|
|
Helpful Information for the Visitor
Home » Thailand » Bangkok Overview and History » Helpful Information for the VisitorThe Thai people are some of the friendliest in the world. An important cultural value is having fun and not being anxious or uptight about things. The word “Thai” means “free” and the country is known as the “Land of Smiles.” Thai people will greet you with a “wai” instead of a handshake and say “sawasdee,” which means “hello”. Thais have a deep love for their monarchy. Any comment considered disrespectful can get a Thai citizen in big trouble. Visitors to the Kingdom would be very wise to show similar respect for the King and his family. In the same way, respect should be shown for the religious images and artifacts. Photography may be prohibited in some temples. Tourists have been known to be seriously reprimanded for such things as sitting on Buddha statues and so forth. While visiting the city, showing respect for the culture includes not pointing with or touching things with your feet, especially in temples and sacred areas. Women should avoid contact with the brightly colored monks that can be seen all over the city, and especially in the early morning hours collecting merit. The national anthem is played each day at eight in the morning and six in the evening. Many Thais stand still while the anthem is playing. The anthem is also played at the beginning of movies at the theatre. Thais stand still and enjoy the slide show honoring their King before the movie begins.
Bangkok is generally a safe city. Petty theft is far more common than violent crime. Be aware of con artists trying to scam you with great deals on jewelry or offering you tours for elevated prices. Getting help from your hotel concierge can enable you to know what’s reputable and what’s not. As far as health is concerned, Bangkok has some very nice and well equipped private hospitals with plenty of English speaking doctors. To avoid a possible trip to the hospital, avoid eating street food unless you have seen it cooked right in front of you (even then, you may be taking a risk!), drink lots of water as dehydration can be a problem in this hot climate, and finally be very careful in traffic, especially when crossing streets. Cars, motorcycles and buses may be the biggest safety threat. The visitor must remember that traffic drives on the opposite side of the road as the US, and this must be taken in to account when crossing the street.
http://www.bangkokmag.infothai.com/briefhistory
www.thaiairwaysmagazine.com
www.cia.gov
www.bangkok.com
www.tourismthailand.org
Related Bangkok Overview and History Articles