What to do in Bangkok

[NM]

Yep, it's THB700 now and been this way for around 18 months.

It shows as TS on your Ticket's Tax calculation (use LAN.com Imprima su e-ticket to dig this up).

Can't use that link for an AA-issued e-tix unfortunately. And my e-tix receipt from AA does not breakdown the Taxes field (just shows total of US$129.80).

Is this now always included in ticket taxes? Or may I still have to pay it locally?

 

[serfty]

... Is this now always included in ticket taxes? Or may I still have to pay it locally?

It has been the case for all bookings made since around September 2006 for travel on/after Feb 1 2007. At the same time it went from THB500 to THB700.

The booths are long gone.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The one thing about taxis from the airport is that they can (more often than not) drive very fast - speeds of 100, 120 and 140 km/hr are not uncommon.

This is without seatbelts! And it is always scary.

You can allternatively book via AOT Limousines which are located inside the arrivals hall at the baggage reclaim carousels.

I booked one for my mother and it was 1100THB including all tolls for a new Camry. According to my mom it was a very nice model indeed with wood trim in the interior (much nicer she said than the camry we had from another company for the trip back to the airport).

I used to always catch taxis until my last trip a few weeks ago - by the time you pay the airport surchare (50 baht), tolls (70 baht) and the fare (around 250 baht) plus tip of a hundred or so it comes to around 500TBH all up. For double you get complete peace of mind AND seatbelts.

Secondly i recommend a good thai massage. Healthlands I think is one of the most well known and is huge business offering totally professional annd trained masseurs (male and female). Prices are 450TBH for a 2 hour thai massage, 750 for a two massage and hot herbal compress. 350 baht for an auyrevedic (sp??) specialist (my mother swears tis fixed her bad hip).

Healthlands has four or five large complexes around bangkok.

mel-t

 

[wandering_fred]

This is without seatbelts! And it is always scary.

I normally sit in the front seat and FASTEN the seatbelt.
And I carry travel insurance

YMMV

Fred

 

[dragonman]

From an eating point of view you can do a lot worse than the Grand Hyatt Erewan Tea Room, great Thai food at very reasonable prices.

 

[kiwitripper64]

We got a taxi to airport for BHT300. When I went to pay with BHT1000 note, the driver had mysteriously run out of change. Sorted problem out in the end, but from then on I always try and break down the large notes.

Tuk Tuks are a one time only novelty. You cant see anything, seats are rock like plastic and traffic fumes will get you before the heat.

Advice not to drink water also includes do not drink liquids with ice. The ice is frozen using local water........ looks tempting on a hot day from a street vendor, but stick with the chilled bottled beverages.

Have a great trip

 

[Keith009]

There are quite a few shiny new shopping malls in Bangkok - Siam Paragon is quite a favourite of mine as it has a lot of my favourite international designers. Gaysorn (next to the IC) is also a nice one, though I wasn't overly impressed with the Prada boutique there which wasn't all that up to date.

For food, definitely try the bed supperclub! It's like a restaurant/lounge bar merged into one place. You literally sit on beds. It's a rather fun experience.
bed supperclub

Can't advise too much other than that as the only other activities I've ever partaken in when in Bangkok are down Silom way.

 

[drron]

A lot of suggestions already.But just enjoy the river,I love just watching all the activity.Catch a Chao praya ferry-you will pay an exorbitant price of 6Baht to go all the way up the river.you can get out at Chinatown and go to the markets-an interesting walk and doesnt cost a thing.
For food the basement food halls in the Malls give good value-even in the Paragon which is more upmarket.At the paragon there is another food hall on a higher floor with a mixture of food types.A bit more expensive but for example the Thai outlet is run by the Blue Elephant restaurant.All the malls are reasonable to get to using the Sky train.
The MBK centre is worth a visit but beware the cheaper prices-the quality is a lot less as well and quite often it is not better value.If you are there on the weekend then Chatachuk market is an experience-however it really is very crowded and pickpockets are prevalent.
Although the taxis can be a scam there are a few ways to make this less likely.Always insist on the meter being turned on and if it isnt then tell the driver to stop and let you out.Number 2-they alweays give you a form at the dispatcher for complaints.make sure you write the taxi and driver numbers on this form.If for the Millenium you are being charged more than 350 Baht tell the doorman to tell the driver you are complaining and have his number written down-only used this line once in 17 visits.And you dont have to tip.Let the driver know you are Australian and they no longer expect it.It was never part of Thai culture and its spread is entirely due to ignorant folks from the USA who expect visitors there to respect their tipping culture but fail to do so when they are the visitors.
Anything else please ask-except where to rage etc but I am sure others will let you know anyway.

 

[serfty]

... I used to always catch taxis until my last trip a few weeks ago - by the time you pay the airport surchare (50 baht), tolls (70 baht) and the fare (around 250 baht) plus tip of a hundred or so it comes to around 500TBH all up. For double you get complete peace of mind AND seatbelts. ...

Actually, some cabs have seatbelts in the back, some don't.

If they appear to speed or travel to fast, I tell them to slow down. ("chaa-lohng" [listen])

Who tips Taxis this much in Thailand? For my own convenience, I might round up to the next THB10 or 20 (whatever is easiest, but that's it).

Generally it should cost up to THB350 in total (THB300 back to airport).

You are talking 3x for BKK to Millennium - and nearly 4x on the return (no THB50 fee to the airport).

 

[Dee Thom]

As a point of interest,and a bit off thread, for S/E Qld people, TG is starting direct BNE/BKK flights again from 25th Oct this year as follows

Flt TG474 Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat/Sun------Dep BNE 1420hrs--Arr BKK 2030
Flt TG473 Tue/Thu/Fri/Sat/Sun ------Dep BKK 8.00hrs--Arr BNE 2010

The times are better, not back of the clock as now, via SYD.

Cheers Dee

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Actually, some cabs have seatbelts in the back, some don't.

If they appear to speed or travel to fast, I tell them to slow down. ("chaa-lohng" [listen])

Who tips Taxis this much in Thailand? For my own convenience, I might round up to the next THB10 or 20 (whatever is easiest, but that's it).

Generally it should cost up to THB350 in total (THB300 back to airport).

You are talking 3x for BKK to Millennium - and nearly 4x on the return (no THB50 fee to the airport).

Unfortunately I haven't been able to find a seatbelt that actually works in the back of a cab!! (And some of the cabs I've been in I wouldnt want to sit in the front.)

The total incl tolls etc is about 350-370 - I tip the balance up to 500.

That's about 4-5 Australian dollars. Sure they can eek out a living on the regular fare - but every now and then they get a nice little surprise. I think it helps to restore the balance in favour of tourists - showing that we're not all so tight! (it's bad at the markets when tourists have already bargained a reasonnable price and then continue arguing about 10 or 20 baht - demeaning)

 

[fortymilliondaggers]

No need to tip at all. That nice little suprise doesn't win you any respect with them at all, they think you're a rich mug.

 

[auriga]

Don't agree with that sort of excessive tipping.

There are plenty of other more needy people in BKK if you wish to give money away.

 

[serfty]

...
The total incl tolls etc is about 350-370 - I tip the balance up to 500.

That's about 4-5 Australian dollars. Sure they can eek out a living on the regular fare - but every now and then they get a nice little surprise. ...

It's not about the few $$$. Thais do not have a tipping culture - to tip significantly is to detract from this.

There are many views on this; for and against. Take a little time and review the FT thread I linked to in post #3.

 

[NM]

If you are there on the weekend then Chatachuk market is an experience...

Thanks. We will be there for a weekend and will definitely head there.

You are talking 3x for BKK to Millennium - and nearly 4x on the return (no THB50 fee to the airport).

I am still undecided on whether to use the airport limo service or a taxi form the hotel. Given we are not paying for the airfare or accommodation costs, an extra A$25 is not going to kill us, while the process of saving $25 just might :shock:. I am sure we will have the pleasure of Thai taxis during the stay. Arrival time is 5:30pm on a weekday, so can only imagine the traffic will be bad at that time and sitting on a comfortable vehicle with working AC and not being worried about whether the strange route is genuine to avoid congestion or seeking to pad the fare may be worth the extra. Will have to keep weighing it up and debate with SWMBO.

Flt TG474 Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat/Sun------Dep BNE 1420hrs--Arr BKK 2030
Flt TG473 Tue/Thu/Fri/Sat/Sun ------Dep BKK 8.00hrs--Arr BNE 2010

Interesting timing. almost 12 hours on the ground at BNE. I wonder why they have not taken the overnight return option that some other airlines do from BNE. Nice to see daytime in both directions. But of course this is an AAdvantage award, so not going to help me.

It's not about the few $$$. Thais do not have a tipping culture - to tip significantly is to detract from this.

Don't worry ... I have no intention of detracting from the local culture

There are many views on this; for and against. Take a little time and review the FT thread I linked to in post #3.

indeed that was an interesting, if not long, discussion.

Thanks all for your tips and comments. Much appreciated.

 

[penegal]

As previously mentioned here, it is illegal for a taxi driver to negotiate a fare with you, so always use the meter. (It's NEVER actually broken).

It's not about the few $$$. Thais do not have a tipping culture - to tip significantly is to detract from this.

There are many views on this; for and against. Take a little time and review the FT thread I linked to in post #3.

Agreeded... Tipping is unnecessary and culturally inappropriate...

Furthermore some economists would argue that tipping and negotiating higher than normal fares actually encourages the [illegal] practice amoungst locals, and pushes prices up.

There are already plenty example of Thai double pricing and we shouldn't encourage it on taxi fares.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

It's not about the few $$$. Thais do not have a tipping culture - to tip significantly is to detract from this.

There are many views on this; for and against. Take a little time and review the FT thread I linked to in post #3.

Thanks Serfty!

There are indeed plenty of views both for and against - but interesting how most (if not all) of those 'against' are not by Thais or those living in Thailand. At least one poster so anti tipping was from the USA! Those that are living there seem much more generous. (I do agree that it might be better not to tip at all than for a wealthy foreigner to tip the equivalent of 30 cents. :mrgreen

I think post #118 sums it up well - the taxi drivers are in some cases living off the 35 baht flag fall.

I was talking to a taxi driver one morning on the way out to the airport and he was explaining that it cost him 700 baht a day just to rent the cab (it was a pink one) - and as we stopped at one set of lights there was a newer model and he told that one was 850 baht to hire for the day.

So far in his shift (5 hours out of 12) he had collected 300 baht. So a long way from just break even.

I seem to have been very lucky with my cabs - always turned on the meter without complaint, and have taken direct routings. I just don't like the excessive speed (thanks for the phrase 'slow down'! )

When I have rounded up to 500 the gratitude has been genuine and certainly it has never felt like I was being taken advantage of.

Certainly it all depends on the circumstances. I not as generous for a short hop around the city - nor would I tip that much (if at all) if the driver from the airport tried any of the various scams.

 

[markis10]

Interesting timing. almost 12 hours on the ground at BNE. I wonder why they have not taken the overnight return option that some other airlines do from BNE. Nice to see daytime in both directions. But of course this is an AAdvantage award, so not going to help me.

TG still have the non direct options as well I suspect which will account for the aircraft not sitting on the ground .

Edit - just checked - according to TG onlines post oct 24 473 arrives at 12 noon and leaves at 2.20PM, thats different to what the TG Aust website says!

Online booking:
Thursday, November 26, 2009 Departure:23:59Bangkok, Thailand - Suvarnabhumi International Arrival:12:05 +1 day(s) Brisbane, Australia - Brisbane, terminal I Airline:Thai Airways Intl TG473

 

[Alanslegal]

As previously mentioned here, it is illegal for a taxi driver to negotiate a fare with you, so always use the meter. (It's NEVER actually broken).

In theory this is great, but when I need a taxi to take me for my late night bar/club hopping, a fixed fare is always negotiated before anybody willing to take me/us.

Yes it promotes bad practices and is almost cartel like taxi pricing when the bunch of taxi guys waiting at the rank all have the same fixed fare idea. But when you need to get somewhere, money talks! and when its a 200BHT fixed fare between 4 guys - that's less than aud$2 each.

 

[markis10]

Re taxis- recommend the yellow and green ones which are owner operated, and when getting out look behind you before opening the door, its legal for bikes to ignore lane markings.

If hailing a taxi, please do so with your palm down, and wave in with your fingers. Also avoid taxis with dolls under their cars as they are using the doll to take the space that the spirit of the dead person they accidently killed might take!

On another note there was a thread here about someone who got a transfer from the airport that did not get too far before they were dumped and left to arrange alternate transport, worth a read!