An evening in Bangkok - where to go?

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Shimrod
Shimrod Posts: 1,069 Forumite
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in Overseas holidays & travel planning
We've got an overnight stop in Bangkok coming up (travelling from the UK). We'll arrive at around 11am and we'll be staying at the airport hotel. The plan is to get a few hours sleep then get the train into Bangkok late afternoon to get some food and a stretch of the legs.


Given we'll be sleep deprived, any suggestions for where to go that will require almost no thought and provide a bit of 'walk by' site seeing - preferably not too far from one of the train stations.


Thanks
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  • PompeyPete
    PompeyPete Posts: 7,126 Forumite
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    There are loads of hotels that call themselves Airport Hotels at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Some are close to the Airport, some not.

    Here's one of the Air Rail Link websites...

    https://www.bangkokairportonline.com/bangkok-airport-rail-link/

    I don't think there's anywhere on the ARL line that I'd particularly recommend, so you'd either need to go to the terminus at Phaya Thai and then transfer onto a BTS [Skytrain line] and go to somewhere like Siam, where everything is shiny and mega high rise. An alternative is to change at Makkasan onto a MRT [Underground] with a short walk involved to Phetchaburi MRT.

    Then you've got to get back.

    You could get a taxi from you 'Airport' Hotel to somewhere that's recommended to you.

    As you won't have much time, and as Bangkok is quite a bewildering city, you need to keep whatever you do very simple.
  • PompeyPete
    PompeyPete Posts: 7,126 Forumite
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    There'a always a good chance that if you fall asleep, and only intend napping for a couple of hours, that you'll feel completely exhausted after that couple of hours.
  • Shimrod
    Shimrod Posts: 1,069 Forumite
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    PompeyPete wrote: »
    There are loads of hotels that call themselves Airport Hotels at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Some are close to the Airport, some not.


    We're staying at the Novotel, which is attached to the airport and about a 5 minute walk from arrivals. Handy, because you book a room for 24 hours from when you arrive.


    PompeyPete wrote: »

    As you won't have much time, and as Bangkok is quite a bewildering city, you need to keep whatever you do very simple.


    Hence the request for something that requires almost no thought. Bangkok is a city we have only ever passed through - on a previous trip we stayed at the same hotel and did a half day tour from the airport of the palace and main temples. Just looking for somewhere to get out of the airport and stretch the legs to keep awake.


    PompeyPete wrote: »
    There'a always a good chance that if you fall asleep, and only intend napping for a couple of hours, that you'll feel completely exhausted after that couple of hours.


    The aim is to have around 4-5 hours sleep, get up and go out. Worse case scenario we either eat at the hotel or walk back to the airport for some food. We fly on to Vientiane the next morning.
  • Doshwaster
    Doshwaster Posts: 6,137 Forumite
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    Bangkok can be an overwhelming place for a first-time visitor - especially if you only have a few hours to play with an will be sleep deprived.

    One option is that there are some tours available which are designed for those on short layovers. You can typically book these on the day from the airport tourist information desk so you can wait until you get there to see how you feel.
  • Shimrod
    Shimrod Posts: 1,069 Forumite
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    Doshwaster wrote: »
    Bangkok can be an overwhelming place for a first-time visitor - especially if you only have a few hours to play with an will be sleep deprived.

    One option is that there are some tours available which are designed for those on short layovers. You can typically book these on the day from the airport tourist information desk so you can wait until you get there to see how you feel.


    We've done one of these half day tours before, but that was at the end of a trip, so no jet lag and more time. We're just looking for somewhere to get some food with and a bit of something to look at. If we can't get that, then we'll just eat in the hotel.



    Can anyone suggest a restaurant with a view? I've just been looking at various Bangkok sky bars, although a lot seem to carry an entrance fee before you even think about getting food.
  • Doshwaster
    Doshwaster Posts: 6,137 Forumite
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    Not really a fan of rooftop bars - they are expensive and you are very dependant on the weather - but there is a good list here: http://www.bangkok.com/top10-rooftop-bars.htm

    One suggestion would the the Asiatique riverside night market. It's a bit more upmarket and touristy than the other night markets but probably easier to cope with if you are sleep deprived.

    http://www.bangkok.com/shopping-mall/asiatique.htm
  • PompeyPete
    PompeyPete Posts: 7,126 Forumite
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    edited 13 January 2019 at 5:21PM
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    If that's what you want, then fine. But don't use the Rail Link. Arrange for taxis in both directions door-to-door.

    You could also spend few hours in the Khao San area.....guaranteed to be colourful and lively after dark. Again use taxis.

    Vientiane looks an interesting destination. Spent a few days there 10 years ago. Crossed over The Friendship Bridge into Laos, Vientiane being close by. After Vientiane went by bus to Vang Vieng, and then Luang Prabang. Vientiane was fairly quiet, and as good as shut down at about 2000 each night, unless you know where to go.
  • stevie11
    stevie11 Posts: 682 Forumite
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    Depending how long your actual free time is you could get yourself to saphan taksan train station then get a river boat. You could get off and go to ko san road (sp) and walk the markets and have something to eat.

    Not exactly cultural but it passes a few hours and you get a cheap cruise.
  • PompeyPete
    PompeyPete Posts: 7,126 Forumite
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    edited 13 January 2019 at 6:15PM
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    stevie11 wrote: »
    Depending how long your actual free time is you could get yourself to saphan taksan train station then get a river boat. You could get off and go to ko san road (sp) and walk the markets and have something to eat.

    Not exactly cultural but it passes a few hours and you get a cheap cruise.

    I doubt whether they have anywhere near enough time. By the time they've rested it'll be getting close to dusk.

    Getting to Saphan Taksin involves ARL and the BTS. Then a Orange Flag Public Ferry from Central Pier to Phra Athit (Pier 13). Ferry is only about 20 baht (50p), and it's a good idea, but not in the time-frame that the OP gives.
  • Shimrod
    Shimrod Posts: 1,069 Forumite
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    PompeyPete wrote: »
    Vientiane looks an interesting destination. Spent a few days there 10 years ago. Crossed over The Friendship Bridge into Laos, Vientiane being close by. After Vientiane went by bus to Vang Vieng, and then Luang Prabang. Vientiane was fairly quiet, and as good as shut down at about 2000 each night, unless you know where to go.


    We were there in 2015, and did the same trip up north to Luang Prabang. It's a pleasant city and Laos is lot more relaxed than Cambodia. We have a few days there to get over the jet lag and relax. We didn't get to see That Luang last time as we were there the same time as the festival.


    stevie11 wrote: »
    Depending how long your actual free time is you could get yourself to saphan taksan train station then get a river boat. You could get off and go to ko san road (sp) and walk the markets and have something to eat.

    Not exactly cultural but it passes a few hours and you get a cheap cruise.


    I've been looking at the Chaophraya cruise and meal tours which seem reasonable. That might be an option if I can find one at a suitable time. It certainly fits our 'no demands' criteria.
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