if using mobile to do the calling or sms, always use +<country code><area code><phone no> and it will work wherever you are. but if using fixed line or if using IDD dialing code (e.g. 00, 011), just omit the extra "0" in front of area code.

hi hawk,

is this how it works?

1. +6608-1111-1111? (from m'sian mobile line in m'sia to thai mobile line in thailand)

2. +4408-1111-1111? (from m'sian mobile line in m'sia to thai mobile line in uk)

3. +6012-666 6666? (thai mobile line in thailand to m'sian mobile line in m'sia)

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Added on March 3, 2007, 12:42 pmhere is the taxi rate from airport to sukhumvit nana when im travelling to bkk:

- from airport to sukhumvit nana = 370 THB (with 50 THB taxi service charge on the taxi counter in
airport plus motorway tolls) journey = around 35min without traffic.

- from sukhumvit nana to airport = 260 THB (plus motorway tolls) journey = around 1 hour with slow moving traffic around sukhumvit.

weird, i took longer time to airport but more expensive then i took shorter time from airport to hotel.

This post has been edited by wk_wong: Mar 3 2007, 12:48 PM

hi wk_wong,

1) omit the "0"
2) nope, regardless of where the thai number is roaming, just call +66-81-111-1111.
3) correct.

thank you ver ymuch, ihawk
appreciate it so much!

no worries. i'm just curious why you seem so familiar with taxi fares from airport to Nana...

hm??? curious??? coz i experienced it...i stay in a budget hotel in sukhumvit soi 5 on my visit there last week. and indeed its a great location! just so many actions, too little time
anyway, luckily the hotel is not a f**k joint. will give out the details later after i settle out my work 1st after a long cny holiday

will be going to bkk next week for 4 days..

can anyone recommend where to go..

day 1 - grand palace, floating market

day 2 - ???

day 3 - 4 => shopping

Depending when u reach BKK, normally if u reach at Noon, on day 1 u only can do shopping! This is recommended if u hv 5 days in BKK:

Day 1: Shopping - take tuk-tuk - almost free of charge during day time..bcos they will bring u to Gems store /exp textile store and etc to collect free petrol vouchers! ask to drop u at Chinatown (It will take u almost 1.5 hour bcos u will need to stop somewhere! ...Then probably to Pratunam textile market (Near Baiyoke sky tower) - at nite head to Sum Luan nite Market....try the gigantic open air hawker centre not match by any M'sian & SG standard!

Day 2: buy a full package tour to Floating market about 120KM away from BKK so expecting about 3-4hr of travelling to & fro. (Package about RM60-RM80 per pax inc lunch) - You can go there by Taxi but not advisable as what experienced by me. (Took a taxi charged me dirt cheap at 800bath for 3 to Danuek Saduek But once u reach at the boat terminal - I feel cheated! The boat operator wanted to charged me 2000bath for the trip!! OMG- atlast settled at 1500bath for the boat!! If I to take the package, It will only cost me RM180 for 3 person only instead of RM230!!) - The reason why the taxi willing to accept cheap rate bcos..as usual stop at gem factory for free petrol voucher!...He even drive me to Wat Po, Golden Palace & Pratunam market after the trip!!

Day 3: Either decide package tour to Pataya Or Ayuthea or still in Bankok. If in BKK (as what I did)...hop in to MTR & go to the last station at the ferry terminal & buy visitor boat taxi passport at 100Bt each & enjoy unlimited stop along Chao phraya river.....My daughter enjoy this the most by hopping form une water taxi to another on each stop.....further shopping at Sum Luang

Day 4: Shopping days..MBK, Siam Paragon, Siam City (Should try the futuristic toilet!! - imagine TV inside the toilet....hmnnn thinking about it more modern than M'sia & SG! ...Continue to Chinatown....The Chinaown is so huge that u feel Petaling street is nothing!...Too bad there is no nite market at Chinatown and all the lanes closed after 6PM....(Almost similar to Hatyai..but most of the goods are for wholesales market only although the cheapest in BKK!)

Day 5- Morning (if Saturday...take the underground train to Chatuchak Weekend market...if ur flight is in Evening.....

This post has been edited by stimix: Mar 5 2007, 10:40 AM

Wow, great guide provided here. Thanks stimix

I agree with the Siam Paragon phrase. That shopping experience is better than anything from Malaysia or Singapore, even better than Vivo City. But, the downside, pricey. Prepare loads of credit cards with full credits available to shop till ur bank begs u to stop. haha

But, I appreciate the extra guides to the floating market. Is that not the normal ones that the travel agencies arranges ? Coz, long long time ago i've been there once and it was like real boring, only a few boats, not like those advertised with lots of boats.

Another thing like to ask is, those taxi and tuk tuk that make the stops at the gem stores and textile shops, how do get them to charge so cheap ? Coz, I took once, from Silom to Siam(siam center), they cut my throat for 60bht. Ever since I took only the BTS, walk more but save alot since I bought the full day pass for 100bht only.

The big floating market is called Damnoernsaduak Floating Market and is about 1 1/2 hours drive away from Bangkok. If you need to see a floating market, make sure it is this one.

There is another one closer to Bangkok and is much smaller and nothing to shout about.

Thanks...On the floating market, probably u went to the one opposite BKK city & not the original & authentic Danusk Saduak which is in hulu-hulu land about the distance from KL to Melaka! ..really inside Kampungs & lotsa of Mat Salleh...& the waterway was so cramp wth tourist, lotsa old ladies selling coconuts, vege, souvenirs, & food from the boat stalls....very authetic......BUT the motorboat trip is the one killing..so pricy! Should have taken the package tour.

On the tuk-tuk agreed cut throat &.more expensive than metre taxi & MRT ( only the nite tuk-tuk) BUT during day time the tuk-tuk will approach u and willing to send u to any destination for only 20Bath PROVIDED they will stop u atleast 2 locations to collect their petrol vouchers... chances are at nite those gem stores are closed & they cannot collect any petrol vouchers & thus hv to charge high....I was offer 80bath from Sumluang to my hotel which is only 3KM away...At the end use the underground MRT.

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market in Thailand is the busiest floating market. I was there on Feb. It's a mess. Traffic jammed maut in the river. Hehe. Boat to boat. Hardly can move. Better to go early in the morning. I took half day tour which cost 750 THB.
Btw, i love the floating market!!
Siam Paragorn? For budget ppl like me can only test free makan makan at their food court. Haha. Ranging from Local to international, one gerai test one. After tested all, i dah kenyang. Hehe. Btw, there is ppl potong fresh shasimi salmon there. DUN forget to test that. Very sweet and fresh. BEST! If u wan to buy it, it cost bout 1200 THB per 100g

For tut tut, i avoid completely. I know they overcharge. If cheap pulak sure jewelly gem punya.
Last advise if u were to go Grand Palace, there is lots of ripper out there. Becareful. They will approach u like a friendly locals and tell u that Grand Palace does not open, close for prayer blah blah. This people are conman aka ripper. Dun believe them. Grand Palace open everyday.

Wow, the last time i was there they did told me the same thing The Grand Palace was closed. haha, lucky I din waste time to go other places those locals recommends.

I need some advice on the 20bht tuk tuk. Coz, like how u guys r saying it, they'll bring us to the gem stores, do we need to go in for a walk at those gemstores ? Coz I'm sure my gf won't mind paying those places a visit for awhile. Didn't buy anything can rite ?

ICIC. Well thanks for the advices. I know its really tempting, the 1st time i went with my aunts to BKK and we were brought to the pro-claimed biggest jewel store in Thailand, my Aunts had to borrow my Credit card to purchase their stuffs. haha, tok about tempting. haha

I'll see if I really need those rides or not. haha

Thanks for these advices.

Yeah right! My family went to China for a holiday and she couldn't resist and bought some jades ( Those green stones). In the end, came back and found out they are fakes.

Yeah, whole faimly learned this lesson well. I hope Low Yat Forumers don't get con like this.

Talking about Bangkok, Tuktuk and Gems, make sure you read this before you decide to buy any gems from the so-called biggest gem shop in thailand:

Bangkok Gem Scam

This post has been edited by vic7or: Mar 9 2007, 02:37 PM

Yes read about this to b4 going to Bangkok. But so far no problem wth me as the tuk-tuk just tell me he will brings me to gem stores to collect petrol voucher & in return, I got a cheap ride on him.He even advised me to go one round inside the gem store & it is no obligation & he will be waiting for me outside for dropping me to my destination....fair what

The scam normally taken placed from those tourist spots....something like a guy approaching u...In my case, I approached the tuk-tuk....just like what mentioned in the above link which is extracted herewith:

"There are, in fact, two variations on the scam, but both involved you paying far too much for jewellery. The other one is where a tuk tuk driver simply takes you to a gem shop and tells you to look around for 10 minutes; he gets a free gas coupon for each customer he brings in. This is simple and obvious, and most people don't make a purchase in this case."

JUST be careful not to buy anything from those Gem store......The one I been even educating ppl on the real & a scam gem

This post has been edited by stimix: Mar 9 2007, 03:03 PM

Alrite, I'll take note on this matter. Mayb I try to drag my gf to complete the round as fast as possible to avoid her detecting anything that looks nice to her. haha.

How about those textile shops ?
Luring ? or really cheap stuffs ?

Hehe..I avoid going there although asked by the tuk-tuk...I told him it is too late and I need to catch my flight in the Evening....He just drove me to my destination after that....but going bck to Hotel susah-lah...could not get cheap tuk-tuk anymore (Nite) and use Taxi...btw taxi charges in BKK is more expensive than KL....If I'm not mistaken 30bath per entry & 5bath per KM...compare to RM2.5/ RM0.40 (I think) in KL...

This post has been edited by stimix: Mar 9 2007, 05:03 PM