Thailand has been making front page news for all the wrong reasons in the past few years. Summarizing everything in one breath: yellow shirts shut down the airport, red shirts seizing the city centre, the flood, the terrorist in Sukhumvit, then the bombing down south at Hat Yai...can the list be any longer? However, the city itself does feel safer than what CNN often show on your TV. My mom gets really worried when she knows I'm on a business trip to Bangkok. I must say, I feel safer in Bangkok than in KL city. You know how in KL we are always reminded of snatch thieves, men on motorbikes, don't leave your wallets on the table, don't walk to the car park alone, look out for the white van next to your car, even at traffic lights your car window gets smashed. Well, in Bangkok snatch thief is not that rampant. I don't find the need to be hugging my handbag and looking out for suspicious people. As long as you keep yourself out of those dark lanes you should be safe.
2. If you buy a designer bag here, it's imitation!
I really hate it when I go home wearing something new, my friends ask where is it from? Upon saying "Bangkok", you get the "oohhhh..." and that smirk on the face. Bangkok is full of designer stores. There's plenty of malls selling genuine goods which are bloody high class like your 1st world country back at home. Siam Paragon, Central World, Terminal 21, Emporium...you get my point. Stop thinking everything bought from Bangkok is from the streets and cost only 200 bht. Stop thinking there is no genuine goods here.
3. Everything is dirt cheap
Don't buy electronics. Or designer clothes, especially imported ones. I'm speculating it's either the VAT or import tax. But I find the things more expensive than any other Asian countries I've been to. I paid at least 20% more for a video cam which I bought from the Bangkok duty free at the airport. Even the smaller handphone stores in places like MBK doesn't offer a very good price. It almost cost the same if I go to Apple's online store in Singapore or Malaysia. So on your next visit, strike off electronics on your shopping list. (However, phone and iPad accessories in MBK is a good bargain)
I once visited Bangkok with a friend who avoids tuk tuk as if they are some big time scammers out there to squeeze every dollar out of you. I think the fear is over exaggerated. Though yes, there are some who over charge, or bring you on a detour to some gem store. Well, my advise is just be smart. Preferably, hail down a tuk tuk instead of taking those waiting on the street side. If you take tuk tuks from popular tourist places like Siam Paragon, they will charge you 100 to 200 bht for a short ride (which would normally cost 60 bht). If the price is not right, just walk away. There is no need to swear off the experience of tuk tuk just because you think they will cheat that 100 bht off you. C'mon, it's Bangkok. The experience is incomplete without riding on a tuk tuk! Places where tuk tuks are less likely to cheat you are in Khao San, or the Grand Palace - but...please haggle. Never pay more than 100 bht. For short distances, you can go as low as 50bht.
5. The floating market is beaaauuuutiful like shown in the postcards
First of all, there are so many floating markets around Thailand. The ones that a local tour guide or a hired taxi suggest to you is gonna be really touristy and disappointing. I've been to Damnoen and I felt the entire market is like a cultural show put on a stage. You get 100 foreigners with their big gun Canons over the bridge all trying to replicate that same postcard perfect shot of the Thai style canoe with the colourful fruits. Yes, it is beautiful, but let me tell you behind the scene, right next to that culturally perfect photo opportunity are hordes of tourists and tourist peddlers you try so hard to frame out of your shot. To give the floating market justice, there are some which are less known to international tourists which still manage to keep its authenticity and give you a really different experience from what Bangkok city offers. My favourite is Amphawa. You'll find mostly local Thais frequenting this market instead of foreigners. I'll spill more details on another post ;) cheers.
