Can I drink the tap water in Bangkok?
No. No. No. The Bangkok authorities try to tell everyone that they purify Bangkok water so you can drink it, but don’t. The water delivery system in Bangkok is old and rusty plus bacteria love to grow in warm moist climates so don’t drink the tap water. There is plenty of purified water available where ever you go, and it is cheap. If you want to lose some quick pounds and end up in the hospital with dehydration problems, go ahead and drink tap water. Also, there are a number of quality alcoholic beverages available as well.
Can I eat food from the many street vendors I saw on the way from the airport?
Absolutely. Some of my favorite dishes come from those vendors. The Thais are generally clean and they certainly don’t want their customers to get sick. The mainstay of many a working Thai are the noodles from the noodle vendors or small noodle shops you will get to know and love. Look at the vendor and the way he or she does business before you sit down to a great bowl of “whatever.”
Do I have to eat Thai food all the time?
Of course not. Bangkok is a cosmopolitan city and offers food from around the world (at a price). All the fast food restaurants you have gotten used to are also in Bangkok. From MacDonalds to Pizza Hut, Big Boys to Dunkin Donuts, they are all in Bangkok. You can also get some good Chinese food at those small noodle shops as well.
Is it safe to go out at night in Bangkok?
Yes, it is. I believe Bangkok is one of the safest large cities in the world, especially for Westerners. The Thais have learned a long time ago that foreigners visiting their country means big bucks. Doing bad things to these foreigners is bad business and tends to stop the flow of these big bucks. Evil doers will be caught and justice swift. Be aware, though that there are places in Bangkok where even rowdy Thais don’t go at night. In the twenty-five years I have been visiting and living in Thailand, I have never once felt threatened. You will see what I am talking about.
Can I trust the taxi drivers?
Again, the answer has to be yes. Most are hardworking guys trying to make a living and won’t do anything to harm their livelihood. We did get into a taxi downtown this trip where the guy was joking about getting tips and expecting tips or else, and we immediately got out of his taxi. He apologized and said he was only joking, but we still did not use his taxi.
Do Thais know how to speak English?
Most really only have a basic understanding of English unless you are in the area where foreigners frequent. All Thais have studied English since grade school so they can read and can get by with the basics. If you are in one of those areas where money is being made from foreigners business, then you will be assisted immediately if you have a question. I once stood above the street on the SkyTrain near Siam Square and watched a foreigner get helped by four different Thais in less than 100 yards.
