Bangkok

patnut · #1 08-04-2007, 17:58

Here's the plan I arrive in Bangkok end of April where I plan to spend 3 Days then head to Pattaya.

The question is what's the best way to get around this city? I will be doing some shopping so I think a car would be practical also is it an easy drive to Pattaya?

Captain · #2 08-04-2007, 18:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by patnut

Here's the plan I arrive in Bangkok end of April where I plan to spend 3 Days then head to Pattaya.

The question is what's the best way to get around this city? I will be doing some shopping so I think a car would be practical also is it an easy drive to Pattaya?

Driving a car is the worst way to move in BKK. Use skytrain and metered taxis. Cheapest and fastest. Also take taxi to Pattaya.

S1MON · #3 08-04-2007, 18:17

would not consider driving myself, am drunk most of the time anyway, use taxis as Cap says and the skytrain is very good.
I was in a hurry to get back to hotel so used a motor bike taxi, one of my scariest moments in thailand, i suggest you stay away from them.

georgelondon · #4 08-04-2007, 18:19

i'd forget the car patnut...you'll just stress yourself out when you supposed to be on vacation. as captain said...skytrain/ taxi meters.

JayBee · #5 08-04-2007, 18:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by patnut

Here's the plan I arrive in Bangkok end of April where I plan to spend 3 Days then head to Pattaya.

The question is what's the best way to get around this city? I will be doing some shopping so I think a car would be practical also is it an easy drive to Pattaya?

If you want the convenience of a car for less than the price of a car rental, and without the hassle of driving and trying to find your way around the city, then I suggest you just give my buddy Somchai a call, because he's a great deal.

For 600 Baht, plus 300 Baht for gas(petrol), a total of 900 Baht, he will provide you full service in his taxi, which is a nice one, for 12 hours(3 PM to 3AM normally). For 1100 Baht plus gas, he will provide round the clock service(20 hours, he needs 4 hrs to sleep).

He lives in BKK and also provides service to and from the airport, from BKK to Pattaya, and from the airport to Pattaya(1000 Baht including tolls, or 900 plus tolls). You can have him waiting for your arrival at the airport and his rates can't be beat. His English is limited, but he can cover the basics, and he is a really good guy.

Somchai - 081-7445596

ATMwalking · #6 09-04-2007, 01:12

Driving a car in Bangkok isn't easy and far from practical. Really not worth the headache.

Skytrain, taxis, and motorbike taxis are the best way to go. Dodging traffic on the back a bike is the most fun you are ever going to have for 50 baht.

LivinLOS · #7 09-04-2007, 08:27

I swear next time I am in BKK I am going to force myself to do the Segway tours.. I have wanted to for ages and it sounds a cool way to see the city but I always blow it out through hangovers and mongering / partying..

midnightsun1 · #8 09-04-2007, 09:00

skytrain, subway, motorbike taxis.

if you know the system the buses are good. just don't use them at 4-7pm. to much traffic.

mars · #9 09-04-2007, 21:57

And you also have the water taxi to try, worth a trip on the river to see a few sights.

patnut · #10 10-04-2007, 05:41

Interesting thanks for enlightening me - I don't think I will be hiring a car then : )

I will be staying at the president park hotel I understand the skytrain is a 10 min walk away. Does anyone know how much a taxi should cost to get there from the airport?

Or I might have to give Somchai a call : )

biomech · #11 10-04-2007, 13:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by patnut

Interesting thanks for enlightening me - I don't think I will be hiring a car then : )

I will be staying at the president park hotel I understand the skytrain is a 10 min walk away. Does anyone know how much a taxi should cost to get there from the airport?

Or I might have to give Somchai a call : )

As long as you are close to the Skytrain (BTS), you'll be fine, it is definitely the easiest way to get around. It also links directly to the super-efficient subway. When you need to go out of the way take a metered taxi.

It's only a few hundred baht from Sukhumvit to the airport. Just agree on a price before you leave and you'll be safe.

I drove my ex-GF's pickup truck from Sukhumvit to the airport and it was one of the craziest experiences of my life, the roads are hilarious! it's a free for all. I won't be doing it again thats for sure.

payoff71 · #12 12-04-2007, 03:58

Water taxi is a lot of fun, sky train is great, clean and cool. Didn't use the subway, it had only just opened when I was last in BKK. Assuming similar to Skytrain.
If you don't mind taking your life in your hands a very quick and exciting way to get around BKK is via motorbike taxi.
Agree price beforehand, I think they charge by the kilo, always more expensive for me than it was for Tilac

Then it's off down the sidewalk, road (either side) and weaving thro traffic to your destination.
Hair raising stuff although I do admire their driving skills and nerves of steel!

For the more faint of heart a short ride from your hotel to the nearest skytrain/subway station might be enough to get the blood pumping

thaizeman · #13 12-04-2007, 14:01

many things there.. skytrain, water taxi, underground train (very fast).. meter taxis... (be carefull, I sit 1 hour in one of these taxis, because shukumvit road was full)...

Oasis · #14 12-04-2007, 14:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by LivinLOS

I swear next time I am in BKK I am going to force myself to do the Segway tours.. I have wanted to for ages and it sounds a cool way to see the city but I always blow it out through hangovers and mongering / partying..

I was planning to do the Sanam Luang & Koa San tour last time I was in BKK but I sometimes have the same problem as you do.

Thailand Segway Tours - Home Page

White Nancy · #15 12-04-2007, 16:58

Paid 250 baht in a meter taxi, including tolls, from Sukhumvit Soi 11 to the airport three weeks ago. Mind you it was a Sunday evening, so the roads were quiet.

rathcoole_exile · #16 18-04-2007, 22:10

i drive a bike and a car every day in BKK - after 8 years driving in the Middle East it's a piece of cake.
Never had any trouble here til yesterday when i drove the pickup into a pillar in the carrefour car-park. Oops !!
Oh and one of the bike taxis I was on the back of last week put us both on the ground as the roads were slick with rain and he was too dumb to realise that (105Kgs extra on pillion = greater stopping distance). Another oops ! but going horizintal was better than smacking into the taxi we were heading towards. Great fun if you're a biker anyway, but I could see why it might take the gloss off your holiday if not.
enjoy your vacation.....like Royston Vasey, you'll never leave........

Patnut, my recommendation would be to grab one of the bike taxis that are usually hanging around at the junctions of the sois and take it to the nearest BTS station. But don't pay any more than B20 for each trip, they'll rip you off if they think they can.

Schmeen · #17 20-04-2007, 07:09

Royston Vasey???

They have a female taxi driver there.....I've shagged her......bit rough around the edges, but suited me.

rathcoole_exile · #18 20-04-2007, 23:01

sorry, Bab's Cabs has gone out of business and I'm pimping Barbara down at NEP. Having said that, she's not meeting her sales targets yet for some reason .....