Working in Bangkok Thailand
The capital and largest city in Thailand, Bangkok is located in central Thailand on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand. Bangkok has a population of 8.3 million in its central city area and more than 14.5 million in its greater metropolitan area.
Along with Thailand, Bangkok has rapidly grown in the past two decades to become a major centre for many industries in South-East Asia. The city experiences a tropical wet and dry climate with temperatures averaging higher than 30 °C throughout the year.
- Airport
- Railway Station
- Transportation
- Cost of Living
- Accommodation
- Shopping
- Emergency
- Insurance and Healthcare
Tourism Video
Airport
Suvarnabhumi Airport
Also known as Bangkok International Airport, Suvarnabhumi Airport is one of two international airports serving Bangkok, the other being Don Mueang International Airport. The airport was opened for domestic and international flights in 2006. The airport is the main hub for Thai Airways International, Bangkok Airways and Orient Thai Airlines and serves as a gateway for many foreign carriers. The airport is located about 25km east of downtown Bangkok and can be reached most efficiently by a rail link from Hua Lamphong Railway Station.
Railway Station
Hua Lamphong Railway Station
The main railway station in Bangkok, Hua Lamphong is located in the center of the city in Pathum Wan District, and is operated by the State Railway of Thailand. There are 14 platforms, 26 ticket booths and two electric display boards at the station. It serves over 130 trains and about 60,000 passengers each day. Since 2004 the station has been connected by underground passage to the MRT subway system.
Transportation
Bangkok’s public transport is at times efficient and convenient, and is in the progress of being upgraded for further improvement. The city suffers from congestion throughout the day and in particular during rush hours. The public transport system consists of a skytrain, metro, bus and tuk-tuk system.
The BTS Skytrain was built to ease Bangkok’s traffic and pollution. It includes two lines that primarily help commuters through the central area of the city. The metro opened in 2004 and currently features just one line that connects the central Hualamphong Train Station to the northern Bang Sue Train Station. There are several interchanges to the Skytrain on this line. To reach Bangkok’s outer regions it would be best to take a bus, but don’t forget about the hectic traffic that will no doubt slow your travels.
As a tourist, it is worth using the tuk-tuks just for the experience. But at the end of the day there are cheaper options available.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Thailand and its major cities is generally low by western standards and the average monthly wage is typically about $700 equivalent. Due to the massive tourism industry in Thailand, costs often vary greatly from area to area depending on the target customer.
According to online cost of living database Numbeo (www.numbeo.com), prices for typical items on current exchange rates (June 2013) are as follows:
Food | |
Cheap meal (inexpensive restaurant) | $2.20 |
Three-course meal for two at mid-range restaurant | $20.80 |
Domestic beer (500mL) | $2.10 |
Coke (330mL) | $0.60 |
Milk (1 litre) | $1.65 |
Loaf of bread | $1.20 |
Eggs | $2.05 |
Transport | |
One way ticket (local transport) | $0.80 |
Monthly pass | $31.20 |
Petrol (1 litre) | $1.40 |
Rent (monthly) | |
One bedroom apartment (central area) | $700 approx |
Three bedroom apartment (central area) | $1730 approx |
Accommodation | |
Hostel bed (one night) | $20 |
Five star hotel room (one night) | $130 |
Accommodation
Accommodation in Bangkok is generally inexpensive depending on your standards. Being a major tourism centre, the city does have several budget hotels and hostels, a decent selection of mid-range hotels and some of the best hotels in Asia. A few options to consider include:
Budget
Bangkok Hostel
Link Corner Hostel Bangkok
Mid-range
Narai Hotel
The Davis Bangkok Hotel
High-end
The Peninsula Bangkok
Four Seasons Bangkok
Shopping
As the major centre in Thailand, Bangkok provides a high quality shopping experience for high and low-end shoppers. The most popular place to start is Siam Square, which features a huge range of specialist stores. The most visited shopping malls in Bangkok are MBK Center and Siam Center, which have many western brands and locally themed stores.
Bangkok has a street market feel to it and offers some of the best market experiences found anywhere in the world. The top street markets in Bangkok include Banglamphu Market and Chatuchak Weekend Market.
Emergency
Tourist emergency telephone services:
Tourist Police 1155
Police (general) 191
Ambulance and Rescue 1554
Fire 199
National Disaster Warning Centre 1860
Crime 1195
Medical Emergency Call 1669
Private Air Ambulance 02 586 7654
Austraian Embassy, Bangkok
37 South Sathorn Road,
Bangkok, Thailand
Telephone: (66 2) 344 6300
Fax: (66 2) 344 6310
Website: www.thailand.embassy.gov.au
Insurance and Healthcare
Thailand, which has a good quality of health care, features public and private sectors in its health system. The public health system in Thailand was established by the government and is funded by taxes. It provides free and low-cost care to Thai citizens and foreigners registered with the Universal Coverage Health system. Expats will need to register and receive a health card to use the public system.
In addition, expats in Thailand can take out private care, with an extensive range of services available. Costs for private health treatment in Thailand compare well with Australian services. Despite a good standard of health facilities in Thailand, DFAT recommends all Australians travelling to the country take out comprehensive travel insurance to cover any overseas costs.