Bangkok Travel Checklist. Before You Go, Packing List, Preparation

Essential Applications

Connectivity & Navigation

Grab
Required for ride-hailing and food delivery, widely popular and reliable.
Google Maps
Delivers excellent navigation, public transport routes, and walking directions.
NordVPN
A VPN service NordVPN for internet privacy and security while traveling.

Translation & Booking

Google Translate
Offers language translation, offline capabilities, and camera translation for signs or menus.
XE Currency
A practical app for real-time currency conversion.
Klook/GetYourGuide
Helpful for booking tours and activities in advance.

Useful Websites and Social Media

Official Tourism Sites

Visit thailandtourismdirectory.go.th or tourismthailand.org for official travel information, events, and destination guides.

Thailand Tourism Directory

Public Transport

Check bts.co.th for Skytrain maps and travel costs. Access mrta.co.th for Subway maps and operational details.

BTS Skytrain

Social Media

Follow local travel influencers, food bloggers, and official tourism accounts for recommendations. Search #BangkokTravel.

Specialized Applications

Local Communication

LINE is a common local messaging app, widely used by Thais.
HappyCow is a helpful source for finding vegetarian and vegan dining options.
English-language newspapers like Bangkok Post / The Nation offer local news and events.
Search for podcasts on Thai history, culture, and travel for insights.

International Booking Platforms

Agoda or Booking.com for accommodation reservations.
Rentalcars.com for obtaining car rentals, if needed for wider exploration.
TripAdvisor for hotel reviews and popular activities.
Online communities and forums (e.g., Reddit r/Thailand) offer peer advice.

Other Digital Aids

Food & Dining

Wongnai: A popular Thai app for eatery ratings and food discovery.
Most large establishments support A quick response code payments.
Mobile banking apps are frequently used for local transfers.
Utilizing local payment apps can simplify transactions.

Entertainment & Local Events

BK Magazine online portal details current events, nightlife, and dining.
Look for local cinema schedules for movie nights.
Art gallery websites often list exhibition openings.
Find information on live music venues through local listings.

Digital Toolkit

A suite of digital tools streamline navigation, communication, and organization, making your Bangkok visit smoother.

Print Resources

Physical guides offer unique advantages for trip planning.

Tangible Guides

Recommended Guidebooks

Lp Thailand / Bangkok: Extensive guides on attractions, lodging, dining, transport.
Rough Guides Thailand / Bangkok: Detailed data and cultural context for a perspective.
Local Maps: Pick up maps at no cost from airports or hotels provide quick orientation and street names.
DK Eyewitness Guidebooks: Visual guides with detailed illustrations and floor plans.

Books on History & Culture

"A History of Thailand" by Chris Baker and Pasuk Phongpaichit: Scholarly yet accessible overview.
"Culture Shock! Thailand" by Robert and Nanthapa Cooper: Insight into Thai customs and etiquette.
"The Beach" by Alex Garland: Fiction capturing backpacker travel, set partly within Thailand.
"Very Thai: Everyday Popular Culture" by Philip Cornwel-Smith: A deep dive into modern Thai life.

Local Publications

Bangkok Post / The Nation: English-language daily newspapers for current events and local views.
BK Magazine: A free weekly lifestyle and entertainment magazine, useful for current events and nightlife.
Expat publications: Offer perspectives on living in Bangkok and local events.
Free city guides: Frequently located in hotels, these highlight attractions and services.

Physical Mapping

Orientation Aids

Paper maps function offline.
Large-scale maps clarify neighborhood layouts.
Marked points of interest are easily identifiable.

Transport Guides

Printed BTS and MRT maps delineate routes clearly.
Chao Phraya Express Boat routes are often available in print.
A physical map assists in planning multi-modal journeys.

Reading Material

Cultural Context

Explore historical accounts ahead of your visit ancient sites.
Cultural guides offer subtleties of local social interactions.
Biographies of prominent Thai figures sketch a national identity.

Literary Explorations

Thai fiction has local perspectives and narratives.
Poetry collections reflect the artistic spirit of Thailand.
Travel narratives provide personal accounts of experiences in Thailand.

Local Insights in Print

Newspaper Highlights

English-language newspapers keep you abreast of local news.
Sections on culture and events detail current happenings.
Opinion pieces provide local viewpoints on various topics.
Business sections track economic trends in Thailand.
Sports pages cover local and international athletic events.

Magazine Discoveries

Lifestyle magazines profile trendy restaurants and bars.
Fashion spreads showcase contemporary Thai design.
Interviews with local personalities give cultural depth.
Event calendars list concerts, exhibitions, and markets.
City guides within magazines highlight popular attractions.

Other Printed Material

Local Storybooks

Children's books offer simplistic tales reflecting Thai traditions and folklore.

Cultural Pamphlets

Obtain free pamphlets at places of worship or museums for site-specific historical data.

Basic Phrasebooks

Pocket-sized Thai phrasebooks assist in simple conversations and exchanges.

Tangible Information

Print resources provide valuable insights into history, culture, and practicalities, often without reliance on technology.

Emergency & Medical Information

Contacts for safety and peace of mind.

Contacts

Emergency Numbers

Visitor Police
1155 (English-speaking service for tourist incidents).
General Emergency (Police)
191.
Ambulance/Medical Emergency
1669.

Additional Support

Fire And rescue
199.
Tourist Service Center
1672 (for general tourist assistance).
Embassy/Consulate
Keep your country's embassy or consulate contact details available.

Medical Facilities and Documents

Hospital Locations

Bumrungrad International Hospital (Sukhumvit Soi 3), Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital (Sukhumvit Soi 49), Bangkok Hospital (Soi Soonvijai 7), Police General Hospital (Rama I Road).