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#1
02-09-2007, 18:30
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Getting to Grand Palace
Hi
On this trip to bangkok I would like this time to actually get to the grand palace and not get conned by the taxi drivers. So this time I will try and visit without using a taxi. I was thinking of going from Nana to station S6 which is near the river and getting a ferry style boat to the area where the Palace is. Would this be the best way and which stop should I get off on the ferry? Thanks
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#2
02-09-2007, 19:46
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There are maps on the ferry showing various tourist sights grand palace etc, Just ask the ticket seller and they will tell you where to get off they are very good. Check at the boarding station before you get on, You might need to get on the ferry that stops everywhere, there is also an express ferry stopping only at 1 or 2 places.
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#3
02-09-2007, 19:48
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no its easy take a metered taxi , what you say which is what i say it
something like this , grand palace "Meter" ,, he say yes or no , if no ask again, if yes get in , 90 per cent of the time he will take you there if thats not what u wnat to do, ask your hotel to get u a taxi and tell them where u wnat to go dont get a tuk tuk , its that simple , IMO good luck but u dont need it
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#4
02-09-2007, 19:54
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Yes, get off the SkyTrain at Suphan Taksin and walk down the stairs to the Sathorn Pier (Central Pier).
There are two ferries one is the Chao Phraya Express (9 baht) and the other is Chao Phraya Tourist Boat (100 baht). The boats to Grand Palace go North or upriver which is to the right. Get off at Pier Tha Chang and walk to the palace about 200 metres. Ignore everyone who says the palace is closed (real closing time is 4pm) Every time I go to the palace I find that the touts are so believable that they still confuse the shit out of me! I have even seen touts dressed in official uniform turning away people by the main entrance when in fact the palace is open. After seeing the palace it is always good to walk down to Wat Pho (about 300metres) to see the reclining Buddha. If you want to go back by ferry go to the closest pier which is Tha Tien.
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#5
03-09-2007, 01:29
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Last time i tried the taxi way got quoted 500,600 then 800 bht then 1 taxi driver said yes with meter on, he suggested take the river boat at 1500bht i said no then he siad he would have the time and dropped me off and said i would not pay him the 75bht i owed, lucky for me after a bit of searching i managed to to find a bts station.
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#6
03-09-2007, 01:36
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Many thanks, I will also get to see more of Bangkok
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#7
03-09-2007, 07:12
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Serious question, not starting anything....
Do many suffer this problem of fear / paranoia when it comes to taxi drivers and touts? I go to the Grand Palace maybe 4 times a year and use taxis at least 1500 times a year and I never seem to get these problems at all. I have certain rules I follow to avoid any issues, the biggest issue being taxi drivers not wanting to take me because of traffic. I get one refusal a month on average. there is over 100,000 taxis in Bangkok, if he won't turn on the meter, just get out. The majority of taxi drivers in bangkok are good honest guys trying to earn a crust. Never take one who is waiting at a hotel, they are lazy ****ers just looking for a scam. The rule with touts of any sort is do not engage them in any way. I walk past any one who tries to start a conversation as if they are not there. I don't look at them or answer them. I think too many people try to talk to them and outwit them, wanting to show that they cannot beat you. why bother?
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Last edited by Schmeen : 03-09-2007 at 12:03.
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#8
03-09-2007, 09:55
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Ferry is the best way.....its fab just standing out the back on the boat watching the river life
and on another note make sure you have long trousers, sleeves on your shirt and covered shoes or you will have to wear some borrowed dirty sweaty stuff from the office at the front gate...so best to go early before it gets too hot
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#9
03-09-2007, 12:24
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Good post Schmeen I agree completely. BKK taxis are pretty awesome compared to the crap you get in pattaya and phuket with tuk-tuks. Like you say the only "problems" are refusals for traffic/to far reasons which is fair enough really, if the route is depriving them of better earnings of course they're going to be reluctant. Easily remedied by a few extra baht off-meter or just trying the next one.
One funny experience I had one time was coming back from the croc farm, it was 5 pm so with the traffic, distance and the tolls I had to negotiate for that one. The taxi rank outside were all fairly young guys apart from one really old geezer in this banged-up POS of a taxi. I showed one of the drivers the hotel card/map and he seemed to have some idea at least, he called a few of the others over to check and lots of nods etc so I was happy we were clear on the location. Open the door to get in...the old guy has now got out and arrived over here having seen the little crowd that had formed. He's got the map from the driver, I couldn't understand the words being said but it was pretty obvious he was big-shotting it.."oh yeah I know where that is blah blah blah". The thai face/respect for elders thing must have kicked in...all the young guys kinda just listened and exchanged glances with each other while he went on waving direction signs in the air  .So I end up going back with grandad...who proceeds to get completely lost! He has to stop to ask directions...twice. We finally get into an area I recognise and am able to wave him to the correct turns. Just as we're getting into the home stretch he makes another stop...I'm thinking what the f*ck...he gets out, talks to a passer by and fast-walks off. Judging by the explanation gestures he was making when he came back he either just went for the fastest ST ever or desperately needed a piss 55555. GLAD to be off the meter for that trip  Last edited by brit : 03-09-2007 at 12:26.
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#10
03-09-2007, 14:16
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Do i need a long sleeve shirt ? What time does the Palace open? Thanks
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#11
03-09-2007, 14:40
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I was also intending to go to the grand palace. Last time I went was 15 years ago and we went with a tour group.
This time of course with the GF and was intending to take a meter-taxi and she can tell the drivers perfectly where we want to go. I don't think she has been there before and I think she might want to see it as well. So a few questions: Are there more entrances than one? And yes, I also want to know the opening hours. How long would an average visit take? Any of you have experiences of how your GF enjoys these kind of trips?
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#12
03-09-2007, 18:02
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1. One entrance generally, there are more than one, but not for use by a visitor.
2. closes 4pm, I think it opens at 9 or 10. 3. I usually allow 2-3 hours. Chinese Tour groups can do it in 30 minutes If you GF is Thai she should love it. It is after all Wat Phra Kaew is the most revered temple in the country and Phar Kaew Morakot, the most revered buddah (I prefer Jinaraj myself).
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#13
03-09-2007, 18:42
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I believe it's gone up to the ridiculously expensive price of 13 baht!
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#14
03-09-2007, 19:11
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Thanks for the info Schmeen. Yes, the Chinese (and Japanese) can do it very fast, as long as they follow the guide with he flag closely and don't ask: mister, mister picture please too often! 5555555.... Yes, my GF is Thai and that is why it may be good to go there with her.
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#15
03-09-2007, 19:48
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I have gone there many times by taxi and I have always asked for meter and paid what is on the meter. maybe 100 baht from Sukumvit soi 2. Try and go at off peak times (I know that seems crazy in Bangkok) but there is virtually no traffic on a Sunday morning and most taxis would be glad of the fare.
Getting back from the Palace is the problem. Do not take a tuk tuk because if you do you will be scammed and end up pretty angry, believe me, I know. Walk away a bit from the taxi and hail a metered taxi, it is difficult and you may have to agree a price but I have never paid more than 200 baht (4 euro)! enjoy
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#16
03-09-2007, 22:02
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I know of a great gem store right by the palace want the address?
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#17
03-09-2007, 23:16
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I took my last girlfriend and her sister there and low and behold we got out of the taxi some bloke told us it was closed.
Maybe it was! I never knew what was going on, he was talking to the girlfriend in Thai and next thing we were walking down the street. He took us down to the ferry station and wanted us to get a ticket on the tourist ferry, Baht Mak Mak. Well we never got on and as I didnt know what was going on he never had a tip for his help either, when he was leading us down side streets and things I sort of thought, Scam going on here. I said thank you and we got on the ferry crossing over the river to the wat on the other side.
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#18
03-09-2007, 23:54
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Yes...Same for me my 1st time. When we arrived at the Grand P. we got out of the taxi and some guy in a somewhat official brown shirt told us to come this way because we were to use a different entrance. There were many people walking in the main entrance but he took us down to another entrance when we figured we were being had and just left him. This was my 1st day in Thailand.
Rule is if someome comes up to you they want your baht.
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#19
04-09-2007, 10:46
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With the taxis, I just get in and say "meter" sometimes they complain, if they complain = no tip, if they put meter on automatically then i give good tip. I like to reward the honest ones and Fcuk the sharks.
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#20
04-09-2007, 11:50
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short sleeves OK from memory.....but singlets a nono! most places open at 10.00am but think it may open a little earlier...maybe 9.00am from memory
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....but of course I was verey verey draaank at the taaame!!!
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#21
04-09-2007, 12:37
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Same same on this and only ever had a couple of refusals to use the meter, normally when it's raining funnily enough. Never had a problem at the GP with touts either. After you've been to the GP, get back on the river boat and carry on to the last stop. There's a little bar/resturant there for a bit of scran and a cold one on the promenade and then get the last boat back, which I think is around 18:45 (the waitress in the bar will tell you). It's just going dark and the river is absolutely spectacular at night. Really worthwhile.
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#22
05-09-2007, 16:08
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Just one more question is the Palace open every day?
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#23
05-09-2007, 17:02
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Yes..every day.
it used to be free on Fridays for all. Thai's do not (and should not) pay. Open toed shoes for a foreigner can be frowned upon, which is a bit rich considering the Thai's walking through wearing flip flops. Edit:...actaully...regarding that last point, they may have rescinded that rule as it really did smack of prejudice and could not be justified.
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