|
THAILAND
Destination | Bangkok
Country Code: +66
Currency: Thai baht
FROM THE AIRPORT
 Bus: Both the Airport Express and public buses run the route between Suvarnabhumi Airport and Bangkok. The Airport Express serves most major tourist hotels. Public bus 522 stops at On Nut BTS station from where travellers can reach the city centre on the Skytrain or connect with the MRT (Metro) for main tourist districts and Hualamphong train station.
Taxi: Follow signs to the taxi rank situated at the Public Transportation Centre. It costs about 250 baht to get to the city. If you take a toll road, additional fees are applicable. Allow about 45 minutes to reach Silom Road, but this can double during rush hour or if it is the rainy season.
TABLE TALK
Cheap chic: Pah Lut Rot Enjoy a tasty meal in an open-air beachside atmosphere that is set in the middle of town. A reasonably priced menu featuring delicious Thai cuisine and a laid-back, relaxed mood make this a great place for a simple, serene and scrumptious evening. 595/22 Sukhumvit Soi 33/1, tel (0)2 258-5070
Mid-range magic: Coquette To find this shabby chic café and lifestyle store, just look out for the rusty white birdcages on the patio. Inside, have an earthy Thai iced tea, some spicy fishcakes and cheese-filled spring rolls dipped in a delicious sweet plum sauce. 63 Sukhumvit Soi 53, tel (0)2 259-7898
Gourmet: Baan Khanitha This picturesque Thai-style house is a cut above the rest, and the place to go when looking for an elegant dining experience. Th e menu du jour is always a good bet. 36/1 Sukhumvit Soi 23, tel (0)2 258-4181, www.baan-khanitha.com
AFTER DARK
Cocktail hour: The Living Room This hotel lounge is the perfect place for live jazz or to entertain business associates. Set on the first floor of the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, the bar offers a truly relaxed vibe and excellent service. Level 1, Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, 250 Sukhumvit Road, tel (0)2 2649-8888
Late night: Scratch Dog Keep the party going at Scratch Dog, in the Windsor Hotel, an oasis in a desert of early shutters. Hip-hop lovers can get their groove on here until closing time at 4am. Windsor Hotel, 8/10 Sukhumvit Soi 20
HOT SPOTS
BoBe Market: Avid shoppers should head to BoBe Market for great buys. Guidebooks and taxi drivers may insist on Pratunam, but this market is the prime pick for affordable clothing. Take the BTS train to the National Stadium, then hop into a taxi over Yot Se Bridge and turn right. It is all along the left-hand side of the footpath.
INSIDER TIPS
Training ground: Bangkok’s chock-a-block traffic is legendary. Less well-known but equally spectacular is the Skytrain (BTS). One of the cleanest and safest modes of public transport in the world, this train system gets you around town (and beyond) from 15 baht onwards. Information booths and station staff mean help is always at hand. Log onto www.bts.co.th for route maps and ticketing information.
BODY & SOUL
Divana Massage and Spa: A lush green yard welcomes visitors to this tranquil inner-city spa. Divana offers a full-service menu that uses top-of-the-line signature products for its treatments, and has a tea lounge where you can unwind with a cuppa. 7 Sukhumvit Soi 25, tel (0)2 661-6784, www.divanaspa.com
BOUTIQUE BEDS
Dream Hotel: The décor may tread a fine line between tacky, cool and kitsch, but one thing is for sure, Dream Hotel certainly has a style of its own. From neon blue lights under the beds to a roaring white Bengal tiger statue, Dream makes a statement in every corner. But it’s not just style over substance – service here is relaxed, warm and efficient. Enjoy the central location, with a Skytrain station nearby. 10 Sukhumvit Soi 15, tel (0)2 254-8500, www.dreambkk.com
President Solitaire: There is no better place in town to lay your weary head if you’re in town on business. Th e exquisite President Solitaire promises a restful night of slumber with its creature comforts. Th e nearby Nana BTS station, along with a colourful selection of watering holes, makes this hotel the prime choice for the business traveller. Sukhumvit Soi 11, tel (0)2 255-7200, www.presidentsolitaire.com
DAY TRIPPING
Erawan Waterfalls: Th ese seven-tier waterfalls in Kanchanaburi province plunge a staggering 1,500m and represent Thailand’s natural beauty. Only a 90-minute drive from Bangkok, enjoy lush trees, birds, flowers, freshwater pools and much more! www.visitkanchanaburi.com
IN THE KNOW
Monks are given a high amount of respect in Thailand. If you meet one, you must observe strict codes of conduct. Monks consider it a sin to have any contact with a woman, even if it’s just her dress brushing against their robe. A wai (palms together in a prayer-like position) to the forehead is considered an appropriate greeting, accompanied by a warm smile.
Updated by Eve Dedes
|
