Bangkok travel guide
Meet BangkokBangkok weather reportGetting into BangkokTop attractions in BangkokGetting around Bangkok Where to eat in BangkokPage 2: More information on Bangkok
Meet Bangkok
Loud, fast paced, edgy, charming and sweltering, Bangkok is the place where the philosophies of the East collide with the appetites of the West to create a sprawling explosion of colour and passion that is very rarely matched anywhere else on earth. The city is ferocious in its lust for activity and continually churns out a surfeit of sights, sounds and smells that will alternatively delight and astound the visitor.
It provides a heady mix between old world spiritualism and instant self-gratification always with an emphasis on enjoying the moment and squeezing the most out of any given opportunity. The people are friendly and laid back with a laissez faire attitude to life that can be intriguing, infectious and confusing. The conflicting influences which make up the city are amusingly eccentric and while gleaming shopping malls and westernised hotels cater for those with wallets stuffed full of Baht (local currency), many of the locals fit into an altogether more modest social bracket with traders and shopkeepers providing an inimitable street-side take on life.
Embrace the intrigue and magnetism of Bangkok and go where it leads you, exploring and discovering along your trails. From the night time bazaars and markets to the pulsating nightlife, from the conversations with humble taxi drivers to the many timeless temples, enjoy everything the city has to offer and you won’t be disappointed.
Bangkok weather report
Bangkok enjoys a tropical climate making the region hot and humid all year round with constant average temperatures in the mid to high 20s. Heavy thundershowers are fairly frequent in the city with the heaviest rainfall during September and October. The city is very warm throughout the year and even in ‘winter’ the daily temperature is around 19˚C.
For the latest weather info use the Pampo weather forecast tool.
Getting into Bangkok
Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) is situated roughly 40km to the east of downtown Bangkok and is a new but very busy transportation hub handling much of the activity for the extended area of south East Asia.
The airport provides a shuttle service which leaves from outside the arrivals hall and takes travellers to transport hubs including the car rental zone, taxi ranks and public transport centres.
Public transport to the city is cheap and bus numbers 549, 550, 551 and 552 lead to the city centre terminating at Minburi, Happy Land, Victory Monument and On Nut BTS central station respectively.
The taxi stand can be found outside the Arrivals hall on level 2 of the airport and is near entrances 3, 4, 7 and 8.
There is also a service which runs between the airport and some of the bigger hotels in the city centre called the Airport Express. The service runs on four different routes and calls at the majority of the city’s hotels. There is a flat fee for a ticket of 150 Baht and the booking counter can be found on Level 1 by proceeding through entrance 8.
Service AE1 terminates at Silom and services Arnorma Hotel, Holiday Inn, Pan Pacific Hotel Sofitel Silom and 222 Hotel among others. Service AE2 travels to Khao San Road and stops at Amari Watergate Hotel, Asia Hotel, Royal Princess Hotel and Sawasdi Hotel. The AE3 service runs to Sukhumvit and stops at the Novotel Hotel, Westin Inn, Manhattan Hotel, JW Marriot Hotel and Bangkok Palace. The fourth service, AE4 runs to Hua Lamphong and calls at the Florida Hotel, Asia Hotel, Siam Centre, Mandarin Hotel and Pathumwan Princess Hotel.
Top attractions in Bangkok
The Grand Palace is a spectacular building and one of the city’s genuine ‘must see’ attractions. Originally built in 1782, the Palace has served as residence for the Thai King as well as playing host to the royal court. With its elaborate carvings, statues and tapestries, the Palace is a photographers dream, sparkling in the sunlight and boasting a presence that both delights and amazes. When visiting be sure to check out the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew) which is the most significant temple in Thailand and which houses a shrine to a beautifully carved Buddha figure made entirely of jade. Because the Palace holds such a veritable position in the spiritual psyche of both the country as a whole, and the city of Bangkok, a dress code is in force for visitors. Both men and women should dress modestly and wear long sleeves and full length pants (no shorts, dresses or low cut tops).
The Floating Market at Damnoen Saduak is another attraction that makes Bangkok a rich and rewarding place to visit. The market is outside of the city proper but is well worth the detour and is a firm favourite with tourists from all over the world. Hundreds of flat bottomed boats cram the waterways and canals of the region and sell everything from fresh produce such as vegetables and exotic fruits to noodle soup and curios. Haggling is part of the fun and the market is constantly bustling with an array of fascinating colours, smells and sounds.
Getting around Bangkok
Bangkok’s traffic has a reputation for being a fierce, untameable beast of a system where gridlock and traffic jams are part and parcel of daily life. This shouldn’t stop you however from trying a ride on one of the delightfully named ‘Tuk-tuks’ which operate throughout the city. With colourful drivers and interesting routes, these mini motorised rickshaws are the perfect way to get in tune with the city’s vibes and feel a part of the energy that pulsates throughout its streets.
For a more practical method of travel try the Bangkok Metro (MRT) system. The underground system links different areas of the city and is an efficient and cheap way to get around. It is also supplemented by an overland transport system commonly referred to as the Skytrain. The Skytrain runs along two lines and has a total of 23 stations which will allow you to visit most of the major attractions in Bangkok. Various ticketing options are available but for those on a short stay, the BTS SKY SmartPass (rechargeable travel card) or the One-Day Pass are good options.
There are two types of taxis operating in Bangkok, the traditional cab and the more unique motorcycle taxi. Cabs are fairly cheap to use and can be found throughout the city with a denser collection around major tourist spots and hotels. Meanwhile, motorcycle taxis are for the braver traveller and are arguably one of the quickest ways of getting around. Drivers wear a bright day-glow orange safety vest so are easy to spot, but don’t jump on expecting a soothing ride to your destination. Because they battle Bangkok’s heavy traffic day in and day, these drivers have developed what might be termed an optional attitude to the rules of the road. If you’re in a hurry though and are feeling fearless, hop aboard for an eye opening demonstration of public transport in action.
.
Where to eat in Bangkok
-
Linin Cuisine serves a tantalising mixture of Thai and Chinese dishes including specialties such as Fried Kapong Fish, Thai style Papaya salad, Fish Tom Yum and Steamed Sake Fish.
-
The Bei Otto restaurant has been a favourite of locals for over 25 years and is run by Master Chef Otto Duffner. The restaurant serves a variety of excellent European cuisine and is well worth a visit.