bangkok: city guides (cheat sheet)

bangkok

*the city of angels*

welcome to bangkok (krung thep), one of the most cosmopolitan, contrasting, succulent, affordable and, above all, compelling of cities; a cultural experience. it’s sprinkled with sparkling temples and palaces, authentic canals, bustling markets and one hell of a nightlife. a mix of old and new, with the dirty, gritty and run-down wedged next to the luxe and “hi-so.” there is something for everyone in this city and it didn't take long for it to become my most favored urban metropolis. hope you enjoy your stay :)

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cheat sheet

a little 411 on thailand's capital

getting there

suvarnabhumi international airport (bkk)

from bkk airport to get to downtown bangkok you can do one of two things: take a taxi, setting you back close to 500 baht, or take the airport rail which is about 100 baht and interchanges with the bts sky train at phaya thai.

don muang international airport (dmk - used mostly for domestic flights)

from dmk airport to get to downtown bangkok you can do one of two things: take a taxi, which will set you back close to 500 baht, or take the airport bus shuttle which is about 30 baht and drops you off at the mo chit bts and mrt stations.

mo chit bus station (northern bus terminal)

mo chit is the largest bus station in bangkok and serves the northern (isaan) part of the country. to get to downtown bangkok you can do one of two things: take a taxi, costing around 100 baht, or walk the 2 kilometers to the mo chit bts and mrt station. the walk is lovely, and relatively short, you get to saunter through queen sirikit park and chatuchak park.

ekamai bus station (eastern bus terminal)

the ekamai bus station is a smaller station located right next to the ekamai bts stop, in downtown bangkok. this bus station serves the eastern part of the country (pattaya, trat etc.).

getting around

bts sky train

the skytrain (similar to the monorail in disney world) travels around most of downtown. the two lines are the light green sukhumvit line (covering sukhumvit road) siam square and phahonyothin road - it ends at mo chit (near chatuchak market). the dark green silom line starts in thonburi, passes the express boat pier at saphan taksin, goes through the silom area and ends at national stadium, right next to mbk center (crazy mall). both lines come together at siam, where you can interchange between them. fares range from 20 to 40 baht depending on where you go. bts closes before midnight and is air-conditioned.

mrt metro

the metro has one line, the blue line, that connects the central hualamphong train station to the northern bang sue train station, running through silom, sukhumvit, ratchadaphisek and the area around chatuchak weekend market. there are interchanges to the bts skytrain at silom, sukhumvit and chatuchak park stations. mrt closes before midnight and is air-conditioned.

metered taxis

metered taxis are a comfortable and cool (read aircon) way to get around town but due to the heavy traffic in bangkok i don't recommend it...unless it's late at night. make sure the driver turns on the meter, get out of the cab if he doesn't - he is trying to scam you. the meter should read 35 (as in baht) once turned on.

tuk tuks

stay away from tuk tuks in bangkok. they are expensive and a giant rip off.

currency

the baht is the currency of thailand. approximately 30 baht is equal to $1.00.

weather

bangkok is hot, regardless of the season, it's hot. their "cool" season runs from november-february, their hot season is from march-may and their rainy season is from june-october. 

good reads

here are some good websites, blogs and books to devour before, or when, you are in the bangkok area:

the bangkok post

bk magazine

hungry in bangkok

krung thep 101

austin bush photography

bangkok i love you

bangkok glutton

eating out loud 

stay tuned for part 1...

xoxo,

e