There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Bangkok each year. The main ones are listed below.
January 1: New Year's Day (national holiday) January or February: Chinese New Year (national holiday)In Bangkok, as in other Thai cities, a significant percentage of the population is of Chinese ancestry and the Chinese New Year is therefore celebrated on a grand scale. The streets of Chinatown are entirely given over to spectacular festivities, including concerts, dances, other entertainment and fireworks, with food stalls lining the sidewalks.
April 13–15 : Songkran (national holiday)The celebration of the Thai New Year is one of the most important festivals of the year in the country. Traditionally, it involves a purification ritual in which water is sprinkled on statues of the Buddha, and over the shoulders and hands of monks and elders, for good luck and good health in the New Year. More recently, perhaps encouraged by the fact that Songkran falls during the hottest time of the year in Thailand, the festival has evolved into a countrywide water-throwing extravaganza, thus washing away negativity for everyone, locals and tourist alike.
October 27: Ok Phansa (national holiday)This day marks the end of the Buddhist “lent”, the three-month rains retreat during which Buddhist monks remain in their monasteries to study and meditate, and introduces the Kathin period when new robes are offered to the monks by the population. In the streets of Bangkok, celebrations include religious processions with traditional music and dancing.
December 5 : His Majesty the King's Birthday (national holiday)Showing the deep respect the Thais have for King Rama IX, his birthday is celebrated with great pomp and enthusiasm. Government buildings and private homes are elaborately decorated for the occasion. In Bangkok, the area bordered by the Chitralada Palace, the National Assembly and the Grand Palace is the backdrop to a variety of events and festivities: open-air cinema and other outdoor entertainment, dance performances and concerts.Showing the deep respect the Thais have for King Rama IX, his birthday is celebrated with great pomp and enthusiasm. Government buildings and private homes are elaborately decorated for the occasion. In Bangkok, the area bordered by the Chitralada Palace, the National Assembly and the Grand Palace is the backdrop to a variety of events and festivities: open-air cinema and other outdoor entertainment, dance performances and concerts.
December 25 : Christmas (celebrated nationwide) December 31 : Western New Year's Eve (national holiday)On New Year's Eve, all of Bangkok gathers on the huge Sanam Luang Square. Festivities include concerts, fireworks displays, live shows etc.
| Month | Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Average Rains (MM) | Best Time to Travel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21/70 | 33/91 | 8/0.3 | Not the best period to go |
| February | 23/73 | 34/93 | 19/0.7 | Not the best period to go |
| March | 25/77 | 35/95 | 35/1.4 | Good period to go
|
| April | 26/79 | 36/97 | 57/2.2 | Good period to go
|
| May | 26/79 | 35/95 | 197/7.8 | Good period to go
|
| June | 25/77 | 34/93 | 159/6.3 | Good period to go
|
| July | 25/77 | 33/91 | 159/6.3 | Not the best period to go |
| August | 25/77 | 33/91 | 174/6.9 | Not the best period to go |
| September | 25/77 | 33/91 | 304/12.0 | Not the best period to go |
| October | 25/77 | 32/90 | 205/8.1 | Not the best period to go |
| November | 23/73 | 32/90 | 65/2.6 | Not the best period to go |
| December | 21/70 | 32/90 | 5/0.2 | Not the best period to go |
The Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport is located 25 kilometres (16 miles) east of the Thai capital, in Samut Prakan province.
Getting around Bangkok can be a challenge at times, due to its notorious traffic congestion and the hectic and chaotic pace of life in the city. Fortunately, there are many public transport options. Although the city is well known for its tuk-tuks and multicoloured taxis, there are other ways to get around Bangkok.
Bangkok has two mass transit rail networks, the BTS Skytrain (an elevated line) and the underground MRT. Both systems are clean, efficient, comfortable and air-conditioned. Fares are calculated by distance and range from THB 15 to THB 40. An unlimited 1-day pass is available for THB 120.
Bangkok's bus lines offer good coverage of the entire city centre. Fares range from THB 7 to THB 15 depending on the distance travelled and whether or not the buses are air-conditioned.
A motorized vehicle inspired by the traditional pulled rickshaw or cycle rickshaw, the tuk-tuk is a convenient and rather rustic way to get around Bangkok. Allow between THB 100 and THB 150 for a single ride.
These are covered pick-up trucks with rows of seats in the back that transport people along set routes and make stops by request. You just need to flag one down with a hand signal. When you would like to get off, tap on the window behind the driver and pay for the ride as you exit. Allow about THB 30 to THB 40 for a journey.
Taxis are plentiful in Bangkok. Some of these are metered taxis, while others propose fixed fares. The initial charge is between THB 35 and THB 50, including the first kilometre (0.6 miles), and then between THB 5 and THB 8.50 for each subsequent kilometre. Waiting time in traffic is charged at THB 1.30 per minute.
To avoid traffic congestion and get a break from Bangkok's frenetic pace, the city's maritime services are a great option. The Chao Phraya River winds through a labyrinth of khlongs (canals). Fares range from THB 10 to THB 29 for each trip on the Chao Phraya Express boats, the ferries and the traditional long-tail boats.
Upon your arrival in Bangkok, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organize your stay.
Bangkok Tourist Division (BTD)Offers practical information and useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).
The official website of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), provides a wealth of information on Bangkok.
Website: www.tourismethaifr.com/
The currency used in Thailand is the Baht (THB).
SAR 1 = THB 8.37
THB 1 = SAR 0.12
The above exchange rate is given for information because is variable.
See your doctor before you travel. It is recommended to take out health insurance covering medical expenses abroad and the costs of repatriation.
Visitors are required to declare any prescription medication being brought into the country and prior authorization may be necessary in some cases. If you need to take along prescription medications for your personal use, check with your nearest Thai embassy to make sure that your medications are allowed into Thailand.
Obtaining a booster vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio is recommended.
Vaccinations against typhoid fever as well as hepatitis A and B are also recommended.
For more information, contact Air France's international vaccination centre:
Standards of hygiene in restaurants are satisfactory overall. However, health inspections are not conducted at regular intervals. Exercise caution when eating food at local markets and street stalls.
WaterIt is recommended to drink bottled water.
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As a general rule, a visa is required to enter Thailand. However, Thailand has entered into visa exemption agreements with a number of countries. For further information, visit the website of the Thai Immigration Bureau:
https://www.immigration.go.th/index
To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in Bangkok, visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country.
Hello / Good morning / Good afternoon: Sawatdee kha (if you're a woman) / Sawatdee krab (if you're a man)
Good evening: Sawatdee kha (if you're a woman) / Sawatdee krab (if you're a man)
Goodbye: Lagon
Yes: Chaï
No: Maï
No, thank you: Maï kha, khob khun kha (if you're a woman) / Maï krab, khob khun krab (if you're a man)
Thank you very much: Khob khun maak kha (if you're a woman) / Khob khun maak krab (if you're a man)
doesn't exist in Thai, the female formal particle is "Kha", the male formal particle is "Krap"
I don't understand: Chan maï kao jai
Could you repeat ?: Khun phoud maï daï maï ?
What time is it?: Khi mong leaw kha / Khi mong leaw krab ?
Sorry: Koh tôte kha / Koh tôte krab
Airport: Sanambïn
Train station: Sathani rod faï (train station) / Sathani rod bus (bus station)
Taxi: Taxi
Hotel: Rong ram
Hospital: Rong Phayabaan
Bank: Thanakarn
Telephone: Tholasap
I'm (…): Chan chu (...)
I'm looking for (…): Chan haa (...)
How much is this?: Raka thao raï kha / krab?
Do you have (…)?: Khun me (...) maï kha/ Khun me (...) maï krab ?
Where can I find (…)?: Haa dai (...) thi naï kha/ Haa dai (...) thi naï krab ?
Where can I buy (…)?: Haa sue (...) thi naï kha/ Haa sue (...) thi naï krab ?
I'd like (…): Chan Yaak daï (...)
Tipping?
Tipping is not customary in Bangkok, although in the major hotels and in the areas of the city most visited by tourists this practice has become widespread. In restaurants and in tourist areas frequented by Westerners, many visitors leave an extra BHT 10 to 20 tip.
