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Essential Apps for Living in Bangkok: From Transport to Food Delivery

mg paing

mg paing

— 2 min read
Essential Apps for Living in Bangkok: From Transport to Food Delivery
Photo by Yura Fresh on Unsplash

Living in Bangkok? Your phone is about to become your best friend. With the right apps, you can navigate the city, order food, pay bills, and even learn Thai—all with a few taps. Here’s a list of must-have apps that will make your life in Bangkok a whole lot easier.

Getting Around 🚆🚖

Bangkok’s traffic can be chaotic, but these apps will help you move efficiently.

1. Grab (🚗 Ride-hailing & Delivery)

  • Bangkok’s go-to app for taxis, private cars, and motorbike rides.
  • Also offers food delivery, package delivery, and grocery shopping.
  • Payment options: Cash, credit card, or GrabPay.

2. Bolt (🚖 Budget-Friendly Rides)

  • A cheaper alternative to Grab, especially for private car rides.
  • No additional service fees.
  • Great for short trips around the city.

3. Metro Transit (🚆 Public Transport)

  • Check train schedules, ticket prices, and maps.
  • Apps: ‘Metro Transit’ (available for iOS & Android).

4. ViaBus (🚌 Bus Routes & Schedules)

  • Real-time bus tracking and route information.
  • Perfect for budget travelers who prefer public buses.

5. Google Maps & LINE MAN Taxi

  • Google Maps for navigation, walking routes, and live traffic updates.
  • LINE MAN Taxi for booking taxis directly (good for metered fares).

Food & Grocery Delivery 🍜🛵

Hungry? No problem. These apps bring Bangkok’s best street food and restaurant meals to your doorstep.

6. Foodpanda

  • Wide selection of restaurants, from street food to fine dining.
  • Regular discounts and promo codes.

7. GrabFood

  • Integrated with Grab; offers a variety of local and international cuisine.
  • Fast delivery with real-time tracking.

8. LINE MAN

  • Covers food delivery, package delivery, and even document pickup.
  • Often has restaurants that are not available on other platforms.

9. HappyFresh

  • Online grocery shopping with delivery from major supermarkets.
  • Great for stocking up on essentials without leaving home.

Payments & Banking 💳📲

Going cashless in Bangkok? These apps make life easier.

10. TrueMoney Wallet

  • Widely accepted at shops, street vendors, and online stores.
  • Top-up mobile balance, pay bills, and transfer money easily.

11. K Plus (Kasikorn Bank) & SCB Easy (Siam Commercial Bank)

  • Mobile banking apps for easy fund transfers, bill payments, and QR payments.
  • Highly recommended if you open a Thai bank account.

12. PromptPay

  • QR code-based payment system linked to your Thai bank account.
  • Used everywhere, from markets to major retailers.

Communication & Social 📞💬

Stay in touch with friends, businesses, and services.

13. LINE

  • Thailand’s most popular messaging app.
  • Used for everything from chatting to making restaurant reservations.

14. AIS, TrueMove, DTAC Apps

  • Manage your mobile balance, top-up data plans, and pay bills.
  • App varies depending on your network provider.

Language & Learning 🗣️📖

Struggling with Thai? These apps will help you get by.

15. Google Translate

  • Translate Thai to English (and vice versa) instantly.
  • Works with text, voice, and even camera translation for signs.

16. Ling App

  • A fun and interactive way to learn Thai phrases and pronunciation.
  • Good for beginners looking to build confidence in speaking.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re commuting, ordering food, paying bills, or learning the language, these apps make expat life in Bangkok smooth and hassle-free. Download a few, and you’ll feel more at home in no time! 🚀

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