Will be visiting Bangkok soon, how to pray in Erawan Shrine? And other places to visit and eat?

imo the easiest way to do the Erawan Shrine is watch someone else for 30 seconds before you start, everyone does the same routine so you can't really mess it up. just buy the set from the stall, light the incense, kneel, make your wish, place the garland. the dancers there are for if your wish comes true, you can hire them to perform as a thank you, but that's for later.

for food near Khao San, walk to Taling Chan floating market on weekends, it's a 20 min grab ride and way more local than the main river ones. get the grilled river prawns and the coconut ice cream served in a bowl, its like 60 baht total. for dinner, try Krua Apsorn near the Democracy Monument, their crab omelette is famous and its a proper sit-down spot.

cash is non-negotiable, bring like 3000 baht for a day of eating and transport. for getting around, use the Grab app set to GrabCar not GrabTaxi, the car option is fixed price and you won't get the "meter broken" excuse. tuk tuks are fine for a 5 minute fun ride but never for actual transport, they'll quote 400 baht for something that costs 80 in a car. if you do take one, agree the price before you sit down and don't hand over cash until you arrive.

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For the Erawan Shrine, you can buy incense, candles, and flower garlands right there at the stall inside the shrine compound. It costs around 20 to 50 baht for a set. Light the incense at the brazier near the main altar, then kneel on the provided mats with your palms together and make your wish. Most people do a small bow or wai after placing the garland on the railing.

Since you're near Khao San, you're actually close to some great street food that tourists skip. Walk to Soi Ram Buttri, just off the main road, and try the pad thai at the lady with the cart near the 7-Eleven. For a proper meal, head to Roti Mataba on Phra Athit Road for their massaman curry and roti.

Bring cash. Many stalls and small shops don't take cards, and even some taxis will claim their machine is broken. ATMs charge 220 baht per withdrawal, so take out a lump sum. Skip tuk tuks for getting around Bangkok. They're loud, hot, and drivers will quote you 300 baht for a trip that costs 80 by taxi. Use the Grab app set to "GrabTaxi" and pay by meter plus a small booking fee. That way you know the price upfront and avoid the con.

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The Erawan Shrine is easy to handle. Buy a set of incense, candles, and marigold garlands from the stall inside the compound for around 50 baht. Light the incense at the brazier, then kneel on the mats and make your wish while holding the garland. After you're done, place the garland on one of the railings around the shrine.

For food near Khao San, skip the main road and walk to Trok Mayom for boat noodles. There's a small shop at the end of the alley with a red sign that does a solid bowl for 20 baht. It's a 5 minute walk from the backpacker strip.

Cash is essential, especially 20 and 100 baht notes for street vendors. For getting around, use the Grab app set to GrabCar, not a tuk tuk. Tuk tuks will quote you 200 baht for a 2 kilometer ride while a GrabCar is usually under 100. If you want the experience, agree on a price before getting in and stick to it.

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Krua Dok Mai Kao is solid but I've always found their som tam a bit tame on the pla ra. If you want the real funky version, try the shophouse spots along Soi Udomsuk 26, near the night market end. They pound it fresh with fermented fish that'll clear your sinuses, and it's like 60 baht. Different style from the On Nut places, more Lao-leaning.

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for som tam specifically i'd say the Isaan spots in Chatuchak are underrated, weekdays only though since the weekend crowd ruins the vibe. there's a stall near gate 2 that does tam pa with fermented bamboo shoots, super sour and funky, not something you see much in On Nut. if you're already heading north for Or Tor Kor anyway its worth the detour.

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honestly the som tam at Krua Dok Mai Kao is good but what got me hooked is their nam prik pla raa dip with the raw veggies, that funk hits way harder than the papaya does. think most people sleep on it cuz they just order the som tam and gai yang. also pro tip, go before noon on weekdays, after that teh pla ra gets milder cuz they batch it for the lunch rush

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