1. Money: turn left when exiting, money changer there, better rate than hotel. Get some small bills (see below).

2. To/From airport: turn left when exiting customs. If you're apprehensive, take Thai Limo B$600. Otherwise, take meter taxi immediately to your right door (after walking out of waiting section) for B$200-250 ride into town, tell driver to take tollroad/highway, have some B$20 or B$50 to pay for tolls. Local taxi service is safe and reliable - just don't act like it's your first time to Bkk! Drive into 'town' anywhere from 30 minutes to 60 minutes, depending on traffic and location. Hotel cars outrageous price and ABSOLUTELY no need for it!

3. Make sure you keep B$500 left for 'airport tax' - you buy ticket for this after you check in and before proceeding to immigrations.

4. Hotels: stick near skytrain, sukhumvit has plenty 3 stars which are like 5 stars in states for under $100. I stay at Novotel Lotus on Soi 33 which can be had for under $100 with full bkfast. Don't let fact that girlie bars on Soi 33 discourage you...it's a business/tourist hotel, SAFE and good service. Plenty of others are cheaper and you don't have to stick to major chains...google search will give you tons of options. Or PM or post your budget and you'll get plenty of advice.

5. Sights/shopping - wow, that would take forever. PM for specifics...get a good guide book, thumb threw it to see what attracts you. I suggest Lonely Planets but that's personal choice.

Last advice: search this site, question has been asked and answered before