Bangkok on a Budget in 2017
I have been coming to Bangkok and around Asia for 12 years now. In this time I’ve witnessed a surprising level of development. Major changes to tourism, infrastructure, middle class, and social trends. For a first time visitor in Thailand, I think it has gotten a lot harder to find the budget experience, or really just to avoid the high end travel sector that is everywhere now.
By following a few key points you can save a lot of money just like old times or like the many other places around Asia where a little money goes a long way. On a budget you have 2 options Cheap or Cheap and Best. I always prefer the latter because I like to save money but I don’t want to go too far down the comfort spectrum.
Transportation: Don’t take taxis until absolutely necessary.
As you get off the plane, pass immigration, and collect your bags, all you need to do is walk downstairs and find the Airport Rail Link. From there it is easy and cheap to get anywhere in the city.
Once settled in Bangkok the skytrain and subway can be expensive and overcrowded so a good option is the local bus system. It can be intimidating because the ticket collectors don’t speak English, but just use google maps and they actually have the routes of all the local busses and you just jump in the one with the right number from the directions.
Walk around as much as possible. If you reach a canal or river, the public transit boats are really interesting. Take it anywhere and get lost.
Lastly I have been using Grab Bike, just Uber for Asia and the prices are pretty low. Motorbikes are good because you can cut through traffic that you face in taxis and busses.
Housing Research the options but just try a few nights and change if you don’t like it.
This took me some trial and error but there are good options. For me I always stay a couple days at The Overstay. It has some of the cheapest rooms in BKK. 150 Bhat per night for the hostel, and 250B per night for a private room. Monthly rates are around 5000 Bhat. This is great place to meet creative people, locals, expats, backpackers. Truly a rainbow of Bangkok art and music culture. It is open 24 hours and the staff and founders are great people who I have known since the place first started.
Another option is long term rentals. I found some good places for 5000–6000 Bhat per month. One place was “The Beyond Residence” (Map) 5500 Bhat monthly. This place was good because it is close to MRT subway system which is connected to BTS skytrain and Airport Rail Link. The best part was the food right out front in the street and at a new day/night open air market. G2 Cafe across the street is a great place for coffee. Fast internet, Modern interior and proper espresso drinks for about 50Bhat.
Food street food is key.
This is closely connected to the housing subject because the outer Bangkok neighborhoods have fully authentic and low cost food. I recommend these precooked food type of places:

Just point to what you want. I always get bamboo and green curry only 50 Bhat (USD $1.50)

Entertainment A lifetime of things to do in Bangkok. keep it simple
Personally, I enjoy simple things, looking at architecture, and gardens or farms. I like to get a massage at the Wat Po Sukhumvit branch and they have massage classes. If you like herbal medicine, Thai herbal Saunas are good to try. Check out my advice on transportations, just explore around malls and parks. There is a lot going on at Phrom Phong BTS skytrain station. There is a big park that is especially popular with athletic locals. Emporium Mall, the original has a great private library on top hidden beside the movie theater. Across the BTS station there is a new Emporium extension mall with an impressive rooftop and vertical garden installations with great city and sunset views.
Shopping- Think night markets, tents, and tarps.
Shop like the locals. due to rent expenses, anything for sale under a tent or on top of a tarp will always cheaper than from a shop or building.
Rod Fai Night Market Map
JJ green Map
Pantip Plaza for all electronic needs. repairs. everything tech. some kind of pilgrimage sight for geeks.
Miscellaneous:
Pantip.com is popular with Thai people. The site is in thai but you can translate it with Google Chrome. There is a lot of useful information there. The Craigslist of Thailand
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Thanks for reading and have a good trip to Bangkok. Comment if you have any questions about what I covered or things I didn’t mention. Check out my YouTube channel and subscribe.
