Bangkok Basics
Bangkok is deservedly a popular destination these days. I find that I'm often asked for advice from those who plan to go for the first time. They want to know if they'll need to take baht (the Thai currency), if they'll need to book an hotel before they go, and various other such questions. This page is intended to help those who have never been there before to learn a little of the ropes and to get them through day one without any hassles.
I'm assuming that you're going to arrive at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport. This is quite some distance outside the city, as one might expect, so you'll be wanting to get to whatever area you're planning to stay in. Bangkok doesn't have a city centre, as such, but has several distinct areas.
- Sukhumvit – a business and tourist area (most of the embassies are here too)
- Silom – another tourist area which includes the infamous Pat Pong night market and general sleaze
- China Town – where allegedly Lonely Planet types hang out in grubby dormitories, although it's definitely worth a visit
- The Indian quarter – as above but with good Indian food (quelle surprise!) and plenty of fabric shops
Having seen all the tourist sites years ago, I tend to hang out mostly in the Sukhumvit area. And anyway, I'm not writing a book here. We're just talking about day one. If you're on a package deal, you won't need much of this, just follow the herd.
OK, so here we are at the airport. There was no point in bringing baht with you, but you're going to need some now. It's simply not true that US dollars are accepted everywhere. Where the heck did this piece of misinformation come from? If you want to go on a bus, drink a beer, or eat some food, you need baht. That's easy. There are plenty of exchange kiosks in the airport offering reasonable rates. Change ten or fifteen quid for starters – you can always shop around later.
In the arrivals lounge you'll find signs for the airport bus. Unless you want to pay over the odds for a hair-raising taxi ride, take the bus. There are different routes for the different areas. If you're going to Sukhumvit, for example, you'll get the A3. It costs 150 baht and you buy your ticket before you board.
The airport bus service is totally unlike the free-for-alls on the normal bus service and caters especially for lost tourists with luggage. Simply tell them the number of the Soi (sub-street) your hotel is on and the friendly and efficient bus staff will take good care to let you off at the most convenient place.
Aha, but you'll need somewhere to stay first. Well, you have at least two options. You can take your chance at finding a guest house or cheap rooms – easy enough once you're there but maybe difficult for a jet-lagged first-timer with luggage. So I think you'd be better booking an hotel. A pretty decent one will set you back less than £15 for a night.
If you are going to stay in an hotel, always book through a Thai travel agent as they get good discounts compared to the walk-in rate. (The Travel Agent gets commission from the hotel so this service is free to you.) Guest houses are so cheap that you can just "walk in" to them.
You can find Thai travel agents in the search engines or you can try NPK Tour & Travel – they are very reliable.
I suggest that you book at least one night in a hotel to give you a chance to find your feet before inflicting yourself on an unsuspecting Bangkok. And then... well, that's another story...
