok's main international airport, located about 30 kilometers east of the city center. You have four primary options for getting to your hotel, and the right choice depends on where you are staying, how much luggage you have, and your comfort with navigating public transit on arrival.

The Airport Rail Link (ARL) is the fastest and cheapest option if your hotel is near a BTS Skytrain or MRT station. The ARL runs from the basement level of the airport to Makkasan station (where you can connect to the MRT Phetchaburi station) and Phaya Thai station (where you can connect to the BTS).

The journey to Phaya Thai takes about 30 minutes and costs just THB 45. Trains run every 10-15 minutes from 5:30 AM to midnight. Makkasan station is the better transfer point if you are headed to Sukhumvit, Silom, or anywhere on the MRT Blue Line.

Phaya Thai is better for BTS destinations along the Sukhumvit line. The ARL is clean, air-conditioned, and easy to navigate, but it involves stairs and walking with luggage at the transfer stations, which can be tiring after a long flight.

Metered taxis are available from Level 1 of the arrivals terminal — follow the signs to the official taxi stand, take a queue ticket, and you will be assigned a taxi. Always insist the driver uses the meter (say "meter, krap/ka").

The metered fare to central Bangkok is typically THB 200-300, but you also pay the THB 50 airport surcharge, any expressway tolls (THB 25-75 depending on the route — you pay these in cash at the tollbooths), so the total comes to approximately THB 300-400. The journey takes 30-60 minutes depending on traffic.

Rush hour (7-9 AM, 4-7 PM) can push this to 90 minutes or more. Grab (Southeast Asia's ride-hailing app) works at Suvarnabhumi — order from the app and meet your driver at the designated pickup point on Level 1.

Grab prices are typically THB 350-500 to central Bangkok, slightly more than a metered taxi but with the advantage of a fixed fare, GPS navigation, and cashless payment. Airport Express buses are the cheapest option at THB 60 per ride, running to various city center locations, but they are slow, infrequent, and impractical with heavy luggage.

From Don Mueang Airport (DMK)

Don Mueang serves most low-cost carriers (AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air) and is located north of the city center. The most practical budget option is the A1 bus, which runs from outside the arrivals hall to BTS Mo Chit station for just THB 30.

From Mo Chit, you can take the BTS Skytrain to anywhere on the Sukhumvit or Silom lines. The bus runs every 15-20 minutes from 7:30 AM to midnight and takes about 30 minutes in normal traffic.

The A2 bus continues south to Victory Monument for the same THB 30 fare. Metered taxis from Don Mueang work the same way as Suvarnabhumi — use the official taxi stand, insist on the meter, and expect to pay THB 200-350 to central Bangkok plus a THB 50 airport surcharge and tolls.

Grab works here too, with pickup at the designated point outside arrivals. Don Mueang is closer to the city than Suvarnabhumi in distance but the road connections are worse, so journey times are similar.

A rail link to Don Mueang has been under construction for years and may eventually connect the airport to the SRT Dark Red Line, but as of now the bus and taxi remain the only practical options.

Where to Stay — Neighborhood Guide

Sukhumvit (BTS Line) — The Expat and Tourist Hub

The Sukhumvit area, stretching along the BTS Sukhumvit line from Nana to Ekkamai, is Bangkok's most popular base for tourists and the city's primary expat district. The advantages are significant: excellent BTS access (meaning you can reach most attractions quickly), an enormous concentration of hotels at every price point, restaurants covering virtually every cuisine on Earth, rooftop bars, night markets, shopping malls (Terminal 21, EmQuartier, Emporium), and a generally walkable streetscape between the main sois (side streets).

Lower Sukhumvit (Sois 1-23, near BTS stations Nana and Asok) is the most central, with mid-range hotels from THB 1,200-2,500 per night and luxury options from THB 4,000-10,000+. Soi 11 is famous for its nightlife concentration.

Upper Sukhumvit (Phrom Phong to Ekkamai) is slightly quieter with a more residential feel, excellent dining, and marginally lower hotel prices. The downsides: Lower Sukhumvit includes Bangkok's red-light districts (Nana Plaza, Soi Cowboy), which some travelers find uncomfortable, and the area can feel more "international" than authentically Thai.

Traffic on Sukhumvit Road itself is horrendous at peak hours, though the BTS above solves this entirely. Best for: first-time visitors, solo travelers, couples, and anyone who values convenience and connectivity.

Silom and Sathorn — Business District with Character

Silom runs parallel to the BTS Silom line and combines Bangkok's financial district with excellent street food (the famous Silom Soi 20 night market), the frenetic Patpong night market, and a good selection of hotels. The area is well-connected via BTS (Sala Daeng, Chong Nonsi) and MRT (Silom, Lumphini) stations.

Lumphini Park, Bangkok's largest central green space, sits at the eastern end. Hotels range from THB 800-1,500 for budget options to THB 3,000-8,000 for business hotels and luxury properties. The Sathorn area just south offers more upscale accommodation and excellent riverside dining.

The downsides: Silom is a business district that quiets down on weekends, and the neighborhood lacks the tourist-oriented density of Sukhumvit. Best for: business travelers, those who want central location with slightly less tourist intensity, and visitors who plan to spend significant time along the Chao Phraya River.

Khao San Road Area — The Backpacker Legend

Khao San Road is Southeast Asia's most famous backpacker street, and it has been drawing budget travelers for over forty years. The area (Khao San Road itself plus the surrounding streets of Rambuttri, Soi Ram Buttri, and Phra Athit) offers the cheapest accommodation in central Bangkok: dormitory beds from THB 200-400, private rooms from THB 500-1,000, and budget hotels from THB 800-1,500.

The street comes alive at night with bars, street food vendors, massage shops, travel agencies, and a carnival atmosphere. The location is excellent for Bangkok's old town — the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun are all within walking distance or a short tuk-tuk ride.

The downsides are significant for non-backpackers: Khao San is loud, chaotic, and aggressively touristy. The accommodation quality is generally low for the price compared to what you can find on Sukhumvit.

There is no BTS or MRT station nearby, meaning taxis, tuk-tuks, or river boats are required to reach most other parts of the city. Best for: budget travelers, backpackers, and younger visitors who want to be in the middle of the action and near the old town attractions.

Riverside — Luxury and Heritage

The Chao Phraya River waterfront is home to some of Bangkok's finest luxury hotels — the Mandarin Oriental, Peninsula, Shangri-La, and newer properties like the Capella at the restored warehouse district of Charoen Krung. Staying on the river gives you a different perspective on Bangkok: the city's original waterway, still busy with long-tail boats, ferries, and express boats that connect river piers to BTS stations (Saphan Taksin) and old-town attractions.

The Asiatique night market, Chinatown (Yaowarat), and Wat Arun are all accessible by boat. Hotels start at around THB 2,500 for mid-range river-view properties and go up to THB 15,000+ for the legendary luxury names.

The downsides: the riverside is removed from the BTS/MRT network (though the Chao Phraya Express Boat connects to Saphan Taksin BTS), and reaching Sukhumvit or Siam requires a boat-plus-train combination. Restaurants and nightlife options outside the hotels are more limited.

Best for: luxury travelers, couples on special occasions, and visitors who want a quieter, more atmospheric Bangkok experience.

Top 10 Must-See Experiences

1. The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew — Bangkok's most spectacular landmark is a dazzling complex of temples, halls, and pavilions built in 1782 as the official residence of the Thai monarch.

The Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew) within the palace grounds houses Thailand's most sacred religious artifact — a 66-centimeter jade Buddha whose robes are changed by the King three times a year. Entry: THB 500 (includes entry to the palace, Wat Phra Kaew, and a number of additional halls).

The dress code is strictly enforced: long trousers or skirts below the knee, shoulders covered, closed-toe shoes preferred. Clothing can be borrowed free at the entrance if needed. Arrive at opening time (8:30 AM) to avoid the worst of the tour-group crowds.

Budget at least two hours.

2. Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha) — Home to the enormous 46-meter-long gold-plated reclining Buddha that is one of Bangkok's most iconic images. The temple complex is also the birthplace of traditional Thai massage, and you can receive a massage in the temple grounds from trained practitioners (THB 260 for 30 minutes of Thai massage, THB 420 for 60 minutes — among the best value massages in Bangkok).

Entry: THB 200. Wat Pho is directly adjacent to the Grand Palace and the two are easily combined in a single morning visit.

3. Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) — The tall Khmer-style prang (tower) on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River is Bangkok's most recognizable silhouette, decorated with thousands of pieces of Chinese porcelain and colored glass that shimmer in the sunlight.

Entry: THB 100. Cross the river from Wat Pho by taking the THB 4 ferry from Tha Tien pier. Despite its name, Wat Arun is actually most spectacular at sunset, when the tower glows gold and orange against the darkening sky.

Climb the steep central stairway to the middle level for river views.

4. Chatuchak Weekend Market — One of the largest markets in the world, Chatuchak sprawls across 35 acres with over 15,000 stalls selling everything from vintage clothing and handmade jewelry to antique furniture, live plants, and street food.

Open Saturday and Sunday from 9 AM to 6 PM (some sections open Friday evening). The market is divided into numbered sections — get a map at any information booth and pick your priorities, because covering the entire market in a single day is physically impossible.

Food courts and drink stalls are scattered throughout. BTS Mo Chit or MRT Chatuchak Park stations drop you right at the entrance. Free admission.

5. Chinatown (Yaowarat Road) — Bangkok's Chinatown is one of the most vibrant in the world and arguably the city's single best food destination. Yaowarat Road comes alive after dark, when street vendors set up tables on the sidewalks and cook everything from flaming pad thai and oyster omelets to grilled seafood platters and mango sticky rice.

The streets are narrow, loud, and packed — this is Bangkok at its most intense and delicious. The best approach is to arrive at MRT Wat Mangkon station around 6 PM and eat your way down Yaowarat Road.

Most dishes cost THB 50-150. Free to explore.

6. Jim Thompson House — The beautifully preserved traditional Thai teak house of the American silk entrepreneur who revived the Thai silk industry in the 1950s and then mysteriously disappeared in the Malaysian jungle in 1967.

The house is a stunning example of traditional Thai residential architecture, filled with Thompson's personal collection of Southeast Asian art and antiques, set in a lush tropical garden in the middle of the city. Entry: THB 200 (guided tour included, available in multiple languages).

BTS National Stadium station is a 5-minute walk away.

7. Lumphini Park — Bangkok's equivalent of Central Park, Lumphini is a 142-acre green oasis in the middle of the city where locals jog, practice tai chi, paddle swan boats on the lake, and picnic under ancient trees.

The park is also home to a large population of monitor lizards — prehistoric-looking creatures up to two meters long that sun themselves beside the lake and are completely harmless. Free admission.

Open 4:30 AM to 9 PM. The best time to visit is early morning (before 7 AM), when the park fills with exercisers, or late afternoon when the heat subsides. MRT Silom or Lumphini stations.

8. A Rooftop Bar at Sunset — Bangkok's rooftop bar scene is one of the best in the world, offering panoramic views of the city's skyline as the sun sets and the skyscrapers light up.

The most famous are Sky Bar at Lebua State Tower (featured in The Hangover II), Vertigo at the Banyan Tree, and Octave at the Marriott Sukhumvit. Expect cocktails priced at THB 350-600, dress codes (no shorts, no sandals, no sleeveless tops for men), and a minimum spend at some venues.

For a less expensive option with equally impressive views, try Brewski at the Radisson Blu or Above Eleven near BTS Nana. The sweet spot is arriving 30 minutes before sunset to watch the transition from day to night.

9. Floating Markets — While many of Bangkok's floating markets have become tourist-oriented, they remain a fascinating window into the canal-based trading culture that defined Bangkok before the roads were built. Damnoen Saduak (about 100 km from Bangkok) is the most famous but also the most crowded and touristy.

A better option is Amphawa Floating Market (about 90 km away), which is more popular with Thais and operates Friday through Sunday evenings with excellent seafood. Closer to the city, Taling Chan Floating Market operates on weekends and is reachable by taxi in 30 minutes.

Day trips to Damnoen Saduak or Amphawa cost THB 800-1,500 per person through tour operators or can be arranged independently for less.

10. Thai Cooking Class — Learning to cook Thai food in Bangkok is one of the most rewarding half-day experiences available. Dozens of cooking schools operate throughout the city, typically including a visit to a local market to buy ingredients, followed by hands-on instruction in preparing four to six dishes — usually including pad thai, green curry, tom yum soup, and mango sticky rice.

Prices range from THB 1,000-2,500 per person depending on the school and the number of dishes. Silom Thai Cooking School, Baipai Thai Cooking School, and Cooking with Poo (a community-based school in the Klong Toey neighborhood) are all highly rated.

Book at least a day in advance as popular classes fill up.

Etiquette — Staying Out of Trouble

The Monarchy

Thailand's lèse-majesté laws are among the strictest in the world. Any criticism, mockery, or disrespectful comment about the King, Queen, or any member of the royal family is a criminal offense punishable by up to 15 years in prison per offense.

This is not a theoretical risk — people are prosecuted and imprisoned, including foreigners. Do not make jokes about the monarchy. Do not share memes or social media posts that could be interpreted as critical of the royal family.

Stand respectfully when the royal anthem is played before movies in cinemas and at certain public events. If you see a Thai banknote or coin on the ground, do not step on it to stop it blowing away — Thai currency features an image of the King, and stepping on it is considered deeply disrespectful.

This is the single most important cultural rule for visitors to Thailand, and ignorance is not accepted as an excuse by the courts.

Temple Etiquette

Remove your shoes before entering any temple building (the main prayer hall, or ubosot). This is non-negotiable and applies to every Buddhist temple in Thailand. Shoes can be left on the steps or on shoe racks provided.

Dress modestly: cover your shoulders and knees. At major temples like the Grand Palace, the dress code is strictly enforced with inspections at the gate. At smaller neighborhood temples, the expectation is the same even if no one is checking.

Inside the temple, sit with your feet tucked behind you — never point your feet toward the Buddha image, as feet are considered the lowest and most unclean part of the body in Thai culture. Women should never touch a monk or hand anything directly to a monk; place any offering on a cloth or surface where the monk can pick it up.

Avoid pointing at Buddha images with a single finger — use an open hand with palm upward if you need to indicate something.

The Head, Feet, and the Wai

In Thai culture, the head is the most sacred part of the body, and the feet are the lowest. Never touch anyone's head, including children — what might be an affectionate gesture in Western culture is offensive in Thailand. Conversely, never point your feet at people, Buddha images, or food.

Avoid stepping over someone who is sitting on the ground. The traditional Thai greeting is the wai — a prayer-like gesture where you press your palms together at chest level and bow your head slightly.

As a visitor, you are not expected to initiate wais, but you should return them when offered. Do not wai to children, service staff, or vendors — the wai follows a social hierarchy, and wai-ing someone of lower social status creates awkwardness.

When in doubt, a smile and a slight nod of the head is always appropriate.

Dress Code for the Grand Palace

The Grand Palace enforces the strictest dress code of any tourist attraction in Bangkok. Men must wear long trousers (no shorts of any length), shirts with sleeves (no tank tops or vests), and closed-toe shoes (no flip-flops or sandals).

Women must cover shoulders and knees — long skirts or trousers, a top with sleeves. Sheer or see-through clothing is rejected. Ripped jeans are rejected.

Extremely tight clothing may be rejected. If you arrive underdressed, free loaner garments are available at the entrance (you leave your passport as deposit), but the selection is limited and not particularly comfortable.

The simplest approach: wear light cotton trousers and a collared shirt or blouse, and you will pass every dress code at every temple in Bangkok.

Safety — Common Scams and How to Avoid Them

The Tuk-Tuk Gem Shop Scam

This is Bangkok's most persistent and well-organized scam, operating continuously for over thirty years. Here is how it works: a friendly, well-dressed Thai person approaches you near a tourist attraction (the Grand Palace and Khao San Road are hotspots) and strikes up a conversation.

They mention that today is a special "government sale" or "factory clearance" at a jewelry shop, or that a certain temple has a special ceremony happening today that is not in any guidebook. They offer to arrange a tuk-tuk to take you there for an absurdly low price (THB 20-40 for a journey that should cost THB 200+).

The tuk-tuk driver takes you on a circuitous route that always includes a stop at a gem shop or tailor, where you are pressured into buying overpriced, low-quality goods with promises of resale value or export profit. The gems are worth a fraction of what you pay.

The entire operation — the friendly stranger, the tuk-tuk driver, and the shop — is coordinated, and they split the commission on your purchase. The rule is simple: never accept unsolicited offers of cheap transport from strangers near tourist sites.

If someone tells you a temple is closed today and suggests an alternative, the temple is open. Walk away and go to the temple yourself.

The "Temple Closed Today" Scam

A variation of the above: you approach the Grand Palace or another major temple, and a person in official-looking clothing (sometimes even wearing something resembling a uniform) tells you the temple is closed for a ceremony, a holiday, or a royal visit. They then helpfully suggest an alternative temple or activity and arrange a tuk-tuk.

The temple is not closed. This scam operates daily at the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and other major sites. Ignore anyone who tells you a temple is closed and walk to the entrance yourself.

If the temple is actually closed (which is rare and usually only for genuine royal events), the official website will state this and the gates will be physically shut.

Jet Ski and Equipment Damage Scams

This scam is more common in Pattaya and the islands but can occur anywhere tourists rent equipment (jet skis, motorbikes, kayaks). You rent the equipment, return it undamaged, and the operator claims you caused damage to a part of the machine you cannot easily see (the underside of a jet ski, for example) and demands thousands of baht in compensation, sometimes with threatening behavior.

Prevention: photograph and video everything before renting, from every angle, noting any existing damage. If a dispute occurs, insist on involving the tourist police (dial 1155), who are specifically trained for tourist-related disputes and will generally be fair.

Taxi Meter Refusal

Bangkok taxis are legally required to use their meters. The flag-fall is THB 35, and fares are very reasonable — a 30-minute ride across the city rarely exceeds THB 150-200 by meter.

However, some taxi drivers, particularly around tourist areas, will refuse to turn on the meter and quote a flat fare that is two to five times the metered rate. The solution: if the driver says "no meter" or quotes a price, politely decline, close the door, and hail the next taxi.

It rarely takes more than two attempts to find a driver willing to use the meter. Alternatively, use Grab, which provides a fixed fare calculated by the app with GPS tracking.

Essential Apps for Bangkok

Grab — The most important app you will use in Bangkok. Grab is Southeast Asia's dominant ride-hailing platform, and it eliminates the taxi-meter hassle entirely. Fares are calculated in advance by the app, payment can be made by cash or card, and the driver's route is GPS-tracked.

Grab also offers motorbike taxis (GrabBike), food delivery (GrabFood), and package delivery. Download and set it up with your phone number before you arrive.

LINE — Thailand's dominant messaging app, far more popular than WhatsApp in the country. Hotels, tour operators, restaurants, and service providers communicate via LINE. Having the app installed allows you to contact businesses, receive booking confirmations, and communicate with drivers and guides.

Many Thai businesses list a LINE ID instead of a phone number on their websites.

Google Maps — Essential for navigation in Bangkok, where the street numbering system (sois branching off main roads with sub-numbers) can be confusing. Google Maps has excellent coverage of Bangkok's transit system, including BTS, MRT, bus routes, and Chao Phraya Express Boat piers.

The real-time traffic feature is invaluable for estimating taxi journey times. Download the offline map of Bangkok before your trip.

Wongnai — Thailand's equivalent of Yelp, and the best app for finding restaurants, street food stalls, and cafes with genuine Thai user reviews. While Google Maps reviews skew toward tourist-oriented restaurants, Wongnai reviews come predominantly from Thai users, making it the best tool for finding the kind of food Thais actually eat — which is almost always better and cheaper than tourist-oriented alternatives.

The app is in Thai, but Google Translate's camera feature can handle the text.