Bangkok- Krung Thep

A September 2002 trip to Bangkok by willwander

Viengtai roomMore Photos

Bangkok is the most modern city in SE Asia, but still a huge adventure in culture and history. Beer by the bucket, $2 massages and a riotous love for life hang their hats in Banglamphu.

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Khao San Road Sign
Bangkok is a huge city, but most of the action is in the Banglamphu area, which is cheap and convenient to all the major attractions. I loved Khao San Road, the back packer's center- Where else can you get beer by the bucket? But beware as scams run rampant. If it's too good to be true- IT IS! You'll either love it or loath it, but worth at least a walk through for cheap souvenirs and people watching.

My highlight in Bangkok was a klong trip to a little temple that sells bread to boat passengers. Not Hungry? The catfish in the water beneath you are and boil the water trying to grab the free snacks as you drop them down. It was the closest I ever hope to get to being a celebrity with papparazzi around- the catfish are huge and agressive beyond words!

Quick Tips:

You will get your fill of temples and Buddhas on any tour, but if you go on your own to the Grand Palace complex, splurge on a licensed guide if you're a real history/culture buff. It's so amazingly detailed and intricate, you could walk right by important details in a euphoric daze. The massages at the temple school are a little more expensive, but highly rec'd after a couple hours of craning your neck to see all the chedis and buddhas.

Best Way To Get Around:

Try to stay off the tuk tuk 3 wheelers if time is an issue- they'll almost always run you through two or three stores hoping for a commission before you get to your destination- you didn't think 10 bhat would really get you across town did you?

Use the river service as your best friend; a lot of the major sites are on/near the river. They're as cheap as the buses, but don't face the nasty traffic snarls.

Everyone in Bangkok with a vehicle will be between you and your destination, so give TONS of time if you have to cross town to the airport/rail station, ect.

Viengtai Hotel Near Khao Sarn RBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Viengtai Hotel"

Viengtai room
A little more than you'd pay on Khao San Road itself will get you cable, A/C and a more sedate street just a five minute walk away from Khao San. This hotel is a center for tour groups moving in and out of Bangkok, so the staff are very freindly and helpful to travelers. It's clean and simple with a great little breakfast shop inside and a travel agent dying to earn your buisness on day trips/tours. Try to get into a upper floor room for a good view of the area!
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by willwander on December 16, 2002

Viengtai Hotel Near Khao Sarn R
42 RAMBUTTRI ROAD Bangkok, Thailand 10200
6622805343-45

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