We will be spending about 10 days in early Feb. and staying in the Sukhumvit district. Are there any ideas for things to do during the day that English only speakers can do on their own? What about tours that would originate in that area?

Another topic...I understand I do not have to pay any departure tax when leaving the airport as it is covered on my Northwest Airlines ticket. Was that correct advice?

Dear Audie,

If you are staying in a hotel, the front counter or lobby should have a desk or information counter for tours outside of BKK where you would not need Thai. Tour companies normally make runs through several hotels to pick up guests, so no telling how many others would be in your group.

My couple of recommendations for the Sukhumvit area would be the Queen's Park between Soi 22 and Soi 24, and the Emporium shopping center right at Soi 26. Not much else to see other than rows of shops of all kinds for tourists, department stores, smaller shopping centers and hotels and restaurants. The Asia Books retail store near Soi 15 is the original bookstore of its genre in town and provides a nice respite for browsing if you are walking up and down Sukhumvit.

In BKK, fairly close by BTS skytrain, National Stadium station, is the Jim Thompson house down a small lane backing onto a canal. One of my first recommendations for first time visitors to Thailand. Jim Thompson started the Thai silk industry and the house is marvelous for its architecture and its antiques.

Audie,

Also I know nothing about deals now with any airlines to have the airport departure tax included in ticket price. Perhaps, just don't know. Maybe when you give your ticket and passport to the ticketing agent, he or she gives you a printed departure tax receipt for you to use when entering immigration.

Other more recent travelers will know better than I.

As of Feb 1, the new 700 Baht tax (raised from 500 Baht) will be included in the final ticket price for international departures, just like the domestic departure tax has long been included.

There's lots to do on Sukhumvit.

It's one of Bangkok's main commercial arteries and contains its biggest tourist mile (from Nana to Asoke). There are literally hundreds of hotels, restaurants, clubs, dives, bars, fast food chains, shopping malls and just about anything else you could imagine (and I mean ANYTHING you could imagine) on the main Sukhumvit Road or its side streets and lanes (sois). One of the major sois (a main street in its own right), Thonglor, has become an up-and-coming venue for arty young Thais and is worth checking out for its cafés and wide range of restaurants alone.

The Nana-Asoke strip has a lively street market in the early evening and a different sort of action after about 10 PM. :cool: After the bars close at 2 AM (or 1 AM or whatever it is now), Sukhumvit becomes a big informal beer bar with food and drink vendors materializing out of nowhere and all the bar workers, bar patrons, streetwalkers, freelancers, ladyboys, tourists, ex-pats, and other denizens of the night drinking and eating until the wee hours.

And last but certainly not least, the BTS/Skytrain runs the length of the urban part of Sukhumvit (the street continues out of Bangkok to Pattaya and beyond). So from Sukhumvit you can easily and quickly go up to Chatuchak market, for instance, or down to the river to catch the Chao Phraya Express boats which take you up to tourist sights like the Grand Palace and Wat Arun. The Chao Phraya boats are one of the greatest cheap excursions in Bangkok. You can start at Saphan Taksin/Sathorn (where the Skytrain ends) and take the boats all the way up to Nonthaburi, which is another province, jumping on and off the boats, for a couple of dollars. In Nonthaburi you can have lunch at the floating restaurant a few hundred metres downriver and watch the traffic on the river, before catching a boat back.

Don't feel you need to take organized tours to explore Bangkok. It's an easy city to get around. Taxis are cheap and plentiful (just don't take the ones lurking around hotels and tourist sights, and make sure they use their metres). Many people speak English. But the ones who try to tell you that the Grand Palace (or any other tourist sight) is closed are scammers and should be ignored. (Or you can fend them off with some Thai: "Mai ao khrap/ka!" Pronounced: "Mye ow c'ap" (for a man) or "Mye ow kaaa" (for a woman).

The only time when you really should take a tour is to those places where you need an explanation of the cultural context of something like the Grand Palace or the Emerald Buddha.

The tours themselves are something of a scam. Bangkok tour guides have to pay the tour companies to be allowed to work, and the only way they have of recouping their investment and making a living is to take their charges to restaurants, souvenir shops and gem factories which pay commissions. Even so, those commissions are split between the guide, the tour company and the driver.

deleted

Thanks for all of the recommendations. We will not be staying at a hotel but I am wondering if I could not pick up a tour there anyway. It appears from all of the suggestions that relying on a tour is not really necessary. I was surprised at the warning of people telling you your place of destination is closed and the offer to take you somewhere else. I will remember that one cannot be too trusting.

Audie,
I agree with sonoftheheartland's suggestion of a tour of The Jim Thompson house. Inexpensive and interesting. Do it on your own. It's located on soi Kasem San 2 at the end. The soi next to Krit Thai Mansion hotel. When you leave, pay no attention to the person who will try to take you to a gem store where you can buy gemstones very cheap and resell them in your country and become rich. I explained to him that I was in the gemstone business in North Carolina and could buy them much cheaper there. (It doesn't bother me to lie).
Dave

I have the book Jim Thompson The Unsolved Mystery by William Warren. Has anyone read this book as I thought it would be good back ground before visiting his home?

I am familiar with Jim Thompson mystery but have not read Wm Warren's book. Warren is one of the old guard, excellent expat authors on Thailand and is well regarded because of his knowledge of Thai customs and ways.

Thompson basically disappeared in Cameron Highlands, Malaysia on a Sunday afternoon during a short holiday there with a few close friends from Thailand. No definitive explanation for his disappearance has ever proven accurate, nor was his body ever found.

hi Audie

first english is spoken extensively in thailand and all over bangkok.

there are all sorts of things to do that need no guide and a few where a guide would be helpful, but there are travel agents all over bangkok and you will be innundated with them at the airport when you arrive.
recommend getting out of bangkok if you have that much time if you can. you can do it very cheaply if you dont have much money. (an overnight bus to chiang mai for instance.

but there are tons of things to do in bangkok on your own including shopping at the weekend market, going to see kick boxing, going to the old capitol, etc etc.

you can do much of bangkok's sites on your own. Having a guide is faster and gives you more history, but it's not difficult to see the sites on your own and all have english language info

Many of the hotels in BKK is World Travel Service as their tour company. At least, the WTS desk is usually beside check-in.

The benefit is that the tour company will pick up and drop off at the hotel.

Many of the hotels in BKK is World Travel Service as their tour company. At least, the WTS desk is usually beside check-in.
The benefit is that the tour company will pick up and drop off at the hotel.
I second that recommendation from Braindrain for World Travel Service tours.

I've been on two of their tours in Bangkok.
Pickup right on time.
Clean, comfortable, vans.
Well organized transfer "hub" at their main office (with clean toilets).
Very good guide.

Door-to-door is a major factor in the traffic chaos of Bangkok.

WTS is more expensive than average.
But for quality and dependability, they are my choice and my recommendation to visiting friends.

Here's their web site: http://www.wts-thailand.com/

Note: Most tours from most tour companies stop at gem stores or other tourist shopping.
That did not happen on either of my tours with WTS, but WTS brochures explain that a few of their tours make a shopping stop at the end.

-- Peter
.

We will be spending about 10 days in early Feb. and staying in the Sukhumvit district. Are there any ideas for things to do during the day that English only speakers can do on their own?

Audie -

Have a look at these.
All of them suitable for English-only speakers to do on their own.

Some of the activities that I recommend most often to visiting friends are not well known and easily overlooked.
They are the Segway tour, the Chao Praya River Tourist Boat, and the Siam Niramit show.
Web pages for those -- and other sightseeing highlights -- are below.

-- Peter


http://www.thailandsegwaytours.com/#Tourlisting

http://www.sow.champ.co.th/

http://www.thaioasis.com/bkkv/bkktopten.php

http://www.siamniramit.com/

http://www.shop2thai.com/thailand-traveling/news.php?articleid=37

http://www.chaophrayaboat.co.th/touristboat_chaophrayariver_e.htm

We will be spending about 10 days in early Feb. and staying in the Sukhumvit district. Are there any ideas for things to do during the day that English only speakers can do on their own? What about tours that would originate in that area?

Another topic...I understand I do not have to pay any departure tax when leaving the airport as it is covered on my Northwest Airlines ticket. Was that correct advice?

Will be in BKK for the 15th time between 8th and 15th Feb. If you want to meet up for a drink and chat please feel free to pm.
KC

Thanks for all of the recommendations. We will not be staying at a hotel but I am wondering if I could not pick up a tour there anyway. It appears from all of the suggestions that relying on a tour is not really necessary. I was surprised at the warning of people telling you your place of destination is closed and the offer to take you somewhere else. I will remember that one cannot be too trusting.


Partial list of people NOT to trust in Thailand:

1. Anyone that approaches you on the street ... ESPECIALLY if they speak English

2. Tuk Tuk drivers

3. Taxi's that are NOT moving (e.g. standing and waiting for customers)

4. Taxi touts at the airport

5. Taxi's that claim "meter no work"

6. Gem store employees

7. Anyone that tries to take you to a gem store, massage parlor, etc.

8. Those "oh so friendly tourist survey people" on Sukhumvit. They just want your contact info so they can pester you with timeshare sales pitches.

Others may feel free to add on........

I wrote this message below in a Private Message a week or so ago, but when I read this thread realized it probably would fit here fine. (The person PM'ed will be at The Marriot Spa, which is why that hotel is mentioned a few times).

There are some repetitions of suggestions from others here, but also a couple of places not mentioned yet well worth a look see.

I rather disagree with the "not trust" list above ~ not all, but the part regarding taxis. My experience with Bangkok taxis (lots!) has been negative only once ... and that had to do with a seriously grumpy driver who was in a bad mood before I got in and carried that through a hair-raising ride through the back sois of Saphan Kwai. I was alive at my destination, but he left tipless and my Thai friend added on a tongue lashing :D
Not once in a thousand taxi rides has a Bangkok driver ever taken me to a place I didn't want to be taken to .... nor did one ever refuse or forget to turn on the meter. (My experience only).

6 NIGHTS IN BANGKOK:

Having a week to spend in Bangkok you'll have time to see many things, but not get too exhausted doing it. Bangkok is a huge city .... it can be exciting, dirty, smoggy, fascinating, wildly interesting, and quite tiring all at the same time. In May it will be hot.

My main suggestion is not to do too much in one day or you'll get really really tired, mainly from the heat. Go out and see things in the morning, and use the hot afternoon to enjoy your Marriot Spa.

If you are going out at night, then make sure you take a good nap in the afternoon. Not trying to sound too school-marmish here, but I can't emphasise the way the Bangkok heat can drain you. Carry a package of those little wet towelettes (baby wipes are great!) in your bag or backpack at all times. Carry lots of water as well ... cheap sealed bottles of H2O can be found anywhere on the street.

Use taxis!! ('meter' only). Taxis are really cheap in Bangkok and are the best way to get around. I looked at the map on the Marriot website and see that it's on the Thonburi side of the river (i.e. west bank of the Chao Praya) which is really not that close to the main spots in Bangkok ... most are on the east bank. But no problem if you use taxis . . . you can get anywhere in Bangkok by taxi from the Marriot for not more than 200 baht (about $5 US), and most rides will be cheaper than that.

You can get a river ferry and sail down the Chao Praya from your hotel (I think it's on the bank, but may be wrong) to 3 of the biggest temples in Bangkok: Wat Phra Keow (in the Grand Palace), Wat Pho (where the Reclining Buddha reclines) and ~ just across the River ~ Wat Arun. (Just FYI: men must wear long pants, and women no halter tops or shorts for these temples. If you go there in shorts, they'll give you a sarong to wear :-) )
These 3 (I guess) are a must, but they are all clustered together which makes them easy to get to on the same day. If you don't feel like going there by riverboat (it can be a little complicated finding the correct ferry), then just take a taxi from the hotel.

You definitely should visit the Vinamnek Palace (see: http://www.bangkok.com/attraction-palace/index.html ). It's a gorgeous teak palace built for one of the early 20th century Thai Kings. It's not uncrowded, but go early in the morning and it may be less so. There are guided tours only (different languages) through the building, but the groups are kept rather small and I thought it was one of the most interesting & worthwhile "tours" in Bangkok.

Also, for a different and less ornate visit, go and see the Jim Thompson House ( http://www.jimthompsonhouse.com/). It's not far away from MBK and Siam Square, so if you decide to do the mall thing, you could go there in the morning first. The tour is very quiet and laid back, rarely crowded, and the house itself is a tranquil & green oasis in the middle of Bangkok. ( http://www.photodump.com/direct/sawatdee/siamsquare.jpg )

MBK Mall is a neat place to visit. Good bargains and quite the madhouse. In the afternoon it's chock-a-block full of school kids milling around ... all quite nuts really. The food court at MBK is a great deal for all sorts of different types of Thai food.

A more upscale mall is just down the street (walking distance) and is called Siam Paragon. The food court there is even better, but more expensive (compared to American prices, this description is rather meaningless!). Lots of designer labels and wide open spaces (RICH school kids only!) ... kind of fun to browse around in, but over my budget anyway.

Further out on Sukhumvit Rd you'll also find The Emporium which was ~ before the Paragon opened ~ the most upscale Bangkok mall. Perhaps it still is, but I rather enjoy walking around it just for the air conditioning benefit! Right beside The Emporium is a really sweet liitle oasis of a green space called Benjasiri Park. Grab some take out lunch from the 5th floor foodcourt of the Emporium and go downstairs and eat it under the trees. A nice little buddhist-style retreat.

Talking about the Sukhumvit Stroll, if you'd like to take in the nicest little Italian restaurant this side of Naples, try La Buca ( http://www.thailandroad.com/joe/italian-2.html ). A tiny little place about a 7 or 8 minute walk from Sukhumvit Rd down Soi 1, it's a charming little place run by it's Italian chef and owner and a nice get-a-way from Thai food once in awhile. The fish dishes there are to die for (received the blessing from my Thai friend, much to my surprise) . . . and the pizza is terrific.

After dinner hop down to Tokyo Joes Blues Bar (if you like jazz & blues ~ Sivaporn Plaza, Sukhumvit Soi 24) ... especially on Sunday evenings as they have a big jam there. ( http://www.tokyojoesbkk.com/ ). The music is great there and you'd be surprised how many young and old Thai hipsters join in playing there stuff there. Once we were witness to some of the greatest guitar pickin' i"ve ever had the pleasure to hear ... from the flying fingers of a 12 year old Thai boy!
Fair warning: Tokyo Joes is quite a small place, and their smoke-eaters suck big time. Too smoky for me (or my clothes!) to last more than an hour or so, but the music almost makes up for it.

A Bangkok institution you might not want to miss (if you are there on a weekend) is the Chatachuk Market ( http://www.asiatraveltips.com/PicturesofChatuchakMarket.shtml ). Another taxi ride, or take the skytrain from any station on Sukhumvit Rd and find your way to Mo Chit Station ( http://www.photodump.com/direct/sawatdee/BKKskytrainmap.jpg ). Surely only wear the lighest of clothing in this sweat pit (once again, go as early as possible), but the reward is that you'll be wandering amongst the stalls of the largest market of it's type in Bangkok (or perhaps anywhere). Remember that old Arlo Guthrie song: " ... you can get anything you want in Alice's Chatachuk Market ... " Personally I get rather claustraphobic at Chatachuk, but it really shouldn't be missed.
But there is an antidote!! After the crowds of Chatachuk, grab some food and take a walk back towards the Mo Chit Station ... but keep on going. Soon you'll come to Chatachuk Park, and beyond that, Queen Sirikit Park, the latter being the most pleasant. Heavily tree'd, lots of ponds, streams, and formal gardens, Thai soccer players doing their thing. Find a bench under the shade of a great tree and chill out. ( http://www.discoverythailand.com/Bangkok_Queen_Sirikit_Park.asp )

Avoid the big hotel river ferry dinners ... there are lots of these monsters around and they are a tourist trap.
For a real Thai style dinner with music while you cruise along the Chao Praya at night (for a tenth the price), grab a taxi to the Yok Yor Restaurant, which is on the same Thonburi side of the river as the Marriot. There are two Yok Yor outlets located on the river fairly close together, but only one docks the floating resataurant,(http://www.yokyor.co.th/english/cruise/location.html ), so make sure you get there in plenty of time in case you choose the wrong one.
There is only one sailing a night for this boat (8PM) but it's really worth it. Not too many foreigners take this cruise, it's mostly Thai people, but what a little romantic bargain it is. Fancy it's not, but you can eat dinner while the boat slides along, and be serenaded by gentle Thai and Isaan live music. If you decide to go on this, then get there at 7:45 or so and go immediately to the top of the boat in the front area ... the best for seeing the night sights of Bangkok. I love this little ride and go back back time after time. Best of all, it's a nice relaxing time to wind down after a sweaty day in Bangkok. Reservations not needed, it's rarely full.

For a drink in the evening (and for quite the experience, vertically-wise!) you might try the to rooftop bar/restaurant at the Lebua State Tower Hotel. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v18/sawatdeephotos/Images/lebua.jpg. It's only a short taxi ride from the Marriot, but worth it just for a couple of drinks and ~ shall we say ~ the invigorating view! I've never been for dinner, but for a couple of over-priced Singha's or martinis (or whatever) it's quite the ride. Looking over the side of the bar (straight down!), my testicles ran for cover ... upwards!.
The Lebua hotel by the way is fairly close to the Silom/Patpong Whorehouse & Merry-go-round, so you could easily combine a dinner/drink up there in the rarified air of fancy-dancy Bangkok society and then head up the road a bit and take in the crazy sex dens (and denizens) in the back sois of Silom/Surawong/Patpong. A nice juxtaposition & lotsa fun!

Don't know anything about the floating market ... never been. I've heard differing things about it, the worst being that it's simply become another Thai tourist trap. But I wouldn't believe that until trying it, so go anyway and make up your own minds. It's actually outside Bangkok about 100 kilometers, but your hotel will be able to tell you the best way to get there. I checked the internet and the price for guided tours seems fairly expensive. This one would be classed as "up to you".

None of these items are particularly original, but I think they are all quite a part of seeing Bangkok in a short period of time.

Frankly, I would also advise you to take a day and just go get lost in the crowds. Bangkok is above all a big throbbing vibrant Thai city, and if you get off the tourist track by just a few streets you will find the Bangkok I enjoy the most . . . the back streets, alleys and delicious street stall Thai foods and sights which can be found there.

Hope this helps & cheers ...

Nongkai gave great schedule - I would add to the Patpong section a drink at:
Radio City
73/1-3 Patpong 1, Silom Road
Bangrak, Bangkok 10500
Tel: 02-266 4567
Open time: 6pm-2am
Credit cards accepted.
Music from: 10pm - get there 9:30 am and find a good seat if you plan to sit for a while!
Very good show band backs Elvis and Tom Jones tribute acts as well as doing their own thing. Right at the heart of the Patpong 'love' scene and has Lucifer's disco upstairs, which also enjoys good crowds. A 'must visit' if only to see the Elvis and Tom Jones impersonators!
See gig of the week review - http://www.bangkokgigguide.com/gows/October2nd.htm