Can anyone answer a few Bangkok Questions please?

dixie_dean_2

They are in town, but bangkok is quite sprawling. A short taxi/tuk tuk - 20-60baht probably. Tickets...I'm pretty sure we got ours on the door but ask at your hotel and they will either sort it for you or let you know. Pad thai, literally thai noodles is one of the most popular (in England) Thai dishes. What you get for 20p is a fresh tray of noodles, cabbage and some shoots, sometimes egg and tiny dried prawns/chillies/peanuts/lime (you can add these as you like, as its being made in front of you).
Loads of fake stuff and a lot cheaper than new York. My girlfriend got a fake gucci watch which is really nice and still going 18 months on for £2.80.

Donnie

Can't be bothered to go through your list....it would drive me mad.

Century Park? Not a great location. Closest SkyTrain station: Victory Monument. Use meter taxis to get around. Flag fall begins at 35 baht. Ignore any stranger who speaks to you before being spoken to, especially Tuk Tuk and Taxi drivers. You have been warned.
Flag down only moving Taxis.
There is little or no price differential between Tuk Tuks and Taxis. In a tuk Tuk you have no protection against other vehicles and the heavy traffic pollution. Don't do it to your child.
The main daytime market is actually north of Century Park, Chatuchak Market. Take the SkyTrain from Victory Monument to Mo Chit.

The Patpong Market(Sala Daeng SkyTrain station) is a market for tourists. Prices are pitched ridiculously high. I would estimate at least 300% over the normal price. In addition to this, the meter taxis on the Patpong/Surawong side will refuse to use their meters as they are so used to being able to rip off the tourists. Hail a taxi on the Patpong/Silom side.
The adjoining Silom Road market offers better value.
The sex bars sit alongside the Patpong Market. Be warned, the whole area is a tourist trap.

The Khaosan Road/Banglamphu area is nowhere near either of these two areas and is best reached by meter taxi. There are eclectic markets around there with more reasonable prices. Recommended.
In addition, as this is the Old City, most of the attractions are in this area.

Don't kill yourself trying to get to the Floating market at Damnoen Saduak. If you must, it's open from 0630hrs until 1000hrs. You'd need to get there early, at least by 8am.

There are two boxing stadia(Latin) in Bangkok, Lumphini and Ratchadamnoen. You'll need to check which has fights on the days that you are visiting.
A Muay Thai lesson can be booked at a local gym. There's one near the Khaosan Road. Ask at Tourist Information which is situated at the Police station on the Khaosan Road.

Don't buy any jewellery, other than from a dedicated Gold or Silver shop. Gold is sold by the weight in Thailand and the price by weight will be clearly marked on the window.

Bar high up? Go to the Banyan Tree. There is a bar and arestaurant on the roof top.
Any confusion, get online and ask.

GIRLPOWER_2

WOW... do you live there???

Donnie wrote:

Century Park? not a great location.

Flamin tradewinds said she had stayed there and it was a really good location!! :mad:
.
The main daytime market is actually north of Century Park, Chatuchak Market. Take the SkyTrain from Victory Monument to Mo Chit.

Take it this is the best one to go to?

The Patpong Market(Sala Daeng SkyTrain station) is a market for tourists. Prices are pitched ridiculously high. I would estimate at least 300% over

Thanks apart from having a look one night will be avoiding this area.

Don't kill yourself trying to get to the Floating market at Damnoen Saduak. If you must, it's open from 0630hrs until 1000hrs. You'd need to get there early, at least by 8am.

Really want to do this and don't mind traveling to one thats not so touristy.. any suggestions?

There are two boxing stadia(Latin) in Bangkok, Lumphini and Ratchadamnoen. You'll need to check which has fights on the days that you are visiting.

sorry to seem thick but how would you check?

Bar high up? Go to the Banyan Tree. There is a bar and restaurant on the roof top.

Where about is this?


Also... whats the best thing to do about changing money?? we do not have a nationwide account.

GIRLPOWER_2

suzyq wrote:

Hi Girlpower,
Have a look at www.bangkokbob.net this great website is full of very useful info on Bangkok..

Brilliant site... thanks for this.

Donnie

Aaaarrrggghhh.... more questions

Century Park is in a useless location for you. I would have recommended something close to the river and a Skytrain station.
The hotel probably appeared great to Tradewinds, so I'm sure she/he meant no harm.
It won't affect your holiday, as taxis are very cheap and air conditioned. No journey will cost you more than £2. £1 will be the average.

You might not enjoy Chatuchak Market as they sell live animals. Might upset you. You're in an area convenient for visiting the market, so why not. Check out the Khaosan Markets though. You can do so when visiting the attractions.
Never discuss pricing with a meter taxi. That's why they have a meter. If they talk about money, hail another taxi. Sometimes a gentle reminder, when you enter the taxi, for them to switch on the meter is enough. The opposite is true with Tuk Tuks. Agree on a price before you embark. The pricing is similar to taxi charges.

Go to the Floating Market at Damnoen Saduak. It's open from 0630hrs until 1000hrs. You'd need to get there early, at least by 8am.

Just hail a taxi to take you there.

Hmmm...next... Ratchadamnoen Stadium (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday) and Lumphini Stadium (Tuesday, Friday and Saturday).

In fact the main Red Light district for foreigners is not in Patpong, but in Lower Sukhumwit. Sois Zero to 23. Visiting the area at night will illustrate that fact.

http://www.banyantree.com/bangkok/location.htm There's a little picture of the rooftop bar/restaurant there.

Oh...missed the money one. Don't change any money to Baht until you get there.
American Express TCs in £s are good. Large denominations are best. Cash is also convenient.Loads of exchange booths around. Use only those that are affiliated to a bank. Don't change money in the hotel or accept offers to exchange on the street. You can change money at the airport at the same rates as in town.
Don't forget that you'll need 500 baht each for Departure Tax on leaving Bkk Airport. It may have risen to 700 baht by the time you travel.

Any more questions?

GIRLPOWER_2

Your a star. :beer:

Ohhhh yes.. always have more questions!!:rotfl:

Have you done the bridge trip? was thinking of doing the death railway train and staying in kanchanaburi which if I have it correct is where the backpackers stay and you can have a floating room on the river for a few pounds on one of the nights.

I would also like to see elephants but hate the circus type things.. any born free type thing over there to go and see them/ have a stroke etc?

I am veggie will they understand that?

What about changing money? would you take cash over and go in a bank?

My drink in bars is a dry white wine (if anyones offering!).. take it they import it but it's expensive???

Sound keep you going!:rotfl:

GIRLPOWER_2

Donnie wrote:

http://www.banyantree.com/bangkok/location.htm There's a little picture of the rooftop bar/restaurant there.

wow.:T Thats what I was thinking of!

Can any member of the public use it? it's not just for guests, says it's called Vertigo and also mentions the moorbar above it (calls it the highest bar) and says it serves premium drinks...(guess what that means I wonder!) But really fancy it. have been looking at the spa treatments also.. thinking a few hours in the spa.. changed for dinner in the restaurant on the floor below the bar.. then upto the bar for a few cocktails.. beautiful!

Donnie

Not been to Kanchanaburi, so can't tell you anything about that.

I can't help thinking that you're trying to fit too much in too short a time.

How old are you? Why are you interested in seeing a Death Railway Bridge?

Anyway, I'm sure if you go there, you'll find some elephants.

'Mai ow' means 'Don't want' in the Thai language. So point to the things that you don't want. 'Ow' means 'I do want', so you can point to the things that you do want.
'Pak' means 'vegetables'. 'Pat/Pad' means 'fried'. 'Pat/Pad pak' means 'Fried vegetables'.
'Khao' means 'rice'. 'Khao Pad Pak' means 'Fried rice with vegetables'

Wine is relatively expensive, though not in comparison to London pricing.

Donnie

GIRLPOWER wrote:

wow.:T Thats what I was thinking of!

Can any member of the public use it? it's not just for guests, says it's called Vertigo and also mentions the moorbar above it (calls it the highest bar) and says it serves premium drinks...(guess what that means I wonder!) But really fancy it. have been looking at the spa treatments also.. thinking a few hours in the spa.. changed for dinner in the restaurant on the floor below the bar.. then upto the bar for a few cocktails.. beautiful!

No restrictions on use. Book ahead if you want to be sure of a good table. If they want CC details, make sure of their policy in the case of bad weather.

arealhighlander

Cabbages & Condoms restaurant:-

Soi 12, Sukumwit (sorry, cant spell!), Google it, they have a website. Amazing place, cracking food, its a fundraiser restaurant for the family planning clinic next door. Been there 3 times.

Visiting the Grand Palace - all females must ensure they cover their legs (no trowsers or anything that shows the outline of your legs), they have wraparounds available at the entrance to hire in case. It is a religious place, so ensure rest of you is covered appropriately as well, its an oasis in a sea of chaos that is Bangkok!

I have been 3 times with the wife. The "sex bars" are not that sleazy (they can be), if you go as a couple you tend to get left alone.

Another useful phrase for you "Pang Pie" means too expensive!!