Travel Fair Guide

1. Most visited sights
Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo/Temple of the Emerald Buddha: royal palatial estates used for ceremonial purposes.THB250;
Wat Pho/Temple of the Reclining Buddha: Bang... More>>>

1. Most visited sights
Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo/Temple of the Emerald Buddha: royal palatial estates used for ceremonial purposes.THB250;
Wat Pho/Temple of the Reclining Buddha: Bangkok's largest and earliest wat home to the gold-plated Reclining Buddha, the largest number of pagodas and Buddha images in the city and the oldest learning center and most revered Thai massage school in the country. THB20;
Wat Arun/Temple of Dawn: riverside temple with five curious spires which is among Bangkok's most recognizable landmarks. THB20;
Jim Thompson's House: a collection of traditional Thai-style dwellings, aesthetic embellishment and exquisite gardens owned by a legendary adventurer and entrepreneur. THB100;
Chinatown: an integral part of any walking tours in town and a good place to take in traditional Chinese lifestyle and extravagant bargains with street stalls and cheap restaurants selling household goods, electronic appliance store, fashion items, and Chinese food, medicine and antique to the discerning local population and tourists;
Chatuchak Weekend Market: the largest of its kind in Bangkok, with 15,000 outlets occupying 35 acres of land, selling everything kitschy and funny to take home. Sat-Sun 7:00am-8:00pm;
Floating Markets: local produce and food readily for sale on floating outlets and kitchens on small traditional rowing boats that crowding the canals and waterways. Most noteable floating markets include the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, Taling Chan Floating Market, Wat Sai Floating Market, etc;
Chao Phraya River & Canals: see some of the finest architectural and natural attractions from a unique perspective aboard traditional rice barges, elegant diner cruisers, or express water taxis;
Vimanmek Mansion: a 1901 royal summer retreat converted museum showcasing a comprehensive collection of royal artifacts and paraphernalia, as well as daily cultural shows, such as Classical Thai dance, folk dance, and martial art demonstrations. THB100;
National Museum: Southeast Asia??s largest and most comprehensive museum housing everything from archaeological digs to artistic treasures, from private collections of early monarchs to rotating regional exhibits, from former royal residence and chapel to well-designed gardens and exhibition halls. THB40.

2. Shopping
Shopping malls: Mahboonkrong/MBK (plenty of bargains); Siam Paragon (emphasizes on fashionable luxury living); Central World Plaza (largest lifestyle shopping complex in Southeast Asia); The Emporium (foreigners' high-class favorite); Gaysorn (the most "in" shopping complex); Siam Center (moderately upscale); Pantip Plaza (indoor IT shopping mall).
Markets: Suan Lum Night Bazaar (near Lumpini Park and the subway station); Patpong Night Market (between Silom and Suriwong Roads); Bangrak Market (between Silom & Sathorn Roads); Bo Bae Market (Krung Kasem Road; cheap garments); Klong Toey Market (Bangkok's largest wet market); Pahurat Textile Market (Sampeng Lane); Flower Market (Pak Klong Talat Pier).

3. Entertainment
Bars and Clubs: Khao San Road; Sukhumvit area; Silom area; Ratchadapisek-RCA area; Siam Square; Chidlom-Ploenchit area;
Cultural shows: National Theater; Chao Phraya Cultural Centre; Sala Rim Naam (at the Oriental Hotel); Lumpini Boxing Stadium (Muay Thai boxing); Joe Louis Puppet Theatre;
Traditional massage and spa: Thai Traditional Massage School (in Wat Pho/Temple of the Reclining Buddha); Chi Spa (at Shangri-La Hotel); Oriental Spa (at Oriental Hotel); Mandara Spa (at Bangkok Marriott Resort & Spa); Devarana Spa (at Dusit Thani Hotel); Hapa Spa; Harmony Spa; Leyana Spa;
Cinemas: Krungsri IMAX, Paragon Cineplex and Nokia Ultra Screen Cineplex (all at the 5th Floor, Siam Paragon); EGV & Major Cineplex (in Siam Discovery Centre); SF Cinema City (at top floor of MBK Center and the Emporium); Century Movie Plaza (BTS Victory Monument station); Apex Lido, Scala and Siam theatres (around Siam Square);
Alternative entertainment: Go-go bars; Ladyboy shows; Gay/lesbian nightlife; Massage parlour.

4. Parks, Playgrounds and Gardens
Lumpini Park: Bangkok's oldest and largest park in the heart of the city;
Dusit Zoo/Khao Din: Thailand's first zoo;
Safari World: the only drive-through open zoo in the heart of Bangkok;
Snake Farm: 70 baht;
Bangkok Butterfly Garden & Insectarium: between Queen Sirikit Gardens and Rotfai Gardens.

5. Museums and Galleries
Royal Barges Museum; Children's Discovery Museum; Bangkok Folk Museum; Corrections Museum; Philatelic Museum; Royal Thai Air Museum; Silpa Bhirasri Memorial & Museum;
National Art Gallery; Queen's Gallery; Bangkok University Art Gallery, etc.

6. Tours and Day trips:
Crocodile Farm & Zoo, 30 kilometres from Bangkok in Samutprakan;
The Rose Garden, 32 km southwest of Bangkok on Phetkasem Highway;
Samphran Elephant Ground & Zoo: 1 kilometer before the Rose Garden;
Muang Boran/Ancient City: In Samut Prakan province on the Sukhumwit Highway.

Given Bangkok's typically tropical climate that's heavily hot and humid throughout the year, light and loose summer clothing made of natural fabrics is the norm.
T-shirts, jeans, and sneakers are... More>>>

Given Bangkok's typically tropical climate that's heavily hot and humid throughout the year, light and loose summer clothing made of natural fabrics is the norm.
T-shirts, jeans, and sneakers are almost universally accepted. Short sleeved blouse, modest short pants, knee length skirts, flip-flops, and sports sandals would do just fine most of the time.
A sweater, thin jacket or pullover comes useful if you're visiting in December or January, especially in the evenings. An umbrella and waterproof shoes should not be left behind if you're visiting during the rainy season which runs from June through mid-October.
Dress smartly while visiting classy nightspots, five star hotels and fine restaurants in Bangkok, they have the same dress codes as those in your home city.
If you are planning to visit places of worships, remember to dress conservatively and take off your shoes and any head gear.
While shopping in trendy malls or visiting government and corporate offices, skimpy clothing can be improper, not that it would be too informal if you did. Such occasions are always well air-conditioned, you would feel freezing if not properly covered up.

1.Traditional dishes
Pad Thai (stir-fried thin rice noodles with shrimp, egg, tofu, bamboo shoots, tamarind juice and peanut);
Tom Yum Goong (spicy and sour soup of shrimps and mushrooms)... More>>>

1.Traditional dishes
Pad Thai (stir-fried thin rice noodles with shrimp, egg, tofu, bamboo shoots, tamarind juice and peanut);
Tom Yum Goong (spicy and sour soup of shrimps and mushrooms);
Som Tum (spicy papaya salad with dried shrimps, tomatoes and peanuts);
Kaeng Khieo Wan Kai (coconut cream and green chili curry with chicken and Thai aubergine);
Tom kha kai (coconut soup with chicken);
Pad Kaprao (meat stir-fried with sweet basil leaves, sprinkled with sliced chili in fish sauce);
Moo Satay (roasted marinated meat on skewers with spicy turmeric coat and cucumber salad);
Kaeng phet pet yang (roasted duck curry);
Yam nua (spicy beef salad);
Kai phat met mamuang himmaphan (chicken with cashew nuts);
Phanaeng nua (meat in coconut cream).

2. Thai dissert
Egg varieties- thong yib (sweet egg yolk cup); thong yod (sweet egg yolk drop); foi thong (sweet shredded egg yolk); sangkhaya (egg custard); mo kaeng (egg custard with mung bean flour);
Rice/Rice Flour varieties- khanom chun (layered dessert); bua loi (glutinous-rice flour balls in coconut cream); khao niew ma muang (sticky rice in sweet coconut cream, garnished with roasted sesame seeds and ripe mango);
Mung bean paste varieties- look choob (miniature fruits and vegetables made from mung bean paste, cooked in coconut milk and dunked in gelatin); met khanun (mung bean flour coated with sweet egg yolk);
Fruit/Vegetable varieties- thapthim krop (diced water-chestnuts in coconut cream); tako (jelly with coconut cream); fakthong buat (pumpkin in coconut cream); gluay buad chee (banana in coconut cream); gluay tord (deep-fried banana fritters), kluai chueam (banana in syrup and coconut cream); khanom gluay (steamed banana with rice flour and coconut).

3. Thai fruit
Banana, Durian, Guava, Langsat, Longan, Lychee, Mango, Mangosteen, Papaya, Pomelo, Rambutan, Sapodilla, Custard Apple, Pineapple, Rose Apple, Dragonfruit, Jackfruit, and Watermelon.

4. Chinese specialties
Dim sum- available in almost all Chinese restaurants, especially Cantonese ones;
Birds nest soup- Nam Sing Restaurant, MBK food court;
Shark fin soup- Liu's (in The Conrad Hotel), Chang Palace (in Shangri-La Hotel), Lok Wah Hin (in Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square), Man Ho ( in JW Marriott Hotel), Yuan (in Millennium Hilton Hotel).

5. Steak
New York Steakhouse (in JW Marriott Hotel);
Chok Chai Steakhouse;
Fireplace Grill (in Intercontinental Hotel);
Hamilton's Steakhouse (in Dusit Thani Hotel);
Madison (in Four Seasons Hotel);
Prime (in Millennium Hilton Hotel).

6.Vegetarian
Govinda restaurant; May Kaidee's Vegetarian Restaurant; Khun Churn restaurant; Tamarind Cafe & F-Stop Gallery; Cafe Corner Bangkok; Anothai Restaurant; Komala's restaurant; Whole Earth Restaurant

7. Unusual delicacies
Fried grasshoppers, variations extends to water roaches, crickets, beetles, mealworms, ants and ant eggs, bamboo larvaes, scorpions and little frogs; Dancing shrimps.

1.Peninsula Bangkok
Five star; Wave shaped hotel by Chao Phya River; Voted by Travel+Leisure magazine readers "World's Best Hotel" since 2003, Uninterrupted panoramic views over the river ... More>>>

1.Peninsula Bangkok
Five star; Wave shaped hotel by Chao Phya River; Voted by Travel+Leisure magazine readers "World's Best Hotel" since 2003, Uninterrupted panoramic views over the river and the city; A bit out of the way from city center; Boat shuttles available to and from tourist hub of town; 370 rooms in total; Singles start from THB 7521; Doubles from THB 9778; Suites from THB 15043.
2. Oriental Bangkok
Five star; A 130 year elegant grande dame Bangkok hotel on Chao Phraya River; All rooms with a river view; 5 minutes River Shuttle ride to the nearest skytrain station; 10 minutes from Silom Road shoppinG and entertainment; Indulge in the Oriental Spa, the Thai cooking school, the Bamboo Bar, a golf driving range, jogging tracks, tennis and squash courts; 393 rooms in total; Singles start from THB 10860, Suites from THB 29650.
3. Bangkok Marriott Resort & Spa
Five star; At the foot of Krungthep Bridge on the Thonburi side of Chao Phya River; Formerly the Royal Garden Riverside Hotel; A posh low-rise city resort and spa with creditable Marriott service, fabulous spa and peaceful living space; River transport and connections to expressway and the Skytrain available; 420 rooms in total; Singles start from THB 6880, Doubles from THB 6880, Suites from THB 8200.
4. Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit
Five star; Opulent business hotels with privileged Sukhumvit Road location; Asok Skytrain BTS station directly outside the front door; Steps from Sukhumvit MRT Subway station; Easy walk to the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center; Renowned wild Riva's nightclub, rooftop pool and in-house Grande Spa; 420 rooms in total; Singles start from THB 7300; Doubles from THB 7300.
5. Shangri-La Hotel
Five star; Another low-key but opulent city resort right on the Chao Phraya River, with expansive exotic foliage, exquisite CHI Spa, and impressive lobby lounge and river view rooms; Adjacent to Saphan Thaksin BTS Skytrain station; Elegant dinner cruise aboard the "Horizon" and higher lever of privacy and elegance on The Krungthep Wing recommended; 799 rooms in total; Singles start from THB 5265, Suites from THB 8640.
6.Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel
Five star; Posh business resort in the heart of downtown Bangkok's shopping and embassy districts, with pampering pursuits like the Spasso Italian restaurant and bar and the Club Erawan Fitness Spa; Linked to Gaysorn, Central World Plaza and Siam Paragon shopping centers via skybridge; Easy access to Erawan Shrine; World Trade Center, the National Convention Center, Suan Lum Night Bazaar; 380 rooms in total; Singles start from THB 7953, Doubles from THB 8700, Suites from THB 14000.
7. Conrad Bangkok
Five star; Hip and artistic hotel residing in the All Seasons Place on Wireless Road near all major embassies, shopping centers and Lumphini Park along the "Embassy Row", with incentive meeting, conference and banquet facilities and innovative catering and recreational amenities; Steps from Ploenchit BTS Skytrain station and Suan Lum night market; Central World Plaza, Siam Centre, Siam Discovery Center, MBK, Siam Paragon just around the corner; 391 rooms in total; Singles start from THB 6387, Doubles from THB 6687, Suites from THB 15,950.
8. Sukhothai Bangkok
Five star; An outstanding architectural tribute to Thai heritage and a zenlike sanctuary for visitors in Bangkok's central business district and embassy district, with the lush pond-filled courtyards expanding in the shadow of Serene Buddhas' repose; Easy access to the Sala Daeng BTS Skytrain station; Close to Lumpini Park and Chao Phraya River; 224 rooms in total; Singles start from THB 13000, Doubles from THB 13000, Suites from THB 15600.
9. Dusit Thani Hotel
Five star; Bangkok's longtime regal lodging option enthroned with a Royal Thai style, commanding location overlooking the municipal oasis of Lumpini Park and classical elegance of five-star facility and service; The Silom and Siam roads nightlife and shopping nearby; Easy access to the Sala Daeng Skytrain station; Close to The Grand Palace, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Erawan Shrine, and night markets of Patpong; Signature highlights include the Napalai Ballroom with 2,000 seats, the exquisite Benjarong restaurant, and premium Devarana Spa treatments; 500 rooms in total; Singles start from THB 6300.
10. Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok
Five star; Strategically located in the business and diplomatic heart of Central Bangkok; With a golf course of The Royal Bangkok Sports Club outside the front door and 7 dining facilities, some glorious courtyard gardens, and the award-winning Swiss Perfection Spa Beautymed Centre on site; Some of Bangkok's most renowned shopping malls nearby; 5 minutes' walk to the World Trade Centre, Gaysorn Plaza and Sogo; 200meter from the Rajdamri BTS skytrain station; 340 rooms in total; Singles start from THB 10,520, Suites from THB 18,410.

1. By air
Suvarnabhumi International Airport/ BKK: All international and other carriers (unless otherwise stated)
BKK is located 30 kilometers/19 miles east of downtown.
From this airport... More>>>

1. By air
Suvarnabhumi International Airport/ BKK: All international and other carriers (unless otherwise stated)
BKK is located 30 kilometers/19 miles east of downtown.
From this airport, visitors should expect to pay a flat 150 baht for a 1 hour journey on any one of the four Airport Express bus routes to get to city center and transport hubs; 35 baht for a 1-2 hours ride on public buses to get to Minburi (No. 549), Happy Land (No. 550), Victory Monument (No. 551), On Nut BTS station (No. 552), and Samut Prakan (No. 553), 600-1500 baht (airport surcharge and highway tolls included)for a 40 ?C 60 minutes trip in a taxi.
Don Mueang Airport/DMK: All domestic flights of the two low-cost carriers Orient Thai/One Two Go and Nok Air, together with certain non-connecting flights of Thai Airways
DMK is located 22km/14 miles north of downtown.
From this airport, visitors should expect to pay a flat 100 baht for a 90 minutes ride on a Bangkok Airport Express train, 100 baht for any one of the four Airport Express bus routes to get to city center and transport hubs, 25 baht for a air-conditioned local public bus to get to Silom Road (No. 4), Northern Bus Terminal, Victory Monument, Siam Square, and Hualamphong station (No. 29), and World Trade Center (No. 504), or 200-250 baht, plus a 50 baht airport surcharge and a 30-70 baht expressway toll charge, for a 35-90 minutes trip in a taxi.
To rent a car: contact AVIS (+1 800 831 2847/+66 2255 5300), Hertz (+1 800 654 3131/+66 2722 6161), Central (+66 2251 2778), and Budget (+1 800 527 0700/+66 2203 0250).

2. By bus
The Eastern Bus Terminal: Long-distance buses to/from eastern and southeastern Thailand, including Pattaya, Rayong, Ban Phe, Chanthaburi and Trat. It is on Sukhumvit Road right across from the Ekamai BTS skytrain station. Contact +66 2 391 2504 for more details.
The North/Northeastern Bus Terminal: Long-distance buses to/from northern and northeastern Thailand, including Chiang Mai, and destinations near the Laos border and Lampang. It is near the Chatuchak Weekend Market. Contact +66 2 272 0296/2936-2841for more details.
The Southern Bus Terminal: Buses serving such southern towns as Hua Hin and Phuket. It is near the Bangkok Noi Station. Contact +66 2 435 1200/2434-7192 for more details.

3. By train
Hua Lampong Train Station: Trains to/from Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai, Kanchanaburi, River Kwai, Hua Hin, Surat Thani, Trang, Hat Yai, Chon Buri, Sri Racha, Pattaya, Udon Thani. From this train station, you should cost no more than 100 baht for a metered taxi, or 80 baht for a tuk-tuk, to get to most hotels in downtown Bangkok. Contact +66 2 223 3762 for more details.
Thonburi/Noi Train Station: Services to/from Kanchanaburi (via Nakhon Pathom), River Kwai Bridge and Nam Tok. Contact +66 2 411 3102 for more details.

4. By car
From Hua Hin - National Highway No 4, approximately 3 hours;
From Pattaya - National Highway No 3, approximately 3 hours;
Phitsanulok - National Highway No 32 and No 11, approximately 5 hours 30 minutes.

1.Best time to visit
While there isn't really bad time to visit Bangkok, November, December, January and February are recommended to those who would feel comfortable with a good Western Eur... More>>>

1.Best time to visit
While there isn't really bad time to visit Bangkok, November, December, January and February are recommended to those who would feel comfortable with a good Western European summer, March through May are only advisable for those with portable air conditioners, and June through October are episodes of heavy downpours and frequent floods.
To come in for the best of it all, consider arriving in December and August. To avoid the crowds, as well as the hefty peak season pricing, take April, May, June, September and October into consideration.
2.Getting around
While getting around in town, always stick to the safer and more practical means of transport, like a taxi runs on the meter or one with a negotiated price, the BTS Skytrain or the MRT subway if you pick up an free informative city transportation map from any BTS station, a public bus if you speak Thai and know exactly where you're heading, or an express ferry, river taxi, long tail boat, or dinner cruiser if you??re exploring the canals, the riverside attractions along the Chao Phraya.
Driving around town is impractical for foreigners, as traffic laws, driving customs, and traffic signs can be confusing. While tuk-tuks and motorcycle taxis can be economical and efficient, especially when the traffic crawls, they're inherently dangerous
3. Safety and Health matters.
Bangkok is a fairly safe place where open violence in the streets. The worst, as well as the most common criminality that could possibly happen to a tourist is probably pickpocketing and small petty theft. Watch out your belongings and valuables left in the hotel room, and those you??re carrying while out there in the crowds. Using your common sense and taking precautions would suffice to make the most of a best possible experience in Bangkok.
Many foreign tourists experience some physical ailments, like dehydration, sunstroke, diarrhea, muscle cramps, or a constant feeling of exhaustion while in Bangkok, this is most likely due to the sudden change in climate and types of food, and of course, some certain hygienic causes. Drink (bottled or boiled water) as much as possible. Take enough rest. Be extra cautious while dining out, especially at the street stalls. Prepare certain medication accordingly, such as diarrhea pills, vaccinations against tetanus, hepatitis, and salmonella infections, etc. You're also advised to carry some toilet paper in your bags or pockets all the time, as it is scarcely prepared in public lavatories.
Chances of partaking in the sex tourism industry during a Bangkok trip are not slim, which will expose you to high risks of HIV/AIDS infection.
4.To avoid tourist scams
While in Bangkok, beware of the touts and tourist scams, which generally target out-of-towners, especially foreign tourists. It is a commonplace for individuals in the tourist business to overcharge or defraud of visitors.
Common techniques include taxi drivers?? refusal of using the meters and astronomical quoted prices, vendors selling something supposedly precious and of high profit if you resale back home, free or cheap sightseeing tours offered by tuk-tuk drivers, who are actually taking you to one souvenir shops after another for gas coupons, and commissions (if you buy something), bars/pubs touting cheap beer but actually asking exorbitant prices for shows, and touts claiming to have discount admissions to your intended destinations, etc.
Be skeptical of all these. Also, learn to practice the art of bargaining, you may end up paying half the asked price.
5.To avoid cultural offenses
Never criticize or speak derogatively about the monarchy, the king and the royal family- they are held in genuine respect by the Thais.
Don't touch anyone's head; Don't point your feet at anyone or anything-The head is physically the highest point of a person, hence spiritually the most sacred part, while the feet is quite the opposite.
Dress conservatively, remove your shoes and make no noise in religious places.
6.More
Carry your actual passport at all times, which is required by the law, and several photocopies of it, for proof of age, nationality and identity.
Tourists in difficulties can call the Tourist Authority Help Line at 281-5051, the Tourist Police at 1155, or Emergency at 678 680 or 1155.