BANGKOK: Tem's tips to living in BKK

What is it like to live in Bangkok? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Bangkok is a very modern city. Downtown, we have skyscrapers and yes, we Thais love our malls (Emporium, Siam Paragon, Central World, just to name a few). The best part is... Everything is affordable and within reach. Public transportation is everywhere (BTS, MRT, motorbike, Tuk-Tuks, buses, etc). As for the food, for as little as 1 euro, you can get a full plate of Pad Thai. The weather is very hot and humid, and during the monsoon season, tend to rain a lot.

What is the student lifestyle like in Bangkok?

Student life in Thailand is very relaxing. Locals like to spend time going out to eat together after class or attend various university activities, like a sport club for example. Another thing I'd like to add is, going to the movies is a very typical weekend past time. For as little as around 5 Euros, you can watch the latest movies.

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How much does it cost to live in Bangkok?

Living cost in Bangkok is very cheap compared to Europe. For 1 euro, you can get a delicious bowl of noodles or a plate of Kra Pow Gai (Basil stir-fried chicken & rice). Very cheap. Same goes for transportation. Unlike in Europe where taxis cost a fortune, there are taxis everywhere in BKK and the starting price is 1 Euro as well. Neat huh? We also have the BTS sky train (which you can apply for a student card), MRT underground system, and flag boats that run along the Chao Praya River (the boats cost as little as 9 baht =0.5 EURO). Motorbike taxis are also common, however, some people avoid for safety reasons. And if you like the thrill, you can also sit on our globally known Tuk-tuks!

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Bangkok? Is there any advice you can give?

Accommodation in Bangkok is very easy to find as there are many condominiums in the city. However, depending on the location prices can vary. If you are staying around Sukhumvit area (downtown BKK), be prepared to pay 10,000+ baht (260 EUROS) which is considered to be quite pricey for locals. The good side is, for that price, the rooms are modern and spacious, you just need to know what you are looking for. There is a Facebook group called "DBSK-Desperately Seeking" which people often post apartments/condos for rent.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

Thai food, as I've mentioned before, is very cheap and delicious. My favorite dish since I was a kid is "pak-boong-fai-daeng" stir-fried Chinese morning glory with chilli and garlic. This is usually eaten with rice and other side dishes like "kai jiaow" Thai-style omelette. Other popular dishes are Pad-kee-mao (known as the hangover food!) "suki-haeng" (stir-fried glass noodles with meat of your choice and vegetables).

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What places would you recommend visiting in Bangkok?

Skipping the basic touristic places aside, I recommend joining extracurricular classes like a group class at Petchyindee Muay Thai gym and learn the art of Thai boxing. It's a good way to maintain a fit figure and at the same time make friends with locals. When you are living in Bangkok, you will also find a lot of street cats and dogs. If you are an animal lover I would also recommend volunteering at an animal rescue since in Thailand there are many streets. PAWS & Apple's Animal Aid are examples of one of these organisations. You can also make a difference by being a flight volunteer when you return to your home country! Just contact Relo4Paws and they will arrange everything. I have exchange friends myself that helped fly a dog to her forever home abroad, and she recalled feeling having the best feeling ever, being able to help change the life of a poor stray to a loving house dog.

Is it good to eat out in Bangkok? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Eating out in Bangkok is as I've mentioned, very cheap and very easy. There are food vendors everywhere from morning to night, you will never go hungry! There are also restaurants in malls like MK, BBQ Plaza, etc (just to name a few). And if you are craving dishes from other countries, there will always be one in BKK. Just google away. Italian, Indian, Korean, Japanese, Mexican? You can find it in Bangkok. A place I highly recommend for eating out is Yaowarat (Thailand's china town) as it is historical, very well-known and is a popular food destination for locals.

Is the nightlife good in Bangkok? Where is good to go?

Do you really have to ask? Of course! Levels, Demo, RCA, Route 66, etc. These clubs are the popular ones among university students but if you want to meet other foreign travellers then Kao San Road is the place to go.

What advice would you give future students heading to Bangkok?

Always be open-minded and ready to try new things. Embrace cultural differences, customs and traditions. Enjoy the time in Bangkok, and try learning Thai! You will see the difference when you are able to speak to Thai locals. We love it when foreigners try to speak our language!

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