Iain and Rachel’s notes on getting around Bangkok
[FONT="]When you get into bkk airport, it can be really busy! Look for the private car transfer desk they will write your details on a card and give to the driver, this saves confusion and queuing. It will cost you 550 baht (approx) but it will save you an enormous amount of time and stress compared to catching a taxi. The taxi is cheaper about 200 BHT plus 70 BHT for the tolls but can be dodgy which is the last thing you need on the way into town.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Buy a map at the "Asian bookstore" called "Nancy Chandler’s guide to Bangkok". It has a good guide with it on tourism spots, such as the grand palace and the river tours. You can also get it at the airports or download it from
www.nancychandler.net [/FONT]
[FONT="]TRANSPORTATION[/FONT]
[FONT="]TAXI[/FONT]
[FONT="]These are everywhere. The red light on in the left hand side front window means that it’s available. The light on the top means nothing. As soon as you get in the cab ask them to put the meter on, if they don’t ask them again as sometimes they conveniently forget then ask you for a large sum of money once you get to your destination. Take a card with the name of your hotel on it in Thai as it saves confusion with language. If your driver asks if you want to go shopping with them say no! They will take you to jewellery outlets and silk factories all run by their friends and they get gifts for taking you there, not a pleasant experience, as you feel pressured to buy.[/FONT]
[FONT="]TUK TUK[/FONT]
[FONT="]These are fine when its off peak traffic time but if you get caught in traffic you don’t want to be in one as you will get sick with the fumes. Also if you have shopping, watch it in the tuk tuk as stealing is common by people on bikes. They are ok for a once off but not for most travel.[/FONT]
[FONT="]BTS[/FONT]
[FONT="]Fantastic quick and clean way of getting around central BKK. You can get a 3-10 day pass from any station. They will also give you a map with your ticket to make things easy. A 3 day pass is 280 BHT = $9. It also has connecting station stops to the underground train station.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Subway. [/FONT]
[FONT="]The locals take this as an inexpensive way to travel, but as a tourist you don’t get to see anything and its pretty crowded but again you can get passes to use over your stay.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Private cars[/FONT]
[FONT="]This are a luxury way of travelling around BKK but are expensive, taxis are fine but if you are stuck it is handy to have the number of a company to get you out of the rain[/FONT]
[FONT="]Don’t even think about trying to get taxi in peak hour! It took us 1 hour to go 3.2 k/m’s at 5pm. Very frustrating and a waste of your time![/FONT]
[FONT="]SHOPPING[/FONT]
[FONT="]Most shops do not open until 10am or even later, so have a sleep in or an extra cup of coffee. The Thai's can be fairly flexible with their opening hours, but usually stay open until at least 9pm with the market stalls going until 11 or 12. Barter your shops assistants down. Whatever they say, halve it then go from there. If they let you walk away you know you have gone too low. Start with something you don’t really want to get the feel of prices and go from there. [/FONT]
[FONT="]
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[FONT="]SIAM[/FONT][FONT="] CENTRE (Discovery, Centre and Paragon 3 shopping centres all together)[/FONT]
[FONT="]Rama 1 Road Pathumwan www.siamcenter.co.th[/FONT]
[FONT="]Take the BTS to the Siam stop and walk from there[/FONT]
[FONT="]This is one of the more expensive shopping centres in Bangkok. It has a lot of shops that are brand names; Levis, Nine West, MAC, esprit etc. There are also some shops that are chain stores in Bangkok like MING. There are places to eat here also for a quick snack. If you are a tourist visit the information center first and get a coupon when you show your passport to get a discount voucher depending on the shop will get you up to 10% off.[/FONT]
[FONT="]World[/FONT][FONT="] Trade Center[/FONT][FONT="] (now called Central World Plaza) [/FONT]
[FONT="]Very big but quite a few empty stores. Has two department stores as well as cinemas and restaurants as well as an ice skating rink… Can be cheap but they will not bargain much here. Worth a quick look, but don’t feel to bad if you miss it.[/FONT]
Gaysorn Plaza
99 Ploenchit Road
[FONT="]Is one of the more expensive shopping centers, with Louis Vuitton and all the other upmarket shops.[/FONT]
[FONT="]MBK (Mah Boon Krong or TOKYU ) [/FONT]
[FONT="]RAMA 1[/FONT]
[FONT="]Take the BTS and get off at National Stadium, it has a direct bridge to the shops.[/FONT]
[FONT="]This is a fantastic shopping center that is less expensive than a lot of others. Visit the info center first and they will give you a list of what is on each floor as there are about 8 of them. Heaps of mobile phones and small electrical appliances. Also small market type stalls with clothes, shoes and Thai gifts in them.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Chatuhakmarkets (talaat Jatujak or JJ) Sat/ Sun [/FONT][FONT="]only 8am –6pm)[/FONT]
[FONT="]BTS stop Mo Chit - last stop and follow the rest of the crowd, look for the clock tower that is in the center of the markets.[/FONT]
[FONT="]This is an amazing market and is the cheapest place to shop. Barter to death, you will be exhausted by the end of it all but it’s so good. It is very hot in the market so wear shorts and singlet top and you can buy water there. Just make sure that any water you buy is not open and it has a plastic seal. Don’t let them open it for you as some people refill the bottles with normal water. There is everything from food to home wares to books to army surplus.[/FONT]
PATPONG NIGHT MARKETS
[FONT="]Patpong roads 1 and 2 Surawong Opens at 6pm and goes until 2am[/FONT]
[FONT="]This market is a bit of a tourist trap but never the less is a good place to practice your bartering skills. There is everything here from watches, t-shirts and shoes. Also lots of fake cds and dvd/vcds all the latest movies still showing at the cinemas but most are dodgy copies. This market is in the centre of nightclubs and go go bars. You are constantly hassled by men and women asking you if you want to see shows of go go dancers and the like. Say no firmly and they will leave you alone look interested and they will hassle you for a while.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Not a good idea taking young kids here as they may see into the open doors of the nightclubs and get a bit of an education that is a little premature……[/FONT]
[FONT="]LUMPINI NIGHT MARKETS( SUAN LUM )[/FONT]
[FONT="]RAMA 1V NEXT TO LUMPINI PARK AND BOXING SATDIUM 6pm –11pm[/FONT]
[FONT="]Restaurants and markets. Antiques, clothing, home wares, cds, etc etc. Good markets with a variety of things to buy and its great because being night markets its comfortable to get around. Take a taxi as no stops close by.[/FONT]
Hotels
[FONT="]Some of the hotels have executive lounges, ask if you can be upgraded, as the difference is often only $15, but the facilities much better. Check your bill closely as they can slip things in that you may miss. This includes the 5 star hotels as much as the cheap ones. The doormen are a great way to find out where to go in the city. Always have a small umbrella with you, as Bangkok can really throw down the rain. The hotels may lend you one. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Get breakfast included in your hotel rate.You may get a little sick of having rice from a street vendor.[/FONT]
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[FONT="]Once inside the airport, you may have some time on your hands, you wander the duty-free stores or if you do not have lounge access, you can pay 600 baht per person to enter the Cip/louis tavern lounges. Some food and plenty of drink. Always go to the 1st class lounge, not the business class, as there's a big difference in quality and no difference in price.[/FONT]
[FONT="]If you have a Gold or Plat Citibank card, you can get in for free. [/FONT]
Do’s and Don’ts
[FONT="]Do go to the Wat Po and the Golden Palace – take a ferry from the Oriental hotel (6 Baht) to Wat Po then get a taxi to the golden palace. The Palace DOES NOT normally close despite what the street vendors and touts may say... Take their advice with a grain of salt.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Do not buy gems or expensive gold jewellery[/FONT]
[FONT="]Do go on a river cruise in a long boat[/FONT]
[FONT="]Do go to the “seafood market” for dinner and ask for help in choosing what you want for dinner. (They cook it there for you)[/FONT]
[FONT="]Do not let a taxi driver tell you the meter is broken[/FONT]
[FONT="]Do see Jim Thompson’s House[/FONT]
[FONT="]Do not drive a car anywhere (nor a moped)[/FONT]
[FONT="]Do take your mobile and learn how to send sms as you may get separated from your loved ones[/FONT]
[FONT="]Do take Imodium with you[/FONT]
[FONT="]Do not drink the water (if you do, see above)[/FONT]
[FONT="]Do use ATM’s, they are easily located[/FONT]
[FONT="]Do carry small notes and some coins for taxi and toilet. Toilets charge 1-5 baht per visit. Take your own paper (tissues) if using public toilets. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Do remember the exchange rate is approx 30 baht per aus $. Ie 1500 baht = $50[/FONT]
[FONT="]Enjoy your trip![/FONT]
While your 5* hotel tailor won't be the cheapest, he is unlikely to "rip you off". Theoretically they should be available overnight. Get one for "trying on" and the remainder the second or third day. Trousers are about the same schedule. Yes I have used the same one for the whole time - his sons are now running most of the business.
