Room at Majestic Grande Hotel	Room at Majestic Grande Hotel	Front of Majestic Grande Hotel	Swimming Pool at Majestic Grande Hotel
	Click on photos above to open larger ones in new window

Asia Hotel

 

The first time we were in Bangkok (1990) we stayed at the Asian Hotel. It is a large, centrally located hotel with its own skytrain stop. We visited it again in 2005 (didn't see any rooms) and it is still very popular, excellent value for money but looking a bit tired and in need of a facelift. Still, a good budget option, with a good restaurant and great location. Visit Asia Hotel's website. Click here to make a reservation at Asia Hotel.

 

New Merry V Guesthouse

When we were backpacking in Thailand in 1992/1993 we stayed at a guesthouse called the New Merry V (not to be confused with the more basic original Merry V). It is ideally situated in Banglamphu, just across the road from the riverboat stop and close to Khao San Road, but in a more pleasant, quieter location. It had just opened when we stayed there so it was spotlessly clean. We walked past it in 2005 and it looked the same, but we didn't see any of the rooms. They have rooms with bathroom and a/c or more basic ones with shared facilities and fan. There is a restaurant and a travel agent, and several other restaurants nearby. New Siam Guest House round the corner was another popular place, but we preferred the rooms at the New Merry V. Siam was good for breakfast though.

 

There are loads of budget and backpacker accommodation around this area, and on Khao San Road. Best to ask to see a room before you commit to somewhere. If you don't like the look of the place, move on to the next one.

 

Transport in Bangkok

Despite all the horror stories you may hear, we have had no problems with taxis in Bangkok. Try to go for a meter taxi if at all possible. Ask the driver to use the meter and if he says no, get out and find another taxi unless you can agree a fee that you're happy with. Sometimes the driver won't want to use the meter if the traffic is really horrendous and you don't want to go far. Taxis are really cheap anyway.

 

Tuk tuks tend to be more expensive than taxis - again make sure you agree a fee but also make sure they're going to take you directly to your destination - some tuk tuk drivers offer a very low fee for an hour or two's service but then take you on a detour to a shop where they get commission for everyone they bring there. Tuk tuk journeys are also much more scary and you'll get a lot more pollution, so probably best to use them once for the novelty. Apart from that you're better off with standard taxis.

 

When you arrive at Bangkok International Airport (Suvarnabhumi) , head downstairs to join the queue for the metered taxis. Don't pay any attention to people who come up to you when you're making your way through the terminal asking if you want a taxi. You'll pay about double the fare for these taxis. When you get to the front of the queue for metered taxis there is a desk where they will ask you where you're going and give you a voucher to give the driver. We have never been overcharged using this system and the taxis are very good value. We paid 450B for a taxi to the Majestic Grande (this was made up of 340 on the meter, 60 for tolls and 50 service) but only 350B for the return journey*.. Important Note: Due to problems with the new airport at Bangkok, it is planned to re-open the original Don Muang Airport at the end of March 2007 for certain flights, including all Nok Air flights. Please double-check which airport you are flying from before setting out for your journey. Click here for more information about the airport.

 

The Skytrain is a great way to get around, and a good way to avoid traffic jams (which happen a lot!).  You can buy individual tickets but probably best to buy a Skycard for around 100 baht* which can be topped up as and when required.  Costs are by zone and there are maps in all the stations. Click here for more information.

 

The Bangkok Metro, otherwise known as the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), is another option for getting around the city, although with a total of 18 stations it doesn't cover a huge area. It has stops at Chatuchak (Chatuchak weekend Market) and Lumpini (Suan Lum Night Bazzar). Click here for more information.

Things to see and do in Bangkok

The Grand Palace is awesome, an absolute must see. Note there are clothing regulations and knees and shoulders must be covered, although they will rent out appropriate clothing if you need. To get there, take the Chaophraya Express Boat to Chang Pier (Tha Chang). Walk through the pier then through the market and you'll see the white wall of the Grand Palace across the street on your right. The entrance is at the second gate. Don't miss the Emerald Budha. Watch out for touts outside the Palace telling you it's closed because it won't be! Don't forget your camera - you'll take loads of photos of this amazing complex! Open daily from 8.30am to 3.30pm, entrance fee 200B*.

 

Wat Po - Another must see. Close to the Grand Palace, Wat Po is also known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha because of the very impressive gigantic gold plated Buddha which is a massive 46 metres long and 15 metres high. There is also a massage school here, with a very good reputation. Open daily from 8.00am to 5.00pm, entrance fee 20B*.

 

Chao Phrya River - River taxis and tourist boats go regularly up and down the river stopping at many points, and it's well worth exploring this way.  You pay on the boat (costs vary - we never understood how they worked out how much it should be!! - but were minimal). 

 

From some of the stops you can also arrange Klong tours on your own private longtail boat.  These tour the canals which go off the river.  We did this the first time we were in Bangkok and thought it was really magical.  It was a bit disappointing second time but we were maybe just unlucky.  We just opted for the 1 hour tour because we'd done it before, but on reflection an hour probably wasn't enough.  You can get charters from most of the canal stops, we paid 800 baht at Tha Chang* - think it's less than double for 2 hours.  Ask them to take you up the smaller side canals - they're usually the most interesting. 

 

River Kwai - Well worth taking a day trip to the River Kwai in Kanchanaburi, 130km west of Bangkok . The famous bridge and the beginning of the 'Death Railway' which lies just outside town are a poignant reminder of the thousands of POWs who died in the Second World War. Walk over the bridge, visit the War Cemetery and the moving Jeath War Museum.

 

Floating Market - The floating market at Damnoen Saduak, 110 kms west of Bangkok has become a very touristy event but is like nothing you'll see anywhere else and still worth a visit to see the Thai's traditional way of selling and buying fruit and vegetables from their boats. Although it's full of tourists, it's still colourful and fun.

 

Cycling Tours - These sound like fun and a great way to see another side of Bangkok. We planned to do one last time, but ran out of time - next time! Visit Bangkok Bike Rides website and Absolute Explorer website

 

 

 

More photos and information about Bangkok

 

 

"Note: Prices quoted above for tours, etc were accurate in 2006