BANGKOK GUIDE YOUR FREE BANGKOK GUIDE from the ASIA TRAVEL SPECIALISTS Cultural Phenomenon, Shopping Haven and Tourist Treasure
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BANGKOK www.bangkok.com Everything You Need to Know BANGKOK GUIDE YOUR FREE BANGKOK GUIDE FROM THE ASIA TRAVEL SPECIALISTS Cultural phenomenon, shopping haven and tourist treasure. Welcome to Bangkok; one of the most cosmopolitan, contrasting and, above all, compelling of Asian cities. A steamy, pulsating, yet smiling metropolis of more than ten million souls – intense at first, but addictive as anything. Come find your niche among dazzling temples, hotels of every type and size, eclectic markets, gleaming palaces, ritzy shopping malls, a famous nightlife and the many things in between. Enjoy a memorable dinner cruise along the Chao Phraya River. Bask in the city’s warm, affluent glow at a skyscraping rooftop bar. Experience all the things – a tuk-tuk ride, a ladyboy show, Muay Thai (kickboxing) match, Thai massage – everyone always comes home talking about. WEATHER SIM CARDS AND CURRENCY Bangkok has a tropical monsoon climate and DIALING PREFIXES Thai baht (THB). US$1 = approximately THB holds claim to being the hottest city in the Pre-paid SIM cards are available for purchase 30.00 world. Sitting close to the equator, it is both at most convenience stores (you will find 7- hot and humid in equal measure, is Elevens everywhere) as well as the service unrelenting simply because it doesn't cool operators’ shops – DTAC, AIS and TRUE – TIME ZONE significantly at night. The period between located inside shopping malls. To make a call GMT+7 (the same as Cambodia, Laos and April and May is the steamiest (avg. 25-35° C). to a landline within Bangkok, dial 02 then the Vietnam). The Southwest monsoons arrive between May seven-digit number. Making a call outside and October, and with it pouring rain and Bangkok requires a three-digit area code, thunderstorms – for many, though, this is a starting with 0, the area code, then the six- ELECTRICITY welcome respite. digit number. Calls between mobile phones http://www.bangkok.com/weather.htm require the three-digit prefix (08x), followed Voltage is 220 Volts with either two flat blades by the seven-digit subscriber number. (NEMA 1-15 or JIS C 8303) or round two pin plugs (Europlug CEE 7/16). AIRPORT TRANSFERS All road transport to downtown Bangkok is GETTING AROUND IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS located on the 1st Floor. The Airport Link Bangkok’s traffic is notorious, particularly Police 191 (06:00 - midnight) is the fastest mode (Express during the rush hours when road transport Line takes only 15mins), while taxis require an should be avoided at all costs. Better Tourist Police 1155 additional 50 baht on top of the meter fee alternatives are the Skytrain (BTS) and Ambulance 1554 and expressway tolls. Running a fixed route to Underground (MRT) rail systems (06:30- Fire 199 four downtown areas, namely Silom, midnight), together connecting the main Sukhumvit, Khao San or Hualamphong shopping, entertainment and business areas Samitivej Hospital 02 711 8000 (Central Train Station), the Airport Express of the city. Consider buying a one-day BTS Bumrungrad International 02 667 1000 Bus (05:00-midnight) is the cheapest way to pass, which may help save you a few baht, or Hospital go. a store-value Smart Card, for the sake of Medical Emergency 1669 convenience. If cost is not your main concern, then why not Operator-assisted overseas calls 100 save the trouble and use the airport limousine Taxis are ubiquitous, while tuk-tuks – once an Directory Assistance 1133, 13 service (24 hours)? You can book one in icon of Bangkok – are fast disappearing from Airport Flight Schedules 1566 advance through the Bangkok.com website the streets; simply hail one from anywhere Traffic Hotline 1197 or, upon arrival, locate the nearest service along the pavement, but be careful not to counter in the arrival hall (2nd Floor). block the on-coming traffic. For sightseeing Immigration 1111 http://www.bangkok.com/transfer.htm along the riverside, the river ferries and express boats (06:00-20:00) come in handy. Start your journey at the Sathorn Pier (BTS Saphan Taksin), then hop on and off at whichever point you like. http://www.bangkok.com/information-travel-around/ BANGKOK www.bangkok.com Everything You Need to Know BANGKOK AREA GUIDES Covering an area of 1,500 sqkm, the greater Bangkok Metropolis fits into the ‘big city’ league with ease. Add to that an estimated ten million inhabitants, more than 30,000 taxis and an ever-increasing number of tourists, and you’ll soon realise that getting to grips with such a vast concrete jungle is no easy feat, especially if you’re a first-time visitor. This is where our Area Guides come in pretty handy… 1 SUKHUMVIT 2 SIAM 3 SILOM The longest road in Thailand and the centre Siam is unquestionably the centre of shopping Silom is an area of contrasts. By day, sharply of up-to-the-minute shopping, eating and in Bangkok, home to some of the city's most dressed business folk head into the numerous nightlife, Sukhumvit has something to offer all popular and important shopping centres like high rise offices and financial institutions visitors. While there are touches of 'Thai-ness' MBK, Siam Discovery, Siam Center, and Siam along Silom Road. While at night, many of on every corner, the many fashionable Paragon. Within Siam Square itself, there is a Bangkok’s finest restaurants bring people restaurants, bars, air-conditioned malls, hotels wide range of shops and services, including from far and wide, as well as the infamous and clubs give the area a distinctly modern, restaurants, cafés, designer clothing nightlife scene around Patpong. Silom enjoys cosmopolitan flavour. Some of the city's most boutiques, record stores, cinemas, excellent public transport options and, ‘sinful’ spots, red-light districts Nana Plaza bookshops, a Hard Rock Cafe, hotels and bordered by the Chao Phraya River on one (Soi 4) and Soi Cowboy (off Soi 23) are also banks. Shoppers vary, from students to office side and Lumpini Park on the other, there are here. The elevated Skytrain (BTS) helps make workers, trend-setting city dwellers and, of a host of different experiences to be had. exploring incredibly easy. course, a throng of tourists. Read More... Read More... Read More... 4 RIVERSIDE 5 KHAO SAN & OLD CITY 6 CHINATOWN Bangkok's riverside is where its historic roots The Old City (Rattanakosin) is home to Busy, bustling and packed with market stalls, lie; the traditional heartland of this magical Bangkok's most spectacular and revered restaurants, shrines and the greatest city with origins that read like an epic novel. historical attractions, among them The Grand concentration of gold shops in Bangkok, One of the most fascinating and scenic areas Palace, Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Pho. Not Chinatown is an experience not to miss. After of Bangkok, the riverside reflects a constantly only part of the Kingdom's rich past, but sunset, the entire strip becomes a food haven changing scene; water-taxis ferrying intrinsic to it, a day or two exploring here for gourmands who flock here to enjoy street- commuters and heavily laden rice barges provides a deep insight into the heart, soul side cuisine. The energy that oozes from its chugging upstream, set against a backdrop of and psyche of the Thai people. Part of the rows of wooden shop-houses is plain glittering temples and palaces, historical Old City, Khao San Road is jam-packed with contagious and will keep you eager for more. landmarks and luxury, five-star hotels. Despite budget guesthouses, internet cafés, lively bars Plan your visit during festivals, like Chinese some modernisation, the area has retained its and clubs, restaurants, massage parlours, New Year and the vegetarian festival in unique identity and seductive charm. travel agents, tattoo shops and more. October, for Chinatown at its hectic best. Read More... Read More... Read More... More at http://www.bangkok.com/bangkok-area-guide.htm BANGKOK www.bangkok.com Everything You Need to Know BEST LUXURY HOTELS 1 THE ST REGIS BANGKOK, 2 LEBUA AT STATE TOWER, 3 SIAM KEMPINSKI HOTEL CHIDLOM-PLOENCHIT RIVERSIDE BANGKOK With a 24 hour butler a mere phone call away, The Bangkok hotel with arguably the best It’s location behind Siam Paragon Mall makes the service at St Regis is unparalleled. The view in town, Lebua at State Tower is a 67 it a fantastic choice for those who want to spacious, elegant rooms display subtle Thai storey skyscraper close to the Chao Phraya indulge in some retail therapy, but once you touches. Stunning views from the floor to River and the BTS line at Saphan Taksin. The step inside you might not want to leave this ceiling windows and the marble bathroom is ornate exterior of the hotel hints at the luxury majestic five star hotel. All rooms offer a fit for a king. Communal spaces are equally to be found inside, with an amazing rooftop beautiful view of the gardens and are lined decadent, with a European inspired pool area bar and restaurant, attractive swimming pool with cream silk and embellished with and refined dining and bar options like the and sundeck, and the requisite business centre beautifully decorated wall panels. The chunky classic Decanter wine bar. Handily located and fitness centre befitting of a five-star hotel. tub in the marble bathroom was custom- with direct access from Ratchadamri Sky Train Guestrooms are a muted, masculine mix of designed, and there is also a separate shower. station, the hotel is close to both Siam and wooden flooring, cream and bronze with For something special, the cabana rooms Silom areas. floor-to-ceiling windows and balcony in each offer direct access to the large swimming of the 557 guestrooms of this all-suite hotel.