Population
~10.7 million (metro)
What people learn after moving
Four things newcomers say matter most about life in Bangkok
Official language
Thai (English in business/tourism)
Currency
Thai Baht (THB / ฿)
Work week
Monday–Friday
Cost of living in Bangkok
Typical newcomer prices
THB1-bed apartment (center)฿25,000–40,000 / mo
Meal, mid-range restaurant฿250–500
Street-food plate฿50–80
Coffee฿60–100
Est. single-person monthly฿30,000–45,000 (excl. rent)
Check your eligibility
Can you move to Thailand?
Pick your passport to see entry rules and the long-stay routes we have researched.
Pick your passport to see whether you can enter Thailand — and what it takes to stay.
Your move, in order
Getting set up in Thailand
1
Legal & IDMedium confidence
Visa, work permit & 90-day reporting
Working legally in Bangkok means stacking three things: a Non-B visa, a work permit (sponsored by your employer), and ongoing reporting (TM30 + 90-day). They interlock, and the TM30 is the piece that trips almost everyone up. Here's how they fit together.
2
DrivingMedium confidence
Convert your driving licence
Converting a foreign licence at the Department of Land Transport (DLT) is usually a one-day job and you skip the road test — but only if your paperwork is perfect. The residence certificate and a same-month medical certificate are what people get wrong. Here's the real checklist.
3
BankingMedium confidence
Open a bank account
On paper Thai banks ask for a work permit or a long-stay visa plus, increasingly, a certificate of residence. In practice the single biggest variable is which branch you walk into — two branches of the same bank can give you opposite answers on the same day. Here's what actually works.
4
HealthMedium confidence
Health insurance & healthcare
Healthcare in Bangkok runs on two tiers. If you are employed on a work permit you are enrolled in Social Security (SSO), which ties you to one registered hospital. Almost everyone still buys private insurance, because the city's flagship private hospitals — Bumrungrad, Samitivej, BNH — are world-class but expensive. Here's how the pieces fit.
5
TelecomMedium confidence
Get a SIM card & mobile data
Thailand runs on three networks — AIS, True and dtac — with cheap, fast data and good Bangkok coverage. The catch is registration: by NBTC rule every SIM must be tied to its holder's identity, so you register in person with your original passport, and operators have rolled out facial-recognition (liveness) checks. eSIM is the way to skip the counter friction. Here is how to get connected.
6
TaxMedium confidence
Personal income tax & tax residency
Thai personal income tax is progressive, from 0% up to 35%. You become a tax resident at 180 days in a calendar year, your employer withholds tax monthly, and you file an annual return (PND.90/91) by end of March. The headline shift expats must understand: since 1 January 2024, foreign-sourced income you remit into Thailand as a tax resident can be taxable — a real break from the old practice. Here is the shape of it.
Each guide has verified costs, timelines, required documents, and the non-obvious gotchas — sourced from official government pages. Last verified June 2026.
Language
Essential Thai phrases
สวัสดีครับ / ค่ะGreetings
sa-wat-dee khrap (m) / kha (f)
Hello / goodbye (polite)
ขอบคุณครับ / ค่ะGreetings
khop-khun khrap / kha
Thank you
ไม่เป็นไรSocial
mai pen rai
It's okay / no worries / you're welcome
ขอโทษครับ / ค่ะDaily life
kho-thot khrap / kha
Sorry / excuse me
เท่าไหร่ครับ / คะDaily life
tao-rai khrap / kha (rising tone)
How much is it?
แพงไปDaily life
phaeng pai (mid-mid)
Too expensive
ห้องน้ำอยู่ที่ไหนDaily life
hong-nam yoo tee-nai
Where is the toilet?
อร่อยFood
a-roi (low-rising)
Delicious
ไม่เผ็ดFood
mai phet
Not spicy
เก็บเงินด้วยครับ / ค่ะFood
kep ngern duay khrap / kha
The bill, please
ประชุมWork
pra-chum
Meeting
ช่วยด้วยEmergency
chuay duay
Help!
Reading a list isn’t learning it. Globe Quest turns these into a trainer — hear each phrase spoken, drill them with spaced repetition, and get scored as you say them out loud.
Culture
What to know before you go
Never disrespect the monarchy
CriticalThailand has strict lese-majeste laws (Section 112): insulting the King, Queen, heir, or regent is a serious crime with prison sentences. Don't joke about, criticise, or deface images of the royal family — including on banknotes and coins, which bear the King's image. Stand still during the royal anthem in cinemas.
Return the wai correctly
ImportantThe wai (palms pressed together, slight bow) is the Thai greeting and sign of respect. Generally let the more senior person initiate, and return it with hands at chest-to-nose height. Don't wai children, waitstaff, or shopkeepers — a smile and nod is fine there.
Heads are sacred, feet are lowly
ImportantNever touch anyone's head, even a child's. Don't point your feet at people, Buddha images, or photos of the King, and don't step over someone. Point with your whole hand, not a finger, and remove or tuck your feet when sitting near a shrine.
Take your shoes off
ImportantRemove your shoes before entering homes, temples, many guesthouses, some shops, and even certain offices and clinics. Watch for a pile of shoes at the door — that's your cue. Slip-on shoes make life much easier.
Keep cool — jai yen
ImportantLosing your temper, raising your voice, or shouting in public makes you 'lose face' and is seen as deeply embarrassing in Thailand. The cultural ideal is jai yen (a cool heart). Stay calm and smiling even when frustrated — you'll get far better results.
Dress respectfully at temples
Good to knowAt temples (wat) such as Wat Pho or the Grand Palace, cover shoulders and knees — no shorts, short skirts, or sleeveless tops. Sarongs are sometimes rented at the gate. Women must never touch a monk or hand anything directly to one.
Work
Top industries & employers
Tourism & Hospitality
Minor International, Centara, Dusit Thani
Bangkok is one of the world's most-visited cities; hospitality is a huge employer.
Automotive Manufacturing
Toyota, Honda, Mitsubishi, BYD
The 'Detroit of Asia' — a major regional auto and EV production hub.
Tech & Startups
LINE MAN Wongnai, Ascend Money, Bitkit
Growing startup scene in fintech, e-commerce, and delivery; strong digital-nomad community.
Finance & Banking
Bangkok Bank, SCB, Kasikornbank (KBank)
Sathorn and Silom form Bangkok's financial district; fast-digitising banks.
Logistics & Trade
WHA Group, Kerry Express, SCG Logistics
A Southeast Asian gateway linking China, the Mekong region, and ASEAN markets.
Food & Agritech
CP Group (Charoen Pokphand), Thai Union, Betagro
Thailand is a global food exporter; agritech and food processing are key sectors.
Explore
Where to go in Bangkok
Thonglor & Ekkamai
Neighborhood · Sukhumvit (Watthana)
Bangkok's trendiest district — craft coffee, izakayas, design hotels, and the city's best nightlife.
Local tip: This is where many young professionals and nomads settle; explore the sois (side streets) off the main road for the real gems.
Or Tor Kor Market
Hidden gemFood · Chatuchak
An immaculate fresh market famed for premium fruit, prepared Thai dishes, and seafood — far calmer than the tourist markets.
Local tip: Go hungry and graze the ready-to-eat stalls; it's right by Chatuchak Weekend Market and the MRT.
Lumpini Park
Nature · Pathum Wan / Silom
Bangkok's central green lung — jogging paths, lakes, monitor lizards, and free outdoor aerobics at dusk.
Local tip: Locals come at dawn and after 5pm to dodge the heat; join the free open-air dance-aerobics sessions for a very Bangkok experience.
Yaowarat (Chinatown)
Food · Samphanthawong
One of the world's great street-food destinations, blazing with neon and woks after dark.
Local tip: Come after 7pm when the street stalls open; Soi Texas and the side lanes off Yaowarat Road are where to eat.
Wat Pho
Culture · Phra Nakhon (Old City)
Home of the giant Reclining Buddha and the birthplace of traditional Thai massage.
Local tip: Get a proper Thai massage at the on-site school — cheaper and more authentic than tourist spas, and a calm break from the heat.
Vertigo / rooftop bars
Nightlife · Sathorn
Sky-high rooftop bars (Vertigo at Banyan Tree, Sky Bar at Lebua) with jaw-dropping skyline views.
Local tip: Mind the smart-casual dress code (no shorts/sandals), arrive for sunset, and expect tourist-level prices for the view.
Safety
Emergency numbers in Bangkok
191
Police
1669
Medical / Ambulance
199
Fire
1155
Tourist Police (English)
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