Bangkok, Thailand 🇹🇭
#388
,
Nomad Score:
75%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand, is known for its vibrant street life and cultural landmarks. |
| 👥 Population | Approx. 10 million |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average of 30-50 Mbps in urban areas, higher in coworking spaces. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 EUR ≈ 37 THB, 1 USD ≈ 34 THB |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Not drinkable; recommended to use bottled water. |
| 🔌 Power | 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | AIS, TrueMove, and DTAC offer various prepaid options for tourists and expats. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Major banks include Bangkok Bank, Siam Commercial Bank, and SCB; many accept international cards. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options from hostels (starting around 400 THB) to luxury condos (average 20,000 THB/month). |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are widely accepted, especially in urban areas. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb, Booking.com, and local agencies are popular; prices start from 800 THB/night. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostels like 'Bodega Bangkok' start from 300 THB/night. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Khao San Road and Sukhumvit are popular tourist locations. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Thong Lor and Ekkamai are favored by digital nomads for cafes and coworking spaces. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | WeWork Siam, offering a vibrant atmosphere for creativity and collaboration. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | D बाजा Cafe, known for its cozy atmosphere and good Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetup.com features various networking events, including tech and entrepreneurship meetups. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Facebook groups such as 'Bangkok Expats' are active in organizing community events. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Grab is the preferred service for taxis and food delivery. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Get in touch with BIP Bike to rent bicycles throughout the city. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Pattaya Beach, approximately 1.5 hours away by car. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Thai Lion Air operates regional flights. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Emirates and Singapore Airlines are major carriers to Bangkok. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Connected to major highways like the Bangkok-Chonburi Expressway. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Bangkok's main transit hub is Hualamphong Station. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | The Rabbit Card works for BTS Skytrain and some bus routes. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Regular bus and train services connect Bangkok with nearby cities. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Bumrungrad International Hospital, offering quality care for expats. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Elements features various classes suitable for all levels. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness First and Virgin Active are popular chains with various locations. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundromat and self-service options available around Sukhumvit. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | GrabFood and Foodpanda are convenient for food delivery. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Som Tam (spicy papaya salad) is a must-try. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | May Veggie Home offers a wide range of vegetarian dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Mango Tango is well-known for its mango sticky rice. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Chatuchak Weekend Market offers budget-friendly local food. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Lazada and Shopee are popular platforms for online shopping. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | HappyFresh and GoFresh deliver groceries to your door. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Sukhumvit Soi 11 is a hotspot for nightlife. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Brewdog is a popular spot for craft beer in Bangkok. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | The Wine Merchant offers a good selection of wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | The stalls at Yaowarat Road (Chinatown) are famous for street food. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Rosa Italian Restaurant provides fine Italian dining. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew are essential visits. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Bangkok Art and Culture Centre showcases contemporary art. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Jim Thompson House represents traditional Thai architecture. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Wat Arun is one of the most iconic temples in the city. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Songkran (Thai New Year) is celebrated in April with water festivals. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Sukhumvit and Rattanakosin are rich in culture and activities. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Siam Niramit offers a spectacular show on Thai culture. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Chatuchak Market is one of the world's largest weekend markets. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Live music can be enjoyed at venues like RCA and The Commons. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Visit areas around Charoen Krung for impressive street art. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Baipai Thai Cooking School offers authentic Thai cooking experiences. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Bangkok's Art Gallery features works from local artists. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Vimanmek Mansion is the world's largest teak wooden building. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The city is known for its rich heritage in architecture and tradition. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Lumpini Park offers a green retreat in the city. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Khao Yai National Park is approximately 3 hours away. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The paths around the Chao Phraya River are ideal for cycling and walking. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The rooftop bars like Vertigo offer stunning views of the city. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Bang Krachao, the 'Green Lung' of Bangkok, is excellent for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Privacy and permits needed; often not common in the city. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Kerry Express and Thailand Post are reliable services for parcel delivery. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | iFuture in Siam Square is known for device repairs. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | A number of community centers offer table tennis facilities. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | The Thai Language School is recommended for expats. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The Thailand National Library offers quiet study spaces. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | The Bangkok Community Hub organizes various cultural events. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | The Café de Stream offers gaming setups in a café atmosphere. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | The Casino at the Sheraton Entertainment is notable, though limited due to local laws. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 120,000 THB per m² (e.g., a 30 m² studio = 3,600,000 THB) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 80,000 THB per m² (e.g., a 30 m² studio = 2,400,000 THB) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 150,000 THB per m² (e.g., a 60 m² apartment = 9,000,000 THB) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 90,000 THB per m² (e.g., a 60 m² apartment = 5,400,000 THB) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 130,000 THB per m² (e.g., an 80 m² apartment = 10,400,000 THB) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 85,000 THB per m² (e.g., an 80 m² apartment = 6,800,000 THB) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 20% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 10% |
| 🏦 Tax System | Territorial taxation for residents; local income only taxed. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 35% |
| 🧾 VAT | 7% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, strict rules governing foreign entities. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property tax based on assessed value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Around 2% for property purchases. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Tax exemptions for income sourced from outside Thailand, attractive for remote workers. |