When visiting Thailand, one doesn’t need to have a big budget. With everything so affordable in this country, you and your family can spend several days to a week without spending a fortune.
The capital city of Bangkok is a must-visit. Here you will find historical landmarks and other interesting places that provide a rich cultural experience.
Going around the city is not a problem. Instead of taking the taxi, it’s best to try riding the tricycle or what they call there as “tuk-tuk.” It is considered the motorized version of the rickshaw and can accommodate two to three people. Being an open type of public transportation, it makes for a great and memorable experience. Riding on this three-wheeled vehicle at night is best particularly if you’re planning to head to the night markets to buy some souvenirs. It’s not just advisable to take it during a rainy day as you can easily get wet.
The tuk-tuk fare can be haggled but make sure you learn a little Thai language to be able to do that since most locals don’t speak English. It might be a good idea to ask about the fare before taking the tricycle otherwise, you might end up paying a huge amount. You should know that drivers often offer a rate sometimes higher than a taxi the reason why you need to do a little bargaining.
Make sure as well that you know the name of the place you’re going to visit and if possible, the direction. Having a map is very important.
Again, speaking the local dialect will be an advantage. Most of these drivers come from the province and may not necessarily know the place you want to go.
One thing to remember, though, is to stay away from the main traffic when you’re out touring to avoid the pollution. Thankfully, these tuk-tuks are being improved now because manufacturers these days are producing the low emission vehicles. Some older types that have new engines are also using LPG.