Bangkok Panorama is out now
Discover cafés, hotels, street food & local secrets
Bangkok Panorama is a German-language travel guide for visitors who want to experience Bangkok in a more personal and authentic way. Discover vibrant cafés, street food, traditional markets, hidden gems and carefully selected hotels, complete with insider tips, exclusive maps and 40 audio guides accessible via QR codes.
My new book, “Bangkok Panorama,” is available in paperback and as an eBook.
The book combines personal experiences from over 33 years in Thailand with practical tips, photos, maps, QR codes, and plenty of ideas for discovering special places in Bangkok.
In addition to the book, you’ll find an audio guide here on thailand-joe.com, along with ongoing updates and additional information. The QR codes in the book link to online content that can be updated as needed. The audio tracks for the audio guide can also be updated later using the same QR codes.
“Bangkok Panorama” combines classic travel information with a more mindful look at Bangkok, its people, places and everyday culture.
Find out more about “Bangkok Panorama”, how the book is organised and its 40 audio guides on the Bangkok Panorama page—the personal Bangkok travel guide. Available now: buy the paperback for €24.99 at Amazon. eBook on
Kindle for €12.99
eBook on Apple Books for €12.99
Order the paperback for €24.99 through a bookseller (Buchhandel.de).
NEW – DIRECT FROM THE AUTHOR
Bangkok Panorama – personally signed!
€24.99
🚚 Free shipping within Germany
✍️ Available with a personal signature or dedication on request!
A reader’s review of Bangkok Panorama
★★★★★
“Ideal MUST-HAVE for anyone traveling to Bangkok!”
Gerhard Dobernig, Secretary General of the Austrian-Thai Society (ÖTG)
In his Amazon review, he particularly praises the detailed presentation, the author’s many years of experience in Bangkok, and the additional information provided via QR codes.
Amazon customer review dated October 25, 2026
Bangkok Panorama featured by the Austrian-Thai Society
A special pleasure: The Austrian-Thai Society features my guidebook “Bangkok Panorama” in detail on its website.
The focus is on my 33 years of experience in Bangkok and my personal recommendations.
Many thanks for this wonderful support!
News
🇹🇭 Bangkok weekend tip, Nov. 7–8, 2026: Craft beer with river views
7.11.26 With temperatures above 32°C this weekend, an evening by the river sounds especially tempting.
The following event is a good fit for me. You can also combine a visit with some shopping or a meal at the food court:
At “Flavors Glow By The River” at ICONSIAM, 15 Thai breweries showcase their craft beers. There’s also cider and a view of the boats passing along the Chao Phraya.
The brewers run their own stalls—a great chance to discover the local beer scene beyond the well-known big brands.
Craft Beer Week runs through Sunday, November 8, from 4 to 10 p.m. You’ll find the stalls on the ICONPARK terrace on the second floor of ICONSIAM, in front of the Apple Store. Admission is free; drinks are sold separately.
Khao Yai National Park closed until further notice
28.9.26 The extremely heavy rain in recent days has made many paths in the park impassable. In addition, a bridge to the famous Haew Narok Waterfall has been destroyed.
The park will probably remain closed until the end of the rainy season, in late October.
New payment rules on Bangkok’s MRT
20.09.2026
Since June 1, 2026, old MRT and MRT Plus cards are no longer valid on the Blue and Purple Lines.
The easiest way to pay is to tap a contactless Visa or Mastercard directly at the gate. Alternatively, you can get the new reloadable Mangmoom EMV card at the ticket counter. It can only be topped up there, and with cash only. Single-journey tokens will still be available until the end of 2026.
Important for older travellers: The 50% senior discount is available only to Thai citizens aged 60 and over with a personalised senior card. Foreign visitors pay the regular fare.
Rainy season in Bangkok: Practical tips
23.08.2026 Important: In my experience, rainy season in Bangkok doesn’t mean it rains all the time! The weather is more changeable. Especially in August, heavy, usually short showers are common in the
afternoon
and
early evening.
Plan temple visits, markets and walks for the morning where possible, and have an indoor alternative ready for around 2 p.m. onwards.
If you get caught in a monsoon downpour like this, you’ll be completely drenched within seconds!
After heavy rain, some streets—especially in Sukhumvit, Asok, Ratchada, Lat Phrao—may be temporarily flooded. In that case, use the BTS, MRT, skywalks and shopping malls instead of counting on a quick taxi transfer or Grab ride!
For up-to-date decisions on the go, I usually use the RainViewer app: Its live rain radar map shows precipitation over Bangkok, with frequent updates. Before setting off on a long walk, taking a boat trip, or heading to the airport, check whether a heavy rain system is moving along your route.
Thailand: Check the latest travel and safety advice
18.09.2026
Important: Even though the visa-free entry period has been reduced to 30 days, you are still required to register online with Immigration on the TDAC website 3 days before entering the country!
Before you travel and while planning your trip, it’s worth checking the travel and safety advice issued by the German Federal Foreign Office, as well as the website of the German Embassy in Bangkok.
Travelers can find current information there on security situations in specific regions, entry requirements, visa regulations, and practical requirements upon arrival in Thailand.
Important: Travelers entering without a visa or with a tourist visa must be able to show proof of sufficient funds upon arrival: at least 20,000 THB per person or 40,000 THB per family, in cash or the equivalent in another currency. Credit cards do not count as proof of cash funds.
Lumphini Park Bangkok 2026: What’s changed
17.5.26 If you’ve known Lumphini Park for a while, you’ll notice right away: Bangkok is continuing to modernize its best-known green space, step by step.
Several areas are currently being renovated to mark the 100th anniversary. The modernized connection to Benjakitti Park is particularly striking. The so-called "Green Mile" now has better lighting, cameras, as well as new elevators and ramps.
There’s plenty changing around the park, too. A so-called “hawker centre” opened on 1 May right on Ratchadamri Road (Entrance 5), aiming to make Bangkok’s classic street food experience more orderly and enjoyable.
Bangkok – Apps for Great Food?
2.7.26 I love street food. But sometimes it’s nice to have something special: a lovely dinner at a good restaurant or a lavish buffet where you can simply take your time and enjoy.
There are three apps I like to use for this in Bangkok.
Eatigo is a classic discount app. It shows you when many restaurants offer 30 to 50 percent off their regular menu. It can be especially worthwhile outside the usual peak hours.
Hungry Hub is especially good for exclusive deals—particularly at premium and trendy restaurants. The app is also very handy for high-quality all-you-can-eat deals. The big advantage: you know exactly what you’ll pay before you go.
For vegetarian and vegan restaurants, I recommend
HappyCow. The international app also offers a wide selection in Bangkok and currently lists 222 restaurants in the capital. The app costs €5.99 as a one-time purchase. I think it's worth it, as it's useful not only when traveling but at home too.
Bangkok—where to leave your luggage?
3.06.2026 This has happened to me often enough. On the last day, I have to check out of the hotel at noon. But my flight to Germany doesn’t leave until midnight. One option: leave your bags at the hotel and come back later. Better: leave them in a locker at a subway/Skytrain station for a small fee until the evening. If you’re taking the Airport Rail Link to the airport:
At the ticket counter in Makkasan, or in the Phetchaburi subway station, connected by a walkway, at Exit 1.
It’s also handy when shopping in the city to stash all your bags in a locker for a while—for example, at the hugely popular Chatuchak Weekend Market.
Here you’ll find the latest map of the Lockbox stations:
https://lockbox-th.com/location/
Impressions of Thailand
Best Time to Visit Your Destination
4.7.2026 Thailand has two rainy seasons during the year.
The southwest monsoon brings rain, wind and waves, mainly affecting the beaches and islands on the Andaman Sea. The east-facing beaches on the islands in this region fare a little better. The rainy season lasts from May/June until around September. During this time, the Gulf of Thailand is much more pleasant.
The northeast monsoon affects the Gulf of Thailand more strongly, especially in November and December, sometimes bringing very strong winds. Otherwise, like clockwork, you can expect a rain shower every day around 6 p.m. December to April is the best time to visit the Andaman Sea!
Thailand’s National Parks -
Breathtaking!
Discover not only the country’s dream beaches, but also its breathtaking nature! From wild elephants and exotic snakes to colorful coral fish and playful families of monkeys.
I’m currently preparing a guide to Khao Yai National Park, due out in mid
2027. Thailand’s oldest national park is particularly appealing to tourists because it’s easy to reach from Bangkok in under three hours. And it’s well worth a visit for families with children, too!
Thai food – tips, experiences and recipes
Thai food is a top choice for excellent dining in many cities. But it really tastes best when you enjoy it in restaurants on Thailand’s beaches or at one of the street food stalls in Bangkok. The aroma of Thai food drifts through streets across the country, whetting the appetite. My journey of discovery through this culinary paradise began in Bangkok in early 1993 with a fiery Tom Yum Goong.
Seafood
Travel planning: Tips from luggage to a travel first-aid kit
1.2.2025 For your holiday planning, booking lovely hotels isn’t enough. Practical questions are just as important. How much luggage can you bring? Do you need malaria prophylaxis or specific medication? Will you have a good internet connection everywhere? Or is it worth buying a Thai SIM card? Can you rent a moped for your outings?