Is it safe to drink the tap water?

No. Only drink bottled or filtered water. Most hotels and cafes provide free refills or bottled water.

Do I need to tip taxi drivers?

Tipping is not expected, but it is common practice to round up the meter fare to the nearest 10 or 20 THB.

Navigating Bangkok Like a Local

To get around like a local, prioritize the BTS Skytrain and MRT subway to avoid gridlock, and use the orange-flag public river boats for cross-town travel. Rely on the Grab or Bolt apps for ride-hailing instead of hailing street taxis to ensure fair pricing.

Use the rail network as your backbone. The BTS (Skytrain) and MRT (subway) cover the main business and shopping districts. Buy a Rabbit Card for the BTS to avoid queuing for ticket machines. Remember that these systems do not share a single card; you need a separate card for the MRT.
Take the river boats. The Chao Phraya Express Boat is the fastest way to reach the Old City (Grand Palace/Wat Pho area). Look for the orange flag boats; they cost 16 THB. Avoid private 'tourist' boat touts at the piers who will try to overcharge you.
Master the taxi and ride-hailing game. If you must take a taxi, only get in if the driver agrees to use the meter ('meter, please'). Better yet, download Grab or Bolt. These apps show you the price upfront, removing the risk of being scammed or dealing with language barriers.
Cross the street strategically. Bangkok traffic is relentless. Use overhead pedestrian bridges whenever possible. If you are crossing at a street level, walk with purpose and wait for a gap in traffic; do not wait for cars to stop, as they rarely will.

Is it safe to drink the tap water?: No. Only drink bottled or filtered water. Most hotels and cafes provide free refills or bottled water.
Do I need to tip taxi drivers?: Tipping is not expected, but it is common practice to round up the meter fare to the nearest 10 or 20 THB.