Bangkok’s year-round warmth, white sand beaches, & vibrant nightlife make it a favorite destination for expats & tourists alike. If you too are wondering whether you should move to the capital of Thailand, this guide will help you make an informed decision. It covers how to prepare for moving to this modern city, tips about the weather & state of the environment there, the healthcare system, plus the best food & drinks in Bangkok.
Table of Contents
About Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital & largest city of Thailand. It’s an exciting & vibrant city in South East Asia. Located in the middle of Thailand, the city possesses cultural heritage & economic growth. Over 14 million individuals live within the Bangkok metropolitan region. The city has superb temples & palaces, magnificent high-rise buildings, & vibrant nightlife. It’s also a regional center for fashion & arts. The city is extremely modern, and you can expect to see exemplary telecommunications systems, high-quality architecture, first-class public transportation networks, & a generally metropolitan culture. It also has plenty of bars, restaurants, & leisure facilities.
How to Prepare for Moving to Bangkok?
So, you’ve made up your mind to move to Bangkok as an expat? That’s a fantastic decision, for sure, but there are some things worth knowing before you board the flight to this magnificent city in Thailand. Being comprehensively prepared in advance will aid you in dealing with last-minute hassles & troubles.
If you’re preparing to spend your expatriate life in Bangkok, the following tips are a must-know to make your move effortless & convenient:
- apply for a Thai visa in advance: You can also opt for a multiple-entry visa if planning to dwell in Bangkok for approx. 6 months;
- keep sufficient money with you;
- before you leave your homeland, just pack your baggage with the most basic things;
- learn a few Thai words & phrases: This can be an excellent way to adapt to the new environment & culture. You may do so for at least two months before traveling to Bangkok. It’ll be easy to communicate with neighbors & new colleagues, and thus, you can easily curb any feeling of loneliness & isolation;
- getting medical insurance is a must.
Besides, take the essential precautions when moving to Bangkok. Be aware that Zika & dengue issues are in high numbers in Thailand [1]. Get the proper vaccinations before relocating.
Weather and State of Environment
What expats love in Thai is the climate, which makes it possible to live in shorts all year round. The hottest season occurs between March & June, and temperature can rise to 100.4°F (38°C). Certainly, this is the perfect time to explore Thai islands & beaches where the cool offshore breeze takes the edge of the heat.
A rainy season with higher than average rainfalls occurs between July & October. During this period, more rural areas may be impacted by standing water, which can make traveling on country roads more complicated. A cool season occurs from May to October. Usually, as the rains decline, the temperature starts to drop.
As for the state of the environment, big cities like Bangkok face pollution issues such as poor air quality and noise pollution [2]. This is due to industrial activities, a rapidly increasing population, and a growing economy of the capital. According to Greenpeace’s report, Bangkok is one of the provinces with the highest air pollution [3].
Is Living in Bangkok Safe?
Yes, living in this city is safe. However, be aware of crime that can be rife in some areas, especially those popular with tourists. Certainly, petty crime such as bag snatching is common. It’s also not unheard of for tourists to be mugged – sometimes at knifepoint. In this regard, the safest way is to adhere to safer areas, and, if the worst occurs, don’t resist. Note that drink spiking happens in Thai, so you should be extremely careful of any drinks presented to you in bars & clubs.
Healthcare and Expat Health Insurance
The healthcare system of the capital, and Thailand in general, is one of the world’s best. Thailand started its universal health coverage in 2002, and it has made good progress. This policy enabled the country to provide quality health coverage to all citizens [4].
As an expat, you may choose to get an international health insurance plan or to buy private medical insurance locally. The former will allow you to receive treatment outside of Thailand in case of emergency. It also gives access to private hospitals and clinics and more rapid access to treatment. Besides, in Bangkok, there are lots of great private hospitals offering extremely affordable care. All the staff, including doctors and nurses, speak English well.
Also read about 7 Best Steps On How Can You Optimize Your Physical Health? —Stay Healthy
Pharmacies and Medicines in Bangkok
Prescription meds can occasionally be sourced over the counter (OTC) in Thailand. Equally, some meds for which you don’t need a prescription in the UK or USA may require a prescription in Thailand. If in doubt, you can walk into a local pharmacy & explain what you need. Note that you may not be able to find the brand name products you’re familiar with, so it’s best to bring with you a list of the generic meds you may require during your stay.
Most meds, even the most specific ones, can easily be bought in Bangkok. For instance, men with erectile dysfunction (ED) may need to use an ED drug such as Viagra or its generic version like Kamagra, which is extremely cheap. But where to buy Kamagra in Bangkok? This med may be available with a prescription in a local pharmacy. However, it’s easier to order it from an online vendor selling without a prescription and have the pills delivered to your address in Bangkok.
As for the local pharmacies, it’s easy to determine them by their white signs with green crosses on them. Also, there are numerous independently-run drugstores, plus most hospitals boast their own. At independent pharmacies, you’ll typically get the most suitable deals; hospital pharmacies frequently mark up their prices.
Food & Drink
Food & drink costs are low in Bangkok. The city is a gastronomic haven, and there are numerous restaurants selling dishes of different cuisines. It’s easy to fall in love with the famous Thai food, as it’s abundant & cheap, with a tasty & fast meal at street stalls available for as low as 100 baht per individual.
One of the most unique dishes in Bangkok is the green papaya salad. Sugar, lime, garlic, fish sauce, & tamarind juice all go into the making of the dish. You may also want to try hot & sour prawn soup (Tom Yum Goong). This is a mix of galangal ginger, chilies, lemongrass, lime leaves, mushrooms, & tomatoes in one flavorful soup. Other best foods include stir-fried noodles (Pad Thai), mango with sticky rice (Kao Niew Mamuang), & coconut noodle soup (Khao Soi). Purchasing at local markets can help you keep your food expenses low.
Some of the most popular Thai drinks are Nom Yen (a drink made from sala syrup & hot milk) & Oliang (which is made by mixing coffee powder with brown sugar or spices, e.g., cardamom or sesame seeds). You may also enjoy Yok Lor (iced coffee with milk) & Chann Manaw (butterfly pea tea with lime) there.
In Closing
This article has covered some tips about safe living in Bangkok as an expat. People, lifestyle, food, & climate make it an excellent place to live. The city is one of the most favored tourist destinations in Southeast Asia. It’s also a draw for thousands of expatriates who prefer its stable economy, affordable cost of living, relative comfort of doing business, vibrant culture, warmth of Thai people, and a more laid-back lifestyle. If you’re intending living in Bangkok, you’ve got the essential tips from this guide.
References
- Zika Virus: Country Specific Risk. Published: July 25, 2016. Retrieved: December 13, 2022. Gov.uk.
- Environmental Issues in Thailand. Retrieved: December 13, 2022. Wikipedia.org.
- The Burden of Air Pollution in Thailand 2021 (pdf). Retrieved: December 14, 2022. Greenpeace.org.
- Universal Health Coverage and Primary Care, Thailand. By Kanitsorn Sumriddetchkajorn, Kenji Shimazaki, et al. Published: June 2019. Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
