Shoppers
Jewelry, loose gems (especially rubies and sapphires), crafts, and silk are great deals.

Active Travelers
There’s a lot to see and do throughout the city.

History Buffs
Thailand has some of the most interesting historic sites in Southeast Asia.

Transfers
Transfers are included with your air and hotel vacation package. Transfer time via motorcoach is approximately 40 - 60 minutes, but could be longer due to traffic.

Skytrain
One of the best ways to get around Bangkok is on the Skytrain. The elevated railway whisks passengers high above the traffic-clogged streets and quickly to a lot of destinations. One line runs between the river and Siam Square shopping area. Another line runs near the airport and then down Sukhumvit road. Fares are cheap and run less than a dollar for all rides and some rides are less than 25¢.

Subway
A subway opened in Bangkok in 2004. Ride the rails with a 10 baht token (about 25¢) or a 300 baht Smart Card (about $7.35).

Tuk-tuk
A fun way to get around is on the traditional tuk-tuks — three-wheeled open carriage motorcycles. They are best used for short distances or when there isn’t much traffic. Make sure to have your destination written out in Thai on a piece of paper and carry a book of matches or a business card from your hotel so you can get back. Some tuk-tuk drivers may try to talk you into a shopping trip or other such side excursion. Politely say no, as this is always a ruse for getting a commission from the store or establishment they plan to take you to. Also insist that they take the most direct route.

Taxi
Taxis are another way to get around and are extremely cheap. Again, make sure you have your destination and hotel name written out in Thai and make sure the driver accepts your destination (many drivers are new to Bangkok and may not know where all destinations are). Be sure the taxi you take is metered. It is also advised to have smaller change, as many taxi cab drivers don’t have the cash on hand to make change for a 500 Baht note.

Motorcycle Taxi
There are also motorcycle taxis in Bangkok, which are able to weave through Bangkok’s traffic with comparative ease. However, the thrill factor may be more than one wished for. Keep your knees in and be sure to wear a helmet — if they don’t have one, don’t ride.

Car
Private cars can be hired by the hour or by the day. They often come with a tour guide, as well. It is not advised to drive yourself.

Bus
Buses are cheap and fares differ depending on if your bus is air conditioned or not. They can be crowded, but are fun to ride. However, be extremely aware of pickpockets and purse-snatchers and stay toward the front of the bus.

Walking
Bangkok is a safe and easy city in which to walk. Distances between areas are great, so you’ll want to take some sort of transportation to the area you wish to explore and then set out on foot from there. Watch your footing on some of the sidewalks and cross the street along with the rest of the crowd.

Boat
Bangkok offers transportation via boat along the Chao Phraya River, which is often the quickest way to travel north-south in the city. There are express boats and ferries that stop at the many piers on both sides of the river and the fares are inexpensive. You can also take a long-tail, or James Bond boat.

Bangkok’s dining scene is predominantly made up of Thai and other Asian restaurants, but more and more, you’ll find French, Italian, and other European and American offerings. It is also an incredibly inexpensive city to eat in. Here are a few to try:

• Bed
  This is the coolest place in Bangkok and where, as the name suggests, you eat in long shared beds. Meals are served nightly for one sitting at 8:30pm, so it’s wise to make reservations. The food is fantastic, featuring a constantly changing menu.
• Harmonique
  A nice little find, Harmonique is set in the courtyard of a century-old mansion. You enter through the crook of a dangling banyan tree, and there is courtyard seating as well as small open-air dining areas. Family run and friendly. Near the river and within walking distance from the Oriental.
• The Mango Tree
  In a lovely 80-year-old Siamese restaurant house with its own tropical garden, offering a quiet retreat from the hectic Patpong area. Elegant service and delicious food. Patpong.
• Sho Pratumtong
  Located near the Grand Palace, this restaurant has an impressive selection of Thai beer and serves up excellently prepared local dishes.
• Sirocco
  Located on the 63rd floor of Silom Road’s State Tower, this is one of the trendiest places in town and has the highest open-air rooftop bar in the world. Come for the pan-Mediterranean food, the breathtaking view, and to rub elbows with Bangkok’s movers and shakers.
• Supatra River House
  The place to go for some of the best contemporary Thai cuisine found anywhere along the Chao Phraya river. Ferry service is free to take you across to the restaurant.
• Thanying Restaurant
  An institution for more that 20 years and better than ever. The kitchen specializes in royal Thai cuisine and is run by Sorut Visuddhi, the son of the princess for whom the restaurant is named.
• Tongue Thai
  A short walk from Charoen Krung Road and a just around the corner from the Oriental Hotel. The food menu is extensive with many Thai favorites. Past diners remarked on the fabulous duck curry and delicious pad thai.
• Hawker Stalls
  Use your best judgement if eating from one of the hundreds of food stalls that line the streets — check them for their overall cleanliness and food preparation. Uncooked food and drinks with ice are no-nos, but satays, stir frys, and noodle soups are a good bet.

Bangkok’s nightlife runs the gamut from Thai dinner/dance shows, pubs, and nightspots to the infamous clubs of Patpong. For the latest on what is going on, pick up a copy of either the Bangkok Post, The Nation, Metro Magazine, Where, or Look East. For the performing arts, Bangkok offers two major theaters — the National Theater and the Thailand Cultural Center.

For serious shoppers, a copy of The Market Map and More is highly recommended. It can be picked up at bookstores and magazine stands.

There are numerous department stores in Bangkok. Central is the largest with the most branches in town. Robinson’s is another good place for buying basics. Shopping centers are also on the rise and include The World Trade Center, Sogo, and Siam Discovery Center.

In addition to all this, certain streets are known for their many shops. Chinatown and the Thieves Market are off and along Sampeng Lane. Pratunam Market is at Phetchaburi and Ratchaprarop. Sukhumvit Road has upscale shops and Silom Road and Surawong Road offer more less-expensive goods.

Bangkok’s markets, along with some bargains, offer excellent people watching, and an amazing variety of goods. The huge Chatuchak Weekend Market is across the street from the northern terminus of the Skytrain. It overflows with exotic foods, is where you can buy virtually anything, and it is open on Friday evenings and all day on Saturday and Sunday. Textiles can be found at the Pahuraht Cloth Market, inexpensive clothing is at Pratunam Market, antiques and hill tribe crafts are at Ta Chang Road, and antiques can also be found at Ta Phra Chan. The Night Market in Patpong has some of the best knock-off shopping in the city.

Great values can be found on gems, silk, and leather. Gems are the most well-know bargains, as Bangkok is a major gem center. Rubies and sapphires are the most common stones, but you can also shop for diamonds, emeralds, and other precious stones. Stick with established businesses, as scams are common. Some reputable stores are Uthai’s Gems, Yves Joaillier, Johnny’s Gems, and Pranda Jewelry. Always make sure you get an AIGS certificate with your purchase and that the store is a member of an organization called the Jewel Fest Club. For leather, make sure, if you buy something made out of snake, alligator, elephant, or some other exotic leather, that it is permissible to bring back into the United States. Some endangered species are not permitted and will be confiscated when you go through U.S. customs.

Songkran
April. Celebrated throughout the country and marks the beginning of the Buddhist New Year. Traditionally it centered on the temples but today it is celebrated in the streets with fun-filled water fights fought with squirt guns, hoses, and more. The main area in Bangkok for the soaking wet celebration is around Khao San Road in Banglampoo.

Loi Krathong
November. The festival is much calmer and takes place after the rice-planting season. The Thai people make lotus-shaped boats out of banana leaves and place a lighted candle in the center of their "boat". They then place them in the Chao Phraya River and watch them as they float away, the candles flickering in the evening light. Near Wat Arun is the best place to watch the festival.

Stay Cool
The weather in Bangkok can be quite warm and humid during mid-day, so time your sightseeing accordingly, seeing the sights early in the day.

Umbrellas
Umbrellas are not only handy for mid-afternoon showers that occur during the raining season, they can also help you stay cooler in the mid-day sun.

Ferry vs. Tour
Many of the public boats go on the same route as the tourist boats and cost significantly less. If you are an independent traveler, one of the best deals is the local boat found at the down river side of the Chang ferry pier. It costs less than a quarter of the price of the tourist boat and takes the same route along the Bangkok Noi Canal to the town of Bang Yai.

Shop ‘til You Fly
Book your return flight for either late Saturday or Sunday evening. That way you can load up on souvenirs at the world-famous Chatuchak Weekend Market before you head home.

Bamboo Bar
Located in the Oriental Hotel, this jazz bar is an international legend and is considered to be the best live jazz spot in town. Upscale and unsurpassed.

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