Guys and girls, taxi from airport to city should not cost more than 300/350 toll and 50 baht surcharge included.

One mistake you MUST NOT make is to take one of the limos [unless that's what you want specifically about 900-1000 bht into city].

Go down to ground level [1st floor] to take the public taxis.

For an example, airport to upper sukhumvit [soi1 to soi20 etc] takes me about 300 everything in.

Thing is, you should try to convince the driver to take the 'motorway' [the thais call it moterway] or else they'll take the longer route [bangna-trat highway].

But 'locals' like me know which exit to take to avoid unnecessary tolls and quicker routes. So the rule is, take public taxi, ask them to get on moterway, and you'll save money and time. Even if they take a slightly longer route, +-100 baht is not exactly a lot when you're on holiday !

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Added on March 1, 2007, 9:18 pmbtw what's on soi polo chicken?

This post has been edited by adad: Mar 1 2007, 09:18 PM

Another rule of thumb to remember is if you are approached by someone asking you 'taxi, sir' 99.9% they are trying to get you into the pricey limos.

Though I love the Thais, they'll usually not bother you unless there's something in it for them ...

Just smile, and get yourself down a couple of floors to find the 'real taxis'.

Another tip is to go upstairs to catch one of the incoming taxis dropping off passengers - but this is only recommended for seasoned travellers who are confident in shaking off the occasional taxi mafia patrolling the area to protect the interests of their brethrens. I come in and out Swamp-napoom airport very frequently so that's the risk/potential hassle I'm willing to take.

Just passed by it lunch time today, looks like there's lots of signs up saying that it will be closed but the truth is it will stay open for some time, until the court ruling says otherwise [it will be a long and painful fight], and of course, an 'accident' big fire in the near future will make the decision much faster for the land owner/court.

if I were you, and want to see the real thailand, i'll go upcountry [i.e. out of bangkok]. And not to the islands nor Chiang Mai either. Northeast perhaps? Eastern provinces? Ayutthaya/Sukhothai maybe?

I personally love the simplicity and true hospitality of the Northeastern folks but some might argue that's not real Thailand - more Laos/Khmer influence. But boy are they fun people.

The Northerners are very hospitable too, and of course the Lanna culture is great to experience as well.

South Thailand is has more Malay-influence so it should be familiar to you.

'Real' Thai culture resides in the central region - between Ayutthaya and Bangkok.

One other thing you should try [if you have not already] is to go for the Siam Niramit show - it's technically a tourist attraction, but spectacular.

Or simply walk into a cinema, watch a Thai movie like a local [but make sure you ask for the subtitled screens].

Or go have seafood at BangkhunThien like a local, or if you're more adventurous, Singburi for its famous river prawns along chao phraya [more like lobsters].

Or go to Hua Hin for a sea side detour - or really go local and land up in Cha-am [they're close to one another]. Or Ko Samet like the Bangkokians.
Or Bang Saen if you're near the Pattaya/Chonburi side.

Take a tour to Muang Boran/Ancient City in Samut Prakan - really nice and quiet tour if the weather's not too hot.

Many more things to do, cannot list them all ...

if you want to be based in Bangkok, two things you can do:

1. Siam Niramit show is in Ratchada road, across from Robinsons. Check out www.siamniramit.com - it's live stage show - think real elephants on stage and rain/thunderstorm on stage - a lot of Thais want to see it to get in touch with their own culture/history. But it's not cheap.
2. Muang Boran/Ancient City is a day trip from Bangkok - most tour operators can hook you up. This place is huge and can only be covered in a car/van. http://www.ancientcity.com/muangboran/index.htm It's a bit like covering all of thailand in one day !

Take a cab straight to hotel. Even if you got to Onnut station, it'll still be quite a walk - don't want to do that when you've got luggage. Coming from Suvanarbhumi, your area is closer by taxi [you're on the east side of BKK].

MBK is linked to National Stadium station - just one stop after you change in Siam. [but different line from Sukhumvit]. You can alight at Siam but it's not direct - not too far but more troublesome.

Pattaya is about 1 half to two hours away by car/van/bus. It's kinda like KL to Port Dickson. The cheapest way is to catch a bus at the Southern Bus terminal at Ekamai [Sukhumvit 63] straight to Pattaya. It's 120 baht if I'm not mistaken.

Yes I'd say 15 mins tops. But frankly I rarely go to that end of Sukhumvit as it is quite out of the way. By the looks of it, you'll be living in an apartment, and not hotel. And if the walk gets too far, I guarantee there will be motorbike taxis at Lotus [mouth of soi 50] and chances are in front of your apartment too. 10 baht should take care of the journey [one way] if you're lazy to walk.

And also, I made a typo just now - the bus station at Ekamai is the Eastern, not Southern Terminal.

BTW, why did you choose this place to stay? It's a curious choice I must say. Onnut is not on the typical tourist route, upside is you'll be amongst mostly locals if that's the experience you want.

hey no worries, they way you put it, I just thought they built another line right under my nose !

A tip: the Skytrain 'crosses' the subway at these three stations [Sukhumvit/Asok], [Sala Daeng/Silom] and [MorChit/Catuchak Park].

Happy Shopping !

That's a nice price, considering where you'll be staying. Soi 4 is not a super long soi anyway so walk should not be difficult. Especially with all the 'distractions' along the way.

You're in prime red light district !

Upside is areas like these are always pumping with life [food, shops etc], pardon the pun.

And to all who are coming to BKK in the next few days, things seem pretty normal and safe at the moment. And the weather has gotten better [been raining everyday last week] - hope it stays this way.

saying that whole sukhumvit is red light district is like saying that the whole country is a big red light district. while there is some truth to that, you'll definitely see what I mean if you stay around the nana area. mostly harmless really, but this turns some people off, especially if they are travelling with children or older people.

short answer, no. Sukhumvit is more like a shopping/commercial area.

Beer Lao in Khao San area?

Try 'OhMyCod' fish and chip shop on Rambuttri. They
sell it there.

Another thing, most people like their beer ice cold. But if you REALLY want to try out a beer's taste, you need to drink it warmer.

Ice cold beers all taste the same. A warm Beer Lao has hints of honey if you have the patience to find out. Very nice brew, not like all the other Thai beers [more like carbonated piss to me]. IMO, Leo beer is the best Thai brew. But that's just me.

If you want to try micro-brewed goodness, come to my side of town and check out the Londoner on Sukhumvit. They brew their own pilsner and cream bitters !

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Added on June 14, 2007, 12:26 pmANd here's the link:

OhMyCod website

This post has been edited by adad: Jun 14 2007, 12:26 PM

Halal food near Nana?

Go to Sukhumvit Soi 22 if Arab food bores you, there's one Thai Muslim restaurant in the lorong next to Imperial Queen's Park hotel. Nearest BTS at Emporium and then its about 10 mins walk. [Emporium is at Soi 24]
So its not too near but not too far also [like petburi].

Here are your answers, if you still need to know.