My Bangkok experience : Do and Don'ts

Although it was not my first time in Thailand but I don't remember it being so difficult to communicate or wanting to go somewhere not to mention expensive. Well the expensive part would most likely be partly due to the fact that I was travelling alone in metered taxis but its really true that you won't want to trust a tuk-tuk =_=

Do :

- Try to at least have basic conversation notes in Thai, my notes was mostly based on numbers for shopping purposes but it was not really enough
- Insist on taking metered taxis because tuk-tuk although seems to be a cheaper alternative might charge you more expensive ...
- Always have a map and there are plenty of free maps starting from the ones you can get from the airport :)
- Tolled roads are usually the better option but if possible have your GPS with you
- Try to bargain on the price of the item(s) which you want to buy, check out Platinum mall and Pratunam mall
- Try to get your budget hotel to be nearer to a BTS station OR live in the area which you want to go around eg Pratunam for all the shopping malls
- Bring a fan to cool you down when you do your exploring, especially Chatuchak
- Try out the foods which are native to Thailand eg tomyamgung, pad thai, pork satays and etc :p
- Eat out at your convenient roadside stalls to get the real tastes of Thailand
- Have a good knowledge of the prices of the items which you think might be cheaper in Thailand as compared to your home country because some places, the prices are more expensive eg authentic Nike jerseys

Don't :

- Believe 100% what your taxi driver tells you
- Forget your sunblock!
- Be ashamed to ask your hotel attendants to help you explain to the taxi driver where you want to go
- Need to go Khao San Road
- Go up to the second floors of ANY show places in Patpong, you are guaranteed to be a lamb ie slaughtered
- Forget to grab your free water from the hotel before going out
- Expect that all high class hotel staff will understand full English

Well basically that is a summary of my experience in my very short stint in Bangkok. I would really love to go back again BUT this time, hopefully much better prepared.