I have to thanks once again the SiamPinoy site in the net.
I just want to share my past and first experience in my journey in Thailand, to somehow help others who are seeking some answers in what to expect in Bangkok:
upon arrival in bangkok airport you can change your peso in TMB,but very low exchange,mabuti na pang taxi and other gastusan first base.
napakahirap maghanap ng money changer in bkk for our peso.
meron sa may Rambutri road,'rainbow exchange' at sa may Petchburi rd = they exchange peso with good rate value.
before you go out the airport, you get free bangkok map in the stand near exit gate,then proceed to the right for meter taxi.
Khaosan area ay maraming cheap hotels
maraming turista of different nationality
masaya kahit late night maraming tao
maraming nagtitinda sa street.
maraming kainan (street food thai carenderia) meron ding Fastfoods
may mga 7-11 in every corner (if you happen to left your toothbrush & other stuff)
at talagang malapit sa mga pasyalan ng mga turista,like the Grand Palace,museums,Chao praya river,atbp.
be careful; sa mga tuktuk, some will tell you that Grand Palace is close for that hour and like to bring you first to other Wat..
then eventually bring you sa mga stores that sells jewelries,garments,boutiques.
i also heard that not only tuktuks but also tourist guides do that to hapless tourist
--> reason? they are earning some coupon or rewards from the stores.
there are also magugulang na taxi drivers( especially the pink one,in our experience)
from Khaosan area,we flag a cab to MBK,siningil kami ng 200 baht kasi malayo daw,so we agreed,
but when we ride back a taxi galing sa pilahan sa MBK,naku wala pang 100 baht ang meter namin.
In MBK, you can eat in foodcourt,need to buy some coupons to purchase some food,any unused coupon can be return.
marami ka na rin mabibili pasalubong,souvenir items sa MBK,and can make tawadtawad.
In Khaosan area, so many tour offices/packages (under TAT)
we avail of Ayutthaya whole day tour(+ lunch) --> 450 baht per person
In every destination in Ayutthaya has many merchants of souvenir items,
BE CAREFUL,i was robbed by one seller --> i purchase a small carving buddha,and the assistant will wrap it at the back
with bulky newspapers and with tape and even told/sign ng kanya daliri na its two items inside,
and since our van is waiting for me na to go to next destination,ako naman si tanga!trusted them,
when we arrived in our hotel back in bangkok,kainis to find out na 1 lang ang wrapped.
Four Seasons International house(Petchburi rd.)in Pratunam area ay napakahirap ma locate ng taxi driver.
but this hotel is cheap,and very clean room,good service. except yong jasmine restaurant nila,who happen to serve our order in more than 1 hour.
Four seasons is very good location for shopping cheap clothings and other stuff (mga tinitinda sa greenhills)
the Platinum,Pantip, Pratunam,Isetan,etc..are just within walking area,kaya wear comfy shoes or sandals.
30 minutes walk to Siam Paragon,MBK--> better ride tuktuk,save the feet.
the Baiyoke sky Tower/Hotel is just few corner from Four season.
if youre interested in Baiyoke revolving deck? 200 baht per person.
maybe free if you stay there.
we avail of their breakfast buffet na 400 baht per person (6-10 am)+free entrance to revolving deck and the observatory floor.
so we start breakfast by 9:30 am kaya we dont have to take our lunch na.then proceed to shop.
meron pong kababayan tayo na may door to door delivery to manila,we happen to discover them.
KabuhayanTours:Petchburi soi 19,Petchburi rd.just outside and near Four Season.
chatuchak(jatujak) weekend market ay parang divisoria, but fun to shop around, so many items to check out and most stores closes by 6 pm.
many thais are unsmiling,rude, hard to understand and little talk english.
take note;they say pock-for pork, pawn- for prawn ( you can see or read these in their written menu in the street)
thats all i can remember.
i will post more about our trip to border ro Cambodia.
November 14, 2007, 11:27:12 PM
