Living in Bangkok, Thailand

When it finally came time for me to leave my apartment and stop living in Bangkok I was excited because I was off to travel again! I couldn’t wait to get some fresh air, sweat less, and enjoy some peace and quiet elsewhere.

That being said, after being away for longer, I do miss certain things about Bangkok. There’s a sense of excitement about it and you become accustomed to the constant stimulation the megacity provides!

After a couple of years away I visited BKK again and it gave me a fresh perspective on what I liked and didn’t like. If you’re considering a move to Bangkok I hope that this may help you decide one way or the other if it’s the right move for you.

Let’s start things off with the bad…

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The 10 Worst Things About Living in Bangkok

The Capital of Gridlock

Once you’ve been stuck in a bad Bangkok traffic jam you’ll never look at traffic the same again. One can only imagine how many hours are wasted over a lifetime by locals sitting in traffic. I can remember one rainy night it took me three hours to go a short distance home from Don Meuang Airport.

The only way I got through it was to avoid it. I refused to drive and used any other means of transportation possible. I’d walk, take the train, or hop on the back of a moto-taxi to weave through traffic if I had to. It’s exhilarating but also pretty dangerous.

Heat & Humidity

Nowhere is as hot as Bangkok. At least nowhere I’ve been. It’s tropical and it can be unrelenting, especially during the hottest months of the year. From March to May, think 35 C (95 F) with 90% humidity. I’m not fond of using air conditioning, but in Bangkok, it’s a necessity.

With an average daily temperature of 30 C (88 F), it’s always steamy! Which is nice if you’re out by the pool, but not when you’re heading to work with armpit stains and clammy underwear. It’s one of the hottest cities in the world and it can be uncomfortable all year.

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Bad Pollution

In a city of 10 million, there’s bound to be some air pollution. Bangkok is a smoggy city. It may not have air as bad as some of the cities in China, or Hanoi (another city I lived in for six months), but don’t expect blue skies all the time. It seems to be worsening in recent years as the number of people buying cars is on the rise.

Farang Life & Cultural Differences

If you’re a foreigner in Thailand, you’ll always be seen as farang. You’ll never be Thai. Although the term farang isn’t generally used in a derogatory way, Thai society is rather insulated from the outside world. Overall it’s not the easiest culture to assimilate to.

Even if you learn to speak the language (which is notoriously difficult) there are intense cultural differences. This can at times (at least for me) make it feel like Thais are hard to relate to on more than surface-level stuff.

The level of English spoken throughout the country is also quite low, which doesn’t make it any easier.

Sex Tourism & Human Trafficking

Old, fat white dudes with their bellies hanging out, holding hands with Thai girls young enough to be their daughters. Sorry for that mental image, but if you live in Bangkok, you’ll likely be seeing it. It’s gross and sad to see people being used and abused.

Sleeping with sex workers is common amongst Thai men as well, they’re just more discreet about it.

Keep in mind that many sex workers in the clubs and infamous ping pong shows might be there against their will. Many of the victims are brought in from poorer areas of rural Thailand or neighboring countries like Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar. Western travelers fuel the demand for human trafficking by attending these sex shows. Don’t go!

Work Culture & Low Pay

Certain teaching jobs will require you to work six days a week. You’ll be asked to join LINE groups and in my experience, you’re expected to be on call. Things tend to be unorganized and schedules change frequently.

Foreigners are also limited to just a few kinds of jobs they’re allowed to do. Have a look here to see a list of the 12 expat jobs allowed in Thailand. The overall pay isn’t great either, especially if you’re an English teacher. In comparison to jobs you can get in other countries like South Korea and Japan, the pay isn’t even close.

Bureaucracy & Visa Headaches

You can only stay for two months on a tourist visa and just 30 days visa-free. You can usually extend that by one month at Thai immigration. However, to work in Bangkok you’ll have to fly out and return with a Non-Immigrant B Visa. Only then will you be eligible to apply for a work permit.

If your job will sponsor you for that and help with all the paperwork, you’re in business. If not, good luck. It can be a real pain in the ass. Even if you get the permit you’ll still need to visit immigration periodically.

Without being sponsored for a work permit some companies might still hire you to work illegally, but you’ll be on a tourist visa and have to play the visa run game, leaving the country every three months. It’s a short-term solution at best.

The Thai government has cracked down on this more and more in recent years.

Corruption and an Unstable Government

Paying bribes is normal in Thailand. Whether it’s paying tea money for contracts and jobs, paying off the police, or paying to get your child placed in school, grifting is the norm. All levels of Thai society suffer from it.

Thailand is consistently ranked in the bottom half out of 180 countries on the Corruption Perceptions Index. I personally never had any issues with the police while I was there, but others aren’t so lucky. It’s possible that you could be framed and asked to pay money to supplement their meager salaries.

Thailand is also undemocratic. It’s been under military rule for nearly a decade since a successful military coup in 2014. Although we never felt unsafe in Bangkok, it’s unsettling to know that it’s essentially a dictatorship.

Elections were held in May of 2023, but the progressive Move Forward party that won the race with the support of the Thai people has been blocked from governing.

You’re also not awarded the same rights in Thailand. Freedom of speech is limited. It’s a crime to criticize the king or the Royal Thai Government. Don’t do it. There is also heavy internet and media censorship.

I can remember times while living there that I’d see the TV cut out entirely while watching BBC News immediately after they began talking about Thailand.

Bad Service & Two-Tier Pricing

Service in Thailand is generally not great. There are exceptions, but overall it’s true. You often have to call people over if you need something. Your server will rarely check on you. If you have an issue with something and you don’t speak Thai, good luck resolving it.

They also bring dishes out at different times because Thais tend to share their meals. This is no big deal if you like to share, but if you’re looking to have your own plate you won’t be eating at the same time as your dining companions.

In Thailand, there’s a certain charge for a foreigner and another one for a local. While I understand that generally, foreigners have more money, not everyone is wealthy either.

Occasionally paying more for things is understandable, but some of the differences in prices like entrance fees at attractions go too far. For instance, if an entrance fee is 10x more expensive for a foreigner I may just skip it altogether.

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Learning the Language is Very Difficult

Thai is overwhelming and challenging to learn. It has its own unique alphabet and the way sentences are structured is completely different. On top of that, it’s a tonal language which means that one word can have five different meanings depending on the tone used. It’s not as easy as learning Spanish!

Some foreigners pick up on it, but many (like me) consider it nearly impossible. In one year I managed to learn basic pleasantries, how to order food, and how to count. I considered that a win, kop khun maak! 

The 10 Best Things About Living in Bangkok

Still with me? Now that you’ve heard the bad news, let’s get into the good things about life in Thailand’s capital city. Yes, there are many positives as well…

The Best Street Food

Thai food is better in Thailand. Go figure! Bangkok undeniably offers some of the best food in the world. It won’t cost you much either. Authentic Thai curries, fried fish, all the tropical fruit you want, juicy meat on a stick, Thai tea, and sticky rice. There’s food on every corner!

Bangkok is a culinary wonderland. This is likely what I miss most of all. Even food courts inside malls are often better than your Asian options back home. Vegetarian cuisine is also easy to find. So eat your heart out!

Bustling Markets

The colorful markets are also one of the best things about living in Bangkok. Whether it’s visiting Klong Toey, the largest market in Southeast Asia, or slurping a bowl of noodles at the Khlong Lad Mayom floating market, you can’t go wrong.

Additionally, walking from stand to stand on Yaowarat Road in China Town sweating and snacking through the night is the epitome of Bangkok living.

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The Cost of Living

Overall things in the “Land of Smiles” are cheap. I had a one-bedroom apartment for $300 a month. Yep, you read that right. Sure it was small and on the outskirts, but it had a swimming pool, fitness center, 7-11 across the street, and a smoothie shop below it.

Lunch would usually cost 40 baht ($1-2) on the street or 90-150 baht ($3-5) in the malls. A big beer will set you back $1.75. Life in Thailand won’t break the bank, if you’re smart you can easily save money.

The BTS Skytrain & MRT

The BTS Skytrain in Bangkok is a great resource. No, it doesn’t go everywhere yet, but it’s expanding. Some of the places you can’t reach on the BTS you can reach by using the MRT (the underground subway system).

They can both get crowded during peak hours or anywhere near Siam station, but using it when you can is wise and affordable. You can also take the Airport Rail Link to and from the Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Bangkok is a Travel Hub

Bangkok is a hub for cheap travel in Southeast Asia and budget airlines like Air Asia have changed everything. You can fly to several cities from Bangkok like Saigon, Yangon, Hanoi, KL, or Siem Reap for $100 or less.

Travel within Thailand is also super easy and affordable. There’s always an excuse to go somewhere! Take the night bus and wake up in Chiang Mai or a train heading south to the beach for the weekend.

Low Violent Crime Rate

Generally speaking, Bangkok is very safe when it comes to violent crime. Thai prisons are mostly filled with drug users and low-level smugglers. You might get the occasional overcharge for a tuk-tuk ride or a random guy trying to sell you fake gems, but you’ve got little else to worry about.

Trust your instincts, don’t argue with people, and watch your belongings.

Thai People

They call it the “Land of Smiles” for a reason. If you happen to make eye contact, they’ll usually smile at you. If you’ve traveled around Asia, you realize not all countries are that way.

In my experience, if you make the effort to talk to them they are receptive and more than happy to chat or help if they can. If you learn to speak even a few words of Thai, strangers will shower you with praise!

Thais are very relaxed and the culture can be summed up best by a famous saying in Thai which is mai bpen rai, meaning it doesn’t matter, or no big deal.

Of course, not all Thais are the same, but the ones we remember are pleasant and respectful people who always keep their cool (at least outside of the go-go bars). Family, friends, community, and tasty food are what seem to be the most important.

I also made some wonderful friends through work and had few if any problems with my students.

Thai Massage

One of the benefits of living in Bangkok is relaxing in a quiet dark room and getting a Thai massage. It’s the perfect escape from the madness of the city. Before living in Thailand, I wasn’t a big fan, but Thai massage changed me forever!

You don’t have to be naked, no oil is used, and the way they stretch your muscles is heavenly. Massages back home can be $75-100 an hour. In Bangkok, they typically cost $7-10 or 200-300 Thai baht. Just be sure to tip!

I recommend Health Land where you can get a two-hour Thai massage for around 650 baht ($20). Go and thank me later!

Western Conveniences & Cheap Entertainment

The 7-11’s in Thailand are the best in the world. They offer more than any we’ve seen back in the States. A movie ticket costs around 100 baht ($3 per person). You can get a matcha green tea Dairy Queen blizzard for 30 baht ($1).

Bowling is inexpensive. You can sign up for kickboxing classes. Yoga is inexpensive. If you just want to hang out and have a beer or drink with your friends it won’t cost you much either.

Living in Bangkok offers many possibilities! If you want to splurge you can do that by hitting one of Bangkok’s famous sky bars or Michelin-star restaurants. There are also loads of malls (too many) and plenty of Western stores and food chains.

International Community

There are people from all over the world living in Bangkok. We had friends from the US, Iran, the Philippines, Australia, England, and several other countries.

Having other foreigners around means you’ll have a support system, and people to go out with and share stories and frustrations with. You won’t feel so lonely. There are many meet-up groups and somebody always knows someone who can help you with whatever you need.

Conclusion

I hope this list was useful if you’re considering a move to Bangkok. I have many fond memories of my time there and a few things I don’t miss. However, every city is that way in some regard, and nowhere is perfect.

I’m happy I got to experience life there and plan to return and visit, but if I’m being honest, I don’t think I’d choose to live in Bangkok again.

Travel Resources

• Find Cheap Flights: Skyscanner.com
• Find Hotels: Booking.com
• For Rental Cars: Discovercars.com
• Discover Tours and Activities on: Viator.com

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Thinking about living in Bangkok? Any other questions? Comment below, I’m happy to help if I can…