Bangkok is huge, humid, and gloriously distracting. It’s easy to cram five neighborhoods into one day, chase every “must-eat,” and end up wilted by 3 p.m. I plan this city like a local commute: cluster sights by river / Siam–Ratchaprasong / Asok–Phrom Phong, move mostly by train and boats, and layer in cool-down stops so I actually enjoy the day. Below are the mistakes I see constantly, and exactly what I do instead.
1) Over-scheduling your days
The mistake: Trying to do Grand Palace, Wat Pho, ICONSIAM, BACC, and Chinatown in one go. You’ll spend more time in traffic than at the sights.
What I do instead: I pick one zone per half-day. For example:
Old Town / Riverside (Grand Palace → Wat Pho → lunch → boat or riverside mall)
Siam–Ratchaprasong (BACC → Siam Discovery/Centre/Paragon via skywalk → CentralWorld)
Asok–Phrom Phong (Terminal 21 → EmQuartier/Emporium)
The Siam cluster is joined by elevated skywalks that keep you moving above the rain and traffic—Siam Piwat’s official notes list BACC, National Stadium, MBK, Siam Discovery/Centre and both BTS stations as connected, which is exactly why I group them together.
2) Zig-zagging across town at the worst times
The mistake: Midday taxi between distant zones “because it’s only 6 km.” In Bangkok’s heat and traffic, 6 km can be 60 minutes.
What I do instead: I ride BTS/MRT for the long legs and use Grab or a short tuk-tuk only for the “last 800 meters.” The BTS publishes service timetables (and trains run early to late), while the MRT Blue Line runs roughly 05:30/06:00 to midnight depending on day, perfect coverage for sightseeing and dinners.
Bonus: When I’m in the Siam–Chit Lom–Pratunam triangle, I use the Ratchaprasong/ONESIAM skywalks to walk mall-to-mall and over to Platinum without touching the street. It’s faster, drier, and cooler.
3) Ignoring the river boats (and paying for slow taxis)
The mistake: Treating the Chao Phraya like a backdrop, not a transit line.
What I do instead: I use the Chao Phraya Express (Orange flag) between Old Town piers and Sathorn (for BTS), and the free ASIATIQUE shuttle for a cheap sunset ride. The Express Boat publishes updated timetables and flat fares (Orange line Nonthaburi - Rajsingkorn; fare listed as THB 16 on the operator’s site), and ASIATIQUE confirms the shuttle runs daily 16:00–23:30 about every 25–30 minutes.
Pro tip: If it’s thundering, I swap boats for BTS/MRT and a short Grab. (Riverside shows like ICONSIAM’s fountain run 19:00 / 20:00 / 21:00 and are easy to watch from under cover if the rain lingers.)
4) Falling for the “Grand Palace is closed” tuk-tuk routine
The mistake: A “helpful local” says the Palace or Wat Pho is closed and ushers you to a tuk-tuk for a cheap “city tour”… that detours to tailors and gem shops.
What I do instead: I walk to the correct gate anyway and check the Palace’s official site for hours and dress code. If anyone says “closed,” I treat it as noise. The U.S. Embassy even lists common scams (gems, fake closures) to watch for. Bottom line: temples are rarely closed without a clear official notice.
5) Dress-code misses at temples
The mistake: Sleeveless tops, short shorts, or see-through fabrics at the Grand Palace, then losing an hour buying emergency pants.
What I do instead: I dress to the Palace standard: covered shoulders, no shorts / mini skirts / tight or torn pants, no see-through tops. It’s strict because the Palace is a place of reverence; the rules are posted clearly by the Palace itself. For most other temples I still cover shoulders and knees to be respectful.
6) Heat management: underestimating Bangkok’s “oven hours”
The mistake: Outdoor marathons from 11:00–15:00.
What I do instead: I front-load air-conditioned anchors: museums/indoor markets midday, parks and temple exteriors at sunrise or after 16:30. For the river, I ride boats late afternoon and time a riverside dinner. I also build in mall cool-downs via the skywalks around Siam (Paragon/Discovery/CentralWorld) so I never melt between stops.
7) Not budgeting for alcohol sale windows
The mistake: Planning a noon convenience-store beer or a 3 p.m. wine run and finding shutters down.
What I do instead: I remember Thailand’s retail alcohol sale windows: 11:00–14:00 and 17:00–24:00 (with new 2025 exemptions for airports, hotels and licensed nightlife venues).
Outside those windows, most shops won’t sell, plan dinners and pre-drinks accordingly.
8) Thinking vapes are fine “because everybody does it”
The mistake: Bringing an e-cig into Thailand or vaping in public “discreetly.”
What to do instead: Leave all vape gear at home. Thailand has banned import/sale/possession of e-cigs for years, and 2025 saw a renewed crackdown across police and customs channels. Don’t risk fines, confiscation, or worse at the airport.
9) Taking taxis without a plan (or a meter)
The mistake: Hopping in a cab at rush hour, accepting a flat fare, then overpaying in traffic.
What I do instead: I ask for the meter or use Grab/Bolt so the route is tracked and priced up front. If I do hail a taxi, I expect the updated per-km meter bands (Bangkok raised them - e.g., 6.50 THB/km in the early band) and know there’s a small airport surcharge plus tollway fees if I choose the expressway. Trains for long legs; taxis only for the last bit.
10) Skipping simple safety & etiquette
The mistake: Worrying about violent crime but forgetting the little things.
What I do instead: Bangkok feels busy and safe, but I still keep a cross-body bag zipped, watch my drink, and avoid letting strangers “guide” me to shops or tour agencies. At temples: shoes off where posted, shoulders/knees covered, and no drones at the Palace (clearly stated by the Palace). On transit: offer seats to monks/elders and keep voices low.
My first-timer, no-stress 3-day flow (copy this and tweak)
Day 1 – Old Town & River: Grand Palace → Wat Pho → lunch → Orange-flag boat to Sathorn → BTS or free ASIATIQUE shuttle for sunset boardwalk and dinner. (Shuttle 16:00–23:30, ~every 25–30 min.)
Day 2 – Siam to Ratchaprasong (all skywalks): BACC (free modern art) → Siam Discovery/Centre/Paragon → CentralWorld. If it pours, you never touch the street thanks to the ONESIAM/Ratchaprasong walkways.
Day 3 – Asok/Phrom Phong: Terminal 21 food court lunch → BTS one stop to Phrom Phong → Emporium/EmQuartier for coffee/cinema and indoor cool-down. (All directly connected to BTS.)
FAQ that saves time (and money)
What are real Grand Palace hours/dress?
Check the official Palace page for dress; plan a morning visit to beat heat. Ignore anyone outside saying “closed.” Royal Grand Palace
Best cheap cross-town move at rush hour?
BTS/MRT first, then Grab for the last mile. Blue Line runs to midnight most days; plan dinner near a station and train home. Wikipedia
Can I drink at 3 p.m.?
Retail alcohol sales pause 14:00–17:00 (with 2025 exemptions for airports/hotels/entertainment venues). Buy during allowed windows or order later at dinner. nationthailand
Are boats worth it if I’m short on time?
Yes—Orange-flag Express connects Old Town piers to Sathorn for BTS; it’s often faster (and breezier) than taxis at rush hour. เรือด่วนเจ้าพระยา
Is vaping really illegal?
Yes. Don’t bring it. The government reiterated enforcement in 2025; customs and police continue seizures and fines. Thailand Government Portal
Pin this for later
