I'm an American who's lived in Bangkok for 10 years, and these are 7 things tourists should never do when they visit

This as-told-to story is based on a conversation with Orion Ray-Jones, a content strategist who's lived in Bangkok for 10 years. It's been edited for length and clarity.

I moved to Bangkok from Brooklyn in 2013 to take on a job at a branding agency. After that job finished, my wife and I decided to stay because of the people. Thailand has one of the most welcoming cultures in the world.

Bangkok was the world's most-visited city from 2016 to 2019, according to Mastercard's Global Destination Index, an annual report that ranks and consolidates tourism data in 200 cities. In 2019, more than 22 million tourists spent at least one night in Bangkok.

As with most tourist destinations, the number of visitors significantly dropped during COVID-19. Thailand was one of the most negatively affected countries during the pandemic, according to Statista. Arrival numbers are once again on the rise and there are so many reasons why it draws in a high number of tourists.

I find that Bangkok has a perfect balance of adventure and comfort. It's a massive, ever-evolving city, so there's always more to discover, from alleys with fascinating little shops to cool people making crazy art or chefs preparing innovative food. There's never an excuse for being bored when you live here.

Thai people are kind and patient with foreigners and tourists. But after living in Bangkok for almost a decade now, I've seen many tourists making the same mistakes when visiting the city.

Here are seven things tourists should avoid doing when they visit Bangkok.

Apart from the occasional intrepid tourist, nobody walks anywhere in Bangkok. Many locals say they're baffled when they see foreigners strolling along random, high-traffic main roads.

One reason for this is Bangkok's brutal heat, thanks to its year-round tropical weather. As the city is built atop old canals, the city's layout is sprawling and disjointed, which is only made worse by the crumbling or non-existent sidewalks.

Instead of exploring Bangkok on foot, tourists can hop on the city's three metro systems. There are also ride-sharing apps like Grab, that offer both car and motorcycle rides with inexpensive fees. And, of course, tuk-tuks are always an option, the city's famous motorized rickshaws.

I definitely don't recommend tourists ride bikes here — unless they're crazy like me.

Before visiting Bangkok, some tourists watch films like "The Hangover 2" and "The Beach" and base their expectations of the city on these movies. I've seen too many tourists think that Bangkok is defined by its red-light districts and the backpacker hostels on Khao San Road.

But these seedy areas for nightlife are such a tiny, insignificant part of this dynamic city. There are many sophisticated cultural sites that far outshine the neon signs on the tiny alley of Soi Cowboy — from Bangkok's famed temples to historical museums.

The Thai monarchy and Buddhism have been cornerstones of Thai culture for many centuries. Most locals feel it's inappropriate to deprecate these institutions in any way.

There are also laws against insulting the Thai royal family, an offense that can be punishable with time in prison. The Buddha is also a revered figure in Thailand, and getting an image of him tattooed, printed on a shirt, or even statues for home décor is frowned upon.

Tourists should be respectful of these figures and institutions when they visit Bangkok to avoid offending locals.

Bangkok's most famous scam is when a local lies to a tourist that the Grand Palace is closed for repairs or for a non-existent holiday. The tourist is convinced to take an extremely cheap tuk-tuk tour with the scammer's "friend" instead. The tuk-tuk then whizzes the tourist to a suit tailor or gem shop with expensive low-quality goods that the tout and driver get a commission on.

The simplest way to avoid these scams is to book tours in advance with reputable companies. If you really want to go to an attraction, take some time to research it first, then book your own ride-share transport to get there.

Cuddling and kissing in public is frowned upon in Bangkok, even if it's with your partner or spouse. Holding hands might still be seen as inappropriate by some locals.

In Bangkok, physical intimacy is something that's best left behind closed doors. Show your affection for your lover the Thai way — head out to the mall dressed in matching outfits instead.

Thailand has one of the most dangerous roads in the world, with traffic-related accidents killing some 23,000 people every year.

In Bangkok, tourists might find that the way drivers interact with pedestrians is different from other countries. For example, when a vehicle is flashing its headlights at you, it's not an invitation to cross in front of it. Instead, it's a warning that the car isn't planning on slowing down, so you should stay out of the way.

If you're not sure who has the right of way, just assume it's the car or motorbike that's hurtling towards you and be vigilant when crossing the road.

Thai culture is non-confrontational, and you'll receive a lot more respect for having a "jai yen", a cool heart, than getting into heated arguments. No matter how excited or upset you are, stay calm and avoid raising your voice.

Whether you're negotiating a price with a market vendor, questioning a charge on a restaurant bill, or upset that someone cut in front of you, you'll be better off with a smile. When engaging with locals, make the effort to have a conversation, but avoid making a loud, explosive fuss. There's a reason everyone seems so happy in Bangkok — it's because people treat each other kindly.