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First Hour In BANGKOK – 15 Worst Mistakes To Avoid

ByVisitorInfo

  • 🛬 Airport Confusion — Bangkok has two main airports: Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Mueang (DMK). Many travelers mix them up, so always check your ticket.
  • 🛂 Immigration Errors — Be ready with answers about length of stay, itinerary, and hotel. Never mention work or study when on a tourist visa. Prescription narcotics require special permits from Thai FDA.
  • 💵 Currency Exchange Mistakes — Don’t buy Thai baht in your home country. At the airport, skip arrival hall counters and head to the basement exchange booths (Happy Rich, Kasikorn, Super Rich) for better rates. Bring large denomination bills for best deals.
  • 🏧 ATM Missteps* — Thai ATMs charge 200 THB per withdrawal. Avoid small withdrawals, always choose local currency to dodge Dynamic Currency Conversion. Consider travel debit/credit cards with fee reimbursements.
  • 📱 SIM Card Pitfalls — Don’t bring a locked phone. Options: eSIM (Airalo) before travel, tourist SIMs at the airport (AIS/True, 8/15/30-day plans), or cheaper prepaid SIMs from mall shops for long stays.
  • 🍜 Food Options — Avoid overpriced restaurants in the arrival hall. For affordable authentic meals, head to the Magic Food Point food court.
  • 🚕 Transport Scams — Taxis charge the meter rate + 50 THB airport surcharge. Watch for scams: drivers refusing meters, taking longer routes, or swapping bills. Keep small notes. Ride-hailing apps like Grab or Bolt are safer alternatives.
  • 🚆 Airport Rail Link — Cheap (35–45 THB), fast, and connects to BTS and MRT. Operates 6 AM–midnight.
  • 🚌 Connections to DMK or Pattaya — Free shuttle bus between airports with proof of flight. Buses also available to Pattaya, Hua Hin, Koh Chang, and Koh Kood directly from arrivals.
  • 🚨 Scams at the Airport — Beware of strangers asking to see your money (“currency scam”) or pretending to be stranded travelers asking for cash. Report issues to Tourist Police (1155).

Insights

  • 200 THB: ATM withdrawal fee, showing why larger withdrawals are smarter.
  • 20,000 USD / 10,000 USD: Thailand’s vs. Western countries’ undeclared cash limits.
  • 35–45 THB: Cost of Airport Rail Link tickets — much cheaper than taxis.
  • 50 THB surcharge: Standard airport taxi extra fee.
  • 6 AM–midnight: Airport Rail Link operating hours, crucial for late arrivals.

* Schwab debit cards: Schwab will refund ATM fees with no foreign transaction fees

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