HOME TIPS FOR TRAVELERS
BANGKOK:
HOTELS: In most cases you will be better off calling the hotel directly. However, in the last couple of years some web sites – just a few – have started offering rates that are competitive. Check with a few sources before booking. I have found web sites that have good rates for one hotel but not for the others they list. Some ask for more for all hotels they list - more than the rate you would get by calling the hotel. Also remember that when you book through a web site, cancellations are not easy and usually cost money.
WHERE TO STAY: This depends partly on what you intend to do. Many of Bangkok’s classy hotels are along the Chao Phraya River – if you are mostly taking guided tours that is fine. If you want to include some independent touring then probably the Sukhumvit Road area is more convenient, but not essential. If nightclubbing is a major motivation for visiting then the Sukhumvit Road area becomes more necessary. The really ‘hard-core’ nightclubbers often stay at the Nana Hotel, which is opposite a cluster of nightclubs known as Nana Plaza. A family/business oriented hotel like the Ambassador works fine. There are many choices.
AT THE AIRPORT: Immigration and customs is usually quick and efficient. U.S. and European citizens are given a four-week visa at the airport. Others may need to get a visa beforehand. NEW AIRPORT INFO NOT AVAILABLE YET
CHANGING MONEY: The rate in 2006 is around 37 baht to a U.S. dollar. You can change money at the airport at any hour. The rate is not as good as in the city, but the difference is not great, as in some cities. In the tourist areas such as Sukhumvit there are many money changing booths and banks. The booths are open on weekends too, though not all. There is some difference in rates between booths but, again, usually it is not large enough to make you hunt around. Banks do not necessarily give a better rate than the booths. No identification is required for changing cash. Passports may be needed for travelers checks. Travelers checks get a slightly better rate. However, there is a 3 baht per check charge (in addition to a 20 baht transaction charge – 2003 rates) so make sure you get large denomination checks. If you have American Express checks and go to an American Express office then the fee will be less. However, you may have a tough time finding an American Express office.
GETTING AROUND: Never take the tuk tuks, unless you have a motivation other than just transportation. Taxis can take you around fine, and are not expensive by western standards, but will get bogged down in Bangkok’s traffic. Try not to take one parked at your hotel, they may charge you more. Walk a few yards and flag one down. If there is a Skytrain station near where you are going then that is the way to go. These are Bangkok’s overhead trains – airconditioned, frequent and with automated ticketing. They usually have stops near places that attract tourists – along Sukhumvit, World Trade Center, Siam Square, etc. You can even get to the Chatuchak weekend market on the Skytrain. Among the places that you may want to go but there is no Skytrain stop (2003) are: Khao San Road, many of the temples and palaces, Pantip Plaza computer center.
MARKETS: There is no shortage of stalls and markets in Bangkok. Among the upscale ones are the Emporium on Sukhumvit (Skytrain Phrom Phong Station), the World Trade Center (Chit Lom Station) and several others in that same area (don’t miss the handicrafts market, it’s on the north-east corner of the intersection), and Siam Square. The huge Mahboonkrong (or MBK – National Stadium Station) is a mixture of upscale stores and stalls – allow for a few hours if you really want to explore it. In addition, roadside stalls abound, especially in the Sukhumvit area. Not to be missed is the weekend market, as it is commonly known – allow for plenty of time. The Skytrain can get you there – Mo Chit Station. For computer software and hardware, DVDs and CDs, there is the huge Pantip Plaza.
FOOD: You can usually trust food if it is cooked just then, as a lot of Thai food is, even if it is from a sidewalk cafe. Salads and other forms of uncooked food are a different story. Uncooked foods are a gamble at best – but some people take the gamble and come out okay. Some of the malls, such as the Emporium, have food courts that provide interesting foods. Ice creams should also be tried with caution. Stick to bottled water, which is easily available. And don’t miss the fruits. The best way to try them is to walk into a large grocery, such as Foodland on Sukhumvit Soi 5 (I think). Some of the fruits may not be familiar but do try them (after finding out how to eat them) and you will be amazed at the flavors. Bring a knife with you so that you can cut them up in your hotel room. While at the grocery you may want to buy several bottles of water so that you don’t have to pay exorbitant hotel minibar prices.
PLACES TO GO: Some of the tourist oriented web sites or tour guides can give you a lot of information. A cost-effective way is to get to Bangkok and book tours from an agency. The agency in your hotel will invariably charge a little more – ask at a couple of places if you care to save a little money. Some of the enjoyable tours are: the city and temples tour, and the river and canals tour (excellent fruits are offered on the barge at the end of it). Almost any tour will be interesting, to a greater or lesser degree.
SCAMS: This is cynical advice, but never to take up a stranger’s offer of a good deal. These are especially commonplace regarding gems and jewelry. The tuk tuk drivers also lure you with all kinds of offers – give them a wide berth. If you want to have clothes tailored then it may be a good idea to look around a little, perhaps even follow up on some of the ads in the tourist magazines that are handed out for free in hotels.