Bangkok Dec 31 2006 22 hours only, What to Do/ Eat/ Transport How much money would you take?

Question

Hi, My wife and I are staying at the sofatel silom in Bangkok for New years eve. We are only there for 22 hours in total, flying onto Melbourne so a load of the options that would have been open to us we cannot do. Also remember after a 10 Hour Flight and another one the next day, we don't really want a long night or go a long way from the hotel.
1) Where to eat, patpong market?
2) Best option taxi/ public transport?
3) How much Thai money would you take (I know about the 300 Baht for getting out of the country?
4) What do I "HAVE TO" do?

We arrive about 1530 hrs

Answer 1

1) Where to eat: Everywhere has nice food..if u want seafood,can check out Yaowarat(Chinatown) T&K Seafood which IMO is not too bad and affordable too..cos usually if u tell e taxi drivers u're going for dinner or looking for food,they'd volunteer to drive u to somewhere "very nicce,good food" but PRICES ARE REALLY STEEP!!dun trust 'em!! Siam Paragon's Food Hall is fantastic as well..wide selection at extremely cheap prices.. 45baht for a meal??wat say u???and u gotta purchase coupon before proceeding to purchase ur food..so if u do go there.purchase coupons at the counters..there are also restaurants and cafes to select frm if u dont like dining at food hall..
.PS patpong is just another touristy place to check out,not much to shop cos everything is similar,u get those annoying ppl approaching to "see FREE SHOW.." if u know what i mean..

2) Best option taxi/ public transport: Taxi is affordable,BUT make sure the driver turns on the taxi-meter,if not they'd first state a price usually 100-150baht which is usually TOO MUCH cos when the meter is turned on,cost of travelling to ur destination might be cheaper than 100baht..so if he doesnt wanna turn on meter,wait for another taxi..unless u dun mind the prices they quote..(try to get 'em to switch on meter..if not bargain the price down) there's also the BTS skytrain,which is extremely convenient as well.Single Journey Ticket :Fare varies with destination,between 10-40 Baht

3) How much Thai money would you take (I know about the 300 Baht for getting out of the country: i guess £100 is enough for u guys..and dun forget the 1000 baht tax(1 person 500baht)things are dirt cheap.


4) What do I "HAVE TO" do?
i'm not really sure wat time u arrive,say if u arrive in the morning,u can check out JJ Weekend Market(Chatuchak Market) since 31 Dec is a Sunday...also,if u dislike crowded,clastrophobic(sp?) areas,Pratunam area such as Indra Square,Platinum Mall,Pratunam Center and Market has cheap stuff as well..all at wholesale prices!!

you could also join the "Bangkok Countdown” held in front of the Central World Plaza on New Year’s Eve in which Thai and foreign visitors gather. If you have to walk at a night bazaar, I suggest the Suan Lam Night Bazaar at Lumphini Park (pronunced as "loom-pee-nee").


i hope wat i suggested is useful!have a good trip!

Answer 2

Where to eat? Most 5 star hotels have good to excellent restaurants. Why not eat in? Sofitel has 4 to choose from V 9 (wine bar), Shanghai 38 (Regional Asian), Mistral (Mediterranean) and Nika-i (Japanese). I would suggest the first 3, most Japanese restaurants in Bangkok are not that great and for New Year's eve probably the other 3 would suffice.

Transportation? You are near the BTS skytrain at the Chong Nongsi station. You could travel around to some shops if you needed. Take the skytrain to the National Stadium station and you will be at the MBK center and you can shop there for souvenirs, jewelry and clothing. Cost? About 20 baht per person each way, about a 10 minute trip. I don't suggest cabs because they take 2 to 3 times longer for 10 times the cost. Time being the determiner. For the above trip, cost maybe 100 baht but, it could take you 30 minutes or more. Especially New Year's eve.

The airport tax or fee is 500 Baht per person.

Have to do? Not sure how adventurous you are. You are there such a short time.

You can go to the V 9 restaurant and bar in the Sofitel Hotel, it supposedly has a panoramic view of Bangkok.

There is a restaurant called Sirocco at the top of the State Building, one of the tallest buildings in Bangkok. it is a bit pricey. You could either have dinner there or drinks. There is a Sky Bar, open air overlooking the Chao Phraya River. You could take the skytrain to the Saphan Taksin station and it's about a 10 minute walk. Cost 20 baht per person each way and a 10 minute trip. Or you could try to take a cab.

Good luck

Answer 3

Realistically, you might as well stay at the hotel for the night because it is New Years Eve. They will likely to have special dinner and festivities right there. This will save you getting the taxi to and from places as it likely to be difficult with the traffic.
If you want to venture out, Patpong road is just up the road within walking distance.
Remember, you have a flight to catch so don't try to do too much.
All along Silom Road there will be plenty of stuff happening so walking to nearby places might be an option - save you from trying to find a taxi back to the hotel. At least you get to see a bit of life at the street level.
Just take note - it is 500THB EACH to get out of the country.
What do you have to do? Enjoy yourself. I am sure the staff at the Sofitel will be more than happy to help you with enquiries.

Answer 4

the food is good no matter where you eat & taxi,s are very cheep but make sure you get a price first if the taxi does not have a meter . if you are going to shop take @ £100 if not £50 will be plenty .It,s 500 bhat to each to leave the country , you pay the departure tax after you have checked in ( there a machine or you can pay at the kiosk )you get a ticket and you give this to the person standing at the entrance you go through to get your plane
Make sure you have the right money for the deprature tax as the wont give you change , you get 500 & 1000 note both will be ok

you could try the bel-aire princess hotel it,s in a great location & the main shopping is at tthe end of the road

Answer 5

Not sure what time you arrive, but the guide books reckon afternoon tea at the Shangri La is an experience not to be missed. Never done it myself as I have a hard time getting out the bar.
But for the evening you have to go to one of the riverside restaurants even if it just to see the New Year firework display.
Both the the Shangri La and Sheraton have excellent outside eating and you don't have to dress too grand, unlike at the Oriental.
I've eaten at all three location's and are all as good as each other. But I'd mark the Oriental down because of its dress code.
But remember its New Years Eve so you should be thinking about making a booking now if you fancy one of these places.
Shangri La - [phone]
Sheraton - [phone]
Oriental - + 662360420
Don't forget all these hotels have web sites

Answer 6

OK you have to go to pat pong market there is a steak house there English food with a Thai kick you have to go to the cinema there amazing 5star vibrating massage chairs blankets sofas socks makes you feel Like your at home but with loads of other people you can order food too SO coll and i would say go to a temple to its nice to see the culture and the biggest market i thinks called jj market or similar is unbelievable hot i nearly fainted but it has everything there ..money i would take £100 and travel i would take sky trains quick and easy stop virtually every where in Bangkok

have fun hope i could help

Answer 7

£100 is plenty,go to patpong market just for the experience.
the food is good everywhere.
when you want to go out get a taxi from the hotel,it might be a little bit more expensive but at least you will get where you want to go.
if you need more money there are plenty of atm machines everywhere.

Answer 8

If I were you I would just stay at the sofitel hotel!! they have good food and accept almost any currency and at least you would have a rest lol

Answer 9

use mrt and bts to go everywhere