What you need to know before going to Bangkok?
Almost everyone who has traveled in Asia has been there. Whether for a transfer or a city trip of a few days: Bangkok. The Thai capital is home to the total population of the Netherlands and can therefore be quite intimidating on a first visit. Are you going to Bangkok soon? Then read the tips, tricks and to do's, so that you are well prepared for your journey!
Temple in Bangkok from the river
Bangkok is located on the eastern bank of the Menam (Chao Phraya River), close to the Gulf of Thailand. The Thai name for Bangkok is Krung Thep, but the full ceremonial name consists of no less than 21 words (the longest place name in the world). Bangkok started as a small trading center and port for Ayutthaya, the then capital of the country. Today's Bangkok is a city of contrasts, where traditional market stalls stand next to modern skyscrapers and rickety tuk-tuks ride next to super-fast Skytrains. With its historic temples, modern shopping centers, abundance of street food and special nightlife, Bangkok is a city that never sleeps.
What are you packing?
Thailand has three seasons: the warm season (March to May), the rainy season (June to October) and the cool season (November to February). The cool season with temperatures fluctuating around 30 degrees is the most pleasant season to visit Bangkok, but at the same time also one of the busiest seasons. Whatever season you travel, be sure to bring closed shoes and something to cover your knees or shoulders (or buy a sarong or harem pants at the many markets in Bangkok); useful if you visit temples.
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What if you landed?
Those traveling to Bangkok land at Suvarnabhumi International Airport. The best way to reach the center is by train (Airport Rail Line) is a good option. If you have a lot of luggage or need to recover from the flight, opt for a taxi.
Where are you going?
The historic center of Bangkok is located on Rattanakosin Island, where you will find most of the tourist attractions. Of all the sights, there are two that we don't want to keep from you. The first is Wat Pho, Bangkok's largest and oldest temple (80.000 square meters) which is home to more than a thousand Buddha statues. But the most impressive is the reclining Buddha, the one with a length of 46 meters. Preferably visit Wat Pho in the morning (around 8.30 am) and then take a traditional Thai massage in the associated massage center.
Wat Arun temple in the evening in Bangkok
The temple that is most impressive at night is the Wat Arun, which is located right on the river. Catch the ferry across just before sunset and sit on the river bank with the locals. So you have the view of the Wat Arun in front of you and the panorama of the Bangkok skyline behind you! Speaking of skylines: you have the most complete overview from the Sky bar in the Lebua State Tower in the modern center of Bangkok. As a man, wear appropriate clothing (ie: closed shoes, long trousers and a neat shirt) and see the prices of the drinks as an entrance fee (around €10 for a beer). Trust us: it's totally worth it!
Which hotspots should you avoid?
The Grand Palace is Bangkok's Eiffel Tower: you can't miss it, you must have seen it, despite having to stand in line for hours and standing among throngs of tourists. At the Grand Palace in Bangkok it is even ten times worse, especially in high season. It is indeed a beautiful sight, but if you don't feel like being trampled by tourists with selfie sticks, you can skip this hotspot.
Interesting piece, yes, but I do have some caveats…
That super-fast speed can be omitted from the Skytrains because the intervals between the trains are quite long. Waiting times are too long to be called super fast and during rush hour you often have to let several trains pass because they are too full before you can get on your way.
However, it is one of the most practical ways to bridge distances in Bangkok, and then cover the last part with a rickety but fast tuk-tuk or taxi and for the daredevils moped taxi (motorcy taxi).
The Airport Rail Link is the most economical solution to get from the airport to central Bangkok, but you still have to look for a taxi with your luggage to take you to your hotel.
If your hotel is not very close to one of the airport link stations, I highly recommend a taxi for the entire journey from the airport to the door of the hotel. Depending on supply and demand at the airport and the traffic situation, this costs somewhere between 1 and 350 baht.
Please note: if you are staying at the Novotel, for example, make sure you have the complete and correct address and telephone number of the hotel so that the driver knows where you want to go. If you do not do this and you stay in a hotel that belongs to a chain, there is a good chance that the driver will take you to the hotel of the chain that suits him best (where he lives nearby or where he has greater certainty in the future). has a load of tourists). You have now got out, paid, only to be told at reception that you have to be on the other side of the city...
The address issue also applies to the journey from the airport link station to your hotel, if that is a bit further away.
Requesting a Thai version by email before departure will help you stay one step ahead of these kinds of potential problems.
For Bangkok virgins: Make no mistake: 1,5 km on a map can easily mean 30-45 minutes in a taxi in Bangkok. Not always, but often in and around the center.
As an excursion, I personally recommend a cruise with a longtail boat through the khlongs (canals). You see a completely different Bangkok from the water.
A trip to Koh Kret is also very worthwhile. A little more difficult to do but very fun.
You can take the express boat (I believe 18 baht per person) to Nonthaburi. That's a 45-minute boat ride from Saphan Taxin (in the business district) with several stops along the way.
In Nonthaburi you look for a longtail boat that will take you to Koh Kret. With the exception of the peak season, this is a very nice trip. In the high season from December 15 to the end of January you can walk over the heads.
Don't forget China Town and the huge shopping centers. What's also fun is get on any bus and see where you end up. There are 100 different things to do and see. We've been to Bangkok dozens of times and every time we find something we haven't seen before. You can't make us happier than walking into a 7/11, both grabbing a chang, walking over to one of the many mothers who make delicious food and then eat it, sitting on a curb. That really makes us very happy. You can't explain this to anyone if you've never experienced it. We are going again in mid-March and will experience Songkran in Chaing Mai for the 3rd time, so we have a good prospect. What to avoid in Bangkok, in our opinion nothing. Respect the faith and culture and respect everyone.
Which is a very nice tour; The TukTuk Food tour by night [can be booked at Green Wood Travel]
A very nice trip by TukTuk to the flower market, a local market where you can taste all kinds of things, the Wat Pho beautifully illuminated and nice and quiet, and eat at the best Pad Thai Restaurant in Bangkok... delicious with a sultry evening breeze through Bangkok.. !
REALLY recommended for everyone!!!