Nope. I've had mine for a while now so I'm not sure how much it is now. Just go to the counter and get it. I think its like 150 baht? And you get a card with 100 baht in it already. No forms needed. Its just a BTS card

Yeah Xmas eve is generally a lot more happening then in KL, its a bit like SG's Orchard Rd.

And like Panda said, crime is normal everywhere, just becareful where you go to and how you keep your stuff. But crime rates are a lot lower when compared to KL's. Lets just say.. I feel easier walking about in BKK then in KL really =\

Hmm lotsa places really, virtually all the malls will. I'd suggest central world, since they got a beer garden, a huge tree and other nearby malls to add to it(will make it look like SG's Orchard rd). Not sure where all the hotspots are though, but if you just walk around the major malls and some tourist areas, you'll pretty much get it

Just the usual words when you go traveling.. "toilet, how much?, cheaper, left, right, straight"

Yeah you'll want to bring small notes, small stalls don't exactly take credit cards you know Not really sure how else to advice on money, just the usual, bring enough money out, a lil extra incase you need to pay for somehting like cab fees etc, or food.

Around 300 baht, give or take 50 baht or more depending on traffic.

It'll be around 300 baht...

Yes, if you go to get a cab yourself and not from the counter and go by meter. And no traffic jam. Keep in mind if you wanna take the highway (toll fees) or not. Toll should come to about 80 baht max.

Don't remember if theres a double charge after midnight, but I think the initial fee goes up to 50 baht from 35.

And agents always charge more for anything. And in which case you might as well take the bus which is a fixed 150 baht per person.

If you are coming in late at night, taking the toll way is not worth it. Theres no jam.

What?

Don't go from an agent, rm30 per person is ridiculous.

Just say "highway, no"

or "highway, mei ow(don't want)"

Are you going in a group or alone? If its just like 1 or 2 of you, I would suggest taking the express bus. Provided there isn't too much luggage. The bus costs 150 baht per person and you don't have to pay for the toll on the highway. Also, provided your hotel is within the routes. You should be able to google up the routes it takes.

If however you wanna take a taxi, you can just say you want to go on meter (just say 'meter' and they will know). If not, then just refuse and take another cab. Or you could go to one of the taxi counters too. Getting to the city should cost about 300baht not included toll fees which will be about 80 baht in total for 2 tolls.

Wish I could help more, but not too familiar with that hotel or location.

Things to avoid.. just becareful when there are some people who try to be really helpful and tell you alternate routes or places you can go to. eg. they say the tourist spot is closed, but might actually be open and they just want to lead you somewhere else which will cost a bomb. Theres actually a lotta these 'con' guys that mislead you. Better to actually get to the location and see if its closed or not. For ways to getting to places that isn't reachable by the train (mrt (subway) or BTS(sky train)... I'd suggest asking the hotel on how to get there.

A quick example on those con/misleading guys. Was going to check out the grand palace and otw there, this dude said it was closed, so we decided to go to a temple nearby which is only reachable by taking a ferry across. He overheard and was overly helpful and told us of a pier with a boat to take us there, even got a tuk tuk for us. Btw, the grand palace closes at like 3pm, and we were there are at around noon. Once we got to the pier, it turned out that it would cost quite a bomb to use the service of their boat, which included a tour around the area. We refused.. and managed to find our way to the public ferry which was only like 5 baht, I think? to get across.

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Added on December 8, 2009, 9:01 pmHere are the locations the buses stop at.

http://www.bangkokairportonline.com/node/55

When you get on the bus, there will be someone asking where you would like to go. So you don't have to specifically say the stops they listed. As long as its a place that is along the route, they will stop the bus there for you to get off.

This post has been edited by vermins: Dec 8 2009, 09:01 PM

Welcome! Apart from that news you mentioned, its not that bad really. Crime is a lot lower then back in KL. Doesn't mean there isn't any though.

I come to BKK pretty often and apart from that con guy I mentioned earlier, no incidents at all. Though I do have a benefit of a local for half the time...

Yeah, 'motorway' and 'highway' they will understand.

Hmmm, I use the bus all the time when I come here really. Its air conditioned, not particularly the best of conditions since the bus is a bit old. But its clean enough and not smelly at all. Better then most KL buses really. And never seen it breakdown before either.

Oh, just a heads up to everyone heading to BKK.

Try not to wear Red or Yellow colored shirts/top. Due to the political instability going on.

Well, its more of a continuity from the last one. But I think the red shirts are starting another 'gathering' again in these couple days.

Huh? It never was dangerous at all. People will just judge you if you are siding a party.

Rm90 by cab can take you pretty far. Like way way outta BKK even, maybe like 2 hours worth of cab ride. So yeah, I'd suggest finding ways to get there yourself.

Not sure how much the sky restaurant is.

Just say 'meter' when you open the door. If they say no or 'mei ow'(don't want) or something that doesn't sound like 'ok' then just get another cab. Its rare to not be able to find a cab.

Only time you prolly need to quote is if you get a on tuk tuk.

Oops, my bad!

On floating markets... Theres a lot around BKK and just outside. Most of them are crap now and very commercialized. But there are some that are very very nice and worth the while to visit. Though they are only to be found outside of BKK and will take a couple hours to get to by car.