Bangkok - Bangkok

Bangkok er en enorm by med flere distrikt artikler, der indeholder information om specifikke seværdigheder, restauranter og indkvartering.

Bangkok (Thai: กรุงเทพฯ Krung Thep) er hovedstaden og den største by i Thailand og med en befolkning på over elleve millioner indbyggere, langt den største by. Dens højhuse, kraftig trafikbelastning, intens varme og uartigt natteliv giver dig ikke straks en varm velkomst - men lad ikke dit første indtryk vildlede dig. Det er en af ​​Asiens mest kosmopolitiske byer med storslåede templer og paladser, autentiske kanaler, travle markeder og et pulserende natteliv, der har noget for enhver smag.

I årevis var det kun et lille handelssted ved bredden af ​​Chao Phraya-floden, indtil kong Rama I, den første monark i det nuværende Chakri-dynasti, forvandlede det til hovedstaden i Siam i 1782 efter afbrændingen af Ayutthaya af burmesiske angribere. Siden da er Bangkok blevet et nationalt skattehus og fungerer som Thailands åndelige, kulturelle, politiske, kommercielle, uddannelsesmæssige og diplomatiske centrum.

Distrikter

Bangkok er en enorm og moderne by, der brummer med natteliv og glød. Administrativt er den opdelt i 50 distrikter (เขต khet), som yderligere er opdelt i 180 underdistrikter (แขวง khwaeng), men disse bruges oftere i officiel virksomhed og til adresser. Besøgende finder den konceptuelle opdeling nedenfor af hovedområderne mere nyttige til at komme rundt.

Rundt Bangkok er provinserne Nakhon Pathom mod vest, Nonthaburi mod nordvest, Pathum Thani mod nord, Chachoengsao mod øst, Samut Prakan mod sydøst og Samut Sakhon mod sydvest.

Forstå

Lige under 14 grader nord for ækvator er Bangkok en tropisk metropol, der også er en af ​​de mest rejsevenlige byer i Asien. Et rasende sanseangreb, besøgende bliver straks konfronteret med varmen, forurening, ubehagelige lugte og det uimodståelige smil, som mange thailændere bærer. På trods af de sensationelle internationale nyhedsrapporter og første indtryk er byen overraskende sikker (undtagen små forbrydelser) og mere organiseret end det oprindeligt ser ud til og er fuld af skjulte perler venter på at blive opdaget. Den høje relative fugtighed og den varme temperatur favoriserer væksten af ​​tropiske planter - du finder eksotiske orkideer og lækker frugt overalt. Bougainvillea og frangipani blomstrer næsten overalt i byen. Det thailandske køkken er med rette berømt, varieret og overkommeligt. Bangkok repræsenterer for mange den vigtige asiatiske hovedstad. Safran-klædte munke, skarpe neonskilte, yndefuld thailandsk arkitektur, krydrede retter, farverige markeder, trafikpropper og det tropiske klima kommer sammen i en lykkelig sammenfald. Det er svært at forlade med kun lunkne indtryk af byen.

Historie

"Bangkok" var oprindeligt en lille landsby på den vestlige bred af Chao Phraya-floden. Efter faldet af Ayutthaya i slutningen af ​​det 18. århundrede forvandlede kong Taksin den Store landsbyen til Siams nye hovedstad og omdøbte den Thonburi. I 1782 flyttede kong Rama I hovedstaden til den østlige bred af floden kl Rattanakosin; oprindeligt stedet for et kinesisk samfund, der blev flyttet uden for de nye bymure til Yaowarat. Kong Rama I navngav byen Krung Thep, som det nu er kendt for thailændere, og som på engelsk oversættes som "City of Angels".

Det fulde navn "Krung thep mahanakhon amorn ratanakosin mahintharayutthaya mahadilok popnoparat ratchathani burirom udomratchanivetmahasathan amornpiman avatarnsathit sakkathattiyavisnukarmprasit" (กรุงเทพมหานคร อมร รัตนโกสินทร์ ม หิน ท รา ยุ ธ ยา ดิลก ภพ นพรัตน์ราชธานี บุรี รมย์ อุดม นิเวศน์ มหา สถาน อมร พิมาน อวตาร สถิต สักกะ ทัต ติ วิษณุกรรม วิษณุกรรม ประสิทธิ์) er opført som verdens længste placeringsnavn af Guinness Book of Records; en engelsk gengivelse lyder således: ”Englenes by, den store by, Emerald Buddhas bopæl, den uigennemtrængelige by Ayutthaya af Gud Indra, verdens hovedstad med ni dyrebare ædelstene, den lykkelige by, der bugner i et enormt kongeligt palads, der ligner den himmelske bolig, hvor regerer den reinkarnerede gud, en by givet af Indra og bygget af Vishnukarn ". Udlændinge blev aldrig fanget af forandringen, så på fremmede sprog Krung Thep arvede navnet Bangkok, som blev dets formelle engelske navn. For thailændere henviser navnet Bangkok til den tidligere landsby på vest Bank af Chao Phraya, som blev indarbejdet i Bangkok i 1971.

Livet foregik på vandet; almindelige mennesker boede på bambusflåder langs floden, mens flydende sælgere vandrede rundt i vandet for at sælge frugt og grøntsager. De eneste stenstrukturer bygget på land var templer og paladser. I det 19. århundrede indarbejdede vestlige magter meget af Sydøstasien i deres koloniale imperier. Kings Rama IV og V følte, at den eneste måde at holde Siam uafhængig på var at modernisere landet efter europæiske linjer. Traditionelle kanaler blev fyldt op og forvandlet til veje. Kong Rama V flyttede kongens bopæl til Dusit og udlagde distriktets store boulevarder efter europæiske linjer.

Bangkok begyndte virkelig at udvikle sig efter Anden Verdenskrig. Det økonomiske centrum skiftede fra den velordnede planlagte by Rattanakosin i østlig retning og efterlod Bangkok uden et indlysende centrum. Bangkok etablerede sig som drivkraften bag Thailands nye rolle som et nyindustrialiserende land fra 1980'erne og fremefter. Hurtig økonomisk vækst har tiltrukket migration fra landskabet, hvor millioner af thailændere er flyttet herfra Isaan og andre regioner for at tjene til livets ophold. Da Thailand er vokset til det vigtigste økonomiske centrum i regionen, har Bangkok i moderne tid også tiltrukket mange vandrende arbejdstagere fra nabolandet Myanmar, Laos og Cambodja.

Denne hurtige ekspansion forvandlede Bangkok til en af ​​de mest kosmopolitiske byer i Asien; men sikrede også adskillige problemer. Der er opstået et stort hul mellem dem, der drager fordel af økonomisk aktivitet, og dem, der kom til byen fra landet på jagt efter arbejde. Bangkoks tilsyneladende uendelige trafikpropper fortsætter, da de nye Skytrain- og MRT-systemer er for dyre for arbejderklassen. At få en pause fra dampene i en park synes at være en god idé, men desværre har Bangkok den laveste mængde grønne områder af alle hovedstæder i verden.

Adresser og navigation

Adresser i Bangkok bruger det thailandske adresseringssystem, som kan være lidt forvirrende for de uindviede. Store veje som Silom eller Sukhumvit er thanon (ถนน), ofte forkortet Th eller blank "Vej", mens sidegaderne, der forgrener sig fra dem, kaldes så jeg (ซอย). Sois er nummereret med lige tal på den ene side og ulige tal på den anden side. Således betyder en adresse som "25 Sukhumvit Soi 3" hus / bygningsnummer 25 på 3. soi af Sukhumvit Road. Mens soi-numrene på hver side altid bevæger sig opad, rykker tallene ofte ikke jævnt mellem siderne - for eksempel kan Soi 55 være på tværs af Soi 36. Mange kendte sois har et ekstra navn, som kan bruges i stedet for nummeret. Sukhumvit Soi 3 er også kendt som "Soi Nana Nuea", så ovenstående adresse kan således også udtrykkes som "25 Soi Nana Nuea". Udvidelsen / x bruges til nye gader oprettet mellem eksisterende gader, som det ses i Sukhumvits soi-mønster 7, 7/1, 7/2, 9, 11. Nogle korte gyder kaldes trok (ตรอก) i stedet for soi.

For at gøre tingene lidt mere komplekse har nogle store sois som Soi Ekkamai (Sukhumvit Soi 63) og Soi Ari (Phahonyothin Soi 7) deres egen sois. I disse tilfælde betyder en adresse som "Ari Soi 3" "den 3. soi fra Soi Ari", og du kan endda få øje på adresser som "68/2 Ekkamai Soi 4, Sukhumvit Road", hvilket betyder "2. hus ved siden af ​​hus 68, i den 4. soi af Ekkamai, som er den 63. soi af Sukhumvit ". I mange sois stiger husnumrene ikke bare, men kan sprede sig rundt.

For yderligere at forvirre turisten, der ikke læser thai, er gengivelserne af thailandske gadenavne i det latinske alfabet ikke ens. Vejen, der løber mod Don Mueang lufthavn fra Victory Monument, kan staves Phahonyothin eller Phahon Yothin eller Pahon Yothin eller Phaholyothin afhængigt af hvilket gadeskilt eller kort du konsulterer. Det er det samme på thailandsk, selvfølgelig, kun romanisering varierer.

Og hvis det ikke er forvirrende nok, har de fleste af de større gader tendens til at skifte navn helt hvert par kilometer. Sukhumvit kaldes Sukhumvit på den ene side af vejvejen (nogenlunde øst), men det bliver Phloen Chit lige før du krydser Witthayu Road (aka Trådløs vej) går mod floden. Fortsæt bare et par gader mere, og det bliver Rama I Road (eller Phra Ram Neung Road) efter du passerer Ratchadamri Road. Men hvis du skulle dreje til højre ad Ratchadamri, finder du på bare et par blokke dig selv på Ratchaprarop Road (forbi Phetchaburi, aka Nyt Phetburi, som kaldes Phitsanulok tættere på floden).

Heldigvis er der logik i disse navneændringer: de fleste af dem er kvarterer. Det ville ikke give mening at kalde vejen Sukhumvit hvis det ikke længere løber gennem Sukhumvit-området, ville det? Således bliver Sukhumvit Phloen Chit hvor den løber gennem Phloen Chit-området. Det er når du er i stand til at forstå byen med hensyn til dens kvarterer, at den både bliver mere navigerbar og mere charmerende. Pratunam og Chatuchak er ligeledes meget mere end blot markeder; de er kvarterer, hver med deres egen særpræg.

Kompasretninger bruges ikke meget af thailændere til at navigere i Bangkok. Således beder om retninger i form af "Er det vestfra herfra?" vil sandsynligvis tjene dig lidt mere end et forvirret blik fra en lokal. Det er bedre for dig at gøre dig fortrolig med kvartererne og navigere til og fra dem. "Hvordan kommer jeg til Thong Lo?" vil få dig der hurtigere end at bede om rutevejledning til Sukhumvit Soi 55.

En undtagelse: Chao Phraya-floden er vartegn i Bangkok, og mange retningsbestemte henvisninger kan nævnes som "mod floden" eller "væk fra floden". Hvis du ikke er for tæt, det vil sige: Da floden snor sig rundt i de mest populære turistområder, er flodhenvisninger tendens til at være mest nyttige, når du vandrer længere væk end Khao San Road, Sanam Luang eller Rattanakosin. Og vandre du burde.

Klima

Ifølge Verdens meteorologiske organisation er Bangkok verdens hotteste by. Bare 14 grader nord for ækvator er Bangkok solrigt på alle tidspunkter af året med temperaturer over 30 ° C (86 ° F).

Det mest behagelige tidspunkt at besøge er cool sæson der varer fra nov-feb. Det er både den fedeste og tørreste periode - Emerald Buddha-statuen i Wat Phra Kaeo bærer endda et tørklæde i denne periode! Men tro ikke, det er nødvendigt - dagtimerne svæver stadig omkring 30 ° C (86 ° F), men det køler ned i de nederste 20'ere, når det bliver mørkt (lavere 70'erne i Fahrenheit), og kan i sjældne tilfælde endda dyppe som ned til 15 ° C. Marts og april repræsenterer varm sæsonog varmt er det - 35 ° C (95 ° F) i gennemsnit, men vær ikke overrasket over at se varmeindeksene stige til 50'erne (ca. 120 ° F). Dette er den værste sæson at besøge Bangkok, så planlæg en masse besøg i indkøbscentret med aircondition og få et hotel med en swimmingpool. Så er der våd sæson der løber fra maj-oktober. Forvent massiv regnvejr, der resulterer i oversvømmelser over hele byen og tider med torden. Det er dog ikke så dårligt - eftermiddagsbygerne er faktisk en behagelig måde at køle ned fra varmen, og mens de måske varer hele dagen, er de som regel forbi inden for en time. Ekstrem nedbør sker i september og oktober, så disse måneder undgås bedst.

Uanset hvilken årstid du besøger, skal du ikke tage vejret let - tempeltrapning i den brændende eftermiddagsol kan være en udfordring, så kom godt forberedt. Klæd let på efter vejret, men husk det nogle paladser og templer (især Grand Palace) har en streng påklædningskode, dvs. at alle skal dække deres torso, ben og overarme fuldt ud. Så shorts, halter-toppe osv. Nægter dig adgang. Ved indgange til nogle store attraktioner kan leverandører leje den nødvendige dækning.

Vær også sikker på dig drik nok væsker! Du har ingen undskyldning for ikke, da 7-Elevens og andre dagligvarebutikker er rigelige i Bangkok og sælger afkølede drikkevarer til så lidt som 10 baht. Lokale får deres vand fra "omvendt osmose" rensede vandmaskiner, der fylder en 1 liters flaske til 1 baht, men mulighederne for besøgende kan variere.

Holde øje

Udenlandske film var populære i Thailand lige fra starten, men i 1920'erne begyndte en lokal filmindustri at dukke op i Bangkok. De mest kritikerroste thailandske film blev produceret i de "tre bølger" i den thailandske filmindustri, 1930'erne, 1950'erne og slutningen af ​​1990'erne / begyndelsen af ​​2000'erne, selvom film, der er lavet før Anden Verdenskrig desværre er gået tabt. Overvejende genrer er action, historiske epos, romantik og homoseksuelle / transseksuelle film, næsten altid sammenflettet med komedieelementer. Følgende iscenesættes (i det mindste delvist) i Bangkok:

• 6ixtynin9 (เรื่อง ตลก 69, Pen-ek Ratanaruang, 1999). Tum, en sekretær, der netop er fyret fra et finansielt selskab under den asiatiske finanskrise, opdager en øjeblikkelig nudelkasse foran hendes dør. De er fyldt med penge, og hun beslutter at beholde dem. De mennesker, der forlod det der, vil dog snart have det tilbage.
• Bangkok farligt (บางกอก แดน เจอ รัส เพชฌฆาต เงียบ อันตราย, The Pang Brothers, 1999). Pang Brothers debut, Bangkok farligt er en stilfuld film om en hitman, der finder kærlighed og indser, hvordan hans handlinger skader gode mennesker.
• Stranden (Danny Boyle, 2000). Richard (spillet af Leonardo DiCaprio) er en ung amerikansk backpacker, der leder efter eventyr. I Khao San Road møder han Daffy, der får ham til at tro, at der findes et strandparadis på en hemmelig ø. Det er en populær film i backpackersamfundet. Udover Bangkok er nogle scener i denne Hollywood-produktion filmet i Ko Phi Phi, en strandø i det sydlige Thailand.
• Citizen Dog (หมา นคร, Wisit Sasanatieng, 2004). En excentrisk, lys, farvestænkt film, der følger Pods liv, når han flytter til Bangkok fra landskabet. Uden et mål i livet bliver Pod forelsket i Jin, en pige der lever for sine drømme. Det giver et legende ironisk portræt af Bangkok, byen, der byder på falske drømme og ægte desillusion.
• Tømmermænd Del II (Todd Phillips, 2011). Amerikansk komediefilm om en gruppe venner ("ulvepakken"), der rejser til Bangkok på en bachelorparty. Mange stereotyper bekræftes, men det er stadig en god latter. De fleste scener i filmen er optaget i Yaowarat, Sukhumvit og Thonburi. Statstårnet i Silom er også med.
• Iron Ladies (สตรี เหล็ก, Youngyooth Thongkonthun, 2000). Denne film følger den sande historie om et volleyballhold til mænd, der næsten udelukkende består af homoseksuelle og transseksuelle spillere. Holdet konkurrerer om de nationale mesterskaber i 1996, og mens publikum elsker dem, bliver de bedømt af andre hold og kampofficerer.
• Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior (องค์ บาก, Prachya Pinkaew, 2003). Kampsportstjerne Tony Jaas gennembrudsfilm og et absolut must-see for dem, der er interesserede i Muay Thai eller kæmper koreografi. Mange steder i Bangkok fremhæves, men tænk ikke Khao San Road er den underjordiske kamphule, som den er portrætteret.

Tale

Hovedsproget i Bangkok er den centrale dialekt af Thai, som adskiller sig noget fra den nordlige dialekt, der tales omkring Chiang Mai. På grund af tilstedeværelsen af ​​et stort antal turister har mange mennesker, der arbejder i serviceindustrien, dog en grundlæggende forståelse af engelsk, ligesom personale på mange af de populære madboder.

Bangkok er også hjemsted for et stort etnisk kinesisk samfund, hvoraf mange er tosprogede i Teochew og Thai.

Hop ind

Med fly

Bangkok betjenes af to lufthavne: Suvarnabhumi lufthavn (BKK ^IATA) og Don Mueang lufthavn (DMK ^IATA). Suvarnabhumi Lufthavnen er den største lufthavn og bruges af alle fuldtidsflyselskaber, men Nok Air, Orient Thai, Air Asia, Scoot og nogle andre lavprisselskaber bruger Don Mueang lufthavn. Begge lufthavne ligger ca. 30 km ud på modsatte sider af byen, så vær forberedt på en lang tur for at komme ind i byens centrum og en endnu længere tur til at overføre mellem dem. En gratis transferbus mellem de to lufthavne er tilgængelig, hvis du kan vise et passende boardingkort. På en god dag tager det cirka en time, men motorvejen er ofte dårligt overbelastet, så tag altid 2-3 timer til denne overførsel. Det er en god ide at have thailandske baht klar til at oprette forbindelse til byen. Gode ​​pengeændringsmuligheder er tilgængelige på BKK-metrostationen.

Suvarnabhumi lufthavn

Hovedartikel: Suvarnabhumi lufthavn

13.6925100.751 Suvarnabhumi lufthavn (สุวรรณภูมิ BKK ^IATA) (30 km øst for Bangkok). Rumalderen Suvarnabhumi lufthavn startede i september 2006 og er nu Bangkoks største lufthavn og en af ​​de travleste lufthavne i Sydøstasien. Det bruges til internationale og indenrigsflyvninger til Bangkok. Der er kun en terminalbygning, der dækker både indenrigs- og internationale flyvninger. det er kæmpe stor, og ved nogle foranstaltninger verdens største, så giv tid til at komme rundt. Der er to indvandringssektioner, men behandlingstiden kan være lang, mindst 30 minutter og på dårlige dage næsten 2 timer.  

På kælderniveauet for passagerterminalen er Airport Rail Link tilbyder hurtig togforbindelse til centrum. Det er også en måde at undgå Bangkoks frygtelige rushtrafik, især når det regner. Togene afgår kl. 06.00 til midnat hver dag. Det City Line er en pendlerbane, der stopper ved alle stationer. Tog kører hver 10.-13. Minut, og efter Makkasan station fortsætter de til Ratchaprarop og Phaya Thai stationer. Turen til Phaya Thai tager 26 minutter fra lufthavnen og koster 45 baht.

Du kan også tage en gratis shuttlebus til lufthavnsterminalen aka Transportation Center for at fange billige bybusser. Disse kan være praktiske, hvis du skal til et forstadsområde som f.eks Rangsit eller Bang Kapi. Siden juni 2017 ekspresbus S1 løber fra terminalbygningen til Khao San Road.

Hvis du har brug for en taxa, almindelig målte taxaer er tilgængelige på første sal (en etage under ankomst). Følg de "offentlige taxa" skilte, der fører til ydersiden af ​​lufthavnens lokaler. Undgå touts i ankomsthallen; de taxier, de forsøger at få dig ind i, er sandsynligvis ulovlige, og risikoen for at blive flået af er meget højere for dem. ATM-stil billetkabiner udleverer nummererede glider, med nummeret, der angiver den bugt, hvor din taxa er parkeret. Du kan vælge mellem en normal taxagod til 2 voksne med bagage og en stor taxa. Hold slip, da det hjælper med at indgive en klage, hvis chaufføren svindler dig. Der er et tillægsgebyr på 50 baht oven på måleren (ikke pr. passager), hvilket betyder at ture til byen koster 250-400 baht (plus mulige motorvejsafgifter på 50 og 25 baht afhængigt af rute). Sørg for, at du har skift klar til overførsel til bompengeoperatørerne for at undgå at blive overopkrævet for vejafgifterne senere. Turen tager cirka 45–60 minutter afhængigt af trafik og destination.

Don Mueang lufthavn

13.9125100.60672 Don Mueang lufthavn (ดอนเมือง DMK ^IATA) (ca. 30 km nord for Sukhumvit). Dette var Bangkoks vigtigste lufthavn indtil 2006. I disse dage henvender lufthavnen sig primært til budgetrederier og håndterer flyvninger forbi Thai Lion Air, Scoot, Nok Air, Orient Thai og Air Asia. Det er lidt sværere at nå DMK end BKK på grund af manglen på direkte jernbaneforbindelse.  

1. Taxa : det offentlig taxaholdeplads er i slutningen af ​​ankomstområdet. Følg skiltene til taxaholdepladsen. (Lad dig ikke narre af alle taxa-kabiner i hovedhallen.) Det samme stand- og slipsystem som i Suvarnabhumi lufthavn bruges her. Hvis køen ved taxaholdepladsen er lang, eller hvis du har brug for en mere rummelig bil, kan du booke en (såkaldt) limousintaxi fra skriveborde i terminalen. Dette giver dig en lidt pænere bil til cirka det dobbelte af prisen (500-600 baht). Der er også en uofficiel taxakø (men til ordentlige taxametre) på hovedvejen lige uden for terminalen. For at komme dertil skal du bruge broen mod jernbanestationen, men gå ned ad den smalle trappe Før at krydse hovedvejen (brug af denne kø kan reducere ventetiden betydeligt og undgå lufthavnstillæg). Ignorer tøj udenfor og gå ikke ind i nogen bil med hvide nummerplader, da disse ikke har licens til at transportere passagerer.
2. Special Bus Skytrain (BTS) : Det A1 lufthavnsbus kører til Sena Nikhom BTS-station. Du kan gå ombord ved afkørsel 6 i Terminal 1 og afkørsel 12 i Terminal 2. Den kører fra lufthavnen 07: 30-24: 00 og til lufthavnen 07: 00-24: 00. 30 baht indsamlet af en steward om bord, når bussen kører. Det tager cirka 20 minutter og bruger Don Muang forhøjede vejbane for at undgå trafikpropper. Bussen kan være meget overfyldt, så sørg for at stå tidligt på linjen. De fleste har Wi-Fi, hvis du har en lokal sim til SMS-registrering. Efter Sena Nikhom fortsætter bussen til Ratchayothin BTS-station og Vibhavadi hospital, inden han vender tilbage til lufthavnen. Hvis du skal til Sejrsmonument område, tager A2 bussen sparer besværet med at skifte til toget (billetpris også 30 baht). En direkte jernbaneforbindelse til lufthavnen er under opførelse, efter at et første forbindelsesprojekt til lufthavnen blev opgivet (søjlerne fra det oprindelige projekt er stadig synlige). Arbejderne skal være afsluttet i 2017-2018.
3. Hurtig bus: Siden maj 2017 A3 bus kører på ruten Don Mueang - Dindaeng - Pratunam- Ratchaprasong - Ratchadamri - Lumphini Parkog A4 bus kører på ruten Don Mueang - Yommarach - Lam Luang - Phan Fa - Demokrati-monument - Khao San - Sanam Luang. Priserne er 50 baht, og busser afhenter passagerer ved dør nr. 6 i terminal 1 og dør nr. 12 i terminal 2 mellem kl. 07:00 og 23:00.
4. Tog: på tværs af en overdækket overvej fra lufthavnen er Don Muang togstation. Billetter til Hualamphong Station i det centrale Bangkok koster 8 baht i billetboden. Mens det at tage toget er den billigste måde at komme fra lufthavnen til Bangkok, er tidsplanerne uregelmæssige, de meget gamle personbiler har ofte tiggere, der strejfer igennem dem og er relativt tomme sent om aftenen. Det er bestemt det mest autentiske middel til at komme til / fra lufthavnen.
5. LimoBus : Denne private busforbindelse har én rute, der betjener Khao San Road og en anden rute, der betjener Silom og Pratunam. Det er billigere end taxa til en solo-rejsende, men betydeligt dyrere end bybusser.
6. Bybus : Der kører også et antal offentlige transportbusser i lufthavnen, følg bare skiltene ud mod togstationen. Busser mod det centrale Bangkok ligger ved lufthavnens side af vejen, så kryds ikke motorvejen. Disse er nyttige buslinjer:
   • Bus med aircondition 504 tager dig til CentralWorld ved Ratchaprasong kryds (tæt på Siam-pladsen) samt til Lumphini Park og Silom, hvorfra du kan få adgang til Skytrain.
   • Almindelig bus med aircondition 29 tager dig til Hualamphong Train Station, der passerer mange steder, herunder Victory Monument og Siam-pladsen. Du kan også gå af på Chatuchak Weekend Market, hvor du kan skifte til metroen eller Skytrain. Nogle gange er det sidste stop Victory Monument (19 baht).
   • Bus med aircondition 59 tager dig til Sanam Luang i Rattanakosin. Denne rute er tidskrævende, da Rattanakosin er langt væk fra lufthavnen.

Husk, at nogle af disse bybusser ikke gennemfører ruten. De kaldes "ekstra bus" (thai: รถ เสริม rådne serm). Denne slags busser har et rødt skilt foran sig med den endelige destination skrevet på (selvfølgelig i thailandsk skrift). Tjek dette inden du tager bussen. Du kan spørge de lokale ved busstoppestedet eller en dirigent på bussen

Med bus

Når du køber billetter til busser ud af Bangkok, er det bedst at springe rejsebureauer og deres private busser over og få billetter til offentlige busser direkte på Bangkoks tre offentlige busterminaler. Disse busser er billigere, sikrere, hurtigere, mere komfortable og svindler dig ikke på en klappet minibus halvvejs undervejs eller til et bedbug-inficeret hotel i slutningen. Hver af disse busterminaler for langdistanceflyvning har en anden retning. De er målrettet placeret uden for centrale placeringer, så langdistancebusser undgår den tunge trafikbelastning i centrum af byen. De er:

• 13.71954100.584013 Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekkamai (เอกมัย)), ☏ 66 2 391-2504. En relativt kompakt terminal lige ved siden af ​​Ekkamai BTS station i Sukhumvit. Ekkamai betjener destinationer i Østlige Thailand, inklusive Pattaya, Rayong, Forbud Phe (til Ko Samet), Chanthaburi og Trat. Hvis du er på vej mod Ko Chang, der er et specifikt udpeget stop for det mellem Chanthaburi og Trat. Du kan også få en bus til den cambodjanske grænseovergang kl Poipet, kig efter bussen til Aranyaprathet og fortæl dem, at du skal til Poipet, når du køber billetten. 
• 13.8123100.54794 Nordlige og nordøstlige busterminal (Mo Chit 2 (หมอชิต 2), ☏ 66 2 9362841 (-3). Den største, travleste og mest moderne terminal, der erstatter den gamle Mo Chit-terminal. Den øverste etage betjener Isaan region i den nordøstlige del af Thailand. Stueetagen tjener Nordlige Thailand, og deler nogle destinationer med Ekkamai (inklusive Pattaya, Rayong, Chanthaburi og Trat). Busterminalen er en rimelig vandretur fra BTS-stationen Mo Chit eller MRT-stationen Chatuchak Park. Motorcykeltaxi kører turen til en fast baht-pris på 50 baht (forhandlinger er meningsløse), mens tuk-tuks opkræver, hvad de har lyst til - når du forhandler, skal du huske, at en rigtig taxa med klimaanlæg vil koste dig omkring 45 baht (forudsat at der er lidt trafik). Du kan også tage Bus 77 og betal den faste baht på 13 baht om bord (denne bus kører også fra terminalen via Victory Monument, Pratunam og Silom Rd). Hvis du har en betydelig mængde bagage, er den nemmeste, om ikke nødvendigvis hurtigste mulighed, at tage en taxa direkte til eller fra busterminalen. 
  • Det er rimeligt nemt at købe billetter i terminalen: Find et vindue med din destination skrevet (med venlige romerske bogstaver), betal billetprisen i store tal i det samme vindue, og du får en billet til den næste tilgængelige afgang. Blå skrift betyder 1. klasse, rød betyder 2. klasse (undgå på længere ture), og billetter til destinationer i Isaan sælges fra tredje sal. Spørg informationsskranken på første sal, hvis du har brug for hjælp, eller nogen af ​​Transport Co.-medarbejderne, der let kan identificeres takket være deres natty hvide skjorter med guldknapper. Derefter skal du bare finde afgangsboden, så er du på vej. Hvis du har tid til at dræbe, er der to ret anstændige madretter med aircondition i begge ender af hovedterminalbygningen plus KFC, Dunkin 'Donuts og mange 7-Eleven-forretninger.
  • Busser med aircondition er tilgængelige direkte fra Bangkok Mo Chit til Siem Reap, Cambodja. Transport Co., det statsejede selskab, der kører busser, tilbyder daglige tjenester til Siem Reap for 750 baht. Afgang hver dag kl. 08.00 og 09.00 i begge retninger.
• 13.78081100.422895 Sydlige busterminal (Sai Tai Mai (สาย ใต้ ใหม่)), Phutthamonthon Sai 1 Rd, Thonburi, ☏ 66 2 894-6122. Betjener alle destinationer vest og syd for Bangkok fra dens noget ubelejlige placering på Thonburi side af floden. Langdistancebusser kører herfra til destinationer overalt Vestlige Thailand (inklusive Nakhon Pathom og Kanchanaburi) og Sydlige Thailand (inklusive Krabi, Phuket, Surat Thani, Ko Samui, Ko Pha Ngan, Hat Yai, og andre). Den nye terminal er en temmelig behagelig lufthavnlignende struktur med klimaanlæg, elektroniske afgangsskærme (på engelsk), et par bankkontorer og fastfood-restauranter. Stueetagen huser hovedsagelig thailandske restauranter udenfor. Første sal har billetsalg og de fleste restauranter. Tredje sal er et lille indkøbscenter og er et godt sted at sprede sig på gulvet, hvis du har en lang ophold. I modsætning til rip-off-operatørerne ved Khao San Road, alle busser herfra er offentlige, velregulerede, billige og rimeligt sikre. Bare køb dine billetter ved det nummererede skrivebord, hvor din destination er anbragt (næsten altid på engelsk). (opdateret januar 2018)
  • At komme til terminalen er lidt hovedpine, da offentlig transport er begrænset. Den nemmeste mulighed er at tage en afmåltaxa, men hvis du skal derhen om aftenen, især på hverdage, skal du være parat til at bekæmpe en alvorlig trafikprop - at komme dertil kan tage 30 minutter eller en hel time fra byens centrum. En taxatur fra Khao San Road skal være omkring 120 baht under gunstige trafikforhold. Ignorer touts - i modsætning til hvad de måske siger, er der virkelig ingen "hurtigere" måde, når alle vejene er overbelastede.
  • From Victory Monument BTS station, the terminal can be reached with pale orange air-conditioned Bus 515 (17 baht). When approached by the conductor, just say "Sai Tai". After quite a ride, the large bus terminal will be on the left side about 9 km (5.5 mi) after crossing the river (you won't miss it and probably will be told as well). Getting there by bus actually does not take much more time than taxi (it's almost the same in the likely case of a traffic jam), but the ride is much cheaper, especially if alone. Bus 556 no longer goes from Suvarnabhumi Airport, but from Makkasan Airport Rail Link (ARL) station. There are also white minibuses (30 baht) from various points around Bangkok, e.g., from Ramkhamhaeng (near Rajamangala National Stadium). There are inexpensive shuttle buses and slightly more expensive (but quicker loading and a bit faster) minibuses to and from the Northeastern Bus Terminal as well.

By minibus

For travelling to Bangkok suburbs or locations within 200 km of the city, the fastest and often the cheapest way is to use public minibus (minivan) services. They run from parking lots beside the 13.7656100.5396 Victory Monument Square (Thai:อนุสาวรีย์ anusawarii) (Use footbridge leading north from BTS Victory Monument exit 2).  . Facing the monument itself are the city bus stops, behind it there is a small market, and behind the market you will find many white-coloured minibuses just parking at the roadside and waiting for passengers. They depart when full, usually each 10–30 min. Fare is usually similar to long-distance buses with the same destination (if there are any). Other way, it could be estimated as 1 baht/km.

Since October 2016 the minibuses to other provinces have been relocated to the three public bus terminals which makes them far less convenient. The city is easing the transition by providing free shuttle buses from Victory Monument Square to the bus terminals. The shuttles to Southern Bus Terminal, and Northern and Northeastern Bus Terminal depart from the northwestern quadrant of the square. It is unclear how long these free shuttles will remain in place.

Destinations are written on the front and the side of the minibuses in Thai, so you should ask drivers or ticket sellers about your destination. Minivans are usually the fastest way of transportation because they take elevated expressways right from Victory Monument, thus avoiding traffic jams. Another advantage is that they start from the city centre of Bangkok and usually arrive at the city centre of their destination. Normal long distance buses sometimes stop further away from the city centre. Minibus drivers are infamous for unsafe driving and deadly accidents. A disadvantage of minibuses is that leg room is limited, and might be not comfortable for tall people. If you have bulky baggage you either keep it on your lap or buy a seat for it.

Some useful destinations within the city: Min Buri (around 30 baht, for Siam Park), Nava Nakorn (50 baht, for Don Mueang Airport or to get out along hwy 1 for hitching to the north/northeast), Phra Ram 2 (to the highway, for hitching to southern Thailand), Suvarnabhumi Airport (40 baht).

Some destinations served from Eastern Bus Terminal: Pattaya (130 baht), Ban Phe (for Ko Samet), Rayong, Chanthaburi.

Some destinations served from Northern and Northeastern Bus Terminal: Ayutthaya (around 70 baht), Lopburi.

Some destinations served from Southern Bus Terminal: Samut Songkhram, Samut Sakhon, Kanchanaburi, Phetchaburi, Hua Hin.

Med tog

Railways converge on Bangkok from all parts of Thailand: from Chiang Mai in the north, Nong Khai on the Laos border, Ubon Ratchathani to the east, Aranyaprathet on the Cambodia border, Sattahip on the coast to the south, Nam Tok to the west, and Padang Besar on the Malaysia border down the peninsula to the south. Trains are run by Thailands statsjernbane. See also "Get in" pages for towns along those routes, and Thailand#Get around.

The luxurious Belmond Eastern & Oriental Express also occasionally runs between Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur og Singapore, with prices starting at US$7500. Two runs are scheduled for late 2021.

Three high speed railways to Bangkok are being developed from Kunming in China: an eastern line via Vietnam, a central line via Laos, and a western line via Myanmar. As of 2021, when these were originally supposed to be nearly finished, work on all three has long stalled and completion is not remotely in sight.

13.7389100.51677 Hua Lamphong Station is the city's principal and terminus station until Bang Sue is fully open, see below. It's central, near Yaowarat and has its own metro station. It's a charming old building of 1916, yet surprisingly efficient and convenient. On timetables it's usually called Krung Thep.

Tickets for trains leaving the same or the next day can be bought at the counters under the big screens. The advance booking office is to the right of the platforms as you walk towards them and is well-organised. You can select your seat/berth from a plan of the train, and payments by credit card are accepted. The information desk is helpful, pay no regard at all to anyone else, even if they are wearing official-looking badges. Likewise, the second floor shops offering "Tourist Information" are just touts. The taxi pick up and drop off point is to the left of the platforms as you walk towards them, and is generally chaotic at busy periods. The left luggage facility is at the opposite end of the concourse, on the far right as you walk away from the platforms.

13.804100.5428 Bang Sue Station will become the terminus for inter-city trains, perhaps from Nov 2021; it's not yet known which local and regional services will also switch. You might change here for the Metro, but the place remains a work in progress. It's also connected by Bus 52 to Mo Chit, for the long distance bus terminal.

13.7606100.47899 Thonburi Train Station (ธนบุรี formerly the Bangkok Noi Station) (On the west side of the river in Thonburi). The terminus for twice-daily trains to Kanchanaburi (via Nakhon Pathom). Just to keep things confusing, the previous Thonburi Train Station right next to the river (accessible by the Chao Phraya Express Boat pier Jernbanestation) is now mothballed and turned into a museum, but it's only 800 m away from the new station. The weekend-only second class air conditioned tourist trains to Kanchanaburi and Nam Tok depart from Hualamphong Train Station.  

13.7243100.49110 Wongwian Yai Train Station (วงเวียนใหญ่) (About 800 m from the Skytrain station of the same name. To get there, take a metered taxi for 35-50 baht, or walk (using a map)). Serves the rustic Mae Klong commuter line to the fishing village of Maha Chai. Trains run roughly hourly and the trip takes about one hour. The ride is of little interest if you want to get there fast, but is an experience for rail fans and an attraction in itself, with a nice view on the countryside's orchards, vegetable plantations and coconut groves. Maha Chai is a nice seafood destination, and if you feel like it, you can cross the Tha Chin river by ferry and continue by rail to Samut Songkhram.  

By ship

Not many people come to Bangkok by cruise ship. Medium to large ships must dock at 13.0703100.894611 Laem Chabang Port.  about 90 min (varies considerably in rush hours) southeast of Bangkok and about 30 min north of Pattaya. A taxi service desk is available on the wharf, but charges extortionate prices for a trip to Bangkok, a whopping 2,600 baht to charter a taxi (4 passengers), or about 5,000 baht to charter a minibus (usually 11 passenger seats). Slightly lower prices can be found by walking out to the main road, about 4,000 baht for a minibus, but even these rates are still almost double the typical rate in the opposite direction. Better deals may be possible for round trips (even if returning the following day).

If you can easily get to and from the following bus terminals...

• Frequent first and second class bus services directly connect Laem Chabang with Bangkok's Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekkamai); less frequent direct services run to the Northeastern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit). A first class air conditioned bus (blue and white) to either will take 90 min or less; the fare is around 100 baht. A quick way to get into Sukhumvit is to get a Ekkamai-bound bus and then disembark early at On Nut, where you can hop onto the Skytrain. The bus will always stop here if a passenger requests it.
• Southbound buses to Pattaya can be boarded at the traffic lights on Sukhumvit Road in Laem Chabang. These are extremely frequent (at least 10 per hour), and charge less than 50 baht.

Smaller ships may dock well upriver at 13.703736100.57544712 Khlong Toei (Bangkok Cruise Port).   close to the city's center. Reaching major hotels and the many major points of interest is cheaper and much quicker than from Laem Chabang. A modest terminal provides processing for passengers. You'll also find "managers" inside who arrange tours and taxis. Costs can vary widely according to your negotiating skills or if you have the option of using a ship's shuttle other locations. The facility is within an active freight port. (Its entrance is not close to the metro stop of the same name.) The distance to the very-active port entrance from the terminal (about a kilometer) and heavy traffic in-between mean pedestrians are not allowed. Thus, options to get to/from the terminal are metered taxi and ship's bus/shuttle if offered.

Med bil

Getting into Bangkok by car is not a good idea, as you can easily waste half a day waiting in traffic just to get to the other side of the city. Three major highways lead to Bangkok from every direction in Thailand. The best way to get to Bangkok from Northern Thailand is via Phahonyothin Road (Rte 1), which comes from Mae Sai near the Myanmar border. Sukhumvit Road (Rte 3) comes from cities in Østlige Thailand, såsom Trat, Pattayaog Chonburi. Phetkasem Road (Rte 4), one of the longest roads in the world, extends all the way to the Malaysian border, serving Sydlige Thailand.

To ease congestion on these highways, a new system of motorways has emerged which will be extended in the future. Det New Bangkok-Chonburi Motorway (Motorway 7) connects Chonburi og Pattaya. Det Kanchanaphisek National Highway (Motorway 9 or "Outer Ring Road") makes a giant loop around Bangkok serving most satellite towns around it such as Nonthaburi og Samut Prakan.

Komme omkring

Bangkok is infamous for its congestion, but these days there are ways around it: hop on the Skytrain (BTS) and Metro (MRT) in the city centre, or use boats to navigate the city's rivers and canals. Although too expensive for the average working class Thai, the Skytrain and MRT are reasonably priced by Western standards.

Transit Bangkok will make using public transport easier by choosing the best combination of buses, MRT, BTS to get to your destination.

By public transit

The backbone of Bangkok's public transportation system is three separate rail systems; det BTS Skytrain, det MRT, og Airport Rail Link. Although transfers between different systems are fairly straightforward, their fare systems are not integrated and completely separate from each other, meaning that you will have to buy separate tickets for each leg of your journey. There is also no integrated stored value card that can be used for all three systems, so you will have a buy separate cards for each system you wish to use. That said, an integrated stored value card for all three systems, known as the Mangmoom Card, is planned, though its rollout has been subject to repeated delays. Different names are used by the different systems for the interchange stations. For instance, the interchange station known as Sukhumvit in the MRT system is known as Asok in the BTS system.

The rail network is complemented by the Chao Phraya Express Boat running on the Chao Phraya River, as well as a system of buses. None of these make use of a stored value card system, and fare payment is only accepted in cash.

Skytrain

Det 13.802583100.55383313 Bangkok Skytrain (BTS) (รถไฟฟ้าบีทีเอส) deserves a visit simply for the Disneyland space-ageness of it. Built in a desperate effort to ease Bangkok's insane traffic and pollution, the Skytrain covers most of the main areas of the city and is especially convenient for visiting Siam Square. There are two lines: the light green Sukhumvit Line travels along Sukhumvit Road, Siam Square and then follows Phahonyothin Road up north, where it passes Mo Chit (N8), near the Chatuchak Weekend Market, before terminating at Wat Phra Sri Mahathat (N17). In April 2017 the eastbound section crossed the border to Samut Prakan hvornår Samrong (E15) station opened. The dark green Silom Line starts in Petchkasem Road (Bang Wa station, S12), passes the Express Boat pier at Saphan Taksin (S6), goes through the Silom area and ends at Nationalstadion (W1), right next to MBK Center. Both lines come together at Siam (CEN), where you can interchange between them. Unfortunately, there is no station near Khao San Road, but you can take the Express Boat from Phra Arthit Pier to Sathorn Pier, where you can switch onto the Skytrain. (opdateret jul 2020)

You must have 5 or 10 baht coins to purchase Skytrain tickets from vending machines, so hold on to them. At some stations there are touchscreen machines that accept 20, 50 and 100 baht notes, but there is often a queue to use them. Fares range from 15 to 55 baht depending upon how many zones you are travelling. Consult the map (in English) near each ticket machine. If you do not have coins, queue for change from the staff at the booth. If you are in town for several days (or will make several visits during the next 30 days), weigh your options and consider:

• Rabbit card: a rechargeable stored-value card (from 100 baht, plus a 100 baht non-refundable card cost). Bring your passport when purchasing. The Rabbit card can also be used to make payments in some supermarkets,
• a "ride all you like" tourist pass (140 baht per day) or
• a multiple ride pass of 20 trips or more to any zone (15 trips cost 345 baht, 25 trips cost 550 baht; plus a 30 baht refundable deposit for a rechargeable card that is valid for 5 years).

They will certainly save you time, scrambling for coins, and maybe even money. Check for information with the English speaking staff.

The trains do not run all night. The last departures from termini are 00:00-00:24, and first trains start at 05:15-05:30.

Metro

Det Metropolitan Rapid Transit (MRT) (รถไฟฟ้ามหานคร). has two lines but is being extended with construction messing up traffic in some areas. The service started as a metro (subway) train but parts of the network run now on elevated track so the label Skytrain for the BTS is becoming confusing when the Airport Rail Link also uses similar construction.  

Det  Blå  line runs in a circle from Lak Song to Tha Phra through Thonburi, Yaowarat, Silom, Sukhumvit, Ratchadaphisek and areas around Chatuchak Weekend Market in Phahonyothin. There are interchanges to the Skytrain at Bang Wa, Si Lom, Sukhumvit og Chatuchak Park stations. Det Purple Line forbinder Tao Poon market west of Bang Sue Train Station to points west in Nonthaburi way across Chao Phraya River.

Metro tickets are not interchangeable with BTS tickets. Fares range from 16 to 42 baht and are based on number of stations. The ticket vending machines accept coins and banknotes. Pre-paid cards of up to 1,000 baht are also available. For single ride fares, a round plastic token is used. It is electronic: simply wave it by the scanner to enter; deposit it in a slot by the exit gate leave. Children and elderly are issued tickets at half price but you must go to the ticketing counter.

The metro stations have escalators going all the way up and down in addition to lifts so the metro is easier than the Skytrain for people with reduced mobility or heavy baggage. Bag-checks take place at the entrance of each station. It is usually nothing more than a quick peek inside; it is a piece of pointless security theatre which will not stop any serious bomber.

Tourists do not use the MRT as much as the Skytrain, but there are several useful stops on the Blue Line. Sanam Chai station is near Wat Pho and the Grand Palace in Rattanakosin. Wat Mangkon provides a good access to Yaowarat. Si Lom og Lumphini are at either end of Lumphini Park. Phetchaburi station provides an interchange with the Saen Saep Express Boat at Asok pier and with Airport Rail Link at Makkasan station. Phra Ram 9 is near Fortunetown IT mall which locals consider better than Pantip Plaza. Thailand Cultural Centre is also near Rot Fai Ratchada night market and Siam Niramit show. Lat Phrao is near Suan Lum Night Bazaar. If you're going to the Chatuchak Weekend Market, don't get out at Chatuchak Park, but go one stop further to Kamphaeng Phet as it drops you right inside the market.

Det  Lilla  line is opening new areas for tourists. For example, the off-beat Siam Gypsy Junction near Tao Poon station is now much easier to access as a place where you can drink until sunrise.

Thailand's main railway connecting Bangkok to the north and northeast provinces intersects the MRT at two points: Bang Sue and Hualamphong. Those staying at Khao San Road or in the Silom or Yaowarat areas can disembark at Hualamphong for easy access to these places. However, due to the many level crossings disembarking at Bang Sue and catching the metro will take you faster even to Hualamphong although it will cost a bit more. If you are heading from the train to Suvarnabhumi airport, disembark at Bang Sue, ride the metro to Phetchaburi and switch to Airport Rail Link at Makkasan.

Metro trains run 06:00-24:00.

Airport Rail Link

Opened in 2010 the Airport Rail Link (รถไฟฟ้า เชื่อม ท่าอากาศยาน สุวรรณภูมิ). forbinder Suvarnabhumi lufthavn to the city. Kun den City Line remains although the service started with a more expensive and faster Express Line. Also the City Air Terminal at Makkasan station has been dismantled due to lack of use.  

Det  ARL  line (Airport Rail Link, city line) starts at Suvarnabhumi Airport and terminates at Phaya Thai, with some interesting stops in between (such as Ramkhamhaeng, Makkasan for the metro line and Ratchaprarop til Pratunam). A ticket costs 15-45 baht, depending on distance. Tickets are available from ticketing counters and vending machines accepting coins and banknotes. Trains run 06:00-00:00 on weekdays at 10-11 min intervals and otherwise at 12-13 min intervals. The ride from Suvarnabhumi to Phaya Thai takes about half an hour.

 ARL  is now clearly a commuter train line which makes for busy trains but it is still useful for tourists. Tickets are cheap and there are up and down escalators in addition to lifts if you have baggage. If you board the train at Phaya Thai or Suvarnabhumi you most probably find a seat and space for your bags although the train cars have no luggage racks. At Makkasan station you can roll your bags along a roofed footbridge to Phetchaburi MRT station. At Phaya Thai station most passengers walk forward to the staircases. You need to turn back to the direction from which the train arrived for the lifts going down from the tracks. The lifts may be awfully busy but you will find escalators if you walk further. Once you exit through the ticket gates you can use a footbridge to the Phaya Thai BTS station.

Med båd

Chao Phraya Express Boat

A ride on the Chao Phraya River should be high on any tourist's agenda. The cheapest and most popular option is the Chao Phraya Express Boat. , basically an aquatic bus cruising up and down the river.   The basic service goes from Wat Rajsingkorn (S4) all the way north to Nonthaburi (N30), with stops at most of Rattanakosin's major attractions including the Grand Palace (at Tha Chang) and Wat Pho (at Tha Tien). The closest pier to Khao San Road er Phra Arthit. Enter the express boat at the numerous piers and pay the conductor for the trip. She will approach you bearing a long metal ticket dispenser. At some bigger piers you can buy the ticket before boarding. When the metal cylinder lady approaches you, just show her the ticket you bought on the pier.

The different boat lines are indicated by the colours of the flags at the top of the boat. These flags can be confusing; don't think the yellow king's flag corresponds to the yellow line flag! Det orange flag line (14 baht, every day 06:00-19:00) is your best bet, as it covers the major tourist areas and is fairly quick. However, it does not stop at every pier unlike the basic "no flag" line (8, 10 or 12 baht) which is fairly slow and runs only during rush hours (M-F 06:45-07:30 and M-F 16:00-16:30). It is better to avoid the faster yellow flag line (19 or 29 baht, M-F 06:15-08:10 and M-F 15:30-18:05) since it skips many popular attractions including Khao San Road, the Grand Palace and Wat Pho. The green flag line (10, 12, 19 or 31 baht, M-F 06:10-08:10 and M-F 16:05-18:05) skips many piers but its Pakkred terminus is the closest pier to Ko Kret if you want to spend a weekday there.

In addition to the workaday express boats, there is a blue flagged Tourist Boat which stops at a small subset of piers, offers commentary in English and charges a flat 150 baht for a day pass. Single ride tickets are 40 baht. The boats are slightly more comfortable and may be worth considering if you want to cruise up and down the most important tourist sights. They only operate once per 30 min and stop running by 15:00. Be careful as staff may tell that the (cheaper) orange flag regular boat is not coming for quite a while (as they are aggressively touting for business), but sometimes this is not the truth. If you want the tourist experience with guide and (very) loud speaker commentary, often unintelligible, then this is the one for you. However, be aware that you are fully entitled to enter the public piers (the ones with the blue lettering on white background with pier numbers on them) and take whichever express boat you want since no ticket is needed before boarding.

The signposting of the piers is quite clear, with numbered piers and English route maps. Sathorn (Taksin) pier has been dubbed "Central" station, as it offers an quick interchange to Saphan Taksin BTS Station. The boats run every 5–20 min from sunrise to sunset (roughly from 06:00-19:00), so ignore any river taxi touts who try to convince you otherwise.

Many piers are also served by cross-river ferries. These are particularly useful for reaching Wat Arun or the many piers at the Thonburi side of the river. Cross-river ferries run around every 10 min and only cost 3.5 baht. Pay at the kiosk on the pier and then walk through the turnstile.

Saen Saep Express Boat

Det Saen Saep Express Boat. serves the long Saen Saep Canal, one of the remaining canals (khlong) that used to flow through Bangkok. Mostly used by locals to commute to work, the service is cheap and you get to see the "backside" of the neighbourhoods, so to speak. Also, It is immune to Bangkok's notorious traffic jams. The total distance is 18 km (11 mi), and the service operates from 05:30-20:30.  

They are comparatively safe — just watch your step when boarding and disembarking as they don't stop at the pier for long and do not let the dirty water get into your eyes. To prevent splashes, the boats are equipped with little curtains that you can raise by pulling on a string, but they have to be lowered at every stop so people can clamber on board. Pay the fare (14-22 baht) to the fearless helmet-wearing ticket collectors who clamber around on the outside of the boat, ducking at bridges, as it barrels down the canal. Press the green 'bell' button if you want to get off at the next pier, else the boat might just skip it. The piers now even have (tiny) signs in English, with the exception of The Mall Bangkapi pier, and it's not obvious that you're at the mall from the canal boat!

The canal runs parallel to Phetchaburi Road, and provides the easiest access from the Golden Mount in Rattanakosin (and nearby Khao San Road) til Siam Square og Pratunam. This line is aptly called the Golden Mount Line and runs from Panfa Leelard pier to Pratunam pier. If you want to continue your journey beyond Pratunam, passengers have to change boats there. Det NIDA Line starts at Pratunam and heads east to Sukhumvit og Ramkhamhaeng. Hold on to your ticket.

River taxi

For trips outside set routes, you can hire a long-tail river taxi at any major pier. These are fairly expensive and will attempt to charge as much as 500 baht/hr, but with some haggling they may be suitable for small groups. To circumvent the mafia-like touts who attempt to get a large cut for every ride, agree for the price of the shortest possible ride (30 min), then negotiate directly with the captain when on board.

Med taxa

Metered taxi

Metered taxis are a quick and comfortable way to get around town, at least if the traffic is flowing your way, but be warned that Bangkok taxi drivers are notorious for finding ways to run up the fare; insist that the meter is used, and if the driver claims that your destination is closed, if your destination is unknown, or if you're being taken elsewhere, just get out of the taxi. All taxis are now metered and air-conditioned: the hailing fee is 35 baht and most trips within the city cost less than 100 baht. There are no surcharges (except from the airport), even at night; don't believe drivers who try to tell you otherwise. A red sign on the front window, if lit, means that the taxi is available.

When the meter is switched on you will see a red '35' somewhere on the dashboard or between the driver and you. Be sure to check for this at the start of the ride, as many drivers will "forget" to start the meter in order to overcharge you at the end of your trip. Most will start the meter when asked politely to do so (meter na khrap if you're male and meter na kha if you're female); if the driver refuses to use the meter after a couple of attempts, simply exit the taxi.

In some cases, late at night and especially near major tourist districts like Khao San or Patpong, you will need to walk a block away to catch an honest driver. The effort can save you as much as 150 baht. This is often also the case for taxis that park all day in front of your hotel. There are only two reasons that they are there: to take you places where they can get their commissions (jewellery stores, tailors, massage parlours, etc.) and to overcharge you by not using the meter.

Your best bet is to walk to the road and catch an unoccupied metered taxi in motion (easier than it sounds, as Bangkok traffic tends to crawl the majority of the time, and one car out of four is a taxi), or go to a taxi stand where you see many locals queueing. Avoid taxis parked outside hotels or major tourist attractions, and if a taxi driver refuses to turn the meter on, simply close the door and find one who will. Keep in mind that it is illegal for them to have unmetered fares. Alternatively, you can also call a taxi using a ride sharing app like Tag fat, though you will be charged a booking fee for the service. Be smart and give your money to honest drivers, not cheats and touts. The only reason why they get away with this so frequently is that foreign tourists let them.

Be sure to either know the correct pronunciation of your destination, or have it written in Thai, as taxi drivers in Bangkok are notoriously bad at reading maps, and most drivers speak limited English. Most hotels and guest houses will happily write out addresses in Thai for you. While most drivers will recognise the names of tourist hot spots, even if grossly mispronounced, but it is often difficult to properly pronounce addresses in Thai. If your mobile phone works in Thailand, it is sometimes useful to call your hotel and ask the staff to speak to your driver in Thai. In addition, try to get your hotel's business card to show the taxi driver in case you get lost.

If you are pinching pennies or fussy about your means of transportation, you may wish to avoid getting into one of the (very common) yellow-green taxis. They are owner-operated and of highly variable quality and occasionally have rigged meters. All other colours belong to large taxi companies, which usually enforce their standards better.

On some routes, the driver will ask if the tollway should be used — this will usually save a lot of time. You have to pay the cost at the toll booth (not in advance and not at the end of the journey). Watch how much the driver really pays, as many try to keep the change.

When getting out, try to have small bills (100 baht or less) or expect problems with change. Tips are not necessary, but are certainly welcome if you're happy about the service; most local passengers will round up or leave any coin change as tip.

Tuk-tuk

What would Bangkok be without the much-loathed, much-loved tuk-tuks? You'll know them when you hear them, and you'll hate them when you smell them — these three-wheeled contraptions blaze around Bangkok leaving a black cloud of smog in their wake. For anything more than a 5-10 min jaunt or just the experience, they really are not worth the price — and, if you let them get away with it, the price will usually be 4 or 5 times what it should be anyway (which, for Thais, is around 30% less than the equivalent metered taxi fare).

On the other hand, you can sometimes ride for free if you agree to visit touristy clothing or jewellery shops (which give the tuk-tuk driver fuel coupons and commissions for bringing customers). The shops' salespeople are pushy, and try to scam you with bad quality suits or "gems" that in fact are worthless pieces of cut glass. But usually you are free to leave after 5-10 min of browsing. Visitors should beware though, sometimes one stop can turn in to three, and tuk-tuk drivers may not be interested in taking you where you need to go once they have their fuel coupons. Also, with Bangkok's densely congested traffic it is sure to waste hours of your time, if not the whole day.

If you still want to try the tuk-tuk, always hail a moving tuk-tuk from the main road. At tourist spots, these tuk-tuk drivers lie in waiting to disrupt your travels plans. Altid agree on a price before entering the tuk-tuk. Also be crystal clear about your intended destination. If they claim that your intended destination is closed for the day, and offer to take you to other nearby tourist spots, insist on your destination or get out. If you're an all-male party, tuk-tuk drivers sometimes will just ignore your destination completely and start driving you to some brothel ("beautiful girls"). Insist continually and forcefully on going only to your destination; or take a metered taxi instead.

EN songthaew is a less-heralded, less-colourful and less-touristy version of the tuk-tuk that usually serves the back sois in residential neighbourhoods. They usually have four wheels instead of three, two benches instead of one, run on petrol instead of LPG and resemble a tiny truck. The maids and locals tend to use them to return home from the market with loads of groceries, or for quick trips if they're available. The price is not negotiable. Most songthaews cost 5 baht, although a few that go a very long distance charge 7 baht. Be careful though, as the destinations are written in Thai, not English. You pay the fare either before departure or after you get off. If the latter, simply walk up to the passenger side of the truck and pay the driver who will stick his/her hand out to receive your money. Change will be given, but try to have the 5 baht coin ready.

Motorbike taxi

When traffic slows to a crawl and there are no mass-transit alternatives for your destination, by far the fastest mode of transport is a motorbike taxi (มอเตอร์ไซค์รับจ้าง motosai lapjang). They typically wear colourful fluorescent yellow-orange vests and wait for passengers at busy places. Prices should be agreed in advance.

For the adrenaline junkie, a wild motosai ride can provide a fantastic rush. Imagine weaving through rows of stopped vehicles at 50 km/h (30 mi/h) with mere centimetres to spare on each side, dodging pedestrians, other motorbikes, tuk-tuks, stray dogs and the occasional elephant while the driver blithely ignores all traffic laws and even some laws of physics. Now do the same while facing backwards on the bike and balancing a large television on your lap, and then you can qualify as a local — though you might die in the process. Imagine your loved ones arranging to ship your dead body home from Bangkok because you took a dangerous risk you were warned not to. Motorcycle accidents are brutally common, and transportation of this sort is inherently hazardous. Be aware of the risk before using motorcycle taxis.

The overwhelming majority of motorcycle taxis do not travel long distances, but simply shuttle up and down long sois (side-streets) not serviced by other transport for a fixed 5-20 baht fare. These are marginally less dangerous, especially if travel with the flow on a one-way street.

The law requires that both driver and passenger must wear a helmet. It is the driver's responsibility to provide you with one, so if you are stopped by police, any fine is also the driver's responsibility. However the provision of helmets is far from universal. A helmet should be provided when hiring a motorbike or moped, and two if there are two of you. When riding, keep a firm grasp on the seat handle and watch out for your knees.

Med bus

Lokale busser, operated by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (องค์การขนส่งมวลชนกรุงเทพ).   aka BMTA (ขสมก), are the cheapest but also the most challenging way of getting around. There is a bewildering plethora of routes, usually marked only in Thai. Even locals have a hard time with these, but at least they can call the 1348 Bus Route Hotline, which is in Thai only. Bus stops list only the bus numbers that stop there and nothing more. They are also subject to Bangkok's notorious traffic, often terribly crowded, and many are not air-conditioned. If you want to get somewhere quickly and are not prepared to get lost, the buses should be avoided: remember that taxis are cheaper than most local buses in the West. However, they make for a good adventure if you're not in a rush and you don't mind being the centre of attention.

There is the Viabus app (for Android og IOS) which really helps finding your way around the bus system. In the app you can search for bus stops and bus routes, navigate and even GPS track busses. Also the app is available in English and you can select stops on a map.

Otherwise, for those staying in Khao San Road where buses are the only practical means of public transport, the only free resource for decrypting bus routes is the official BMTA website. It has up-to-date if slightly incomplete listings of bus routes in English, but no maps. You can also ask your guest house about which buses to take if you're going to a particular destination. As a printed reference, the 69 baht spent on the Bangkok Bus Map by Roadway is a good investment if you're going to travel by bus more than once.

The hierarchy of Bangkok's buses from cheapest to best can be ranked as follows:

• Red bus, 8 baht flat fare. Spacious and fan-cooled (in theory). Unlike other buses, some of these run through the night (1.50 baht surcharge). These buses are BMTA-run.
• White/blue/orange bus, 10 baht flat fare. Exactly the same as the red buses, but cost two baht more. These buses are owned by private entities operated in conjunction with BMTA.
• Blue/yellow and cream/blue air-con, 12 baht for the first 8 km (5 mi), up to 20 baht max. These buses are quite comfy. The blue/yellow striped buses are privately owned while the blue/cream buses are BMTA-owned.
• White/Orange air-con (Euro II), 13 baht for the first few km, up to 25 baht max. These are all BMTA-run, newer, and more comfortable.
• Blue air-con (NGV), 15 baht for the first few km, up to 25 baht max. These are run by both private companies and the BMTA, and are the newest and most comfortable buses.

BMTA-owned buses accept contactless payment, using the same fare scheme as normal tickets. The conductor will bring you a machine for you to scan your card. BMTA also offers pre-paid cards, monthly and weelky tickets using the same system. Weekly tickets cost 135 bath for red buses only and 270 bath for all buses. Monthly ticket cost 270 bath for red buses only and 540 bath for all buses.

Buses stop only when needed, so wave them down (arm out, palm down) when you see one barreling your way. Although drivers are only meant to stop at bus stops, some may pick up and drop off passengers elsewhere. Once on board, pay the roaming collector after you board and keep the ticket, as there can be occasional spot-checks. Press the signal buzzer, usually near the door, when you want to get off.

Two further pitfalls are that buses of the same number may run slightly different routes depending on the colour, and there are also express services (mostly indicated by yellow signs) that skip some stops and may take the expressway (2 baht extra).

Airport buses allow luggage but regular buses do not. Enforcement of this rule varies.

By ride share

The main ride sharing company operating in Bangkok is Malaysian company Tag fat. Unlike Uber, Grab also allows you to book taxis, and gives you the option of paying your driver in cash.

Med bil

Bangkok is notorious for its massive traffic jams, and rightly so. In addition, traffic is chaotic and motorcyclists seemingly suicidal. Therefore, most tourists consider driving in Bangkok a nightmare, and it is recommended that you stick to public transport. However, the proliferation of massive shopping malls means that there are now places to park if you must drive into town, albeit at a high cost. Smartphones med GPS og navigationsapps med stemmevejledning gør det lettere at finde vej.

Til fods

Mange af Bangkoks største attraktioner ligger inden for 5 km fra Siam Square. At gå lange afstande i varmt vejr langs travle gader kan være udmattende, men det er en god måde at se byen tæt på. Bare drik rigeligt med vand og pas på ujævne overflader og motorcyklister. Madrester og lejlighedsvis overraskelser, som omstrejfende dyr efterlader, er andre grunde til at se, hvor du skal hen. Indbyggere i Bangkok undgår næsten instinktivt at træde på kummerdæksler, fordi folk er faldet i kloakker gennem rådne. Kvinder bærer deres håndtasker på siden væk fra vejen for at modvirke sagsnagere på motorcykler.

Vær forsigtig, når du krydser vejen, selvom du har et grønt lys. At dreje til venstre med et rødt lys er som standard lovligt, og chauffører drejer uden indikatorer og uden at give efter for fodgængere. Chauffører stopper ikke eller sænker farten ved krydsfelt uden trafiklys. Når du venter på at krydse ved store kryds med afrundede hjørner, skal du stå godt væk fra vejen, da drejende motorcyklister kan læne sig over kantsten for at klemme forbi andre køretøjer. Brug altid fodgængeroverfarter, når de er tilgængelige; Bangkok løshunde er kloge nok til at bruge dem.

Forvent at blive accosteret af taxa- og tuk-tuk-chauffører og hustlere, der kræver at vide, hvor du skal hen, insisterer på, at der ikke er noget at se fremad, og forsøger at indvarsle dig til forskellige virksomheder. De fleste vil hurtigt gå videre til deres næste mærke, hvis de ignoreres eller afvises.

Hvis du er tynget af en stor rygsæk og gerne vil have den i et skab, skal du tjekke automatiske skabe leveres i nærheden af ​​flere store metrostationer. Gebyrerne varierer afhængigt af skabet. Et mellemstort skab kan tage to rygsække og koster ca. 30 baht i timen.

Se

Individuelle lister kan findes i Bangkoks distrikt artikler

De fleste af Bangkoks seværdigheder er koncentreret om øen Rattanakosin, ofte omtalt som "den gamle by". Ud af Bangkoks hundreder af templer, Grand Palace, Wat Pho og Wat Arun udgør normalt top 3. Grand Palace har en enorm størrelse, så forvent at bruge mindst en hel morgen eller eftermiddag der. Inden for paladset er Wat Phra Kaew, det mest hellige buddhistiske tempel i Thailand. I modsætning til andre templer er det ikke en bygning, og der er heller ikke boligarealer for munke. I stedet er det en samling af højt dekorerede hellige bygninger og monumenter. En af dens bygninger huser Emerald Buddha, og selvom du måske ikke forventer det af dets størrelse, er det det mest hellige Buddha-billede i Thailand.

I nærheden er Wat Pho, hjemsted for verdens største tilbagelænet Buddha-billede og en berømt massageskole. Tag færgen over Chao Phraya-floden til Thonburi for de udestående Wat Arun. Hovedstrukturen er ca. 60 til 88 m høj og er omgivet af fire mindre prangs. Det er et af Thailands mest maleriske templer og er indgraveret på den indvendige del af alle de ti baht-mønter. Det er så genkendeligt, at det endda blev logoet for Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Hvis du klatrer den op og ser nøje, vil du se, at den er smukt dekoreret med farverige knuste kinesiske porcelænstykker. På vej tilbage til Rattanakosin, der er mange andre store templer, du kan besøge, herunder Golden Mount, Wat Suthat og Wat Ratchanaddaram.

Smid ikke adgangsbilletten til Grand Palace, da det giver gratis adgang til Bang Pa-In-paladset i Bang Pa-In (og ikke længere til Dusit Palace, som er tæt på offentligheden siden 2017). Det ligger i et grønt område i europæisk stil bygget af kong Rama V for at undslippe varmen fra Grand Palace. Dens hovedstruktur er Vimanmek palæ, udråbt som det største gyldne teakhus i verden, men du kan tilbringe hele dagen på museerne, hvis du ønsker det. Der er mange museer i Bangkok, der viser traditionelle thailandske boliger. Mange besøgende tager en tur igennem Jim Thompsons hus, CIA-operatørens palæ samlet ved at kombinere seks traditionelle thailandske huse i nærheden Siam-pladsen. Forbud Kamthieng i Sukhumvit, M. Kukrit's Heritage Home i Silom og Suan Pakkad Palace i Phahonyothin er ikke lige så imponerende, men giver stadig en god oplevelse. Rattanakosinmuseer er for det meste dedikeret til historie og kultur, herunder Nationalmuseet (om thailandsk historie og arkæologiske rester), Museum of Siam, Rattanakosin Museum (som tilbyder to guidede ture med interaktive skærme vedrørende historien om det gamle og moderne thailandske liv), og Kong Prajadhipok Museum. Bangkok har et lille, men vokal kunstsamfund, og du vil måske besøge Nationalgalleri eller Dronningens Galleri, eller et af de mange mindre gallerier spredt over byen. Siam-pladsen funktioner Bangkok kunst- og kulturcenter som har midlertidige kunstudstillinger hele året.

Lumphini Park i Silom er den største park i det centrale Bangkok, og en god måde at undslippe dampene på. Backpackere rundt Khao San Road kan gå til Santichaiprakarn Park, en lille, men sjov park langs Chao Phraya-floden med en luftig atmosfære, som regel med lokalbefolkningen jonglerer eller praktiserer tricks. Det er bygget omkring det 18. århundrede Phra Sumen Fort med en flot udsigt over den moderne Rama VIII skråstagsbro. Zoologiske haver og dyreavl er nogle af de mere populære turistattraktioner i Bangkok, men inden du besøger, skal du være opmærksom på, at dyrevelfærd i Thailand ikke er strengt reguleret. Dyrens dårlige levevilkår og utilstrækkelig veterinærpleje er eksempler på den triste mishandling af dyrepopulationen. Du kan ikke gå galt på Dronning Saovabha Institute Snake Farm i Silom, da personalet passer godt på deres slanger, og de har et job med at informere offentligheden om de risici, der er forbundet med dem. En anden dejlig familieattraktion er Siam Ocean World i Siam-pladsen. Det har en stejl pris, men i det mindste får du se det største akvarium i Sydøstasien.

"Kolonial" arkitektur

Selvom Thailand aldrig blev koloniseret på grund af ønsket fra Kings Rama IV (1804-1868) og Rama V (1868-1910) om at modernisere Thailand efter vestlige modeller, kunne besøgende blive overraskede over at finde, at Bangkok ikke mangler europæisk stil bygninger, der ikke ville være malplacerede i andre sydøstasiatiske hovedstæder. Mens andre sydøstasiatiske hovedstæder har tendens til at være domineret af bygninger med en bestemt arkitektonisk stil afhængigt af deres kolonihistorie (f.eks. Fransk i Hanoi, britisk i Yangon), har Bangkok en blanding af bygninger med arkitektoniske stilarter fra forskellige dele af Europa. For eksempel, Hua Lamphong Station, Bangkoks hovedbanegård, blev designet af italienske arkitekter og derfor bygget i italiensk neo-renæssancestil. Andre bemærkelsesværdige bygninger i europæisk stil inkluderer det italienske gamle toldhus, det danske østasiatiske selskabs hovedkvarter og det generelle posthus i art deco-stil. En af de mest interessante europæiske påvirkede bygninger er Chakri Maha Prasat Hall i Grand Palace, som for det meste blev bygget i italiensk neoklassisk stil, men med et traditionelt thailandsk tag. Den største koncentration af europæiske bygninger findes i Rattanakosin og Yaowarat.

Rejseplaner

• En dag i Bangkok - hvis du kun har en dag til overs og ønsker at få en fornemmelse af byen
• Rattanakosin Tour - en hurtig tur langs Bangkoks berømte historiske distrikt
• Yaowarat og Phahurat Tour - en hel dags vandretur gennem dette multikulturelle distrikt

Gør

Individuelle lister kan findes i Bangkoks distrikt artikler

Festivaler

Alle Thailands største festivaler fejres i Bangkok. Nyt år fejres tre gange. Der er det nye år, der følger den gregorianske kalender den 1. januar, fejret med et kæmpe fyrværkeri kl Ratchaprasong kryds. Så er der kinesisk nytår i januar eller februar med storslåede og farverige kinesiske løve- og dragenoptog i Yaowarat. Endelig vandfesten af Songkran fejre det traditionelle thailandske nytår i midten af ​​april. Khao San Road degenererer til en krigszone som farangs og lokale hertug ud med super soakers. Mere respektable fejringer afholdes i Sanam Luang, hvor det ærede Phra Phuttha Sihing-billede vises og bades af hengivne og ved krydset Wisut Kasat, hvor en Miss Songkran-skønhedskonkurrence afholdes og ledsages af fortjeneste og underholdning.

Under Kongelig pløjeceremoni i maj tror landmændene, at et gammelt Brahman-ritual, der gennemføres i Sanam Luang, er i stand til at forudsige, om den kommende vækstsæson vil være rigelig eller ej. Arrangementet dateres tilbage til Sukhothai-kongeriget og blev genindført i 1960 af kong Bhumibol Adulyadej. Det betragtes som den officielle begyndelse af risdyrkningssæsonen (og regntiden). I dag gennemføres ceremonien af ​​kong Maha Vajiralongkorn. Loi Krathong (ลอยกระทง), lysfestivalen, finder normalt sted i november. Krathongs er flydende flåder lavet af lotusblomster og bananblade med et tændt lys og røgelse ovenpå. Natten til fuldmånen sender thailændere deres krathong ned ad en flod, kanal eller dam, og ejerens uheld bærer væk med det og sikrer en ny start. Fejring finder sted overalt i byen med parader, koncerter og skønhedskonkurrencer. Loi Krathong falder sammen med Lanna-festivalen Yi Peng (ยี่ เป็ ง). På denne festival lanceres et væld af papirlanter i Lanna-stil i luften. Lumphini Park er det bedste sted at starte en krathong ned ad dammen eller at skyde en papirlygte op i himlen.

Det Trooping of the Colors i begyndelsen af ​​december er en imponerende årlig begivenhed, der afholdes på Royal Plaza nær rytterstatuen af ​​kong Rama V i Dusit. Påklædt i farverige uniformer midt i stor pomp og ceremoni sværger medlemmer af elite Royal Guards troskab til kongen og marcherer forbi medlemmer af den kongelige familie. 5. december er Fars dag, den tidligere kongs fødselsdag, og Ratchadamri Road og Grand Palace er detaljeret dekoreret og belyst.

Kanaler

Indtil slutningen af ​​det 19. århundrede var Bangkok (ligesom Ayutthaya) kendt som "Venedigs østlige del". De fleste mennesker boede nær eller på vandet og et indviklet netværk af kanaler (khlong) var den primære transportform for byens indbyggere. De fleste kanaler er siden blevet brolagt, men mange af dem forbliver, og nogle fungerer stadig som transportruter fra og med denne dag. Den traditionelle livsstil på kanalsiden er næsten forsvundet, men da Thonburi stort set var uudviklet indtil det 20. århundrede, er der stadig en vis ægthed at finde. Flydende markeder var helt forsvundet i det 20. århundrede, men er blevet genindført til turistformål og er et sjovt besøg.

Du kan se Chao Phraya-floden og byens bagvand ved kanaltur. De fleste af disse bådture starter ved den østlige bred af Chao Phraya og derefter flyver gennem Thonburis bagvand og tager Wat Arun, Royal Barges National Museum, et flydende marked og nogle andre mindre attraktioner. Flere oplysninger om disse kanalture kan findes i Thonburi artikel. Ved 1.000 baht eller mere er de ret dyre. Du kan også forhandle en pris med individuelle bådførere. Damnoen Saduak er et flydende marked, der ofte vises i turistbrochurer i Bangkok, men i praksis er det 109 km vest for Bangkok og skal besøges med bus fra den sydlige busterminal.

Sandsynligvis lige så sjovt er det at tage offentligheden ekspresbåd langs Chao Phraya-floden. Du kan komme overalt mellem Thewet og Sathorn (Taksin) molerne, da der er mange ting at se i alle disse kvarterer. Du kan endda tage ekspresbåden helt nordpå Nonthaburi om morgenen, nyd eftermiddagen i denne afslappede traditionelle by, og tag båden tilbage omkring myldretiden. En anden mulighed er at komme på en af ​​de gratis hotel shuttle både ved Sathorn (Taksin) mole og tag en bid på en af ​​de tilknyttede caféer. Om aftenen har Asiatique en gratis shuttlebåd fra Sathorn (Taksin) mole til det nye indkøbscenter ned ad floden. Et godt sted at se smukke solnedgange over floden.

Forkælelse

Kurbadevar traditionelt byer, hvor offentlige bade, hospitaler eller hoteller blev bygget oven på mineralfjedre, så folk kunne komme og gøre brug af de helbredende egenskaber, der findes i vandet og dets mudder til medicinske formål. Disse dage behøver en spa ikke være en by bygget på naturlige termiske kilder. Det kan være et sted hvor som helst, hvor som helst kan gå til, at slappe af i rolige omgivelser med en række forskellige behandlinger, der administreres for at genkonturere og forynge krop og sind.

Kurbade var uhørt indtil 1990'erne, men nu er Bangkok en af ​​de højest rangerede spa-destinationer i verden med et fantastisk udvalg af behandlinger. Alle selvrespekterende luksushoteller i Bangkok har en spa, der i det mindste tilbyder en traditionel thailandsk massage. Priserne er ublu, men de tilbyder nogle af de bedste behandlinger i byen. Velrenommerede kurbade til usædvanligt høje priser gives på splurge-hotellerne i Silom; især spaen på Dusit Thani Hotel skiller sig ud. Uafhængige kurbade tilbyder stort set den samme oplevelse, men tilbyder meget mere konkurrencedygtige priser. Figur omkring 1.000 baht / time for de fleste behandlinger.

Den allestedsnærværende lille massage butikker findes på hvert gadehjørne i byen tilbyder den bedste værdi for pengene, men det mindste udvalg af tjenester, med tilbud er normalt kun begrænset til massage. Især Khao San Road og Sukhumvit har masser af disse populære steder. Det er ret let at skelne legitime massagebutikker fra mere tvivlsomme steder (hvor massage kun er en front for prostitution); den rigtige aftale vil opkræve 250-400 baht for en typisk 2-timers massage og vil ofte have en række bøfede landmændsdøtre i hvide frakker, der arbejder på kundernes fødder i det offentlige syn, mens den anden slags har sprøde piger i aftenkjoler iført for meget make-up og siger "hej smuk" til enhver mand, der går.

Muay Thai

Muay Thai er både en kampsport og et middel til selvforsvar. Deltagere har lov til at bruge næsten enhver del af kroppen til kamp: fødder, albuer, ben, knæ og skuldre. Der er to spillesteder i Bangkok for at se denne sport i aktion: Lumpinee Boxing Stadium i Silom og Ratchadamnoen Stadion i Rattanakosin. Sessioner kan tage hele aftenen, og det er ikke så slemt, hvis du kommer lidt sent ind, da de mere interessante kampe har tendens til at ske i slutningen. Afspilning af traditionel musik under kampene er også behageligt. En downer er det stejle startgebyr på 1.000-2.000 baht for udlændinge. Thailændere spiser 100 baht eller derunder.

Hvis du vil se Muay Thai gratis, skal du gå til MBK Fight Night uden for MBK Center i nærheden Siam-pladsen. Kampene finder sted den sidste onsdag aften i hver måned (starter kl. 18:00 og varer indtil kl. 21:00). En anden mulighed er at gå til enden af ​​Soi Rambuttri ind i en gyde kendt som Trok Kasap (nær Khao San Road). Udlændinge får undervisning i Muay Thai ude i det fri der, og mange turister sidder generelt på en bænk foran den for at se på handlingen. Udover at se, er dette et fremragende sted at lave noget Muay Thai selv.

Cykling

Cykler kan lejes gratis i Rattanakosin, men cyklister har officielt ikke lov til at forlade den indstillede rute langs øen. Selv når du følger ruten, er det stadig ikke for svag hjerte.

Hvis du lejer din egen cykel, skal du undgå hovedveje og cykle gennem det store system med små gader og gyder. Du kan cykle gennem backstreets of Yaowarat, men du vil måske tænke to gange, før du tager en tur. Du kan også opleve livet i Bangkoks landskab ved at cykle gennem grønne rismarker, orkidébedrifter og lotusmarker. Bang Kachao, i brochurer, der ofte omtales som "Bangkok Jungle", er Bangkoks sidste grønne grænse. Det er en halvø over floden fra Bangkok med få biler og bygninger og en fantastisk destination for cykling.

Cyklister behandles som fodgængere, så du kan bruge din cykel til at udforske parker, tempelkomplekser, markeder og de mere stille boligområder i det østlige Bangkok. På mere overfyldte steder kan du cykle på fortovet. At udforske på cykel har alle fordelene ved at gå til fods kombineret med en meget større rejseradius og en kølig brise. Cykling er den bedste måde at opdage byen tæt på, men da der er sikkerhedsproblemer involveret, har du brug for en vis insiderviden om, hvor du kan cykle. På grund af dette vælger mange en cykeltur arrangeret af en operatør.

• Bangkok cykling, Baan Sri Kung 350/123, Soi 71, Rama III Rd, ☏ 66 2-285 3955. Cykelture i små grupper til og gennem usete dele af Bangkok. For det meste fri for trafik. En sjov udflugt for hele familien. 950-2.400 baht. 
• Co van Kessel, ☏ 66 2 639-7351. Mange cykelture gennem Bangkok med Chinatown, kanalerne i Thonburi, "Bangkok Jungle" og mange andre steder imellem. 950-1.950 baht. 
• Følg mig på cykelture, 126 Sathorn Tai Rd, ☏ 66 2 286-5891. Halvdags cykelture gennem Bangkoks boliggader. Inkluderet i prisen er en fiskespa og et grillmåltid efter turen. 1.000 baht. 
• Grasshopper Adventures, 57 Ratchadamnoen Klang Rd (nær Democracy Monument, lige rundt om hjørnet fra Khao San Rd), ☏ 66 2 280-0832, ✉[email protected]. Ture gennem det historiske Rattanakosin-kvarter i Bangkok, til udkanten af ​​Bangkok og en, der finder sted om natten. 1.000-1.600 baht. 
• SpiceRoads, 45 Soi Pannee, Pridi Banomyong Soi 26, Sukhumvit Soi 71, ☏ 66 2 381-7490. Mange cykelture i en og flere dage i og omkring Bangkok. Der er ture til Bangkok Jungle, Ko Kret, Yaowarat og Thonburi. 2.950 baht. 
• 13.72095100.5150821 Gå Bangkok Tours, 51 Charoen Krung, Soi 44, Bang Rak (BTS Saphan Taksin exit 1, 3 min gang), ☏ 66 2-630 7563, fax: 66 2-630 7563, ✉[email protected]. Cykelture, hvoraf nogle er GPS-guidede, og cykeludlejning. Små grupper, max 6. Sikker og sjov. 350-1.500 baht. 

Teater

Der er mange teaterforestillinger i Bangkok, der skildrer traditionel thailandsk kultur og dans. Siam Niramit i Ratchadaphisek er en spektakulær forestilling, da mere end 150 kunstnere skildrer den historiske og åndelige arv i hver region i Thailand. Den første handling skildrer Siam som et korsvej mellem civilisationer gennem historien, den anden handling handler om karma's rolle i den thailandske kultur, og den tredje handling fokuserer på religion og fortjenstens rolle i det thailandske samfund.

Det Aksra Teater i King Power Complex-bygningen i Pratunam holder spektakulære forestillinger, der er en kombination af thailandske traditionelle dukketeater, orkestrale forestillinger og klassiske danse. Det Joe Louis Theatre i Asiatique er helt dedikeret til kunsten at betjene Hun Lakhon Lek dukker. Et segment får dukkerne til at interagere med publikum, hvilket er en sjov aktivitet med børn. Både Aksra og Joe Louis indeholder historier hentet fra Ramayana-eposet.

Af en helt anden art er Bangkoks berømte transvestit-shows. Disse kabareter tager normalt ca. 2 timer, og udover sang, dans, glamour og kostumer er der også noget komedie kastet ind. Den mest berømte af disse er Calypso Cabaret på Ratchathewi kryds med to sessioner hver aften på Asia Hotel. Et alternativ er Mambo Cabaret, en gang i Sukhumvit, men nu på et nyt sted langt væk fra turiststien i Yan Nawa. Der afholdes tre shows hver aften. Book altid disse shows et par dage i forvejen, da de næsten garanteres at være udsolgt, hvis du bare dukker op.

Underholdning

Bangkok er et fantastisk sted at gå til biograf. Sammenlignet med vestlige lande er prisen på en billet en komplet handel på omkring 120 baht. De fleste biografer har verdensklassestandarder og viser de nyeste udgivelser fra Hollywood og Thai. De er på niveau med de nyeste teknologiske innovationer i filmbranchen, så forvent at bære 3D-briller til nogle af de nyeste Hollywood-udgivelser. Du kan også besøge IMAX Theatre i Siam Paragon. Thailandske film kan ses af udlændinge, da de normalt vises med engelske undertekster. For ikke-almindelig biograf, House RCA (i Royal City Avenue) og APEX (i Siam-pladsen) tilbyder kunstfilm med engelske undertekster.

For andre former for underholdning, Ratchadaphisek er et nyoprettet underholdningsparadis. Dens bowlingcentre er af en fremragende standard, hvor nogle af dem ligner det indre af en natklub. Dans, mens du spiller med stil. Private karaoke-lounger er normalt forbundet med disse bowlingcentre og er tilgængelige på større hoteller. Der er endda en skøjtebane og en førsteklasses gokartbane i dette distrikt. Da Ratchadaphisek hovedsagelig er rettet mod lokalbefolkningen, vil du måske gå til lignende spillesteder i Siam-pladsen eller Sukhumvit. Hestevæddeløb afholdes søndag på to alternative græsklubber: Royal Turf Club of Thailand i Dusit og Royal Bangkok Sports Club på Henri Dunant Road i nærheden Siam-pladsen.

Aerobic dans

Bangkok er et godt sted for aerobicsdans. Mange steder i Bangkok tilbyder f.eks. Supermarkeder eller offentlige parker udendørs aerobic-klasse uden omkostninger. Disse klasser starter normalt om morgenen kl. 06:00 eller om aftenen kl. 18:00, og sessionen varer længe i en time. Instruktøren leverer ikke noget udstyr eller forsyning, så deltagerne bør selv medbringe passende tøj eller udstyr. Lokalet bestod normalt kun af tom grund og en scene for instruktører. Disse klasser kræver ikke thailandske færdigheder, fordi instruktøren sjældent bruger verbale signaler. Bortset fra at træne, ville du også møde lokalbefolkningen og udlændinges samfund. Aerobic-klasser akkumulerer normalt 50-100 mennesker.

For supermarkeder kan du forvente at finde klasser i Tesco Lotus eller Stor C. De har kun undervisning om aftenen og holdes normalt i eller i nærheden af ​​parkeringsområderne.

For offentlige parker er der mange steder, men den mest berømte er i Lumphini park i Silom distrikt. De har undervisning om morgenen og om aftenen ved den ceremonielle port.

Lære

Thai køkken er en favorit for mange og masser af madlavningsskoler give halvdags klasser, der giver en dejlig pause fra den daglige sightseeing monotoni. Silom og Khao San Road især har nogle af de bedre kendte thailandske madskoler.

Meditation, essensen af ​​'ren' buddhisme, kan praktiseres i ethvert tempel i Thailand. Derudover er der centre i Bangkok, der specifikt henvender sig til udlændinge, der ønsker at lære og øve. Det Internationale Buddhistiske Meditationscenter inde i Wat Mahathat i Rattanakosin giver gratis meditationskurser tre gange om dagen. Hvis du kan forstå thailandsk godt nok, kan du gå på dit eget tilbagetog i et stille tempel i udkanten af ​​Bangkok. For at betale for dit ophold, værdsættes det, at du hjælper de bosiddende munke på deres morgenmessige runder.

Wat Pho-templet i Rattanakosin tilbyder velanset Thai massage kurser. De er vant til at afholde klasser på engelsk.

Købe

Individuelle lister kan findes i Bangkoks distrikt artikler

Skræddersyetips Bangkok er især kendt for sin overflod af skræddersy butikker; her kan du få en skræddersyet dragt til utroligt lave priser sammenlignet med Vesten. At vælge en skrædder er dog vanskelig. Skræddere midt i turistområder som f.eks Khao San Road eller Nana Plaza, generelt giver dårlig kvalitet og ofte citerer dumme priser. Undgå enhver skræddersy, der anbefales af touts eller tuk-tuk-chauffører, da de ikke kan stole på, og du bliver nødt til at betale deres provision; undgå også super-billige pakker eller noget, der er gjort inden for 24 timer, da kvaliteten vil lide under tilsvarende. Den vigtigste regel for at få en god skrædder: gør research. Gå ikke bare i den første skræddersyede butik, du ser, men spørg andre rejsende og se online efter (bruger) anmeldelser. Generelt er de bedste skræddere lidt uden for turistsporet i Silom og Sukhumvit. Det vil hjælpe meget, hvis du kender stoffer og hvilken stil du vil have (medbring en prøve eller i det mindste et billede) og kan spare tid til mindst tre sessioner til en dragt (måling, montering og endelig justering). Priserne afhænger naturligvis af skrædderens dygtighed og de anvendte materialer, men forvent at betale mindst 7.000 baht for en todelt dragt. Når du vælger materialerne, har du det bedst med italiensk eller engelsk klud, da lokale stoffer ofte er af dårlig kvalitet (med undtagelse af silke). Insister på to beslag til dragter. Giv skrædderen en masse detaljer, og giv dig selv tid, så du får den nøjagtige dragt, du leder efter.

Dump en teenager ind Siam-pladsen med et par tusinde baht, og hun vil forblive besat resten af ​​ugen! Siam Square er det sted at shoppe i Bangkok; den lille sois på Siam Square har snesevis af små designerbutikker. MBK Center og Siam Center er de mest populære indkøbscentre, da de sælger mode langt under vestlige priser. Siam Paragon, EmQuartier i Sukhumvitog shoppingpladserne på Ratchaprasong føles endnu større, men de er meget mere støjsvage, da de fleste lokale thailændere ikke har råd til Guccis og Louis Vuittons, der sælges der. Damer vil også føle sig godt hjemme i Emporium ved siden af ​​EmQuartier.

Bare tag et par skridt ud af dit hotel, og Bangkok føles som et stort gademarked. Sukhumvit har de sædvanlige souvenirs, T-shirts og andet klæbrig turistjunk. Gennemser Khao San RoadVejboder er særligt gode til tøj og tilbehør, mange af dem til et godt køb. Mens mange af disse boder stadig henvender sig til den traditionelle hippiemængde, har de langsomt gentrifieret for at appellere til et bredere publikum. Det nærliggende Banglamphu marked sælger billige knock-offs af alt, ligesom natmarkederne i Silom og Rattanakosin.

I weekender, den Chatuchak weekendmarked i Phahonyothin er et must, da de 8.000 boder tilsammen udgør det største marked i Sydøstasien. Shoppere kan købe næsten alt fra tøj til potteplanter og alt imellem - det er et paradis for både browsere og forhandlerjægere. Et hverdagsalternativ er Pratunam, et af byens berømte tøjmarkeder. Tøjshopping her fortsætter i engros, og det er endnu billigere, hvis du køber i løs vægt. På Pantip Plaza du kan købe computerrelaterede ting fra bærbare computere til piratkopierede dvd'er.

Yaowarat og Phahurat giver en mere autentisk oplevelse, selvom mange butikker også sælger det billige teen tilbehør, der findes andre steder. Bare at sidde ved en plastikstol og se den daglige handel udvikle sig er en sjov aktivitet i sig selv. Phahurat er den bedste destination for stoffer, tilgængelig i alle farver og størrelser. Pak Khlong Talat er et overraskende sjovt engrosmarked for afskårne blomster og grøntsager. Hvis du er en morgenmandsmand, skal du besøge den omkring kl. 03:00, når der kommer nye blomster fra upcountry, og markedet er smukt belyst.

Thonburi, som er et af de mindst udviklede områder i Bangkok, er det bedste sted at opleve, hvordan byen plejede at være. Et must er kun weekender Taling Chan flydende marked, som i det mindste føles noget autentisk, da det blander et landligt marked med kanalsiden. Wang Lang-markedet er en uopdaget perle med strengt lokale priser. Den anden side af floden, Rattanakosin, har alt, hvad en god buddhist har brug for, det være sig amuletter, munkeskåle eller Buddha-statuer af menneskelig størrelse.

For antikviteter, Silom er stedet at gå, da de fleste potentielle købere bliver der på dyre hoteller. River City i Yaowarat er det største antikke indkøbscenter i byen og prissat at matche. Guld og ædelstene er populære køb, men pas på: ved hvad du leder efter såsom kvalitet af håndværk og guld / sten, og hvad noget lignende koster derhjemme. Hvis det er muligt ved forudgående forskning, ikke gadesælgeranbefaling, skal du gå til respekterede juvelerer og polere dine forhandlingsevner. Mange turister køber værdiløse stykker af skåret glas og mener, at det er værdifulde perler. Andre får smykker eller ædelstene til uberettigede omkostninger. Lad aldrig tuk-tuk-chauffører tage dig til en perle- / smykkebutik; oftere end ikke, bliver du flået af, og de får en provision for at tage dig derhen. Det samme råd gælder for skræddersyede butikker; du kan få en skræddersyet dragt til lave priser, men du skal vide, hvor du skal hen, da mange skrædder giver dårlig kvalitet - se sidepanelet for at få råd om, hvordan du finder en god skrædder.

Gennemse brugte engelsksprogede bøger kan bedst gøres på Khao San Road. For nye udgivelser er der masser af kædebutikker på shoppingtorg, inklusive Asia Books, B2S, Bookazine og Kinokuniya. Der er en særlig bred vifte af bøger om asiatisk kultur og historie; nogle har også et godt udvalg af udenlandske aviser og magasiner.

At få kontanter i Bangkok er relativt let. Kreditkort accepteres bredt på større virksomheder, og pengeautomater er spredt over hele byen, især i centrale områder. Alle bankers pengeautomater opkræver en provision på 180 baht for brug af udenlandske kort i pengeautomater. Super Rich pengevekslinger tilbyde anstændige vekselkurser.

Spise

Individuelle lister kan findes i Bangkoks distrikt artikler

Bangkok kan prale af fantastiske 50.000 spisesteder; ikke kun tusinder af thailandske restauranter, men et bredt udvalg af verdensklasse internationale retter også. Med stigningen i expat-samfundet og høje udgifter til lokale thailændere er Bangkok hurtigt blevet et gastronomisk paradis. Priserne er generelt høje efter thailandske standarder, men billige efter internationale standarder. Det koster usandsynligt, at et godt måltid koster mere end 300 baht, selvom der er et par restauranter (primært på hoteller), hvor du nemt kan bruge 10 gange dette. Sukhumvit er kendt for mange af populære restauranter, men forretningsområdet Silom er nu fyldt med mange af Bangkoks største spisesteder. Næsten ethvert køkken i verden er repræsenteret her, det være sig fransk, libanesisk, mexicansk, vietnamesisk eller fusion, der kombinerer mange af disse sammen i en quirky, men lækker blanding. Bangkoks italienske by er Soi Ton søn nær ved Siam-pladsen. Selvfølgelig, for dem med et budget, bugner gadeboder med enkle thailandske retter på omkring 30 baht. Der er især masser af budgetrestauranter i Khao San Road.

Der er masser af vegetariske restauranter i de mere turistvenlige dele af byen (især i hippie-distriktet Khao San Road). Vegetariske retter er også let tilgængelige i menuerne på almindelige restauranter. Efter anmodning tilbereder selv typiske gaderestauranter let et vegetarisk svar på en populær thailandsk ret til dig. Bed om "jay" mad for at lade kødet være ude af skålen. For eksempel er "khao pad" stegt ris og "khao pad jay" er vegetarisk stegt ris. For veganere er det mest almindelige anvendte animalske produkt østerssauce. For at undgå det skal du sige "mai ao naam man hoi". Vær opmærksom på, at alle gade-nudelforhandlere bruger kød bouillon til nudelsuppe.

For muslimer er gaderne omkring Haroon-moskeen i Bang Rak-området hjemsted for mange muslimske familier og dermed fulde af boder, der sælger halal mad.

Gå ikke glip af forkølelse flødeis i det varme Bangkok. Vestlige kædebutikker Dairy Queen og Swensens har boder i mange indkøbscentre og indkøbscentre. Eller bedre endnu, prøv en eksotisk is med frugtsmag på en Iberry butik. Deres is er velsmagende, billige og sikre at spise. Koreansk stil barberet is er blevet meget populær og lokal kæde Efter dig har mange filialer i Bangkok og er et meget populært hangout-sted blandt thailandske unge og unge voksne.

Gade mad

Selvom det generelt ikke er særlig høj klasse, Gade mad er blandt de mest lækre mad, og der er endda et sted, der fik en Michelin-stjerne i deres 2018-guide. Lokaliteterne findes overalt i Bangkok - uanset hvor du bor, skal du sjældent gå mere end 100 m for en vogn eller gaderestaurant. Mange gadesælgere sælger satay (สะเต๊ะ) med varm sauce i 5-10 baht et stykke.

En af Thailands nationale retter, du kan prøve er pad thai (ผัด ไทย), stegte risnudler med æg, fiskesauce, tamarindjuice og rød chili peber. Det kan forberedes til dig på en af ​​de allestedsnærværende vogne eller serveres i en gaderestaurant til omkring 50 baht. Du kan bestille det med kylling (kai) eller rejer (kung). En anden af ​​Thailands nationale retter, du bør prøve er Tom Yam Kung (ต้มยำ กุ้ง), en sur suppe med rejer, citrongræs og galangal - pas på, som den er meget krydret! Khao mand kai (ข้าวมัน ไก่) er en anden populær gademad. Du kan identificere det på boder, der viser kogt kylling. Serveres med en skål med duftende kyllingesuppe er en bunke ris toppet med skivede kyllingestykker og agurk. Sidesauce er krydret og passer godt til den kedelige kylling og ris. Du kan undertiden tilføje valgfri lever og kråse, hvis det er din smag. Hvis du kan lide slik, så prøv at finde en kanom roti (โรตี) gadesælger. The crepe-like dessert is filled with sweetened condensed milk, lots of sugar and can also have bananas inside. Also fun to watch them being made.

Khao San Road is known for its carts selling bugs—yes, insects. They are deep fried, nutritious and quite tasty with the soy sauce that is sprayed on them. Types available: scorpions, water beetles, grasshoppers, crickets, bamboo larvae, mealworms and some seasonal specialties. Break off the legs from grasshoppers and crickets or they will get stuck in your throat.

Around the corner from Khao San Road in front of the department store and supermarkets the street is lined with a myriad stalls selling all manner of tempting delicacies: sweets and crackers, coconut jellies, candied fruits, fish balls on skewers, tamarind sweets dipped in chili and sugar and a host of other delights.

Ethnic cuisine

Thai dishes can roughly be categorised into central, northern, northeastern and southern cuisine. What's so great about Bangkok is that all these cuisines are present. Isaan food (from the northeast of Thailand) is popular; generally street restaurants serve on plenty of small plates that can be shared. Som tam (ส้มตำ) is a salad made from shredded and pounded raw papaya — again, it is spicy, but oh so delicious. If you want to dine the Isaan way, also order some khao niew (sticky rice), kai yang (grilled chicken) and moo yang (grilled pork). Isaan food is very spicy; sige mai pet eller pet nit noy to tone it down. Southern Thai cuisine is also worth it; many of them have congregated around Wang Lang in Thonburi. At least try the massaman curry (แกงมัสมั่น), it's delicious.

One of the best places to go to for kinesisk mad er Yaowarat. It has a range of street stalls and cheap restaurants selling expensive delicacies at affordable prices. Soi Phadung Dao is the best street for huge seafood restaurants. Try 1 kg of huge barbecued prawns for about 300 baht. That being said, due to the large Thai-Chinese population in Bangkok, Chinese influences pervade much of Bangkok’s culinary scene, and there is also a lot of good Chinese food to be found outside Chinatown, as well as a strong Chinese influence in many of Bangkok's signature street dishes.

Phahurat, Bangkok's Little India, has some decent Indian restaurants.

Fine dining

Bangkok is arguably the best city in Southeast Asia for fine dining, and there is no shortage of options for those who can afford to splurge the cash. Fine dining options in Bangkok include French, Italian, Chinese, Indian, Japanese and, of course, Thai. Although exorbitant by Thai standards, fine dining in Bangkok is very affordable compared to similar options in developed countries, and even the most expensive fine dining should not cost you more than 5000 baht per head.

Dinner cruises

Dinner cruises on the Chao Phraya River are a touristy (but fun) way of spotting floodlit temples while chowing down on seafood and watching Thai cultural performances. Most operate buffet-style and the quality of the food is so-so, but there's lots of it and it's not too spicy. While the river can give a romantic experience, it can also be dirty and smelly with lots of plants floating around.

Drinks and tips are usually ikke included in the listed prices below. Always make a reservation before heading out to the pier. There are many competing operators, most of them depart from the River City pier next to the Si Phraya Express Boat pier. Major operators include:

• Chao Phraya Princess, 723 Supakarn Building, Charoen Nakhorn Rd, ☏ 66 2 860-3700. Departure 19:30. Large operator with four modern air-conditioned boats seating up to 250 people. Departure from River City pier. 1,300 baht. 
• Loy Nava, 1367 Charoen Nakhorn Rd, ☏ 66 2 437-4932. Departure 18:00 or 20:10 daily. This dinner cruise heads out with 70-seater rice barges. Departure from Si Phraya pier (near River City), and there is a free pickup from most hotels. 1,400 baht. 
• Manohra, 257 Charoen Nakhorn Rd, ☏ 66 2 477-0770. Departure 19:30 daily. These restored Thai rice barges seat 40 people. Departure from Marriott Resort pier, with an optional pick-up from Saphan Taksin BTS station. 1,250-1,990 baht. 
• Wan Fah, 292 Rachawongse Rd, ☏ 66 2 222-8679. Departure 19:00 daily. These 2-hr dinner cruises include a set meal of farang-friendly Thai food and seafood, live music and Thai classical dancing. Departure from River City. 1,000 baht. 
• Yok Yor Marina, 885 Somdet Chao Phraya Soi 17, ☏ 66 2 863-0565. Departure 20:00. Operated by the famous seafood restaurant, this is a much more local (and cheaper) option than the tourist cruises: pay a 160 baht "boat fee" and then order off the menu at normal restaurant prices. Departure from Yok Yor Marina on the Thonburi side of the river. There is a free shuttle service from Saphan Taksin BTS station. 

Drikke

Individual listings can be found in Bangkok's distrikt artikler

Bangkok's nightlife is infamously wild, but it's not quite what it used to be. Due to social order campaigns, there have been quite a few crack-downs on opening hours, nudity, and drug use. Most restaurants, bars and clubs are now forced to close at 01:00, although quite a few are allowed to stay open till 02:00 or later. Informal roadside bars do stay open all night, particularly in Sukhumvit og Khao San Road. You must carry your pas for ID checks and police occasionally raid bars and discos, subjecting all customers to drug tests and searches, though these mostly occur at places that cater for high-society Thais.

One of Bangkok's main party districts is Silom, home not only to perhaps the world's most famous go-go bar strip, Patpong, but plenty of more legitimate establishments catering to all tastes. For a drink with a view, the open-air rooftop bars of svimmelhed og Sirocco are particularly impressive. A large number of superhip and more expensive bars and nightclubs can be found in the higher sois of Sukhumvit, inklusive Q Barog Narz, as well as the hip area of Thong Lo (Soi 55).

Hippie hangout Khao San Road is also slowly gentrifying and a score of young artsy Thai teenagers have also made their mark there. Going out in Khao San Road is mostly casual, sitting at a roadside bar watching people pass by, but the Gazebo Club is a nightclub that stays open till the sun gets up. Most of the younger Thais prefer to congregate around Ratchadaphisek, home to the Royal City Avenue strip of nightclubs where you can find popular nightclubs like 808, Route 66, Cosmic Cafe, and more.

RCA, the Royal City Avenue strip, is home to much more than nightclubs. You will be able to find fun karaoke clubs, go-carting, arcades and bars like the Overtone Music Cave which is a place where music students to perform. The Overtone Music Cave is frequently visited by recording artists as well as music students and is becoming a real Bangkok music hot spot.

Smoking is forbidden in all restaurants, bars and nightclubs, whether air-conditioned or non-air-conditioned. It is enforced at some venues, but the ordinance is flouted in areas such as Nana Plaza.

Go-go and beer bars

Behaving while misbehavin' Some simple rules of etiquette to follow in a go-go bar: EN drink in your hand is required at all times. Most places charge around 100-150 baht for most drinks. A drink menu with prices will be provided. Lady drinks cost at least 200-300 baht and earn you the privilege of chatting with the lady/gent of your choice for a while. Taking a dancer out of his/her place of employment before closing time will cost you a bar fine of around 600 baht. This is the bar's share, the rest is up to you two. No photos inside. If you're lucky, you'll merely have your camera confiscated, but you also stand a fair chance of getting beaten up. Look, but don't touch (unless invited to). Getting too frisky will get you kicked out. Bring your pas. Police raids are not uncommon and you're off to the police station for the night if you can't produce one on demand.

Det go-go bar is an institution of Bangkok's "naughty nightlife". In a typical go-go, several dozen dancers in bikinis (or less) crowd the stage, shuffling back and forth to loud music and trying to catch the eye of punters in the audience. Some also put on shows where girls perform on stage, but these are generally tamer than you'd expect. Nudity, for example, is actually illegal. These are no Western- or US-style strip clubs. Expect a stage in the middle with seating all around, and 5-10 girls just dancing or standing around on stage in various states of undress. No lap dances, but girls will sit with you for the price of a lady drink. I en beer bar, there are no stages and the girls wear "street clothes".

If this sounds like a thinly veiled veneer for prostitution, it is. Although some point to the large number of American GIs during the Vietnam War as the point of origin of the Thai sex trade, others have claimed that current Thai attitudes towards sexuality have deeper roots in Thai history. Both go-go and beer bars are squarely aimed at the foreign tourists and it's fairly safe to assume that most if not all Thais in them are on the take. That said, it's perfectly OK to check out these shows without partaking, and there are more and more curious couples and even the occasional tour group attending. The main area is around Patpong i Silom, but similar bars to the ones at Patpong can be found in Sukhumvit, kl Nana Entertainment Plaza (Soi 4) and Soi Cowboy (Soi 23). Soi 33 is packed with hostess bars, which are more upscale than the Soi Cowboy and Nana Plaza bars and do not feature go-go dancing. Before heading to these places, be sure to read the Pas på dig selv section for some additional advice.

As go-go bars close around 01:00, there are so-called after-hour clubs that stay open till the sun comes up. They are not hard to find—just hop in a taxi. Taxi drivers are eager to drive you there, as they get a hefty commission from club owners to bring you to them. You might even get the ride for free. These clubs generally feel grim and edgy, and there are so-called "freelancers" among the girls (prostitutes). Some well-known after-hour clubs include Bossy Club i Pratunam, Spicy Club nær ved Siam-pladsen and the always famous Thermae på Sukhumvit between sois 15 and 17 in the basement underneath the Ruamchit short-time hotel.

Gay nightlife

Thais are generally accepting of homosexuality and Bangkok has a very active gay nightlife scene, concentrated in Silom's Soi 2, Soi 4 and a short strip of gay go-go bars known as Soi Twilight (off Surawong Road). Gay strip bars all have free entry, but charge an extra 150 baht or so for drinks. The most popular gay drinking bars are The Balcony og Telephone Pub at Silom Soi 4, which are busy until 23:00. For the disco crowd, DJ Station and its late-night neighbour G.O.D. Forening (Silom Soi 2) are packed every night beginning around 23:00. Between 17:00-22:00 over 200 men from around the world cruise, swim, dine, and party at the nearby Babylon, considered by many to be the best gay sauna in the world. Babylon also has budget and luxury accommodation.

All of these bars and clubs are aimed at gay men and the lesbian scene is much more low-key. Since the opening of full-time lesbian bars Zeta og E-Fun, a small lesbian community is starting to emerge along Royal City Avenue. Lesla (near Phahonyothin) is a lesbian bar that is open on Saturday nights only. Bring along your passport for entrance age checking (they do not allow people under 20 years old).

In a league of their own are Bangkok's numerous transsexuals (kathoey), both pre- and post-operative, popularly known as ladyboys. A part of Thai popular culture for ages, kathoey face increasing prejudice as Thailand imports rigid Western gender concepts. Many male Westerners obsess about the risks of "mistaking" a ladyboy for a "real" woman, in the fear that being attracted to them would make of them homosexuals. Tired clichés about "tall, large-handed, large breasted transsexuals with garish makeup" are belied by the fact that most kathoeys strive to blend in with the general population. However, legal change of gender is not possible in Thailand, which means they find it difficult to access many "respectable" jobs. Some work in the famed transvestite cabarets and there are some dedicated kathoey bars as well.

Some Thai regulars in the gay nightlife scene skirt the fine line between partying and prostitution, and the Western visitor, being considered richer, is expected to pay any food and drink expenses and perhaps provide some "taxi money" in the morning. It's usually wise to ask a boy you pick up in a bar or club if he is after money, as it's not uncommon for them to start demanding money after sex.

Søvn

Individual listings can be found in Bangkok's distrikt artikler

Book online, save money While most guest houses in Khao San Road do not even bother to have a website, with moderate and upper end hotels you can save a surprisingly large amount of money by booking via the web. In most cases, walk-in rates are known to be about 30% higher than online rates as administration costs are higher and front desk personnel often get paid by commission. When standing inside the hotel's lobby, sometimes it can pay off to use the free Wi-Fi, get online, book for the same night and get it for less! To give an example, some mid-range hotels offer walk-in rates for 1,500 baht the night, but online rates for 1,000 baht. That's five free beers on the hotel! Nevertheless, don't take that as a general rule for Thailand. On some island resorts it's exactly the other way round, and the walk-in rates are only half of the online promoted price, especially in offseason.

Bangkok has a vast range of accommodation, including some of the best hotels in the world — but also some of the worst dives. Broadly speaking, Khao San Road is backpacker city; the riverside of Silom og Thonburi is home to The Oriental og The Peninsula respectively, often ranked among the best in the world, and priced to match, Most of the city's moderate and expensive hotels can be found in Siam-pladsen, Sukhumvit og Silom, though they also have their share of budget options.

When choosing your digs, think of the amount of luxury you want to pay for — air-conditioning can be advised, as temperatures don't drop below 20 °C (68 °F) at night. Also pay careful attention to Skytrain, metro and express boat access, as a well-placed station or pier could make your stay in Bangkok much more comfortable. In general, accommodation in Bangkok is cheap. It's possible to have a decent double room with hot shower and air-conditioning for about 500 baht/night. If you want more luxury, expect to pay around 1,500 baht for a double room in the main tourist areas. Even staying at one of Bangkok's top hotels only costs around 5,000 baht — the price of a standard double room in much of Europe.

One Bangkok hotel phenomenon is the guest fee of around 500 baht added to your bill if you bring along a newly found friend for the night. Some hotels even refuse Thai guests altogether, especially common in Khao San Road. These rules are obviously aimed at controlling local sex workers, which is why hotel security will usually hold onto your guest's ID card for the duration of the visit, but some hotels will also apply it to Western visitors — or, more embarrassingly, try to apply it to your Thai partner. Look for the signs, or, if in doubt, ask the staff before check-in.

Pas på dig selv

Given its size, Bangkok is surprisingly safe, with violent crimes like mugging and robbery unusual. One of the biggest dangers are motorbikes who ride on pavements at speed, go through red lights, undertake buses as they stop to let passengers off and generally drive far too fast especially through stationary traffic. If you are going to hire a bike, make sure you have insurance in case you are injured. You may be the world's best driver but you'll meet many of the world's worst drivers in Thailand.

Bangkok does have more than its fair share of svindel, and many individuals in the tourist business do not hesitate to overcharge unwary visitors. As a rule of thumb, it is wise to decline all offers made by someone who appears to be a friendly local giving a hapless tourist some local advice. Short-changing tourists is reasonably common as well, don't hesitate to complain if you are not given the correct change.

Never get in a tuk-tuk if someone else is trying to get you into one. Most Bangkok locals do not approach foreigners without an ulterior motive.

Scams

What to do if you fall for the gem scam As long as you're still in Thailand, it's not too late. Contact the Tourist Authority of Thailand, ☏ 66 2 694-1222 eller den Turistpoliti, ☏1155 immediately, file a police report, and return to the store to claim a refund — they skal, by law, return 80%. If your gems have been mailed, contact the Bangkok Mail Centre, ☏ 66 2 215-0966 (-195) immediately and ask them to track your package; they'll find it if you act fast, and know the name, address and date it was mailed.

You should always be on the look-out for scammers, especially in major tourist areas. There are dozens of scams in Bangkok, but by far the most widely practiced is the gem scam. Always beware of tuk-tuk drivers offering all-day tours for prices as low as 10 baht. You may indeed be taken on a full-day tour, but you will end up only visiting one gem and souvenir shop after another. Don't buy any products offered by pushy salespeople — the "gems" are pretty much always worthless pieces of cut glass and the suits are of deplorable quality. The tuk-tuk driver gets a commission if you buy something — and fuel coupons even if you don't. Unless the idea of travelling by tuk-tuk appeals to you, it's almost always cheaper, more comfortable and less hassle to take a metered taxi.

Be highly skeptical when an English-speaking Thai at a popular tourist attraction approaches you out of the blue, telling that your intended destination is lukket or offering discount admissions. Temples are almost always free (the main exceptions are Wat Phra Kaeo and Wat Pho) and open just about every day of the year. Anyone telling you otherwise, even if they have an official-looking identification card, is most likely out to scam you, especially if they suggest a tuk-tuk ride to some alternate sights to see until the sight re-opens. At paid admission sites, verify the operating hours at the ticket window.

If you entered one of these tuk-tuks, touts will often drop you off at a certain place, such as a genuine Buddhist temple. Here you will find a man that claims to be an official, and he guides you in a certain direction. There you will find another "official" who also claims that a certain attraction is closed. This way, a tourist hears the same statement by multiple people, and is more eager to believe that his or her intended destination indeed is closed. Never get involved with these scammers or believe any of their statements.

When getting a taxi, it is a good idea to hail a moving taxi from the main road, or to walk a short distance out of a major tourist area before looking for one. This is no guarantee of honesty, but greatly increases your chances of finding an honest driver, of which there are plenty in Bangkok, even if it sometimes seems that every driver is on the make. There are some taxi drivers who switch off their meters, and insist on an unreasonable price. Most of the untrustworthy drivers are the ones standing still in tourist areas. Another important rule of thumb is to insist on the meter for taxis and agree on a price in advance for tuk-tuks. If they refuse, or quote unreasonable prices, just walk out and get a different one as they're rarely in short supply. The Thai phrase to ask a driver to use the meter is mee-TOE, khap if you're male and mee-TOE, kha if you're female.

Beware of tuk-tuk or taxi drivers who approach you speaking good English or with an "I ♥ farang" sign, especially those who mention or take you to a tailor shop (or any kind of business). They are paid by inferior tailor shops to bring tourists there to be subjected to high pressure sales techniques. If at any point your transportation brings you somewhere you didn't intend or plan to go, walk away immediately, ignore any entreaties to the contrary, and find another taxi or tuk-tuk.

In general, never ask a taxi driver for a recommendation for something. They will likely take you to a dubious place where they get a commission. I særdeleshed, do not ask a taxi driver for a restaurant recommendation. An infamous place taxi drivers take unsuspecting tourists is Somboon D, which is a terrible seafood restaurant in a seedy area under the train tracks on Makkasan Road (☏ 66 2 6527-7667). A typical meal there costs 800 baht per person and it comes with little seafood, no service and complaints are not taken by the management.

Also beware of private bus companies offering direct trips from Bangkok to other cities with "VIP" buses. There are a lot of scams performed by these private bus companies. The so-called direct VIP trips may end up changing three or four uncomfortable minibuses to the destination, and the 10-11-hour trip may well turn into 17–18 hr. Instead, try to book public Transport Co. buses from the main bus terminals. It's worth the extra shoe-leather, as there have been reports of robberies on private buses as well.

Go-go bars

Bangkok is known for its go-go bars and the prostitution that comes along with it. Some aspects of prostitution are illegal (e.g. soliciting, pimping), but enforcement is rare, and brothels are common. It's not illegal to pay for sex or to pay a "barfine" (a fee the bar collects if you want to take an employee away).

The age of consent in Thailand is 15, but is 18 for prostitutes. Penalties for sex with minors are harsh. All adult Thais must carry an identity card, which will state the year of their birth according to the Buddhist calendar. Many hotels retain the ID cards of prostitutes for the duration of their visit. Whilst most prostitutes are employed by bars or similar businesses, some are "freelancers". Petty theft and other problems, such as slipping the customer sleep drugs, are allegedly more common with these freelancers (although still relatively rare). HIV and AIDS awareness is better than it used to be, but infection statistics among entertainment industry workers remain high; freelancers are the highest risk group. Almost all sex workers insist on using condoms.

While walking in go-go bar areas is generally safe, you have to be cautious of touts who try to drag you into the upstairs bars with offers of ping-pong shows and 100-baht beer. The beer may well be 100 baht, but the "show" you'll be treated to will be 1,000 baht or more. The rule of thumb is that if you cannot see inside from street level, avoid the establishment.

Animal abuse

Elephants are a large part of Thailand's tourist business, and the smuggling and mistreatment of elephants for tourist attractions is a widespread practice. Be aware that elephants are often separated from their mothers at a young age to be cruelly trained under captivity for the rest of their lives. It is advised to take an elephant ride only at animal friendly organisations.

A depressingly common sight on the congested streets of Bangkok is elephant begging. During night hours, mahouts (trainers) with lumbering elephants approach tourists to feed the creatures bananas or take a photo with them for a fee. The elephants are brought to the city to beg in this way because they are out of work and are mistreated and visibly distressed under the conditions of the city. Please avoid supporting this cruelty by rejecting the mahouts as they offer you bananas to feed the elephants. This is especially common in Silom and Sukhumvit.

Due to its location, lax laws, and resources, many illegal animal products come through Bangkok. Rare and endangered species are often sold at markets for pets, especially at Chatuchak, and many other animal products are sold as luxury items. Avoid buying rare pets, leather, ivory, talons, dried sea creatures (such as starfish), fur, feathers, teeth, wool, and other products since they are most likely the result of illegal poaching, and buying them contributes greatly to animal endangerment and abuse.

Political unrest

I 2008 political unrest hit the headlines, with the yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) closing down both of Bangkok's airports for a week. Several people were killed in the resulting political violence. After a PAD-backed prime minister was elected, the protests ceased for a while, but the situation remained unstable. In 2010, new political unrest surfaced with red-shirt protesters from the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) occupying much of Sukhumvit and surrounding areas. These protests turned violent when government troops tried to take back parts of central Bangkok that had been seized by protesters. In 2011, a UDD supported government took power. Since then, protests by both the PAD and UDD have continued to occur on a sporadic basis depending on what political event has transpired. Always follow the independent press for the newest political developments and stay away from demonstrations.

Food and water

As elsewhere in Thailand, be careful with what you eat. Outside of major tourist hotels and resorts, stay away from raw leafy vegetables, egg-based dressings like mayonnaise, unpackaged ice cream and minced meat as hot weather tends to make food go bad faster. In short, stick to boiled, baked, fried or peeled goods.

Tap water in Bangkok is said to be safe when it comes out the plant, but unfortunately the plumbing along the way often is not, so it's wise to avoid drinking the stuff, even in hotels. Any water served to you in good restaurants will at least be boiled, but it's better to order sealed bottles instead, which are available everywhere at low prices.

Take care with ice, which may be made with tap water of questionable potability as above. Some residents claim that ice with round holes is made by commercial ice makers who purify their water; others state that it is wise not to rely on that claim.

Opret forbindelse

Internet

Due to the surge of mobile connectivity, Internet cafés are not common as they used to be. If you look carefully, you may find them in tourist districts such as Khao San Road for around 30-60 baht per hour.

Many cafés and pubs do offer free Wi-Fi to their customers, including the ubiquitous Coffee World chain in all of its branches; ask staff for the password. TrueMove offers both free and paid Wi-Fi access. If you want to get online for free, you must register first, and both session and time is limited. Their network is accessible in many malls, including Siam-pladsen, and sometimes can be available from your room if you stay in a nearby hot-spot — just look for the 'truewifi' network, you can register. Most hotels and guest houses provide free Wi-Fi.

There is not a lot of free Wi-Fi available in old districts like Rattanakosin eller Yaowarat. Even at McDonald's and Starbucks, Wi-Fi is not free or not available at all.

If you are staying for more than a couple of days and prefer to stay connected without being limited to hotspots, a prepaid SIM card with mobile data is a good option. Being able to use a smartphone for navigation and reviews is very useful in a city where recommendations and directions offered by locals are not always reliable. Se Telefon section for details.

Telefon

The area code for Bangkok is 02. You only need to dial the 0 if you're calling from within Thailand. Pay phones are not commonplace, as most Thais have a mobile phone. If you want to avoid high roaming costs, you can buy a local SIM card for 100 baht at Suvarnabhumi Airport or mobile phone shops throughout the city. The 100 baht is not just for the SIM card, but is immediately your first pre-paid amount. Topping it up is easy, such as at 7-Eleven convenience stores. Making international calls is also cheaper this way.

As of July 2014, the True booth at Suvarnabhumi Airport is offering free tourist Sim cards preloaded with 10 baht calling credit as well as 20 MB of 3G access.

Stolpe

Bangkok's red post boxes are found all over the city. There are also plenty of Thailand Post offices around for sending post and packages. In tourist areas, there are post offices in the Khao San Road area (in front of Wat Bowonniwet) and at Sukhumvit Road (between Soi 4 and 6).

If you're staying in Bangkok for a longer time, you might want to make use of poste restante, so other people can send you letters or parcels using a post office's address. Post offices keep the letters for at least two months. Letters sent via poste restante must have the receiver's name on it, with the family name in underlined capital letters. If you want to pick them up near Khao San Road (opposite Wat Bowonniwet), it must be addressed to Poste Restante, Banglamphubon Post Office, Bangkok, 10203, Thailand. If you want to pick up your post in the Sukhumvit area, address it to Poste Restante, Nana Post Office, Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok, 10112, Thailand.

Cope

Publikationer

• Bangkok Post. One of the better English-language newspapers of the country, but also includes sections on travel, leisure, entertainment, life and classifieds in Bangkok. 
• BK Magazine. Bangkok's premier city living magazine; a guide to the city's restaurants, nightlife, travel, arts and more. New additions release weekly and are distributed in selected venues. 
• Sukhumvit Guide. A complete listing guide to the hotels, restaurants and bars of Sukhumvit, one of Bangkok's most vibrant districts. 

Lægebehandling

Many people go to Bangkok to undergo medical treatments that are a fraction of the cost charged in their home countries. While public hospitals can be understaffed and overcrowded with long wait times, private hospitals are among the best in the world. The best-regarded, and most expensive (though still affordable by Western standards), is Bumrungrad International Hospital, which attracts about 400,000 foreign patients per year or an average of 1,000 a day. There are also other hospitals, such as Samitivej, Bangkok Hospital og BNH Hospital, that specialize in serving foreigners. Private hospitals in Thailand are accredited by the government according to international standards, and many of the doctors in Thailand hold international accreditation and relevant licences. Staff in private hospitals are generally able to speak English well, and sometimes other foreign languages as well.

Popular treatments, ranging from cosmetic, organ transplants and orthopedic treatments to dental and cardiac surgeries, are available much cheaper than in the West. For example, Bumrungrad Hospital charges 90,000 baht for an all-inclusive breast implant package. Bangkok is also known as a centre for sexual reassignment surgery for people wishing to change their physical sex, although this falls out of the scope of a casual trip.

There are many dental clinics with English-speaking dentists and staff. The largest of them is the Bangkok International Dental Center along Ratchadaphisek Road. There are also plenty of well known teeth whitening, implant and orthodontic providers like BFC Dental,Denta Joy, smile and co dental clinic, Cosdent by SLC, SmileDC og Care Dental Clinic.

Indvandringskontor

• ^{[tidligere dødt link]}Immigration Bureau, Government Bldg B, Chaeng Wattana Soi 7, ☏ 66 2 141-9889. M-F 08:30-noon, 13:00-16:30. Visas, re-entry permits and many other immigration services are available. The Visa On Arrival can be extended on a simple procedure. The modern big Government Building in Lak Si host the Immigration Division. Official name? "Government Complex Commemorating His Majesty The King's Eighty Birthday Anniversary, 5 December, BE 2550 (2007)" But let's just call it: "Chaeng Watthana Government Complex" Bus 66 and 166 enter the compounds and stop at the main door (Gate 1) It's a two Km from Lak Si train station (northern and northeaster line) which is the next one after Don Mueang Airport. The Immigration Bureau is on the big B building, it's next to the gate 2 (the southern one) 

They will request a passport picture (facilities there, 4 pics for 100 baht) and copy of your passport (including the page where the stamp is) 4 baht per both copies. After filling the form a number will be given. If you're not an early bird, the lunch break will catch you, and you will need to wait for that hour, when everybody goes to eat on the big food courts (from 13:00 to 14:00) Supermarkets available. With the number given, and 1900 baht the new stamp will be added to your passport, with extra 30 days after the days your visa finish. The building also host many other offices, like the Consumer Protection Board, Election Commission, the Office of Justice Affairs, among many others. Worth the forced visit. Services for Burmese, Cambodian and Lao citizens remain at the central old location at Soi Suan Plu.

Ambassader

Argentina, Prommitr Villa, 20/85 Sukhumvit Soi 49/1, ☏ 66 2 590-4012.  Australien, 37 Sathorn Tai Rd, ☏ 66 2 344-6300.  Østrig, 14 Soi Nandha, Soi Attakarnprasit, Sathorn Tai Rd, ☏ 66 2 303-6057.  Bangladesh, 727 Sukhumvit Soi 55, ☏ 66 2 381-1144.  Belgien, 17F, Sathorn City Tower, 175 Sathorn Tai Rd, ☏ 66 2 679-5454.  Bhutan, Rm 107, 19F, JTC Bldg, 919 Silom Rd, ☏ 66 2 237-3315(-27).  Bolivia (Consulate), 1901 Ramkhamhaeng Rd, ☏ 66 2 314-0040.  Brasilien, 34F, Lumpini Tower, 1168/101 Rama IV Rd, ☏ 66 2 679-8567.  Brunei, 154 Ekkamai Soi 14, Sukhumvit Soi 63, ☏ 66 2 381-5914(-6).  Bulgarien, 33/15 Soi Charoen Chai, Sukhumvit Soi 63.  Cambodja, 518/4 Pratcha Uthit Rd, ☏ 66 2 957-5851(-2), ✉[email protected].  Canada, 15F, Abdulrahim Place, 990 Rama IV Rd, ☏ 66 2 636-0540.  Chile, Unit A, 17F, 193/67 Lake Rajada Office Complex, Ratchadaphisek Rd, ☏ 66 2-260-0045.  Kina, 57 Ratchadaphisek Rd, ☏ 66 2 245-7043.  Colombia (Consulate), 9F, Park Place, 231 Sarasin Rd, ☏ 66 2 254-5105(-6).  Croatia (Consulate), 1F, ITF Silom Palace, 160/347-348 Silom Rd, ☏ 66 2 238-5112.  Cuba, Mela Mansion Apt 3C, 5 Sukhumvit Soi 27, ☏ 66 2 665-2803.  Cyprus (Consulate), 17F, Richmond Bldg, 75/59 Sukhumvit Soi 26, ☏ 66 2 261-8408(-10).  Tjekkiet, 71/6 Ruam Ruedi Soi 2, ☏ 66 2 255-4978.  Danmark, 10 Sathorn Soi 1, ☏ 66 2 343-1100.  Dominican Republic (Consulate), 431 Pradit Manutham Rd, ☏ 66 2 933-5686.  Øst Timor, 7F, Thanapoom Tower, 1550 Phetchaburi Rd, ☏ 66 2 654-7501(-2).  Egypten, 49 Soi Ruam Ruedi, ☏ 66 2 253-0161.  Estonia (Consulate), 62 Soi Yodsuwan, Pracha Uthit Rd, ☏ 66 2 690-3779.  Ethiopia (Consulate), 962/14 Phran Nok Rd, ☏ 66 2 411-0218.  Finland, 16F, Amarin Tower, 500 Phloen Chit Rd, ☏ 66 2 250-8801.  Frankrig, 35 Charoen Krung Soi 36, ☏ 66 2 657-5100.  Gabon (Consulate), 13 Pradiphat Soi 10, ☏ 66 2 279-2800(-1).  Gambia (Consulate), 610/5-6 Song Wat Rd, ☏ 66 2 224-0091.  Tyskland, 9 Sathorn Tai Rd, ☏ 66 2 285-6627(-8).  Grækenland, Unit #25/5-9, 9F, BKI/YWCA Bldg, 25 Sathorn Tai Rd, ☏ 66 2 679-1462.  Honduras (Consulate), 28F, CP Tower Bldg, 313 Silom Rd, ☏ 66 2 641-1567.  Holy See, 217/1 Sathorn Tai Rd, ☏ 66 2 233-9109.  Ungarn, 28 Soi Suk Chai, Sukhumvit Soi 42, ☏ 66 2 661-1150(-2).  Iceland (Consulate), 59 Soi Navin, ☏ 66 2 249-1300.  Indien, 46 Sukhumvit Soi 23, ☏ 66 2 258-0300(-5).  Indonesien, 600-602 Phetchaburi Rd, ☏ 66 2 252-3135(-40).  Iran, 602, Soi Sukhumvit 22-24, Sukhumvit Rd., ☏ 6623900871.  Irak, 47 Pradiphat Rd, ☏ 66 2 278-5335(-8).  Ireland (Consulate), 208 Wireless Road, 12th Floor, Unit 1201, Lumphini, Pathumwan, ☏ 66 2 016 1360, fax: 66 2 675 3933.  Israel, 25F, Ocean Tower, 11 Sukhumvit Soi 19, ☏ 66 2 260-4854(-9).  Italien, 27F/40F, CRC Tower, 87 Witthayu Rd, ☏ 66 2 250-4970.  Japan, 177 Witthayu Rd, ☏ 66 2 207-8500.  Jordan (Consulate), 47 Sukhumvit Soi 63, ☏ 66 2 391-7142.  Kasakhstan, Ste 4301, 43F, JTC Bldg, 919/501 Silom Rd, ☏ 66 2 234-6365(-6).

Kenya, 62 Thong Lo Soi 5, ☏ 66 2 712-5721.  Kuwait, 17F, Sathorn Thani Bldg ll, 92/48 Sathorn Nuea Rd, ☏ 66 2 354-222(-3).  Laos, 502/1-3 Soi Saha Karn Pramoon, ☏ 66 2 539-6667(-8).  Libanon, 15F, CTI Tower, 191/67 Ratchadaphisek Rd, ☏ 66 2 261-1013.  Luxembourg, 17F, Q House Lumpini Bldg, 1 Sathorn Tai Rd, ☏ 66 2 677-7360.  Malaysia, 35 Sathorn Tai Rd, ☏ 66 2 629-6800.  Malta (Consulate), 485/14 Silom Rd, ☏ 66 2 235-9423(-4).  Mexico, 20F, Thai Wah Tower, 21/60-62 Sathorn Tai Rd, ☏ 66 2 285-0995.  Mongoliet, 100/3 Ekkamai Soi 22, ☏ 66 2 381-1400.  Marokko, 12F, Sathorn City Tower, 175 Sathorn Tai Rd, ☏ 66 2 679-5604(-6).  13.7205100.52461 Myanmar, 132 Sathorn Nuea Rd, ☏ 66 2 233-2237. Daily 09:00–12:00, 15:30–16:30; closed on Thai and Myanmar holidays. A same-day visa can be issued. To get the visa the same day (2,300 baht), you must tell the visa clerk that you are leaving tomorrow. They will issue your visa later that same day by 15:30, valid starting the date of issue. There are also cheaper 48-hr (1,600 baht) and 76-hr (810 baht) visas.  Nepal, 189 Sukhumvit Soi 71, ☏ 66 2 391-7240.  Holland, 15 Soi Ton Son, ☏ 66 2 309-5200.  New Zealand, 14F, M Thai Tower, All Seasons Place, 87 Witthayu Rd, ☏ 66 2 254-2530.  Nigeria, 412 Sukhumvit Soi 71, ☏ 66 1 711-3076(-8).  Nordkorea, 14 Muban Suan Laem Thong Soi 2 (Soi 28), ☏ 66 2 319-2989.  Norge, 18F, UBC II Bldg, 591 Sukhumvit Soi 33, ☏ 66 2 204-6500.  Oman, 7F, 134/1-2 Silom Rd, ☏ 66 2 236-7385.  Pakistan, 31 Sukhumvit Soi 3, ☏ 66 2 253-0288(-9).  Panama, 16F, Lumpini Tower Bldg, 1168/37 Rama IV Rd, ☏ 66 2 679-7988(-9).  Peru, 16F, Glas Haus Bldg, 1 Sukhumvit Soi 25, ☏ 66 2 260-6243.  Filippinerne, 760 Sukhumvit Rd, ☏ 66 2 259-0139(-40).  Polen, 25F, Vongvanij Building B, 100/81-82 Rama IX Rd, ☏ 66 2 645-0367(-9).  Portugal, 26 Captain Bush Ln, Charoen Krung Rd, ☏ 66 2 234-0372.  Rumænien, 20/1 Soi Ratchakru, Phahonyothin Soi 5, ☏ 66 2 617-1551.  Rusland, 78 Sap Rd, ☏ 66 2 234-9824.  Saudi Arabien, 23-24F, Saeng Thong Thani Bldg, 82 Sathorn Nuea Rd, ☏ 66 2 639-2999.  Singapore, 129 Sathorn Tai Rd, ☏ 66 2 286-2111.  Slovakiet, Pantip Ct, 68 Sathorn Tai Rd, ☏ 66 2 285-0220(-2).  Sydafrika, Floor 12A, M-Thai Tower, All Seasons Place, 87 Witthayu Rd, ☏ 66 2 659-2900.  Sydkorea, 23 Thiam Ruam Mit Rd, ☏ 66 2 247-7537(-41).  Spanien, 23F, Ste 98-99, Lake Rajada Office Complex, 193 Ratchadaphisek Rd, ☏ 66 2 661-8284.  Sri Lanka, 13F, Ocean Tower 2, 75/6-7 Sukhumvit Soi 19, ☏ 66 2 261-1934(-5).  Sverige, 20F, One Pacific Place, 140 Sukhumvit Rd, ☏ 66 2 263 7200.  Schweiz, 35 Witthayu Rd, ☏ 66 2 674-6900.  Taiwan, 20F, Empire Tower, 195 Sathorn Tai Rd, ☏ 66 2 670-0200.  Tanzania, 3F, S.L.D. Condominium, 501 Sala Daeng Soi 1, ☏ 66 2 235-8282(-3).  Kalkun, 61/1 Soi Chat San, Sutthisan Rd, ☏ 66 2 274-7262(-3).  Forenede Arabiske Emirater, 29F, CRC Tower, All Seasons Place, 87/2 Witthayu Rd, ☏ 66-2-402-4000.  Det Forenede Kongerige, 14 Witthayu Rd, ☏ 66 2 305-8333.  Amerikas Forenede Stater, 95 Witthayu Rd, ☏ 66 2 205-4049.  Uzbekistan (Consulate), 32 Moo 5, Sukhumvit 62 Soi 1, ☏ 66 2 741-7247.  Vatikanet, 217/1 Sathorn Tai Rd, ☏ 66 2 212-5853.  Vietnam, 83/1 Witthayu Rd, ☏ 66 2 251-5836(-8).

Gå videre

Central Thailand

Hvis du vil komme ud af byen et stykke tid, er der masser af dagsture fra Bangkok.

• Amphawa - interessant flydende marked populært blandt lokalbefolkningen
• Ayutthaya - gammel hovedstad med sine mange ruiner, 1,5 time væk med bus eller tog
• Bang Pa-In - dets storslåede sommerpalads giver en behagelig dagstur
• Damnoen Saduak - billede-perfekt flydende marked på turiststeroider
• Hua Hin - badeby med nærliggende vandfald og nationalparker
• Kanchanaburi - den berømte bro over floden Kwai, Erawan Falls og Hellfire Pass
• Ko Kret - rustik ø nord for Bangkok kendt for keramikfremstilling, en behagelig dagstur ud af betonjunglen
• Nakhon Pathom - Thailands ældste by og sted for verdens største stupa
• Phetchaburi - afslappet historisk by med Khao Wang-bjerget, farverige templer og lækre desserter

Yderligere destinationer

Bangkok er også et fremragende knudepunkt til videre rejse til andre regioner i Thailand.

• Chiang Mai - porten mod nord og hjertet af Lanna-kulturen
• Khao Yai National Park - fantastisk bjerglandskab og nogle af Thailands spirende vinmarker
• Ko Chang - stor relativt uspoleret tropisk ø
• Ko Samet - den nærmeste strandø til Bangkok med hvide sandstrande
• Krabi-provinsen - de smukke strande og øer Ao Nang, Rai Leh, Ko Phi Phi og Ko Lanta
• Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat) - hovedby i Isaan-regionen
• Phuket - den originale thailandske paradisø, nu meget udviklet, men stadig med nogle smukke strande
• Sukhothai - ruinerne af det antikke Sukhothai-rige
• Surat Thani - hjemsted for det tidligere Srivijaya imperium, port til Ko Samui, Ko Pha Ngan og Ko Tao

Hvis du overvejer at forlade Thailand, er der ruter over land til følgende destinationer:

• Siem Reap - hjemsted for Angkor templer.
• Phnom Penh - hovedstad i Cambodja
• Vientiane - port til Laos

Ruter gennem Bangkok

ENDE ←	W  E	→ Chachoengsao → Aranyaprathet
ENDE ←	N  S	→ Chonburi → Pattaya
Vientiane (Thanaleng), Nong Khai ← Ayutthaya ←	N  S	→ ENDE
ENDE ←	W  E	→ Nakhon Ratchasima → Ubon Ratchathani
Chiang Mai ← Rangsit ←	N  S	→ ENDE
ENDE ←	N  S	→ Nakhon Pathom → Butterworth
Kanchanaburi ← Nakhon Pathom ←	W  E	→ ENDE
Samut Songkhram ← Samut Sakhon ←	W  E	→ ENDE

Ruter gennem Bangkok

Chiang Rai ← Rangsit ←	N  S	→ ENDE
Nong Khai ← Saraburi ←	N  S	→ Rangsit → ENDE
ENDE ←	W  E	→ Samut Prakan → Trat
ENDE ←	N  S	→ Nakhon Pathom → Hat Yai