Bangkok is a city that’s well known for its stunning temples, shrines, and religious icons. Contrary to popular belief, it is far from the largest city in Thailand, but it exudes and energy like no other.

Image credit: Stuck in Customs

Whether you’re in town for a day or a week, there’s simply no reason to pay tourist prices for things locals will pay only a fraction for. So where should one go and what should one do?

Eating in Bangkok

When you arrive in Bangkok one of the first things you’ll do is search for a place to sit down for a good meal. Assuming you’re in town to enjoy Thai culture, you’ll want to stray away from your elegant hotel restaurant and experience life in the city. Head towards some of the restaurants where the locals eat.

Image credit: aJ GAZMEN ? GucciBeaR

What you’ll find is an eclectic mix of food opportunities. The cuisine in Thailand has been inspired by Myanmar, Malaysia, Laos, China, India and a number of other cultures. The end result is a list of ingredients and spices you’ll rarely find blended together anywhere else.

Image credit: LeeLeFever

Depending on where you are in Thailand you’ll have the opportunity to taste four different styles of culinary creation - northern, southern, northeastern, and central. In Bangkok, you’ll find restaurants and vendors serving foods from each region so you will have an opportunity to explore them all.

Places to Dine in Bangkok

Image credits: neil banas and Erin&Justin

An inexpensive Bangkok favorite is Roti-Mataba. The restaurant is small but serves some of the best roti (whole-wheat flatbread) you’ll ever taste. The bread is filled with whatever you choose, whether that be vegetables, meat, or seafood - all served in a sauce that is just a little bit sweet. This place is often crowded, but it’s worth the trip.

Image credit: thatgirl

Chote Chitr can be found in the Old City section of Bangkok and is another favorite, especially amongst seafood lovers. The food here is reasonably priced and is incredibly creative. Take, for example, the banana-blossom salad. It includes shrimp, chicken, chili, coconut cream, and a blend of other spices and ingredients. It sounds strange, but it’s absolutely to die for!

If you’re looking for something a bit more upscale you’ll want to head towards Pen in the Yannawa section of Bangkok. It’s more expensive than the average Thai restaurant but less expensive than your luxury hotel dining establishment. This is an excellent option for anyone who wants to spend a little extra money on a really great seafood dish. Looking to try something unique? Try the deep-fried parrot fish with shallots or the mud crabs.

Bargaining in Bangkok

Just because you’ve learned how to bargain for deals in other countries does not mean you’ll get away with it as easily in Bangkok. Before approaching a vendor it is important to remember that bargaining here is considered a “fun game” but at the same time must be done respectfully so that the vendor doesn’t “lose face.”

[Youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhNKzePi_lw]

So you see something in a proprietor’s stall you’d really like to take home. Make sure you start the transaction on the right foot by entering the stall quietly, smiling, and acknowledging the existence of the owner. Quietly and politely ask for the price. Asking quietly is the key, here. The louder you are, the less likely the proprietor will be to haggle with you because he doesn’t want to announce his deals to everyone in the shop.

[Youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkqG5lWIU04&NR=1]

When shopping in Bangkok you are going to find that the prices here are not gouged to take advantage of tourists they way they are in many other countries. This means the shop owner already believes his items are priced fairly, so you should not expect to be greeted pleasantly if you ask for a 50% discount. Ask for a small discount (the max you’ll get anywhere is 20-30%).

If you really don’t like the discount you can ask for more, but if the shopkeeper says no simply say thanks and walk away. He’ll call you back if he really wants to make the sale. If he doesn’t, you’ll know the price you were offered was pretty fair.

Bangkok’s Best Markets

Image credit: tarotastic

Ready to put your bargaining skills to the test? Don’t’ forget to check out the Flower Market in Bangkok’s Chinatown section. The market is open 24/7 and is especially active in the evening hours when deliveries are made. The market is an entire street of flower stalls, many of which will only sell in bulk. There are a few who will sell small bunches of flowers or individual plants. Visit more for the atmosphere and view than the shopping experience; that is, unless you’re planning an event in Bangkok and need the flowers.

Image credit: Swamibu

Thieves Market used to be well known for its shops and stalls offering great prices on antiques and collectibles. The prices aren’t as good anymore, but if you’re already exploring Chinatown this is a great place to stop and look around. The little stalls are littered with a variety of goods, but you may not get the deals you’re looking for (even if you bargain).

Your trip to Bangkok will be full of incredible cultural attractions and historic sights. There’s no need to spend all of your money on luxury meals when you can experience authentic Thai food and shopping at a fraction of the price!

Posted in Thailand

This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 25th, 2009 at 9:14 am and is filed under Thailand. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.