Bangkok Tips

Hi Guys,

Had a short sharp trip to Bangkok. An excellent place worth visiting. Some tips.

Taxi to/from airport should cost no more than THB 500. Always make sure they’re on the meter. Took me 30 mins no traffic. Took 1hr back with traffic.

Traffic is an absolute nightmare. Skytrain supposedly efficient but I never took it. Tuk-tuks are pretty dangerous but great fun.

I went to the Grand Palace, reclining Buddha and spent an hour on a long boat – all in the same area and I recommend – just make sure you don’t get conned by the guys outside telling you the place doesn’t open for foreigners until 1:30 and how about you come on my tuk tuk for a tour for a few hours first – ignore them, they’re lying. You do need to cover up legs and shoulders in the grand palace, but you can borrow trousers/sarong there.

Ate dinner at Baan Khanita which was very good. Also recommend Face, Cabbages and Condoms, Curries and More. Food is very cheap

Drank at the open air bar Sirocco (at State Tower). Also recommend Vertigo (at Banyan Tree) and Bed Supper Club. (All London prices)

Stayed at Centrepoint Silom. Cost THB 2500 (about USD100). Hotels in general are pretty cheap and there are some cool boutique hotels – this is one of the cheapest of the lot, but a very 4 star good standard. Also recommend Peninsular, Oriental (expensive), Dusit Thani, Banyan Tree, Metropolitan (cheaper and very nice) Seven, Davis, Dream (Boutique)

Didn’t go to Khao San Rd this time, but very good fun and full of backpackers. Similarly, didn’t go, but I thought the area for “shows” is less seedy around Nana than Patpong. MBK and Siam Paragon are the enormous malls. And catch Muy Thai if you can – great fun.

Hope this helps.

Oh yeah, forgot to say….traffic is a nightmare!!! Jamie