I went to Bangkok On a 2 month long study tour in October 2001. we were a group of people from various countries( we were from india, fiji, mongolia brunei iran and cambodia)who were to study health planning in Chulalongkorn university.
As with any other trips I have made I always brush up on the country with travel books, specially those by lonely planetI also used the Internet to download city maps , BTS skytrain schedules and some dos and don’ts from https://sawadee.com , a very informative site on thailand.
The WHOwho arranged the trip flew us down by Thai airways(worth another review).We arrived in the wee hours of the morning of 1st october to be greeted by a smiling representative of the thai government.This started our program on a cheerful note. we swotted a lot and faffed our way out of studies sometimes but the evenings were ours and did we have fun. People who think that bangkok is all about sleazy fun or Patpong bars could not be farther from the truth.
TIME TO TRAVEL April to July are very hot and humid but a great bargain .Most malls are AC anyway so whats a little heat to us indians. Sept/oct are rainy and still non touristy so whats a little rain anyway. nov to march are the best time for travel but be prepared to pay extra.
At the airport The moment you land in their country there are multiple options to go into the city. we were escorted officially, but when my family joined me after completion of the course I had to take a taxi. The prepaid taxis are at least 500 bahts. however if you are not carrying too much baggage just come out of the airport and there will be taxis taking you to the city in 120 to 200 bahts.the other option is going by bus and believe me thailand has excellent bus service clean and fast and honest.
The Thai are in general a simple , cheerful and honest people. If asked politely, they will stop to help.the only thing that hinders communication is their language handicap(the people talk only thai and buses also have destinations only in thai which is why books like those by lonely planet are useful because they give the thai translation of most common sentences, as for buses, pick up maps from the thai tourism authority TAT kiosks found at all busy shopping areas like in front of MBK) .
ACCOMODATION bangkok has accomodation ranging from the posh to the cheapest.we stayed in an apartment complex at 9000 bahts per month.There were many families staying there on a weekly basis too. the rooms were large, clean and functional(not luxurious but very evocative of home) There are numerous hotels at 1500 to 3500 bahts with breakfast thrown in so the choice is vast. after making enquiries in numerous hotels I decided to bring the family to my apartment so that they would get a feel of what it was like in bangkok. Had the family chosen a package tour we would have had a comfortable escorted and chaufeurred(pardon the spelling) trip but the real bangkok would have eluded us.
Getting Around.
Taxis are always there and most drivers understand english and even speak some of it. Buses can be used but difficult to master if one is there only for a few days.The tix are from 3.5 bahts to 10 bahts( for an AC bus). BTSskytrain is a boon to travellers because it connects most tourist and shopping areas like Siam square, sukhumvit road chatuchak weekend market, silom, sathorn and yes even patpong for the adventurous.the tickets in 2001 ranged from 15 bahts to 40 bahts. The BTS people offer seasonal passes to make travelling easier.Also many stations open directly into upperend shopping malls .However if you are 4 or more people then it is better to take a taxi.My desire to live as the thais do made me use their buses.
SHOPPING let me just name the shopping areas.
COSTLY Central department stores, Robinson Department stores, carrefour these stores have the best perfumes, clothes, electronic items and games for kids. but you pay a premium price so indulge if you are particular about brands.
MEDIUM Big C and Tesco lotus(one tesco is at the very end of the eastern arm of the BTS Skytrain)these malls have good stuff for bulk purchasing to gift out. MBK a mall on siam square is very good and full of small shops giving instant bargains in shoes, bags and clothes.my daughter had fun picking up skirts, and the latest fashion shoes all for prices from 90 to 200 bahts. you get most goods for 250 or less.
ROCK BOTTOM Pratunam and Chatuchak weekend market.
SIGHTS The banglamphu area is a must see. the whole complex called Wat phra Keuw has old temples and different areas made for different reasons. The statue of the emerald Buddha is beautiul and evokes peace. the golden reclining buddha(in wat phois awesome . see wat arun across the chao phraya river.
some distance from bangkok(60 km) is the floating market of damnoen saduak, a full days trip and you can visit a crocodile and elephant park on the way back. In all it was a beautiful trip. we bought stuff to gift, we also went to pattaya (next review)and then went on a sea cruise. What I disliked about BK is the sometimes vulgar intrusion of the Tuk tuk drivers who will insist on talking about sex and trying to shove pictures of the poor girls into the faces of the male members of the family, so avoid a Tuktuk in the evening if travelling with the family.Otherwise BK is one of the safest cities for women (in my experience but then Im no spring chicken!) as long as we dont walk around inviting pickockets.