Krabi and Bangkok

oss · 24th October 2009, 16:19

Did you try the Muay Thai - the Thai kick-boxing ?!

ajmat · 24th October 2009, 18:01

Krabi Ready Reckoner

Always plan for two-three whole days- I say whole since most tours are for the entire day. Arrive/ depart either early morning or late if possible

Taxi's - official taxi's all have a fixed rate from airport. Lot of civilian cars used as taxis. Rates normally displyed. Used tuk -tuks for short journeys. Normally 20baht per/person around town

Tours - Book from the hotel. Going direct is not always cheaper. Never beleive the taxi person - make an informed decision

Food - street food rocks, plenty of western restaraunts but local carts have more charm and add to the experience

Shopping - except for coral items etc , don't bother until you go to Bangkok

Recommended - a waterproof bag when you go out to see

Bargaining - state your price / you have more power when you are buying more than one. Asking for best price is a loser's game. State and be prepared to walk

ajmat · 24th October 2009, 18:11

Bangkok Ready Reckoner

Taxi's are plentyful and reasonable. Always avoid the ones that park outside the hotel waiting for a deal. FLag a passing one with the red sign on. Written directions help. Tolls are extra. 3 pax and more means taxi may be cheaper than a BTS/MRT but not always faster

Tuk Tuk- Rates almost the same or around 2/3 a taxi.Negotiate first. Recommneded for short distances

Wat Arun - avoid tours - just take a taxi there

Palace complex - go to the Emerald Buddha first. They suddenly close for functions sometimes

Airport Duty Free - A little more than Bangalore - food and water is expensive. Not as relaxing like Singapore if you are stuck for a few hours

Visa - best to get beforehand.

Shopping - MBK - everything, Platinum - clothes, plenty more. Chattachuk worth it on a weekend but kids will get fed up. Give your wives a strolley full of baht to go there and they will be your slave for life

Food - try the carts, else Food court in Siam Paragon is good and reasonable. Food court - 5 avenue in MBK is a little pricey

Tours - Grand Palace worth it. Remaining - decide based on need for transportation to the places, Sima Niramit show is a "don't miss"

Stay - try and stay near an MRT/BTS station

vraghuz · 27th October 2009, 15:06

Nice Writeup Ajmat, My Next year destination is Krabi , BTW , howcome there are no pics of the Cars in Siam Paragon Mall ???

Raghu.

greenh0rn · 27th October 2009, 17:14

This is a very informative thread, Ajmat! Nice pics and thanks for all the tips on getting your way around!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajmat

I remember buying a water ottle but could not find it. Go through security and I am thirsty. A long walk, really long walk later, I find a food court and buy water at 40 baht (7 baht in town!). I open my hand baggage to find the bottle I bought in town. So much for security!

At Changi, Singapore, I entered the aircraft, casually noticed that I had a cigarette lighter in my pocket, came out to the aerobridge, tried to give the lighter to someone who looked like security, he refused to take it first! Then I asked him to just throw it away and then he took it from me. Indeed, so much for security!

Amit_GetzCRDI09 · 27th October 2009, 17:17

How much did the tour cost you overall in INR?

Note from Team BHP Support Team:
Please do not type in All Caps.

Jaggu · 27th October 2009, 18:32

Nice captures and narratives! Brings back some good ol memories when i roamed around this place

Gulwing rated at ***** lucky guy!

24th October 2009, 16:19	#31
oss BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chennai Posts: 683 Thanked: 6 Times	Did you try the Muay Thai - the Thai kick-boxing ?!
	() Thanks

24th October 2009, 18:01	#32
ajmat Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 14,866 Thanked: 27,981 Times View My Garage	Krabi Ready Reckoner Always plan for two-three whole days- I say whole since most tours are for the entire day. Arrive/ depart either early morning or late if possible Taxi's - official taxi's all have a fixed rate from airport. Lot of civilian cars used as taxis. Rates normally displyed. Used tuk -tuks for short journeys. Normally 20baht per/person around town Tours - Book from the hotel. Going direct is not always cheaper. Never beleive the taxi person - make an informed decision Food - street food rocks, plenty of western restaraunts but local carts have more charm and add to the experience Shopping - except for coral items etc , don't bother until you go to Bangkok Recommended - a waterproof bag when you go out to see Bargaining - state your price / you have more power when you are buying more than one. Asking for best price is a loser's game. State and be prepared to walk
	() Thanks

24th October 2009, 18:11	#33
ajmat Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 14,866 Thanked: 27,981 Times View My Garage	Bangkok Ready Reckoner Taxi's are plentyful and reasonable. Always avoid the ones that park outside the hotel waiting for a deal. FLag a passing one with the red sign on. Written directions help. Tolls are extra. 3 pax and more means taxi may be cheaper than a BTS/MRT but not always faster Tuk Tuk- Rates almost the same or around 2/3 a taxi.Negotiate first. Recommneded for short distances Wat Arun - avoid tours - just take a taxi there Palace complex - go to the Emerald Buddha first. They suddenly close for functions sometimes Airport Duty Free - A little more than Bangalore - food and water is expensive. Not as relaxing like Singapore if you are stuck for a few hours Visa - best to get beforehand. Shopping - MBK - everything, Platinum - clothes, plenty more. Chattachuk worth it on a weekend but kids will get fed up. Give your wives a strolley full of baht to go there and they will be your slave for life Food - try the carts, else Food court in Siam Paragon is good and reasonable. Food court - 5 avenue in MBK is a little pricey Tours - Grand Palace worth it. Remaining - decide based on need for transportation to the places, Sima Niramit show is a "don't miss" Stay - try and stay near an MRT/BTS station
	() Thanks

27th October 2009, 15:06	#34
vraghuz BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 116 Thanked: 23 Times	Nice Writeup Ajmat, My Next year destination is Krabi , BTW , howcome there are no pics of the Cars in Siam Paragon Mall ??? Raghu.
	() Thanks

27th October 2009, 17:17	#36
Amit_GetzCRDI09 BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Mumbai Posts: 31 Thanked: 8 Times	How much did the tour cost you overall in INR? Note from Team BHP Support Team: Please do not type in All Caps.
	() Thanks

27th October 2009, 18:32	#37
Jaggu Team-BHP Support Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 20,215 Thanked: 15,907 Times	Nice captures and narratives! Brings back some good ol memories when i roamed around this place Gulwing rated at ***** lucky guy!
	() Thanks