Bangkok

5 of its 83 Notes

• Bangkok: the "VIP" bus from a travel agentPrivate "VIP" buses sold through backpacker-area agents can turn into three or four changes of minibus, and a 10-hour trip can take 17; Wikivoyage also reports thefts from luggage on them. Buy tickets for the government Transport Co. buses at the main bus terminals instead - more travel to the station, fewer surprises.TransportScamScamsBy Maya
• Bangkok: "the Grand Palace is closed today"A friendly, well-dressed stranger near the Grand Palace or another big sight says it is closed for a ceremony or a holiday, and suggests a cheap tuk-tuk tour instead - which ends at gem and tailor shops that pay the driver. Sometimes a second "official" repeats the story. It is almost always open: walk on to the ticket window and see. The official site royalgrandpalace.th lists hours (8:30 to 16:30, last tickets 15:30, 500 baht, as of 2026) and the rare closure days.AttractionScamScamsBy Maya
• Bangkok: taxi that won't use the meterTaxis waiting at tourist spots switch the meter off and name a price several times the fare. Hail a moving taxi on the main road, or walk a few minutes away from the sight; say "meter" ("mee-TOE") before getting in, and if the driver refuses, wait for the next one. Grab and Bolt show the price up front. At Suvarnabhumi airport ignore the touts in the arrival hall and use the official taxi queue on the first floor, keeping the slip it gives you.TransportScamScamsBy Maya
• Bangkok: the 10-baht tuk-tuk tour and the gem shopA tuk-tuk offers an all-day city tour for 10 or 20 baht. The stops are gem and souvenir shops; the driver gets a commission if you buy, and fuel coupons even if you don't. The "gems" sold as an investment are worth a fraction of the price. Take a metered taxi or Grab between sights. If you were caught, Wikivoyage says to call the Tourist Police on 1155 and go back to the shop with them.ShoppingTransportScamScamsBy Maya
• Scholars of Sustenance (SOS), BangkokFood rescue charity working since 2016: it collects surplus food from hotels, restaurants and shops seven days a week and delivers it to communities in need - about 85 million meals since 2017. Donate or ask about helping via scholarsofsustenance.org; office on Lan Luang Road, +66 62 675 0004.Food bankDonateVolunteerVolunteeringBy Maya