First time in Bangkok ? We have a few tips to help you overcome the difficulties of culture shock on your first few days in the city. The first obstacle to overcome is the language barrier. Thai bears no resemblance to any Western tongue and the average person in the street has only a rudimentary knowledge of English if any, so misunderstandings are likely to occur unless you take the appropriate steps. A dictionary of phrase book may be of some help. However, if you are contemplanting travelling anywhere, get someone to write the destination down for you in Thai. Show this to both taxi and bus drivers. In the case of the latter, the situation is aggravated for the visitor due to the fact that the destination sign boards are only in Thai, so make sure before you get on the bus know the number on the bus you have to take ! Maps are a useful thing to have especially when walking and as Bangkok has relatively few streets when compared to other cities its pretty difficult to get really lost. One point here though the local population as a whole is none too clever at reading maps especially those in English. So if you have problems try retracing your steps, its the best way. If you use public transport especially taxi, have small changes ready. As most if not all the taxi drivers in Bangkok do not seem fo have small changes. If you pay the taxi driver with a 500- bath note. the driver will throw his hands up in horror at the sheer audacity of such an action. Completely taboo is never get into the cab first, as then you place yourself at a physiological disadvantage. Remember too, the mentality of the average taxi driver is that is that rightly or wrongly all foreigners are rich, and so they feel inclined to balance the power of wealth a little in their favour. As such they will quote an inflated rate, so be prepared to bargain - its all part of the game.Now all taxi have meters so insist on paying the fares as shown on the meters.

Buses with red destination plates are those, which do not cover the whole route, similarly those with orange plates, are limited stops. Be careful when boarding to ascertain that they stop where you want to go. Blue destination plates in theory stop everywhere along the route. Make sure you ring the bell when you want to alight. Check there's nothing coming when you get off as well, for sometimes the bus stop in the middle of the road. Fares are 3.50 bath on ordinary buses, but they are uncomfortable especially when crowed and stuck in traffic jams. Its when you start to sweat that the handkerchief comes in handy, aways carry one.

As a foreigner the Thais respect you so try not to abuse that privilege. One thing, which turns them off, is a dirty unkempt individual with unwashed clothes. Here respect turns to ridicule, though most foreigners remain blissfully unaware as they can' t speak the language. It is also not the done thing to shout at a Thai or loose one' cool especially when confronted by bureaucracy. This is frowned upon and will get you precisely nowhere .......except backwards.

An important thing to remember is that the King and Queen are highly revered in Thailand, and as such the visitor is expected to show proper respect towards their majesties. This also applies to anything which bears their images such as posters or bank notes. Daily at 08.00 hours and 18.00 hours, the national anthem is played, and pedestrians if they are within hearing distance of the music being played will automatic stand still whilst the music is being played. Do likewise, if you continue strolling its regarded as an insult. Money is a necessity as many places do not take credit cards, the Thai currency is divided in to bath and satang ( 100 satang is equal to one bath ). On the notes 1000 bath ( grey ), 500 bath (blue),20 bath (green) and 10 bath a (brown), the denominations are written in Roman numerals. However for coins the denominations are written only in Thai script. The small thin silver coin is 1 bath. The large silver coin has the value of 5 bath. Always change your money at a bank or an exchange office belonging to a bank. Banks open from 08.30 - 15.00 hours, Monday - Fridays. There are special exchange offices located in tourist areas, which open at weekends and evenings. Do not use the services of money changing at the hotels if at all possible as the rates displayed are not favourable. You can change your money back at the airport into foreign currency, but don't forget to keep 500 bath to pay for the airport tax.

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