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Bangkok is a rich, beautiful city of complements and contrasts. If you’re travelling there for the first time, navigating the city can be a little overwhelming. But, with a little insight and preparation, you can enjoy Bangkok without hassle. In this guide, you'll find some tips and tricks to explore Bangkok as a first timer.

Book your accommodation ahead of time to save on last minute price hikes. Choose a hotel that’s close to public transport including the Chao Phraya River. Look for Riverside hotels in Bangkok if you love views and have easy access to key areas. Check with places like the Avani+ Riverside Bangkok Hotel for early bird offers.

Image via Avani+ Riverside Bangkok Hotel

Buy a SIM card at the Suvarnabhumi Airport. The SIM card stall offers mobile packages with 3G of data or top up schemes. The Happy Tourist card from DTAC is a good deal. If you’re planning to stay in Thailand for a while, go for a package with a monthly deal.

You can use a taxi to get to the hotel from the airport. They have a vending machine at the exit gate. Pay for your taxi and go to the taxi park where your taxi will wait for you. But, once you put your luggage down, switch to public transport unless absolutely necessary. The roads are congested in Bangkok, and the most convenient and fast modes of getting around are the BTS line, MRT and river cruises. You can buy a BTS and MRT card and top up at stations when necessary. Alternatively, you can buy individual tickets too. Vending machines at stations have the English language option, and the staff are friendly and supportive if you need help.

When you’re not dining at your hotel, try street food. Bangkok’s street food is safe to consume, and delicious. Yaowarat district, JJ Green market, Susan Lum Ratchada and the new Talad Neon night market offer delectable fare. Don’t forget to visit the Chatuchak market with its thousands of stalls brimming with Pad Thai, flavourful noodle dishes, smoked or slow cooked fish, spicy, crackling pork, sweet, cooling mango sticky rice and more.

Get your hands on a good map, and plan out your outings including transport. You can check the landmarks and save those on an offline map to refer to when travelling. As long as you have your Smartphone and public transport, you can see the city independently. When you wish to see iconic landmarks, opt for a day pass for a Chao Phraya River cruise. This is the easiest way to see the Grand Palace, Wat Arun etc.

Visit the Khlong Lat Mayom Floating market to savour its authentic atmosphere. Go for a short river ride along the canals with a local boat, and tuck into the scrumptious Thai dishes. As for street markets, night markets put up the best atmosphere and energy. You’ll avoid the heat of the day, and get to discover a true bazaar- like atmosphere. Buy souvenirs for under 1 USD at street market stalls.

Bangkok is full of massage parlours offering invigorating Thai massages. Book a few Thai massages in between your excursions to perk up your energy. If you love wrestling, go for a Muay Thai boxing match. The matches are mainly put on to entertain the audience, and there is no real violence involved. And, finally, don’t forget to try a leisurely dinner at a rooftop bar at least once. Sip cocktails and take in the cityscape from above as dusk falls in purple splashes.

When in need of a novel way to not merely get around Bangkok but meander through its welcoming environs, then consider booking a boat tour. With this means of transport, you can look forward to delighting in the magic which is Bangkok, albeit in the comfort of a boat. Here is how you can about scheduling a truly remarkable journey.

A majority of travellers choose to base themselves in Bangkok where many a scenic voyage through Thailand is contemplated and realised. On the topic of a boat tour of the capital, the focal point will be the magnificent waters belonging to the Chao Phraya River which is fondly referred to as the ‘River of Kings.’ During such an outing, you will be handed a wide spectrum of facilities to indulge such as opting for a favourable type of boat, deciding on the nature of your cruise to the varying routes that you can opt for. Regardless of this, the enthused vacationer in you will be led towards the brilliance of cosmopolitan Bangkok with sweeping views of floating markets, towering skyscrapers and thriving neighbourhoods easily presented.

In Bangkok, boat tours can be availed of across a cross-section of vessels with each offering its own unique routes and corresponding experiences where you will be able to develop a thorough understanding of Bangkok. Should you be more inclined to cover as much distance as humanely achievable, then it would be prudent on your behalf to access the celebrated Chao Phraya Express. Known to function with amazing speed and meticulous ease along the mighty waters, travellers will be transported from one pier to the next and in turn, handed every opportunity to savour important landmarks in the city. One can also move off the beaten path so to speak as part of a ferry cruise that brings with it the added thrill of being able to navigate through charming neighbourhoods that are excellent sources of knowledge and sightseeing. What’s more? The ferry can be easily hailed from any of the city’s central locations which makes it one of the ‘go-to’ facilities when one yearns to be one with the brilliance of Bangkok. On the flip side, a private river cruise offers a myriad of value additions in the likes of a professional guide and dinner where you will be flooded with helpful information on your surroundings and tips on what to look out for. Moreover, a long-tail boat ride will guarantee value for money in every sense of the phrase given that you will move at a slower pace. Also, the boat’s low sides mean that you are never too far away from views of Bangkok’s most cherished destinations. In fact, to access such tours, one can look at the prospect of reserving a stay at Avani+ Riverside Bangkok Hotel which features its own suites in Bangkok to retire to after a day of exploring.

Snaking through these pleasing channels will soon culminate in travellers like yourself being in a sound position to appreciate the very essence of the city. If you see yourself starting off at Tha Chang Pier, then know that you will soon be privileged enough to catch a glimpse of the astounding Grand Palace which was the original residence of the local monarchy. From here onwards, keep your eyes peeled for the shimmering spires of Wat Arun or ‘Temple of Dawn’ which is one of the reasons for travellers to head to Bangkok. If you find yourself thirsting for an insightful encounter with local communities, then look no further than the ‘khlongs’ which are Bangkok’s canals that present enriching adventures that are bound to linger long in your memory. For authentic takes on the country’s culture, perhaps, opting for a floating market tour will serve you well. In this sense, it is highly recommended to reach out to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market in Ratchaburi. Rated as a great way to snack while you glide along at a pace of one choosing, globetrotters can take their pick from rice cakes and grilled shrimp en route to a meeting and greeting beaming locals who will go to great lengths in enticing you to check out their every product.