Oh wow. That sounds like quite a story. Glad it went okay. Most of the time these are scams but interesting to hear your experience! Thanks for sharing.
@@Rondawwg Its not a regular grab area from my experience. Grab / Bolt is "normaly" not allowed to pick up Tourists from the airport, they are only allowed to drop them. If I call a bolt / grab I have to walk a bit and meet them anywhere near Departure Entrance. In some other countries like the Philippines you cant use bolt at the airport, they blocked this area in the App.
Definitely make sure you get some smaller bills when you exchange your currency at the airport as drivers (taxi and Grab) will usually say that they don't have change if you try to give them a larger bill.
Great video. I'm sure it will be really useful for people who've never been to Bkk. Re. taxis, if it's any consolation, two of my Thai teachers have said that taxis don't discriminate when it comes to scamming. They will try and scam the locals just as much as the foreigners. They also said that it's also not unusual for taxis to decline to go to a particular location because it's "too far". The only time I use taxis in bkk is when I get to the airport and most of them will still refuse to use the meter. However, I still use them because if you pick the taxi rank right next to the food court, there's no queue. What I've learned through experience is that it's better to pick a price you're happy paying and negotiate with the driver rather than asking for the meter because if their meter has been tampered with, it might end up being a lot more expensive. If you have 3 suitcases in the boot and it's the middle of the night you don't have the option to stop and take another one. I've just accepted that I usually pay 500THB for a taxi from the airport to Thonglor including tolls and that's fine with me. It might be a little more expensive than what it "should" be but that's the price I pay for not waiting in line to get home and for not worrying about saving a few dollars. Having said that, out of principle, I wouldn't use a taxi in bkk under any other circumstances. Public transport is second to none and I've always been able to go anywhere without having to resort to using anything else than BTS or MRT. Great content as usual, thank you.
Super info. I've been to thailand 5 times over the last 25 years and YES I have run into some of these scams and issues. Wish I had some of this info before the first time I went.
Will definitely do! 😃 I was hoping to see the klook desk in the latest video. I'm planning to purchase the prepaid BTS / rabbit card from them via their app. Hover, I see some people have a hard time finding the puck up location. I'm sure it'll be ok. Do you have an opinion or experience with klook in Bangkok?
Tons of great info,.. if I may add… Have your passport ready to hand over at the exchange booths as they’ll want to make a copy, and then they’ll hand you a paper that you have to sign and write down where your staying ( so don’t be like me and have your passport buried back in your luggage )
If just visiting, get the asian regional esim on your phone before leaving your country. Or Thai esim if only stopping here. It does not activate until you ping on a local tower. Cheap, easy to set up and you are ready to go once you land.
Looks like you were coming back from a trip (wearing backpack and your sleepy eyes). If true, then it was a perfect opportunity to make a video in regard to this subject (since you were already there). Thanks for all the useful information, Cal! 🤙🏽✌🏽
Simcards in thailand labelled as TOURIST are a scam. You can just walk into 7-11 ask for a regular simcard: Dtac or True 199 baht for 30gigs one month. Sometimes the staff will hide them out of sight or claim they're out of stock when they see you're a farang. Try your luck in the next 7-11.
@@SS-fi4ooyes it will be similar around 10pm… but if you plan to take the Airport Rail Link just be aware that the BTS and MRT stop running at midnight.. so check for any connections to make sure you don’t miss the train
Great video 1 scam i been introduced to a few times in thailand is the drivers may clain thay have no money for exchange so break a note at the airport on a coffee or so might save some hassle
So much has changed…we flew into and out of the old airport. Then this “new” airport. What is striking is how organized everything is. Thailand was the wild everything goes destination. It seems so much more Westernized/ Modernized. Taxis used to be very tricky and not for the faint of heart tired traveller. Awesome channel 👍🏻
Just want to add if you are Danish (and maybe Norwegian and Swedish) Don't brink DKK as you cannot exchange that in Thailand at reasonable rate due money laundering. Last time I checked it was at a 50% loss if you changed DKK in Thailand. ATM still work but you need to accept 220 baht fee and many cards put daily limits at around 10 000 baht
My bank card was skimmed at an ATM in Hua Hin last July. Within 6 hours I was getting charges from the UK. I only lost 13 Euros before it was blocked but from here out I will only use ATMs that are attached to or inside of a bank. Not those small stand alone machines you see on the street. I've spent years in TH and never had problem before this.
They don't ask the immigration questions anymore. Here is what they ask for: - 4 fingers on the scanner - take a photo = done! 5 minute immigration process.
Normally this is true, but it will depend on the officer and the individual. Newer officers tend to still ask questions and it helps to just have them on hand (source my gf is an immigration officer).
But sometimes they ask for an return-flight-ticket or bus ticket to get out of the country. They want to make sure that you can leave Thailand with your own money :) But when its very busy they often didnt asked me also.
Relly great information, but what when where do I need a cash card, can I use it anywhere, and what is the best method to get to Pattaya from the airport, Thanks.
It can be used to withdraw money at atm machines but one commenter mentioned that they are discontinuing it at the end of this year so I will check and may need to update / delete that section! Cheers
@@thebangkokguide l knew it lol. See I'm a big fan of logic and critical thinking and this is why i need to get the hell out of america right now. our 23rd ranking in the world for education. has been exposed lol
I’m not sure why I’m watching this 😂. I’ll be flying into Laos and will be there for 15 days and then I’ll cross the Thai border into Thailand by van. So, I won’t even be near the airport.
The Bus to Khaosan Rd in Bangkok also serve at the airport. ฿60 flat rate, locate on the 1st level gate 8. S1 is the name of the bus. FYI. 6:00 am to 8:00 pm leave every 30 minutes (not accurate though, I'd say 45 minutes).
I have a question do you know if you leave your vitamins and I have like eight different bottles of vitamins I take and yes, they do make me feel wonderful and when I eliminate any of them I have issues. Do you know if they allow them in their original container in Thailand? I will be in Vietnam for two weeks prior to Thailand.
Good to hear! The questions definitely dropped off this year with the new visas… they can still occur as it just depends on the officer, but you can also get a sudden switch back to more strict policies here without notice… it’s useful to just have the answers on hand even if they are not entirely accurate. My gf is an immigration officer so I have a keen insight into some of the norms and practices 😅
No one ever asked me any questions. Maybe it depends on where you are coming from? I came from Norway and every passport control was just an instant send through. Edit: I think I understand it now. My country doesn't require a visa at all to visit Thailand.
Glad your experience has been positive. It will normally depend on a few things… your country of origin, frequency of travel to Thailand and your general appearance. You will normally get waived through if your from a wealthier western country, look presentable and haven’t spent a lot of time in Thailand. But it can still be handy just to be prepared for any questions as any immigration officer can decide to question you. No harm having the answers on hand! Cheers
I am watching your video and finding it helpful but you said don’t get baht in your home country. I have and thought the exchange rate was good. How much would 6630 baht cost in US dollars at the airport approximately. Also the Charles Schwab debit card reimburses you for all ATM transactions any where in the world and does not charge you a foreign exchange fee
It's possible that you found a particularly good rate, but normally it's cheapest to exchange for Baht here. But I'm curious if you found a better rate. I did a quick check on the Superrich site and 6630 Baht would cost you around $196.50 USD here. How did that compare with the rate you got? And that's correct, I mentioned getting the travel card as it's the ideal option.. each country has different card options and Charles Schwab is probably the best for Americans. Cheers!
It cost me more I will definitely take your advice next time and get currency at the airport. Thank you for the video it was very helpful. I am definitely learning what to do and not to do
Oh that would be unfortunate. Very useful card. They definitely had some pretty prominent advertising for the card and a decent lineup there and that was just a couple of days ago. Thanks for the info!
@@thebangkokguide Banks could give access to a local prepaid card for long term expats instead of opening accounts for us. I have had a lot of problems getting a bank account. Some places do not take cash anymore and do not take foreign cards.
so why have you not explained most places in the main cities i,e bangkok pattaya etc have wifi bars cafe's restaruants etc, so just connect to their wifi and away you go, just use apps like whatsapp if you have wifi you have no problems, you also ignored useing the busses, it's the cheapest and most comfortable, and its from the airport,
Also to mention if you're coming to bkk and have a transfer flight to another destination in thailand make sure to get your luggage before you transfer then rush to check your luggage in again before you go through security . . .I missed a flight one time and thought my bags were going all the way but didn't realize I had to get my luggage in bkk before my transfer . . . Hope this helps and to be aware and prevent any luggage situations that may occur 🙏
Much smaller but I can’t provide specific advice on it as I’ve never actually flown in there. It’s very easy to take a car / van or bus from Bangkok to Pattaya so that’s been my mode of transportation!
Yeah I’d been in and out a couple of times in a year. The immigration officer spotted the stamps and I got the Q&A session. I think this is the most common reason if your from a western country.
They don’t do those cards anymore, I just went through bkk immigration two weeks ago and all they asked for was my passport and boarding pass from the flight I came in on .
Good to hear! It’s not the norm but it happens and it depends on a few different factors (could be a video in itself). This year has definitely been more relaxed though… you get swings back and forth between relaxed and strict immigration. As a rule it’s best to just have the answers in case you get an officer who wants to question you! Cheers!
Tourists.. PLEASE... did you see in the first few seconds of this video the green /yellow taxi blasting through the pedestrian crosswalk? Be careful here! Even when you've hit a green "WALK" light.... look around as your walking across... motorbikes often use crosswalks too! Your Life in Thailand is cheap!
Living in Thailand for 5 years, this guide is 100% legit !
well done mate
Thank you for the kind words. Much appreciated!
I'm pretty well-traveled, but guides like this are always helpful. Especially as some airports operate differently. Thanks for the great upload!
Gem-packed video, mate, cheers!!
Thank you for the kind words! Cheers
I got stuck in Suvarnabhumi once for 4 days with no money. I was so happy when a stranger gave me 50 euros for food etc
Oh wow. That sounds like quite a story. Glad it went okay. Most of the time these are scams but interesting to hear your experience! Thanks for sharing.
I had no idea they had a Grab area there!
@@Rondawwg Its not a regular grab area from my experience. Grab / Bolt is "normaly" not allowed to pick up Tourists from the airport, they are only allowed to drop them. If I call a bolt / grab I have to walk a bit and meet them anywhere near Departure Entrance. In some other countries like the Philippines you cant use bolt at the airport, they blocked this area in the App.
Definitely make sure you get some smaller bills when you exchange your currency at the airport as drivers (taxi and Grab) will usually say that they don't have change if you try to give them a larger bill.
I agree. Good advice! Cheers
Great video, good job Cal.
Thanks for the kind words!
Great video. I'm sure it will be really useful for people who've never been to Bkk. Re. taxis, if it's any consolation, two of my Thai teachers have said that taxis don't discriminate when it comes to scamming. They will try and scam the locals just as much as the foreigners. They also said that it's also not unusual for taxis to decline to go to a particular location because it's "too far".
The only time I use taxis in bkk is when I get to the airport and most of them will still refuse to use the meter. However, I still use them because if you pick the taxi rank right next to the food court, there's no queue. What I've learned through experience is that it's better to pick a price you're happy paying and negotiate with the driver rather than asking for the meter because if their meter has been tampered with, it might end up being a lot more expensive. If you have 3 suitcases in the boot and it's the middle of the night you don't have the option to stop and take another one. I've just accepted that I usually pay 500THB for a taxi from the airport to Thonglor including tolls and that's fine with me. It might be a little more expensive than what it "should" be but that's the price I pay for not waiting in line to get home and for not worrying about saving a few dollars.
Having said that, out of principle, I wouldn't use a taxi in bkk under any other circumstances. Public transport is second to none and I've always been able to go anywhere without having to resort to using anything else than BTS or MRT.
Great content as usual, thank you.
Super info. I've been to thailand 5 times over the last 25 years and YES I have run into some of these scams and issues. Wish I had some of this info before the first time I went.
Hi Cal, thanks for your content! Very helpful! I'll arrive on Monday, perhaps I'll see you in the streets of Bangkok.
I should be easy to spot. I’m often wandering the streets talking at a camera 😂 Come say hello if you see me!
Will definitely do! 😃
I was hoping to see the klook desk in the latest video. I'm planning to purchase the prepaid BTS / rabbit card from them via their app. Hover, I see some people have a hard time finding the puck up location. I'm sure it'll be ok. Do you have an opinion or experience with klook in Bangkok?
City of 10mil and your hoping to see him on the street, 😂
I will bookmark this video. Great job.
I’m happy it’s helpful! Cheers
Thank you for the very details info'. Awesome.
Thanks for the kind words! Appreciate it!
Great video! Also make sure your currency is newer with no marks or rips. Exchanges will not accept old worn out bills. 😁
Good advice. I agree. Thanks for sharing!
Tons of great info,.. if I may add… Have your passport ready to hand over at the exchange booths as they’ll want to make a copy, and then they’ll hand you a paper that you have to sign and write down where your staying ( so don’t be like me and have your passport buried back in your luggage )
Good additional advice! Thank you for the input!
You are superb Cal!!!! I am so nervous now as I need to visit my friend in BKK with Cancer.
Ivermectin, fenbendazole, turkey tail mushrooms for your friend...
I’m glad it’s helpful and I hope you have a safe trip! No need to be nervous.
You just got a new subscriber, my friend!🤜🏽🤛🏽👍🏾💯
Thank you for the kind words and support! Cheers
Great info. Very helpful!
Great video, thanks so much for the useful information , making life alot more easy after a 18 hours flight😃
Cheers. I’m glad it’s helpful! My flight back is a full 24 hours. I’m guessing your west coast 😅
thanks for providing very useful and helpful info!
I’m glad it’s helpful! Cheers
Great guide - and perfect timing!
I’m glad it’s helpful! Cheers
If just visiting, get the asian regional esim on your phone before leaving your country. Or Thai esim if only stopping here. It does not activate until you ping on a local tower. Cheap, easy to set up and you are ready to go once you land.
Great option. I agree. Thanks for your input!
Thanks Cal. These are very useful tips!
I’m glad it’s helpful! Cheers!
Looks like you were coming back from a trip (wearing backpack and your sleepy eyes). If true, then it was a perfect opportunity to make a video in regard to this subject (since you were already there). Thanks for all the useful information, Cal! 🤙🏽✌🏽
Simcards in thailand labelled as TOURIST are a scam. You can just walk into 7-11 ask for a regular simcard: Dtac or True 199 baht for 30gigs one month. Sometimes the staff will hide them out of sight or claim they're out of stock when they see you're a farang. Try your luck in the next 7-11.
Thats strange every Thai I have met has wanted to help me.
I normally skip the tourist sims as well, but many people will pay for the added convenience of having immediate access to data. Thanks for the input!
Best video I saw on this topic. Subscribed ! 👍
Thank you for the kind words. Cheers!
hey cal! thx for this video, its super helpful!
I’m glad it’s helpful! Cheers
oh, was wondering.. do all these rules apply for the nighttime? I think I'm landing in bkk at around 10pm ish.. thx!
@@SS-fi4ooyes it will be similar around 10pm… but if you plan to take the Airport Rail Link just be aware that the BTS and MRT stop running at midnight.. so check for any connections to make sure you don’t miss the train
Great video 1 scam i been introduced to a few times in thailand is the drivers may clain thay have no money for exchange so break a note at the airport on a coffee or so might save some hassle
Yes this happens a lot! Thanks for the input! Cheers
So much has changed…we flew into and out of the old airport.
Then this “new” airport.
What is striking is how organized everything is.
Thailand was the wild everything goes destination. It seems so much more Westernized/ Modernized.
Taxis used to be very tricky and not for the faint of heart tired traveller.
Awesome channel 👍🏻
Very helpful!!!!! Great video!
Just want to add if you are Danish (and maybe Norwegian and Swedish) Don't brink DKK as you cannot exchange that in Thailand at reasonable rate due money laundering.
Last time I checked it was at a 50% loss if you changed DKK in Thailand.
ATM still work but you need to accept 220 baht fee and many cards put daily limits at around 10 000 baht
My bank card was skimmed at an ATM in Hua Hin last July. Within 6 hours I was getting charges from the UK. I only lost 13 Euros before it was blocked but from here out I will only use ATMs that are attached to or inside of a bank. Not those small stand alone machines you see on the street. I've spent years in TH and never had problem before this.
This is correct. Just finishing a video which covers this as there has been a significant uptick in skimming. Thanks for your input!
They don't ask the immigration questions anymore. Here is what they ask for:
- 4 fingers on the scanner
- take a photo
= done!
5 minute immigration process.
Agreed, only issue may be a significant lineup, once you get to an immigration officer doesn't take long at all in my experience.
Normally this is true, but it will depend on the officer and the individual. Newer officers tend to still ask questions and it helps to just have them on hand (source my gf is an immigration officer).
But sometimes they ask for an return-flight-ticket or bus ticket to get out of the country. They want to make sure that you can leave Thailand with your own money :)
But when its very busy they often didnt asked me also.
Relly great information, but what when where do I need a cash card, can I use it anywhere, and what is the best method to get to Pattaya from the airport, Thanks.
It can be used to withdraw money at atm machines but one commenter mentioned that they are discontinuing it at the end of this year so I will check and may need to update / delete that section! Cheers
Great video you would have been an excellent teacher
I teach at an international school here in Bangkok as my other job 😅
@@thebangkokguide l knew it lol. See I'm a big fan of logic and critical thinking and this is why i need to get the hell out of america right now. our 23rd ranking in the world for education. has been exposed lol
I’m not sure why I’m watching this 😂. I’ll be flying into Laos and will be there for 15 days and then I’ll cross the Thai border into Thailand by van. So, I won’t even be near the airport.
Actually most of the advice will apply (money / SIM cards / immigration)… Enjoy your travels!
Good vlog❤
Thank you!
The best advice.
The Bus to Khaosan Rd in Bangkok also serve at the airport. ฿60 flat rate, locate on the 1st level gate 8. S1 is the name of the bus. FYI. 6:00 am to 8:00 pm leave every 30 minutes (not accurate though, I'd say 45 minutes).
Family of 5 with locked iPhones through TMobile. What do you recommend for WiFi in this case?
Buy a sim mobile router, insert a Thai sim and instant WiFi for the iPhones 🎉
Excellent tip on the sim mobile router! That is the best advice!
I have a question do you know if you leave your vitamins and I have like eight different bottles of vitamins I take and yes, they do make me feel wonderful and when I eliminate any of them I have issues. Do you know if they allow them in their original container in Thailand? I will be in Vietnam for two weeks prior to Thailand.
You are going to have to be more specific about "vitamins" you need to know what's in them.
Not worth the headaches, when scamming's the norm. Thanks for the warning.
been 3 times this yr, never asked any questions at immagration about any detail's . Just the normal security screens .
Good to hear! The questions definitely dropped off this year with the new visas… they can still occur as it just depends on the officer, but you can also get a sudden switch back to more strict policies here without notice… it’s useful to just have the answers on hand even if they are not entirely accurate. My gf is an immigration officer so I have a keen insight into some of the norms and practices 😅
Nicely done; very useful information!
Thanks for the kind words! Glad it’s helpful!
whatsapp is used in the whole country, you don't need any sim but your own, so long as you have wifi you can call and text anyone.
im coming in February via bali to DMK, come gem hunting with me bro, aussie on deck!
No one ever asked me any questions. Maybe it depends on where you are coming from? I came from Norway and every passport control was just an instant send through.
Edit: I think I understand it now. My country doesn't require a visa at all to visit Thailand.
Glad your experience has been positive. It will normally depend on a few things… your country of origin, frequency of travel to Thailand and your general appearance. You will normally get waived through if your from a wealthier western country, look presentable and haven’t spent a lot of time in Thailand. But it can still be handy just to be prepared for any questions as any immigration officer can decide to question you. No harm having the answers on hand! Cheers
@@thebangkokguide Hehe. Gotcha. Look rich and important and many things tend to go smooth in life.
@@thebangkokguide Yeah, you've got it right, I think. Wealthy country, no previous entries and looking like the most touristy tourist ever. 😇
I am watching your video and finding it helpful but you said don’t get baht in your home country. I have and thought the exchange rate was good. How much would 6630 baht cost in US dollars at the airport approximately. Also the Charles Schwab debit card reimburses you for all ATM transactions any where in the world and does not charge you a foreign exchange fee
It's possible that you found a particularly good rate, but normally it's cheapest to exchange for Baht here. But I'm curious if you found a better rate. I did a quick check on the Superrich site and 6630 Baht would cost you around $196.50 USD here. How did that compare with the rate you got?
And that's correct, I mentioned getting the travel card as it's the ideal option.. each country has different card options and Charles Schwab is probably the best for Americans. Cheers!
It cost me more I will definitely take your advice next time and get currency at the airport. Thank you for the video it was very helpful. I am definitely learning what to do and not to do
Look at me when your talking to me😂 wake up
l believe that the "visit thailand card" has been discontinued as from Sept 1. (according to super rich (the issuer)
Oh that would be unfortunate. Very useful card. They definitely had some pretty prominent advertising for the card and a decent lineup there and that was just a couple of days ago. Thanks for the info!
@@thebangkokguide Banks could give access to a local prepaid card for long term expats instead of opening accounts for us. I have had a lot of problems getting a bank account. Some places do not take cash anymore and do not take foreign cards.
so why have you not explained most places in the main cities i,e bangkok pattaya etc have wifi bars cafe's restaruants etc, so just connect to their wifi and away you go, just use apps like whatsapp if you have wifi you have no problems, you also ignored useing the busses, it's the cheapest and most comfortable, and its from the airport,
Cal 🙋🏽♂️
i use grab in bali!
Also to mention if you're coming to bkk and have a transfer flight to another destination in thailand make sure to get your luggage before you transfer then rush to check your luggage in again before you go through security . . .I missed a flight one time and thought my bags were going all the way but didn't realize I had to get my luggage in bkk before my transfer . . . Hope this helps and to be aware and prevent any luggage situations that may occur 🙏
Good additional advice! Thank you!
What about Pattaya City airport?
Much smaller but I can’t provide specific advice on it as I’ve never actually flown in there. It’s very easy to take a car / van or bus from Bangkok to Pattaya so that’s been my mode of transportation!
Have you ever been questioned ? If yes why
Yeah I’d been in and out a couple of times in a year. The immigration officer spotted the stamps and I got the Q&A session. I think this is the most common reason if your from a western country.
@thebangkokguide I'm going next week this is my second time to Thailand and I went there last month for the first time so will they question me?
Before you land ask a flight attendant for a landing card fill this out during you flight so it’s ready to hand to immigration when you arrive.
They don’t do those cards anymore, I just went through bkk immigration two weeks ago and all they asked for was my passport and boarding pass from the flight I came in on .
As the other comment mentioned, they scrapped the TM6 Arrival card a while back. But keep your boarding pass! Cheers
No one asked me any question at the immigration point.
Good to hear! It’s not the norm but it happens and it depends on a few different factors (could be a video in itself). This year has definitely been more relaxed though… you get swings back and forth between relaxed and strict immigration. As a rule it’s best to just have the answers in case you get an officer who wants to question you! Cheers!
Tourists.. PLEASE... did you see in the first few seconds of this video the green /yellow taxi blasting through the pedestrian crosswalk?
Be careful here! Even when you've hit a green "WALK" light.... look around as your walking across... motorbikes often use crosswalks too!
Your Life in Thailand is cheap!
Your voice does not match your face 😂
Which one is weirder? 😂
Very good information. Thanks!
I’m happy it’s helpful! Cheers
Very useful, thanks!
I’m glad it’s helpful! Cheers