| |
 Traveller's Tales: Getting around in Thailand
Know the most popular landmarks in Thailand. You may read about best transportation, recommended travel itinerary, suggested routes and directions. Also, you might want to read our
Bangkok city guide,
Chiang Mai city guide,
Hua Hin city guide,
Koh Samet city guide,
Koh Samui city guide,
Krabi city guide,
Pattaya city guide,
and Phuket city guide.
Pages (9 of 115):
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 More »
| J Misako kojima |
29 May 2004 |
Stayed at Kata Thani Hotel and Beach Resort - Phuket, Thailand.
|
My advice: 1) Be careful taking a taxi affiliated with the hotel. Unless you agree a realistic price don't use them. I had to take a taxi on my last day for 500 baht for a 10 minute round trip. This makes it comparable or more expensive to Tokyo. 2) Hiring a vehicle is much the best way of getting around. 1,300 Baht for the cheapest vehicle (a jeep) for 1 day was I thought very reasonable, and better I thought than the free hotel courtesy bus to Phuket Town which ran once a day at 1pm returnig at4pm. 3) Local Thai restaurants were far better value than the hotel restaurants, typically 1/3 the price and more authentic. There was a good one whose name I forget, about 1 minute walk from the hotel towards the south. Another recommended value for money Thai restaurant in a great location on the beach, is in the southern corner of Kata Beach (not the noisy pub/restaurant next to it). 4) The 1 day "safari" wasn't worth it but my Mum liked it. It involved seeing how they tap rubber trees, how a monkey can pick coconuts, how two young elephants can perform for an audience, how to make a Thai curry, how to prepare a coconut, a cart ride pulled by water buffalo and a 20-30 minute elephant ride. Don't ride an elephant with bare feet because they are infested with mites!! 4) The Chalong bhuddist temple wasn't at all interesting, and I've been to many in Asia. Seeing a pitifully neglected, lame, stray dog infront of the door of the main temple made more of a negative impression than usual when you could see people spending their money on Lotus flower offerings and "fire crackers". 5) If you go diving from May onwards be prepared for high seas. I did not fare well on the longer than expected 1.5-2hr trip to the first dive site!!
|
| T Soo huang |
28 May 2004 |
Stayed at Asia Bangkok Hotel - Bangkok, Thailand.
|
Tuk-tuk is suitable for not more than 4 people.
Ask for meter to be switched on in taxi (starting 35B, 2B for subsequent increase)
Taxi is convenient but be prepared for traffic jams.
Taxi from airport to hotel is 300B.
|
| H Liang |
27 May 2004 |
Stayed at Radisson Hotel Bangkok - Bangkok, Thailand.
|
Bangkok has a mix between East and West where the 'Bangkies' are very devout Buddhists. This can be witnessed at night markets where salesgirls make their very first sale and thank Buddha for it. If you are into seafood, be sure to dine at one of the most inexpensive restaurants that serves one of the best seafood--SomBoon. Situated in Chinatown, near the Ramada Tartawan (or something like that). For great Thai cuisine at moderate prices, go to Baan Khanita--cool environment, great ambience, excellent cuisine, and awesome service!
Never take the BTS if you're travelling in groups of three or more as it makes more economic sense taking the cab as it's absolutely dirt cheap and gets you from point A to B in a jiffy during off-peak periods. For shopping, visit Mah Boon Krong or MBK--like how the locals call it for great bargains and a wide range of apparel and accessories. For even more awesome bargains, check out the wholesale market that is situated right next to the Indra Regent hotel and right at the doorstep of Baiyoke Sky Hotel and Baiyoke Suites.
|
| S Bray |
23 May 2004 |
Stayed at Tamarind Village, Chiang Mai - Chiang Mai, Thailand.
|
I found that you can negotiate prices on the guided tours. I used one in a brochure that was at the hotel front desk. The elephant riding and bamboo rafting was terrific and one of our best experiences of Thailand. I highly recommend it. We were picked up in a mini van with a few other people. Our group was very small so we got a lot of attention from our guide.
|
| A Lim |
12 May 2004 |
Stayed at Pathumwan Princess - Bangkok, Thailand.
|
Depending on what time of day you are commuting and where you are traveling from and to, the quickest ways to get around Bangkok are the skytrain, taxi, motorcycle, or ferry. Most Thai people are very respectful of foreigners, and visitors to this wonderful country would do well if they return this simple courtesy to the Thai people they meet.
|
| E Muir |
09 May 2004 |
Stayed at Ambassador Hotel Bangkok - Bangkok, Thailand.
|
The BTS train, right in front of hotel is cheapest, fastest, and well air conditioned, but might not travel to your destination, in which case take taxi. Taxi's are reasonable and if more than 2 travelling together cheaper than train. Be carefull of taxi's late at night, make sure to always use metered taxis. Use "tuk-tuk" only for short trips and get fare price in advance.
If you would like to visit a legitimite Thai night club for dinner and show, I strongly recommend the "Tawadang German Brewery" on Rama III. It is quite large and often noisy but very safe, very reasonable, great food. Make reservations for weekend visits or expect to wait outside (can eat and drink while waiting). To visit must use taxi, about 100 Baht fare from Ambassador Hotel.
|
| M Ismail |
24 April 2004 |
Stayed at First House Hotel - Bangkok, Thailand.
|
For those looking for Thai Muslim food, try Deen Restaurant at Silom, across Silom Village. It's just a hole in the wall but food is excellent. Try the fried sour beef balls. You can also go to the mosque next to the market in Silom and visit the Welfare office for other recommendations and tips. For those looking for tailors, Smile Tailors in Silom (next to Narai hotel) does a good job, but make sure you go for at least two fittings. We absolutely love Bangkok and will be there again as soon as we can. People are friendly and helpful, and will go out of their way to help strangers.
Just be cautious of people selling things. One tip, approach them for help, but be careful of people approaching you offering help. For those going to Kanchanaburi looking for floating nun, beware. We had to pay an extra 100 baht for taxi to ferry us from the river boat to the temple, which ended up being only a couple of steps away from the bank. Three of us were then asked for 200 baht per person to see the nun, or they will not float. We did not take up the offer.
|
| L Behme |
19 April 2004 |
Stayed at Asia Airport Hotel - Bangkok, Thailand.
|
We had already been to Bangkok and stayed downtown so this stop was just on our way back out of the city after having been down to Phuket and Krabi.Previously in Bangkok we had 2 full days and made the most of it, seeing quite a few sights.
A lot of tuk tuk drivers (and their buddies on the street) would have you believe that sights aren't open or aren't open until 2 pm (so they can take you somewhere and get commission). DON'T TRUST STRANGERS. Just say thank you and then continue on with whatever you want to do. We had 2 not so great taxi rides where they tried to scam us. One said the meter was broken when I had just seen it working for the last customer (he was a local). He refused to turn the meter on and wanted to barter a price and was phoning his friend and trying to take us "shopping". After a km of arguing we asked to be let out. A 'bartered' price from a previous cab had turned out to be way too much.
Our cab ride from our down town hotel to the airport was 'set up' for us by that hotel (not Asia Airport Hotel) and they told us 250 B. At the airport, the cab driver wouldn't open the trunk until we had given him 350 B. So ALWAYS confirm with the DRIVER exactly what you are going to pay and if you are unsure, then don't put stuff in the trunk.
The Grand Palace is a must see but please be respectful and obey the dress codes.
In retrospect I think I would have tried to learn the air con bus system as a means of getting around but for just 2 days we didn't bother.
|
| M Imai |
18 April 2004 |
Stayed at Golden Sands Hotel - Cha-Am, Thailand.
|
Cha-Am is located within 3 hours drive from Bangkok, 128 Bahts by air-con bus from the southern bus terminal in Bangkok. It is not known among foreign visitors though many Thais visit with their family. Therefore, the price is cheap. You will not be overcharged in sea food restaurants like other famous sightseeing spots in sea shore.
|
| L Lau |
17 April 2004 |
Stayed at Grand China Princess - Bangkok, Thailand.
|
Bangkok is a crazy place. Spend only a few days there then move on to explore other smaller towns/cities. At least its cheap and the people are relatively friendly. My only gripe is the taxi drivers will gouge you if you are new. Don't spend 600 Baht to get from the airport to your hotel with a "limousine" taxi (not really a limo anyway but a nicer car...) Instead, go directly straight outside the arrivals terminal to the METER taxi booth by the curb. DO NOT listen to the people trying to sell you a taxi for 600 or listen to them tell you the METERED taxis are slow! There may be a line, but it goes fast. You should be able to get a metered taxi to your hotel for 200-300 baht + 40 baht for the expressway fee. Once inside the taxi make sure the METER is running, if not tell the driver to turn it on.
Just like everything in Bangkok, bargain the hell out of the sellers... they jack up the prices up to 10x for tourists anyway. Best of luck! :)
|
|
Pages (9 of 115):
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 More »
Book a hotel in Thailand
|
