Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok consists of several areas, among which the most interesting for tourists are the following: Historical Center on the island of Rattanakosin; Chinatown, whose main area of ​​activity is trade (moreover, they sell the same things as in Russia in Chinese markets, plus local Thai souvenirs); Silom – a modern city center with offices of large companies, the tallest buildings in Bangkok and the most expensive hotels; Siam Square is a shopping center where the city’s largest supermarkets and smaller shops are located (prices in them compare favorably with prices in tourist areas and are undoubtedly lower than in Silom; Pratunam is the most popular tourist area in Bangkok (this is where most Russian tourists).

how to call

8-10-66-2-phone number

Transport

The main public transport in Bangkok is buses and minibuses. A trip in an air-conditioned bus will cost ~10 THB, without it – ~4 THB. Night buses run from 11 pm to 5 am on some routes, the fare is ~ 5 THB.
The problem of traffic jams can be solved with the help of tuk-tuk auto rickshaws (tuk-tuk). This is a comfortable seat with an awning and a reckless driver behind the wheel. It is better to agree on the price of the trip in advance (on average it is 50-100 THB). The most extreme way to get around traffic jams is “mototaxi”: the passenger simply sits behind the motorcycle driver.
Skytrain elevated metro: 20 stations and 2 lines. The fare on the subway depends on the distance or number of stations and ranges from 10 to 40 THB. The gate machine at the exit compares the cost of the trip with the cost of the ticket. If the second is insufficient, a siren sounds and the passenger has to buy an additional ticket. Since 2004, an underground metro has also been operating in Bangkok.
Waterbuses run along the Chao Phraya River on regular routes within the city and are of two types: regular (stops at all points) and express trains. The cost is 10 THB.
A sensitive drawback of tuk-tuk rickshaws is the lack of air conditioning. Passengers have to breathe Bangkok smog.

Transport rental

In short: better not. Traffic in the country is left-handed and very dense, completely unsuitable for a foreigner. Frequent traffic jams. It is almost impossible to move independently on a rented transport, without special training, and even dangerous.
If a brave tourist still decides to use the rental services, it is better for him to choose a car at the representative offices of reputable rental offices, such as Avis, Hertz or Budget. An international driver’s license and a credit card are required for rental. To rent a minibus (minivan) you need a license with a permit to drive large vehicles.
When renting a car in Thailand, you always need to make sure that you have insurance: in most cases, despite the assurances of sellers, it is not available.
Car parking is only allowed in hotel parking lots.
To rent a motorcycle, you need a driver’s license. For riding a motorcycle without a helmet – a fine of 250 THB.

Shopping

In large department stores and shops – fixed prices, in all other cases, you can safely bargain. The largest market in Bangkok is Chatuchak Sunday Market, which operates on Saturdays and Sundays in the park of the same name.
When buying expensive goods in a large department store, it makes sense to fill out a tax refund card (for this you need to have an air ticket and passport with you). Then, upon departure from Bangkok airport, it will be possible to return 7% of the value added tax.

Excursions

The approximate cost of the main excursions in Bangkok: the Royal Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha ~ 40 USD; tour of the temples and the city ~40 USD; cultural center “Garden of Roses” ~20 USD, crocodile farm in Samut Prakan ~20 USD; floating market in Bangkok ~20 USD; lunch cruise on the Chao Phaya River ~40 USD; zoo Safari World ~40 USD; Dream World ~40 USD.
If the tour is ordered not in a group, but individually, its price is doubled.

Entertainment

Their choice is huge – from traditional Thai dances to cocktail bars, karaoke and discos, equipped with the latest technology. Bangkok has a huge number of restaurants, from small street restaurants to the most stylish and expensive ones. There are several floating restaurants where you can combine a delicious dinner with a river cruise.
Details
Go-go bars. There are many go-go bars in Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket. These are clubs with a towering dance floor, on which, periodically replacing each other, several girls dance near the pole, the main clothing of which is a narrow strip of fabric on the hips. A bored tourist who wants to spend time in the company of one of the local beauties has the opportunity, slowly, drinking beer, to choose one of the girls who rise to the podium every half hour. After the dance, they go down to the hall, and the guests of the establishment get the opportunity to chat with the girl they like and work out joint plans for the evening.
Under the country’s new legislation, nightclubs close at one in the morning, and clubs in hotels close at two in the morning.