Bangkok - Essential Information
- Nearby guides:
- Siem Reap
- Phnom Penh
- Phuket
- Ho Chi Minh
- Penang
- Hanoi
- Kuala Lumpur
- Kunming
- Singapore
- Guilin
Airports
Suvarnabhumi International Airport Bangkok
A major international gateway to Asia, the immaculate, shining Suvarnabhumi Airport is the newest of Bangkok’s airway hubs. It is located in Samut Prakan Province, just 30 km east of Bangkok. Suvarnabhumi — pronounced soo-WAHN-ah-poom, means ‘golden land’ in Thai — and this new airport welcomes thousands of visitors daily who are anxious to see the country’s golden attractions.
Getting into Bangkok is easy with regular shuttle bus and airport taxi service. The recently opened Suvarnabhumi Airport Link provides direct train service into the terminal city station in the mornings and evenings (all day service will open soon). Airport Express also provides four main direct bus services to various inner city hotels for a fee of 150 Baht. A 24-hour public bus service is also provided from the Bus Terminal at the Transport Centre.
Taxis can be found on Level 1 of the terminal. Alternatively, take a shuttle bus (Express route) to the Transport Centre taxi stand. Metered taxi fare plus 50 Baht airport surcharge and expressway fees will apply for trips into town.
Phone: +66 2 132 1888
Web: www.suvarnabhumiairport.com
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Don Muang International Airport
Bangkok’s first airport now serves mainly short-haul flights for budget airlines on domestic routes. It lies 25km north of central Bangkok. There’s a 500 m walkway that connects the International and Domestic terminals, with a free Thai Airways shuttle bus available.
Phone: Airport Directory +66 2 535 1111
Web: www.airportthai.co.th
Public Transport
The Skytrain (BTS) is an extensive, modern air-conditioned monorail network. It is composed of two lines that reach the popular destinations of Bangkok. One line stretches east to Sukhumvit Soi 77 at the On Nut terminus all the way north to Jatujak Park and the Northern Bus Terminal at the Mo Chit terminus. Its other line runs from National Stadium at MBK Shopping Centre south across to the west side of the Chao Praya River at the Wongwan Yai terminus. Individual ticket fares are available, as well as a continuous top-up card.
Web: www.bts.co.th/en
Tickets: fares vary with destination, generally between 20-50 Baht
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Tuk Tuk
Bangkok’s iconic transport, the three-wheeled mini taxis known as tuk-tuks, are not as common for transport these days. Producing new tuk-tuks has been banned by the government due to the pollution they produce. However, these three-wheeler ‘mobile lawnmowers’ are a true adventure ride. Let your locks flow in the breeze as you absorb the sights, sounds and frenetic chaos of Bangkok’s bustling roads in these hair-raising open-air carts. Price depends on distance, time of day (peak hour afternoons) and the mood of the driver. A common offer by tuk-tuk drivers is a ten baht ride around the city as long as you stop off at an over-priced tailor or jeweller afterward. Be wary of these offers.
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Bus
Bus lines are a very common form of transport for locals getting to work and around the city. For visitors from foreign countries, it is less ideal as the lines follow major traffic arteries that are often clogged with traffic. The bus routes aren’t laid out in English, so find a Thai speaker to help out with getting from here to there. The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority does have a website in English for bus numbers that reach popular tourist attractions.
Web: www.bmta.co.th
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Envisioned as a key rail artery from the city districts to Bangkok’s major airline hub, commercial airport link services connect Suvarnabhumi Airport and Makkasan area in downtown Bangkok.
The express service is a 15-minute non-stop journey between the City Terminal and the airport with a fare at 150 Baht per trip. Alternatively, the commuter rail service is expected to make stops at eight different stations along the network, connecting with both the subway and Skytrain services.
Web: www.bangkokairporttrain.com
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MRT
The underground MRT train line runs north to south and covers the eastern edge of the city that the Skytrain doesn’t serve. Its northern terminus is Bang Sue Station in the Northern Bus Terminal/Jatujak Park area. Its southern terminus takes passengers to the edge of Chinatown (Yaowarat) at Hua Lamphong Station.
Web: www.bangkokmetro.co.th
Tickets: fares vary with destination, generally between 20-50 Baht
Taxi
Taxis are readily available all over the city. Be sure to make sure the driver shows a working meter prior to the ride. The taxi fare from the airport to the city centre should cost from 200-400 Thai Baht. Avoid touts offering a taxi service for a fixed fee, which is illegal and unsafe.
Post
Generally, post offices are open from 8.30am to 4.30pm, though some refuse international parcel shipments after 3.30pm. Many shopping centres and stores will send purchases from their locations during their business hours.
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Central post office
Open 24 hours. International phone calls can also be made here.
Address: Charoen Krung Road
Pharmacy
Thailand pharmacies are exceptional with most pharmacists speaking excellent English. In tourist areas, many stay open until midnight or 1am. Bangkok pharmacies will generally sell most medicines over the counter without prescription. The pharmacy directly across from Nana complex is open 24 hours.
Dentist
Bangkok Smile Dental Clinic
Telephone
Country code: +66
Area code central Bangkok: 02
Electricity
220 Volts
Taxes
In restaurants (not noodle shops or local cafés) a 7% VAT is applicable. A service charge of around 10 to 15% is often added in hotel restaurants and bars. If your bill doesn’t contain a service charge, then a tip of around 10% is appreciated if the service has met your expectations. However, tipping is not expected in Thailand.
Royal Reverence: A Special Reminder
One of the first things tourists arriving in Thailand will notice is an abundance of portraits of the King and the Royal Family. Thais hold a profound respect for their King, and foreign visitors are expected to also respect this reverence. Disrespecting the King is a punishable offence in Thailand, and it includes jail time, fines and/or deportation. While you’re in the Land of Smiles, remember to be respectful of the culture, and your travels will be all the more pleasant.
