|
Below
we offer you some useful tips when arriving in Bangkok and
travelling around within this city. If you have any
suggestions for fellow travellers please do send us an e-mail.
Bangkok
SKYTRAIN
Transport
in Thailand, especially in Bangkok has just undergone one of
its most important changes in many years. No the cars have not
disappeared, nor have the road works stopped, instead you will
be able to look down on the traffic whilst pondering what is
for dinner, when you arrive home in 15 minutes, a trip that
previously would have taken an hour or two. The BTS, LRT,
Skytrain, call it what you like has just opened. Stretching
from Sukhumvit Soi 77 all the way to Chatuchak, with one leg
that runs (which opened 5 December, 1999) from Erawan
intersection to the Chaopraya river, just next to the
Shangri-la Hotel. This futuristic sky train is a much needed
force and a very welcome addition to the weary fight against
traffic pollution. You can buy individual tickets along with
monthly, yearly, and a few other alternatives. We will
soon be adding a map of the Skytrain, and more information on
the pricing structure to this page so it should help when
choosing a hotel to stay at. Of course the train actually
reaches most major places in Bangkok, covering most of
Sukhumvit, Silom, Ploenchit and Phiyathai roads.
This
addition to Bangkok does raise some very important questions
such as will it reduce the traffic problems below it, what
will the Thai people do with all this extra time that the
train should bring. Possibly this may even cause a baby boom,
or possibly even increase in individual spending and what will
happen to the divorce rate ? Of course some of these questions
are more frivolous in nature if not very serious in meaning.
The traffic situation may not change that much, although if
you do live and work along the train system you may indeed be
tempted to take advantage of it. However the train stations at
each end such as Sukhumvit 71, Chaopraya, and Chatuchak do not
yet have car parks to allow people to drive to the station and
then drop their car off in preference for the ease of the
train. Mr. Andrew Cornelio, Assistant Director of Sales for
the Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza Hotel said "..that although
the train system is an enormous benefit to Bangkok, it still
needs to iron out a few of the finer details such as the need
for carparks. For tourists though it will give tourism in
Bangkok a much needed breath of fresh air, they can now choose
a hotel by its quality and not purely its location. As this
hotel has a train station close by we do anticipate a large
increase in business, as we attract guests from areas that
were previously too far away. People know the quality and
luxury that is expected of a Crowne Plaza so we are looking
forward to the benefits it will offer us all, but most
importantly the guests." We could not agree more, now you
can take your pick of any of the hotels in Bangkok that run
along the train system, unless of course you enjoy sitting in
traffic.
The
hotels (4 and 5 star in no particular order) that are affected
the most by the skytrain with stops very close by are : Sheraton
Grande Sukhumvit, Grand Pacific, Landmark, Amari Boulevard, JW
Marriott, Grand Hyatt, The Regent, Le Meridien President,
Swissotel, Novotel Siam Square, Novotel Bagna, Novotel Lotus,
Pan Pacifc, Dusit Thani, Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza, Shangri-la,
Peninsula, Imperial Queens Park, Rembrandt.
We
tested the train system on its second day of operation and we
can only say that we are very impressed. In peak rush hour at
18:15 from Asok (Sukhumvit 21) station to Thonglor (Sukhumvit
55) station we paid 15 Baht for a ticket, and were at our
destination in 7 minutes. The same journey by taxi would have
taken anywhere between 20 minutes to 2 hours depending on
traffic. The train is easy to use and the amount of steps
aren't really as bad as they seem from a distance.
Interestingly one taxi driver we questioned said that he was
not worried about his future because Thais he said "..do
not like to walk.." others said that it is too expensive.
These things may be true, but the train was very busy with
Thais testing out there new futuristic toy. It is very
well laid out with details really making small differences
such as railings that run around the door areas instead of
straight down the middle of the train so when it is busy you
still will have something to hold on to. Of course glitches
here and there are to be expected, but this may have more
effect on Thai society than we can ever imagine.
Bangkok -
Airport - Limo - When
arriving in Bangkok International look for the Airport
Associate Limousine / Taxi counter on the far right, where you
can take a Mercedes Benz Limousine service for 650 one way or
1150 return trip. The cars are clean and the drivers reliable.
The toll way for the highway is not included but the
expressway below it is. I recommend the Airport Associate
Limousine compared to the Thai Airway Limousine. Ask
them for a bonus card, and for each 650 Baht (if you take the
return trip at 1,150 you will only get one stamp) you spend
they will give you a stamp, when you complete the card with a
total of 5 stamps, you will be entitled to a one way trip in
either direction free of charge.
Bangkok -
Airport - Taxi - Taxi's
are readily available. Only take the taxi's which are in the
official taxi queue and only those that will show you the
meter is working before you get in. A ride from the airport to
central downtown should cost between 200/350 Thai Baht. A lot
of people may approach you especially if you look like it is
your first visit, and will offer you a taxi service. Under NO
circumstances use these people. We strongly believe that we
are at our most vulnerable when at the airport, you have all
your cash, cards and everything else when you arrive so why
take any risks.
Bangkok -
Downtown - Bangkok
can as I am sure that you are well aware suffer from the
occasional traffic jam to say the least. It is getting better,
however careful planning is still needed. Taxi 's are readily
available however only accept taxi with working meters, and
try to avoid taxi's that are waiting around. If possible hail
a taxi that is driving down the road. Only take a taxi that is
loitering around if there are NO other possibilities.
This will avoid any potential problems. Tuk Tuks,
although fun can be a health disaster if in the rush hour and
if you are on business, you may finish with a large dry
cleaning bill. The other way to get around if you are crazy or
brave (you decide) is to take a motorbike taxi (motorcy -
local dialect). These are readily available and are fast and
cheap. You can recognise the drivers as generally they wear
vests, and are sat around waiting for customers. Be VERY
careful though they can be very dangerous with many deaths,
and serious disabilities every day. They can be fun and will
definitely beat the traffic just take care, and watch your
knees.
|
