Beyond Google Maps and Grab — the apps that make Bangkok significantly easier to navigate.
Grab (taxis and food delivery), Google Maps (best navigation, includes BTS/MRT times), Moovit (public transport planning), ViaBus (bus routes).
Google Translate with Thai downloaded for offline use; point-the-camera translation works well for menus; Line's translation feature for messages from Thai contacts.
Wongnai (Thailand's Yelp — Thai language but useful for ratings), Foodpanda and GrabFood (delivery), eatigo (restaurant discounts).
Bumrungrad Hospital app (book appointments, get test results), Ooca (Thai mental health platform), Medsi (telemedicine).
Line (Thai messaging standard), TrueMoney (digital wallet), Rabbit Line Pay (BTS/MRT card management), AirVisual (air quality — useful during burning season March–April).
A local prepaid SIM (AIS, dtac, or TrueMove) makes most of these apps far more useful than relying on patchy hotel WiFi — available at the airport or any 7-Eleven with a passport.
Download Google Maps offline for Bangkok and Google Translate's Thai language pack before landing, since airport WiFi can be slow during the initial setup.