ILoveRuthEvershed

Hello, this is my first post on FT so apologies if this is in the wrong place! Still getting used to all the different airport codes...

I'm currently in the middle of a 2-week holiday in Phuket with my other half, and will be flying back to LHR from BKK on BA on 3rd December (12.10am flight). Our flight from Phuket to BKK will land around 12pm on the 2nd, meaning we have around 10 hours to kill before the flight back to LHR.

We're planning to go into central Bangkok for some sightseeing and I was wondering if anyone could recommend some worthwhile places to see in 10 hours? Neither of us has ever been to Thailand before so we're clueless! My other half has already expressed an interest in seeing the infamous ping pong ladies which I'm personally not too fussed on, but if it keeps her happy...I should mention we're a female couple!

Also, would it be possible to store our luggage at BKK while we do so? I'll be taking all our valuables (electronics, passports, etc) in a backpack with me but was wondering if this would be safe to do so?

Thanks in advance from a newbie!

DJGMaster1

Unfortunately, my best advice for killing 10 hours in BKK is highly unlikely to be useful to someone who's handle proclaims love for a particular woman and who's post about their trip consistently uses the "we" pronoun. As far as ping pong ladies go, that show probably doesn't really get going till at least 9 PM, at which point you should be headed back to the airport for a long haul international flight leaving at 12:10 AM.

JDiver

Two things your partner may not be aware of - some of these shows are run by very heavy duty folks who will inflate drinks etc. prices and have several large men "convince" you to pay their inflated bill before they allow you to depart (if so, contact the special Tourist Police after - not the regular cops - and they can possibly help); as well, be aware most "performers" are not there entirely on their own volition, to say the least - many are working because they have been subject to everything from kidnapping, being "bought" from others, to blackmail, physical force, enticements of unpayable "loans", drugs and other forms of extortion - if you do not have a second through about contributing to the sexual exploitation and enslavement of men / women / children...

DJGMaster1

I believe that you have no factual basis for using the modifier "most" in claiming that "most performers" performing in these sort of shows are not there of their own volition. I have no doubt that SOME of them are not, and possibly even MANY are not, but I think that you are perpetuating a myth that there are not a very significant number of these performers who are actually consenting adults who are there simply because these jobs in the adult entertainment industry in Thailand are actually by far the best paying positions that someone of their social status and level of education can obtain within the society in which they live.

ILoveRuthEvershed

DJGMaster1 - my handle refers to the character of Ruth in the TV series "Spooks" ("MI5" in the US). Not sure why my use of "we" would bother you but anyway...

JDiver - I personally do not wish to see the "sleazy" side of Bangkok and will probably not accompany my partner if she does. There are lots of arguments to be had about supporting the "live" sex trade, which are similar to the arguments to be had about whether viewing porn films perpetuates the sex trade. But I've no wish to engage with those arguments rights now.

I was looking for suggestions on temples, food markets, shops etc. However, now that this post has been moved to the Thailand forum (thanks), I will look for suggestions in there.

JDiver

No worries - just many do not know what may be behind the businesses in any number of places where we are not talking about attitudes about human sexuality, but rather the truly exploitive side in instances where children may be even kidnapped or "sold" by others and forced into a life of servitude (not just sex work).

For daytime touring a driver or guide might be an effective way to see some of Bangkok - there is so much to see.

Your query was moved because we strive to make it easy for members to find - and share - information

seanthepilot

Skip the ping pong shows.... really.

Much to do in those afternoon/evening hours.

Choose a couple things to do, if they all happen to be in the same general area, all the better (10 hours doesn't contribute to an hour here and there getting from one spot to the other, even the rapid transit can take 45 or more minutes to get from A to B) Realize much of your time MAY be spent in traffic.

Riverside, Silom, Sanam Luang, Sukhumvit.

The riverside, a nice dinner on the water, after a watertaxi up and down, maybe a massage.

Anyway, NEVER LET YOUR VALUABLES OUT OF YOUR SIGHT. The type of people that new travelers are sometimes around are not always the ones with the most integrity.

Most of all, have a great time in the City of Angels.

Oh, did I say... skip the Ping Pong show. Truth be told, you are at high risk for overcharging/stronghold taktics, and as much of a lively area the Patpong Market is (foreigners and shopping, drinks, people watching), there are just as many thiefs/pickpockets. Since you are taking your valuables with you, save that type of excursion for another visit.

DJGMaster1

It doesn't bother me at all, it simply meant that various activities in Bangkok that I might have recommended to fill a 10 hour layover would likely be precluded by the fact that you were traveling with your significant other. But I have no issue at all with someone traveling with a partner that they are happy to be with. The comment was not addressed at you, as much as it addressed the activities you as a "we" might find appropriate in Bangkok. I apologize if you took it the wrong way.

dsquared37

Interesting apology.

Let me join the chorus of 'skip patpong'. You're there too early so it's a moot point all the same.

Between temples, palaces, food, massage etc you'll have plenty to fill the 8 effective hours (10 minus 2 for travel to/from the airport).

Bag storage is on the 2nd floor near door 3. 100 THB per bag per 24hrs.

jiejie

I'll be the alto section of the "skip Patpong" chorus.

Here's how I'd plan out the stopver:

12:00 - 1:00 pm: Arrive on domestic flight from Phuket. If you are travelling on the domestic on Thai or Bangkok Air, at Phuket airport check-in, show them your BA onward ticket and see if they can "interline" your checked bags all the way to LHR so you don't have to deal with this in BKK and the luggage will go through the system. (Air Asia for sure cannot interline.) If they also will not/cannot, you'll need to pick up bags in BKK, then take to Left Luggage per what dsquared said above. Also park any carryons after first taking out valuables and critical papers that need to stay with you. Lock the luggage--though I've never had anything stolen out of my stuff there.

1:00 - 2:00 pm: Now traveling light, I'd take the Airport light rail (City line) all the way to terminus (Phya Thai station). Then get taxi to Grand Palace or Wat Po. You can also taxi all the way to your destination--more convenient, and maybe traffic not too bad at midday.

2:00 - 5:30 pm: Grand Palace/Wat Po areas, followed by a cheap ride on the Chao Phraya Express Boat (the standard public boat, not the tourist special) heading downriver to Saphan Taksin pier. Taking in the BKK skyline from the river, Wat Arun, etc. Note that for entry to the Grand Palace, you need to keep your knees and shoulders covered. So put on a skirt or capris or pants and no singlet tops, please. Sandals are OK but not flip-flops. Most other non-Royal sights in BKK are not as fussed about this. There is lots to see in Bangkok, so understand that in a compressed time frame, you only really have time to see a limited amount, and that's moving fast for a "speed looksee."

5:30 - 7:30 pm: Skytrain at Saphan Taksin to somewhere for dinner, if not looking for something high-brow, the ground floor food halls at Siam Pavilion Center (Skytrain stop: Siam) has tons of great stuff to choose from, from simple food court/cafeteria type to casual sit-down to fancier sit-down, at all price points.

7:30 - 9:30 pm: A relaxing massage, followed by a shower at the massage place and a change of clean clothes that you of course stuffed in your daypack. We can suggest some well-located places so you can make an advance booking to guarantee your time slot. I've been known to augment this by a hair wash and dry at a beauty salon! I despise getting on long plane rides after a sticky day in Bangkok. Just...ugh. Taxi back to airport.

by 10:00-10:15: Back at airport, refreshed and in clean clothes for check-in and flight back. Note: 10:00 back at airport is safer target even if you were able to get the checked bags tagged to LHR in Phuket. As you'll still need to stop by BA check-in and get your boarding passes, then go through exit immigration and security. Don't forget to first bail any bags out of Left Luggage!

I've done this general plan (with different sightseeing parts) many times before on those BKK days followed by midnight BKK long-hauls, and it always works like a dream.

BTW, I get your screen name--I love that TV show! (And Ruth is a cool character.)

And....Welcome to FlyerTalk!

DJGMaster1

One thing to add: Despite what various taxi drivers and touts might tell you, the Grand Palace is NOT closed. That claim is a scam to get you to abandon your plans to visit the palace, and rather, go with them shopping at places where they get a big kickback

dsquared37

This scam has been in play for a long long time.