atleast in bangkok is safer than kuala lumpur

hi... any clean hotel with private bath room to recommend with BTS nearby? budget is less than 1000baht...

how about robbery?? So is it that I can go out touring without worrying about being rob and stuff like in kl?

I heard there are 2 different train lines... How do i pay for the train fees? Izzit like singaporw where i buy one card then can travel any train using the card then scan or have to use coins 1?? or have to buy different card for different train line? is the transport convenient to go around sigtseeing in bangkok?

btw juz a reminder, there no such things as 'Buddha Day' or whatever shit that places like Grand Palace n Wat Pho will be closed for half day or what. locals who told u so most likely are trying to con u.

hi... any clean hotel with private bath room to recommend with BTS nearby? budget is less than 1000baht...

ok thanks..after reading your posts I feel that bangkok is not that dangerous anyway..and might continue my plan to go there in march.. I plan for the 9th march holiday so can take less company leave..do u guys think its good to go during that time?? like festivals and stuff can enjoy more?

U r damn RIGHT? Remember folks, the tuk tuk driver try to cheat their way to get biz. As you walk from Wat Pho to the Grand Palace, they will tell u there is an official function at the Grand Palace n r close for the day n ask you to go somewhere else wz their tuk tuk n charge u for a fee. JUST IGNORE THEM!

I'm going to Bangkok on 9th - 13th January. Purpose is to shop till we drop, with my mom and sister.   Our main place of interest is Chatuchak Weekend Market. As this is our 1st time to Bangkok, I need help on some stuff like:-

1. Hotel
- Is 3 star good enough and clean in Bangkok? Or do I have to find at least 4 star hotel? My mom is with me so I'd prefer a cleaner more family-friendly hotel.
- Suggestions for reasonable/comfortable hotels nearest Chatuchak market or anywhere most convenient to shopping areas AND/OR convenient to get around places in Bangkok.
- Someone suggested Baiyoke Boutique Hotel. Anyone stayed there b4? Was it good? Is it easy to get to Chatuchak from there?

http://www.bts.co.th/en/tourist_04.asp#....Check this service apartment. Stay here quite often. Very convenient. Bangkok City is very near to MBK and Pratunam 2. Difference between Pratunam and Chatuchak
- What's the difference between these 2 markets? Which do you prefer and why?
- Where is best to shop for cheap but cool designer t-shirts?
- I've heard that the markets are crowded and complicated to walk around. Is there a map I can get or something?
Both Open air. Prat - daily. Chak - Sat & Sun. The locals will go there too. You can have almost everything from Chak.Must go early like (may be 9am Thai)

3. Other shopping places
- Any other shopping haven?Suan Lumm - nite shopping/Hua Lum Phong (china town)
- Are the malls worth going? Which is best? Not looking for boring/expensive malls coz like that I can just go to KL malls.Can try MBK (Ma boo khong).Branded goods in Thai is expensive. But hey, lingerie r cheap in Thailand compare to M'sia.
4. Food
- Any cheap/reasonable/good restaurants in Bangkok? What are the must-try food/snack there? Anywhere u see on the street is good...And must try Pork leg's rice (kar moo).

5. Getting around
- Which is the best way to get around Bangkok? Do most people understand English there?
Is always jam in BKK. Best to travel with BTS or MRTA http://www.bts.co.th/en/tourist_04.asp# (MAP). However if it at nite, get a metre taxi.which takes u right to the door step of the hotel. Always print the hotel address which is in Thai & show the driver. save yr time explaning  & talk to them.
Only need calculator talk when u bargain n use simple english. Dun try to speak english in full sentence. exam orange juice - three. Dun say Can i have 3 glasses of orange juice. They probably dun get u. just go word for word.
6. Currency
- We're gonna change baht before we go but do they also accept RM? And any good money changer in Bangkok? Or banks? Are they convenient?Go to any money changer KIOSk. Dun go to bank.BTW, best change it in Malaysia. Best price that u can always get is Mid Valley - Wawasan Money changer. Next to the KFC.
7. Additional tips
- Any tips for us? Did I leave out anything? Careful with cheaters. Don't take tutk tuk cos is expensive in BKK. if u r flying back to KL during weekdays n yr flight is at 7 or 8pm, go to airport before 4.30pm.u dun want to be stuck in the jam. Use highway but u must pay for toll. While at airport arrival hall, dun get any limo transfer. Just get out from arrival hall and get a metre taxi (cheaper).There's a counter.Thanks for sharing. I'm also looking for info on the net so I hope you can share with me your personal experiences/info that you know is valid rather than point me to some websites.
I hope this will be a fun family trip for us!

Thanks..after reading can I assume that bangkok is safer in terms less robbery and snatch thieves but dangerous because a lot of con men...correct?

more or less abt that haha. juz be caution coz tourists are always target to con, no matter where.

another possible con / scam that u can find is when u walk thru some park with lotsa pigeon (i mean A LOT), some people will purpose throw some corn or peanuts toward u, making the pigeons surround u. then he/she will come over n hand u a few packet of corns, n tell u some craps like buddha day lah, offering lah, bla bla bla... ignore them n give the packets back to them. DONT feed the pigeons else u'll be asked to pay some ridiculous price for the farking corns !

when i read it at first. i thought... they train pigeons to scam you?  kakakaka. i been to bkk numerous times. (my sis used to live there) never did i see a place with many many pigeons. where is this? i think instead of being scammed by pigeon users. you should worry about getting birdflu from the damn pigeons.

Hi all,

Im planning a short trip there with my family, visiting places near Bangkok. Can help comment or recommend any nice places or hotel to stay pls ?

thanks alot in advance. !

Below is my itinerary:
Day 1 : Arrived Bangkok ( D )
 
Upon Arrival, meet at Airport,
1) Four Face Buddha (Bangkok)
2) Tiger Temple of Thailand, formally known as Wat Pa Luangta Bua Yannasampanno.
  (couple of hours' drive outside Bangkok in the Kanchanaburi province)   
  (Kanchanaburi)
3) Dinner,Shopping at the biggest night market "Night Bazaar". (Suan Lum) (Bangkok)

 
Day 2 : Bangkok – Pattaya ( B,L,D )
 
After Breakfast, visit
1) Chaophaya River, (Pattaya)
2)  Floating Market (Khlong Damnoen Saduak floating market) (Pattaya)
3) Wat Arun + Wat Po + WatPhra Keaw  (Pattaya)
4) Safari World + Marine Park, (Pattaya)
5) Herb Center (Pattaya)
6) Visit Gems Industrial Factory (Pattaya)
 
Day 3 : Pattaya ( B,L,D )
 
After Breakfast,
1) Visit Coral Island by speed Boat, (CANCEL)
2) Nongnooch Village + Elephant Show, Cultural Show, (Pattaya)
3) Phra Pathom Chedi in (Nakhon Patom)
4)Wax Muzuem,
5) Laser Buddha Temple.
 
Day 4 : Pattaya - Departure Bangkok ( B )
 
After Breakfast, Free at Leisure & Meet at Stated Time
Transfer to Bangkok International Airport for Flight Back
Home.

Bro Man Utd,

your trip mostly visiting Wat huh?

going with a bunch of friends who love praying in thai buddha too?

I might going to LP Koon Wat in kanchaburi there too....

Love to hear more of your Wat story in near future.

Cheers.

Man_utd, your day 1 depend on what time you touch down, as going out bangkok is time consuming, while night market at Sum Lum is okie, as it quite relax there with food court and shopping bazaar.

Day2, i guess you are spending 1/2 day bkk and then headed to pataya, well, Floating market is 2 hrs drive away and start roughly at 8AM morning, both way take you 2hrs alr. mos popular wat like Arun, Wat Po located at same area so does the king palace. Skippppp the Gem factory they are trying to conn ur money onli. Watch watch and see see also worth nothing , unless you did your homework on those gems alr.

Dat3/4 seem pretty relax and okie.

Enjoy the bkk city.....

With my parents, so wont be going to Patpong for Thaigirl show. Prefer to go to places with nice scenery n interesting stuff... Will let u know how was the trip when i come back in Feb.
Hi Lousai, I will be landing in Bangkok at 1230pm. Check into hotel 1st. IF i were to skip Gem factory, wat other places u can recommend?
Thanks ya.

man_utd, it all depend on ur preferences, shopping, food, entertainment, health etc.

as what others said, BKK is 3-5x KL city.

In your case, from 3pm onward can try the Chatuchak Market (hot & humid) but a different experience. Or if you like air-cond one go to Paragon/MBK etc.

If you are looking for local food, go to Siam Square there are couple of good restaurant in soi4 Som Dam(North East Salad), Soi 5 SteamBoat, Trendi, Soi 6 Bak Khun Mae(local mama dish).

If you like sport, can get some bike and rides them across BKK thru the gardens, but i have not tried yet.

there are many more you can do. Just narrow your scope 1st else you need more days in BKK...lol