Bangkok - Khao San Road Area

[RichardSt]

The countdown is well and truly on to our 2 week holiday/honeymoon to Thailand. Just under 5 weeks! (Yes I'm getting giddy early! )

Anyway towards the end of the holiday; the last 3 days we're heading to Bangkok and are staying in a hotel near the Khao San Road.

I've never been to Bangkok before other than going in and out of the airport and Supansa has never been to this area of Bangkok. It was Supansa that wanted us to go here.

Apart from the road itself what is there to do in the local area? I'm a bit of a water baby so would like to go and have a look at the river - any suggestions of good restaurants?? boat trips?? anything that shouldn't be missed??

As I say we've only got 3 days so won't be able to do everything but any suggestions would be welcomed

PS - any nice watering holes along this area of the river/city??

Thanks everbody

[RichardSt]

PPS - how much would you expect to pay for taxi from Bangkok to the airport?

Thanks

[ddwjg]

PPS - how much would you expect to pay for taxi from Bangkok to the airport?

Thanks

Bangkok is a huge place Richard. 10's of kms from one end to the other. So it makes your question a little vague .

My stepson will do Khoa San Road area to Suvarnabhumi Airport for 500 baht including 'expressway tolls'. He tells me these tolls have just doubled, but his price has not altered yet.

Dave.

[Tobias]

PPS - how much would you expect to pay for taxi from Bangkok to the airport?

Bangkok Taxi offer for T-UK members you will find a competitive fixed fee there.

[RichardSt]

Thanks Dave,

Providing Bank is not already booked and he's in the area I think we might add this on to the rest of our trip that he's quoted for us.

I'll PM you the details in the next couple of weeks when we look to finalise the original details that we discussed.

Thanks

[the gardener]

Walk round the corner and flag down a regular cab on the main road, 2 years ago it was not much more than 300 including tolls. Ok its probably gone up a bit. Ignore the parked taxis if you can. They are very intimidating.

A better option is to get the express bus(private) it goes from near the temple and uses the express way in part. Its very well known and goes direct to the terminal, as I recall its around 150/person. Its well know by the back packers. Its well advertised in the airport and easy. Sadly I,m too cheap to use it.
There are also vans going that way, many agents in the area.

In theory you can get the public aircon bus from the southern bus terminal which comes from over the bridge and goes down the main road towards democracy monument.

On the tourist bit you can take the narrow street from the back of the temple on soi rambutri and get to the river and the fast commuter boats, many options.

Howabout walking down to the democracy monument and onwards to the Golden Mound(behind the Mahakan fort) .
If its daylight and you want to do something different get on the commuter boats(on the canal not the river)that ply the Khlong Saen Saeb and head into town, its fast and cheap. Its goes past the Jim Thompson house/Siam Paragon en route to Bang kapi. Visit the Bo Bae wholesale market etc Its a pleasent alternative to taxis etc and the clogged up streets. Its very cheap maybe 10 baht upwards. Have a look on Bangkok.com or Asia direct ??
Also the boats stop off at wireless pier (near wireless road) ??
On my to do list is a trip to Koh Kret Island accessible by river to nonthonburi and maybe a bus, have a look on thailandbytrain.com, see old waterside living. if your in banglampoo you can get trips on the klongs around thonburi. Enjoy yourself. Sorry no links but try thaitransit.blogspot.com for river details etc. Very useful for bus info. PM me for more issues.

[Marcus]

In theory you can get the public aircon bus from the southern bus terminal which comes from over the bridge and goes down the main road towards democracy monument.

Yes, this is the blue air-con number 556.

I always use it to and from the airport as it's by far the cheapest option. From the airport you get the free airport shuttle bus to the bus station and catch the 556 there. Likewise, when going back, you change in the same place.

As for Banglumpoo - in my opinion it is the best of Bangkok. The streets and sois around Khao San are packed with good places to eat and stay and all the best sites to see are in easy walking distance - The Golden Mount, Loha Prasat, Wat Suthat, the klong boat to Siam Square and the skytrain, the Grand Palace, the river, is all just a stroll away. Have a great honeymoon!

[RichardSt]

Many thanks guys,

I'll try to have a look into the places mentioned this week and see what we think.

[melnathan]

RichardST go into khaosanroad.com it tells you what where and how. Has many hotels at the right price and also a link to airport pick up. Only problem with the road is it is not near Sky train, needs taxi to get out (always check meter is running).
A lovely night out is a supper cruise on the river go on the big boats not the converted Rice Barges.Book in advance.
You are only 10 mins from China Town and The City Pillar Shrine, well worth a visit. Lots of relyable travel agent in area. The road is traffic free in the evening. Have a good time , its my favorite part of Bangkok

[RichardSt]

Thanks melnathan,

The supper cruise sounds like my kind of thing but then again as you say there seems to be a huge amount to do within the (reasonably local) area... the difficulty is choosing which to do in such a limited time!

Problems, problems, problems

[caller]

My only problem with the Khao san Rd was the hundreds of young farangs, which as far as I could tell, everything was geared up for - at night. There weren't a lot of Thais around bar those making money out of said farangs. On saying that, my missus liked it whilst I was looking for something/somewhere more Thai!

[Crockett10]

Hi,
Jai and myself also enjoy khao san road area, there is plenty going on for the kids to look at so they don't get bored. We stayed in the Navali hotel a very short walk from the road but situated on the river with good views from most rooms, also has rooftop pool. Hotel has a water bus/taxi stop at the terrace downstairs so very easy to get around.
Dave

[manfarang]

I'm a bit of a water baby so would like to go and have a look at the river - any suggestions of good restaurants?? boat trips?? anything that shouldn't be missed??

You could do a day trip to Bang Pa-In and visit the old Summer Palace. One option would be to take the bus there and get a river / supper cruse back to BKK.

[RichardSt]

Thanks Dave, I'll have a look at this hotel

Manfarang I've just had a quick look at Bang Pa-In on wikitravel. Looks to be a good option as you suggest. Is the 2 hour bus ride a drag? Wiki travel suggests that most tourist boats to Ayutthaya stop here?? Maybe a boat trip both ways would be good??

Thanks for your input

[caller]

I stayed there recently and it was fine, interesting bathroom arrangement - brekky wasn't up to much though (Nov 09) for my Thai wife - report here (3rd post in thread):

http://thailand-uk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7056

[Marcus]

You could do a day trip to Bang Pa-In and visit the old Summer Palace. One option would be to take the bus there and get a river / supper cruse back to BKK.

Yes, Bang Pa-In is a real treat. It's wonderful. When we went, we took a minibus from the Northern Bus Terminal.

(And for trips to Ayuthaya, the fastest way is the non-stop minibuses from Victory Monument.)

[RichardSt]

I stayed there recently and it was fine, interesting bathroom arrangement - brekky wasn't up to much though (Nov 09) for my Thai wife - report here (3rd post in thread):

http://thailand-uk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7056

We have decided to opt for the Royal River Hotel - it's actually a little further from Khao San Road than we had originally wanted but the rooms are more within budget. The website and reviews that I have seen are also favourable.

Fingers crossed

[RichardSt]

Yes, Bang Pa-In is a real treat. It's wonderful. When we went, we took a minibus from the Northern Bus Terminal.

(And for trips to Ayuthaya, the fastest way is the non-stop minibuses from Victory Monument.)

Thanks Marcus, we have scheduled in Bang Pa-In as a definite. I hope to report back favourably. Thanks

[Marcus]

And, don't forget, after you've done Bang Pa-In Palace, walk out past the ticket gate where you entered, take a right, and walk down to the river.

There's a great rope suspension type thing there where monks swing you across the river (for a small donation). Take a right when you get to the other side and go see the temple. It was built in the style of a gothic church and is amazing to see and very beautiful.

Really, I think this is my favourite day-trip out of Bangkok! Enjoy!

[ddwjg]

And, don't forget, after you've done Bang Pa-In Palace, walk out past the ticket gate where you entered, take a right, and walk down to the river.

There's a great rope suspension type thing there where monks swing you across the river (for a small donation). Take a right when you get to the other side and go see the temple. It was built in the style of a gothic church and is amazing to see and very beautiful.

Really, I think this is my favourite day-trip out of Bangkok! Enjoy!

Richard, I went to Bang Pa-In in around the time of the Millenium, and was so impressed that I went back last year. Just as impressive. You'll need a couple of hours to take everything in.

Dave.