People check luggage

Definitelly not for a first timer in Asia, but if you successfuly navigated other Asian cities, it's not that difficult. And English is spoken here more so than most Asian countries.

On my first visit to Thailand (and first visit to SEA) a few years ago I managed to get back to my hotel on a local bus after dark, and would think that is harder to do than navigating BTS and one boat.

Again, depends mostly on OPs level of experience and confidence.

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