Thailand
ThailandEveryday basics
The numbers that matter here are not the ones from home.
Can you drink the tap water?
The Bangkok utility certifies its supply as safe and drinkable. What that certification cannot cover is the building you are standing in — or anywhere outside its three provinces.
What number do I call in an emergency?
191 is the general emergency line and 1669 gets an ambulance. As a visitor, the number to actually memorise is 1155 — the Tourist Police.
Do I need a plug adapter here?
Your plug probably fits — Thai sockets take flat American pins and round European ones alike. That is the trap, because the supply is 220 volts: fitting and working are two different questions.
What do I wear to visit temples and the Grand Palace?
Shoulders and knees covered, nothing sheer or tight. The Grand Palace publishes its banned list and enforces it at the gate.
Can I bring my vape to Thailand?
No. E-cigarettes have been illegal here since 2014 — importing one can mean up to ten years' imprisonment, and using one can mean arrest. Leave it at home entirely.
What should I be careful not to do?
Three things carry real weight: never insult nation, religion or monarchy; the head is high and sacred; the feet are low and rude. Most of the rest follows from those.