Post by Admin on Nov 15, 2013 4:21:22 GMT
Helpful Tip Whenever you check in get a card from your hotel/hostel so you can always get back .
Taking Trains Depending on the route sleeper cars can fill up fast and the closer to a full moon party the harder it is to get decent train accommodation south and I traveled in 3rd class one time and can only say for short trips sure long trips NO WAY!!!. This article covers trains in Thailand very well and I suggest always booking ahead in high season and you can even discount by referencing the writer . Thailand Train Link
Changing money and free atms Changing Dollars in Thailand you get better rates for bigger bills so bring $100's or $50's other currencies no difference also ATM fees are ridiculous and unfortunately the only free ATM's are no where near Khao San the free banks are Aeon Aeon Atm Finder Citibank also offers fee-free withdrawals to all foreign bank cards utilizing the Visa or MasterCard networks.Citibank Atm locator
Scams First I was dragged to the ping pong show in Patpong by friends not really my thing but many people do go to this . Beware a guy on the street will tell you drinks are 150 baht and no cover then leave , you order 3 drinks then are ready to leave and see this inflated bill with the real prices and for 3 of us they tried to charge almost 6000 baht that we got lowered to 500 each . So if you want to see this show make sure and see a dink list and what the cover charge is and if they give you any thing do not take it as you will be charged.
Next Tuk Tuks you are walking down the street and this guy offers to take you wherever sight seeing dirt cheap. Do not do it as all he will do is try and take you to Tailors and rip off travel agencies that charge ridiculous prices . Most tuk tuk drivers will scam you on anything and often times a Taxi is cheaper if you can get them to use a meter,which is nearly impossible around Khao San road . So before you get in a cab if they will not use meter or tuk tuk negotiate the price before you leave and you will not have an unpleasant surprise at your stop .
Day trips/overnight Kanchanaburi
This town is about a 3 hr drive by van from Bangkok and cost 150 baht to get there and the weather is much cooler then Bangkok, attractions include Tiger Temple, Bridge over Kwai , Hell fire pass , Erawan waterfalls , safari park and of course elephant rides.If you want to stay overnight I am giving you now the cheapest place I found anywhere in Asia. The Jolly Frog rooms start from 70 baht and house boat on the river is 150 baht , beautiful courtyard and you can swim in the river from the deck . The restaurant has about 250 items on the menu and about half are 30 baht maybe 35 now as they were raising prices.To get the 150 baht rate walk down Khao San towards the temple turn left and walk past every tour agency that is going to charge twice and over to the Royal Hotel and a person will be sitting with a cardboard sigh to Kanchanaburi . If you want to stay at Jolly Frog tell them and tell will drop of there or any other place you are staying in town. www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g297924-d1142863-Reviews-Jolly_Frog_Backpackers-Kanchanaburi_Kanchanaburi_Province.html
How to get to Kanchanaburi ,Ayhthaya,Pattaya and MAEKLONG Amphawa, Railway Market from Victory monument www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g293915-c175744/Thailand:Vans.At.Victory.Monument.html
Food Do not be afraid of street food here as Bangkok has some of the best street food and variety in the world and it is even better the farther you get from Khao San .
I also have to add 7/11 in here because when everything is closed and you are hungry they have food 24 hrs they have a menu and you have to ask for the food at the cashier it is not in the refrigerated food section. A chicken burger is 20 baht .
Taking Trains Depending on the route sleeper cars can fill up fast and the closer to a full moon party the harder it is to get decent train accommodation south and I traveled in 3rd class one time and can only say for short trips sure long trips NO WAY!!!. This article covers trains in Thailand very well and I suggest always booking ahead in high season and you can even discount by referencing the writer . Thailand Train Link
Changing money and free atms Changing Dollars in Thailand you get better rates for bigger bills so bring $100's or $50's other currencies no difference also ATM fees are ridiculous and unfortunately the only free ATM's are no where near Khao San the free banks are Aeon Aeon Atm Finder Citibank also offers fee-free withdrawals to all foreign bank cards utilizing the Visa or MasterCard networks.Citibank Atm locator
Scams First I was dragged to the ping pong show in Patpong by friends not really my thing but many people do go to this . Beware a guy on the street will tell you drinks are 150 baht and no cover then leave , you order 3 drinks then are ready to leave and see this inflated bill with the real prices and for 3 of us they tried to charge almost 6000 baht that we got lowered to 500 each . So if you want to see this show make sure and see a dink list and what the cover charge is and if they give you any thing do not take it as you will be charged.
Next Tuk Tuks you are walking down the street and this guy offers to take you wherever sight seeing dirt cheap. Do not do it as all he will do is try and take you to Tailors and rip off travel agencies that charge ridiculous prices . Most tuk tuk drivers will scam you on anything and often times a Taxi is cheaper if you can get them to use a meter,which is nearly impossible around Khao San road . So before you get in a cab if they will not use meter or tuk tuk negotiate the price before you leave and you will not have an unpleasant surprise at your stop .
Day trips/overnight Kanchanaburi
This town is about a 3 hr drive by van from Bangkok and cost 150 baht to get there and the weather is much cooler then Bangkok, attractions include Tiger Temple, Bridge over Kwai , Hell fire pass , Erawan waterfalls , safari park and of course elephant rides.If you want to stay overnight I am giving you now the cheapest place I found anywhere in Asia. The Jolly Frog rooms start from 70 baht and house boat on the river is 150 baht , beautiful courtyard and you can swim in the river from the deck . The restaurant has about 250 items on the menu and about half are 30 baht maybe 35 now as they were raising prices.To get the 150 baht rate walk down Khao San towards the temple turn left and walk past every tour agency that is going to charge twice and over to the Royal Hotel and a person will be sitting with a cardboard sigh to Kanchanaburi . If you want to stay at Jolly Frog tell them and tell will drop of there or any other place you are staying in town. www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g297924-d1142863-Reviews-Jolly_Frog_Backpackers-Kanchanaburi_Kanchanaburi_Province.html
How to get to Kanchanaburi ,Ayhthaya,Pattaya and MAEKLONG Amphawa, Railway Market from Victory monument www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g293915-c175744/Thailand:Vans.At.Victory.Monument.html
Food Do not be afraid of street food here as Bangkok has some of the best street food and variety in the world and it is even better the farther you get from Khao San .
I also have to add 7/11 in here because when everything is closed and you are hungry they have food 24 hrs they have a menu and you have to ask for the food at the cashier it is not in the refrigerated food section. A chicken burger is 20 baht .