Bangkok
Thailand
Fondly known as the City of Angels, Thailand’s capital is a city that is as fast as its dare-devilish motorbikes and campy tuk-tuks. It is a prelude to the layers of wondrous sights and warm personalities that you will discover as you reach deeper into the heart of the city. To her intrepid travelers, it is an explosion of sensory experiences and an orchaestraic performance of cultural wonders, spicy flavours and exotic entertainment. To her people, it is home.
Groupon’s Pick: Top 5 Must Do
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Remember to haggle for the best possible price and only haggle if you are keen on buying. Shop-keepers have been known to get rowdy if you back-out after agreeing on a price.
SHOPPING
The city is a consumer paradise for bargaining gurus and professional window shoppers. Chatuchak Weekend Market and Khao San Road are great for exercising bargaining skills, while a plethora of shopping malls offer air-conditioned respite to Bangkok’s searing heat.
THAI MASSAGE AND HOLISTIC THERAPY
Despite its arguable reputation, Thailand’s massages and spa therapies are renown and well worth a visit. Luxury hotels offer quality treatments but for a steep price while Khao San Road and Sukhumvit offer more competitive prices.
NIGHT-LIFE
The party scene in Bangkok is wild and alive with some of the best clubs situated in Royal City Avenue (RCA) in Ratchadipsek and Thong Lo in Sukhumvit. For a laid-back night out visit the bars that colour the streets of Khao San Road and Sukhumvit.
DINNER CRUISE
Dine in a luxury cruise floating on Chao Phraya River for a dining experience with a twist.
WATCH A MOVIE
There’s nothing quite like watching a blockbuster on a reclining chair with a pillow and blanket plus a waiter who serves you popcorn and drinks. Fork out the extra bucks at Paragon Cineplex and you’ll see why there’s no shame in saying you caught a movie when visiting Bangkok.
Groupon’s Pick: Top 6 Must See
FLOATING MARKET
A visit to one of the floating markets in Bangkok always proves to be a unique experience. Popular markets include Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, Tha Kha Floating Market and Taling Chan Floating Market.
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When visiting temples in Thailand it is important to dress modestly.
WAT ARUN (TEMPLE OF DAWN) AND WAT PHO (TEMPLE OF THE RECLINING BUDDHA)
Two of Bangkok’s most recognisable monuments deserve a visit for their stunning architecture and visual wonder. You can grab a 3 baht ferry boat to Wat Arun from Wat Pho.
MUAY THAI MATCH
If you have the stomach for it, watching Thailand’s national sport is a great way to immerse in the spirit of Bangkok and her locals. One can catch a match at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium or Ratchadamnoen Stadium although the entrance fee of 1,000 – 2,000 baht can be quite steep.
THE GRAND PALACE
A trip to Bangkok would not be complete without a visit to the palace grounds. Made up of numerous buildings, it is home to the Temple of Emerald Buddha which is Thailand’s most sacred site.
CHAO PHRAYA RIVER
The river runs through the heart of Bangkok and a trip down this waterway on a long-tail boat is a fantastic way to discover the city. It’s also a great way to stop by other tourist attractions.
GO-GO BARS
A risqué night in Bangkok’s should involve a visit to her infamous red-light districts like Soi Cowboy, Patpong and Nana plaza. The carnival-esque atmosphere lends to this interesting and fun experience, even if you don’t divulge in the token debauchery.
Groupon’s Pick: Top 5 Must Eat
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If authentic, cheap and delicious fare is what you’re looking for then hit the streets. Street-stalls are the pulse of Bangkok’s gastronomic experience but be warned that not all stalls offer Halal fare.
BUGS
Widen your protein pool and dabble your taste buds in the world of arachnids, insects and creepy crawlies. These deep friend and nutritious snacks go well with a little soy sauce and completion of such a meal earns you eternal bragging rights.
KHAO MAN KAI (RICE WITH STEAMED CHICKEN)
This is another popular street fare of oily rice with boiled chicken. What makes the dish truly stand out are the spicy sauces that gives the dish a real kick.
KANOM ROTI
A crepe-like dessert filled with condensed milk, sugar, and occasionally bananas, half the fun of this snack is watching it being made.
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Thai fare is notoriously spicy. For the weak of heart and the weak of stomach, say ‘mai pet’ or ‘pet nit noy’ to bring the heat down a few eye-watering notches.
MASSAMAN CURRY
This is a southern Thai-Muslim dish with a rich punch and layered flavours that sets it apart from the usual green or red Thai curries.
TUB THIM KROB (RED RUBBIES)
Made with water chestnut and coconut milk, this refreshing dessert is an absolute must-have to combat Bangkok’s searing heat.
Getting There
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Prior to arrival, check with your hotel if airport transfer is already included in your holiday package.
Check the location of your hotel before purchasing a train ticket in order to keep the hassle of traveling with luggage to a minimum.
When purchasing your ticket, you will be given a two part slip. The small stub is for the driver while the larger one is for you. The stub is for complaints, so do hold on to it to avoid arguments.
BY AIR
Flying is the simplest and fastest way of getting to Bangkok from Malaysia. AirAsia andMalaysia Airlines fly directly to Bangkok.
AIRPORT TRANSFER
- The Airport Rail Link is the fastest way to get to Bangkok. This high-speed train service is a perfect option if you don’t fancy being stuck in the city’s jam right after landing. There’s an Express Line and a City Line depending on your needs, with services running from 6am to midnight.
- Metered taxis are also available. You can wait for a taxi at the airport or take the free shuttle to the Public Transport Center which usually has more taxis. There’s a 50 baht surcharge on top of the meter (the surcharge is per trip, not per person), so a trip to the city may cost you between 250 – 450 baht.
- Limousine taxis are more expensive, but aren’t as sought after. If you find the queue for the metered taxis to be unbearably long, you can reserve a limousine at the counters on the second floor of the airport.
BY TRAIN
If you’re looking for something more adventurous, opt to take the train to Bangkok. The only direct line is from the KTM train station in Butterworth, so if you want to avoid the hassle of transit it would be a better idea to start your 22-hour journey there.
Getting Around
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Avoid touts that will try to rip you off. If taking a river taxi, negotiate directly with the person navigating the boat for the best price possible.
When taking a taxi, do get your hotel’s receptionist to write your destination in Thai. Always carry around your hotel’s business card to show your taxi driver in case you get lost as taxi drivers in Bangkok have notoriously poor English and map reading skills.
- The city has an excellent Public Transit that is not unlike our LRT service. The BTS Skytrain covers many of the tourist attraction areas. Opt for a ‘ride all you like’ tourist pass or a multiple ride pass if you’re planning on stopping at many places. There is also the MRT and Airport Rail Link.
- Experience the city by boat! The Chao Phraya River runs through Bangkok and is a great way to see the city. The cheapest and most popular option is the Chao Phraya Express Boat that operates like a bus service. There are also long-tail river taxis if you’re looking to stop by a place outside the set route.
- Metered taxis are the most comfortable way of getting around town. Always insist on using the meter and if the driver doesn’t comply you can always hail another taxi.
- Tuk-tuks have developed quite a notorious reputation in Bangkok. If you wish to do it for the experience, do remember to negotiate a price before getting on a tuk-tuk, and always insist that the driver takes you directly to your destination.
Weather
- The weather in Bangkok generally ranges from 21˚C – 35˚C and is generally sunny all year round.
- The most pleasant time to visit Bangkok would be from November to February, where the season is generally cooler and drier.
- The hot months are from March through April, with temperatures rising as high as 40˚C.
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Remember to stay hydrated! The weather in Bangkok is no joke, so always carry around a bottle of mineral water wherever you go.
- May until October signals the raining season, with downpours occurring almost every day. While it may rain all day, it is not all bad as most of the time, the spells last around an hour, leaving in its damp wake a cool respite to Bangkok’s searing heat.
Practical Tips & Information
- Thailand is unfortunately chock-a-block of scams. A common scam to look out for is taxi and tuk-tuk scams at popular tourist spots. Always check-in at the official ticketing booth or counter and never trust ‘official’ looking folks.
- Avoid getting into a fight at all cost. While Thais are usually peace loving people, there is no question which side the locals will be on if you attempt to pick a fight. If you find yourself in the midst of a confrontation it is best to apologise and walk away.
- In case you run into any trouble, do call the tourist police at 1155 / +66 2 664 4000or the Tourist Authority of Thailand at +66 2 215 1222.
