Bangkok (Lonely Planet) - Andrew Burke [177]
For an experience of traditional Thai life, surrounded by fruit trees and river music and feeling far from Bangkok’s urban snarl, it’s hard to beat the Thai House. The teak home built with wing-shaped roofs is pure, old-fashioned Siam, with a welcome as warm as you could hope for. Rates include breakfast, and many guests choose to do the cooking courses taught on the premises. By river, take a public boat from Tha Chang to Bang Yai in Nonthaburi, via Khlong Bangkok Noi. Once you reach the public pier in Bang Yai, charter a boat to Thai House’s own pier – all the boat pilots know it. By taxi, get the driver to call for directions.
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AIRPORT ACCOMMODATION
If you have an early departure or late arrival it’s worth considering a hotel near Suvarnabhumi International Airport. That said, taxis are cheap and early-morning traffic means the trip doesn’t take that long.
Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel (off Map; 0 2131 1111; www.novotel.com; r from 5000B; ) Boasts 600-plus luxurious rooms in the airport; big discounts online.
Kantary House Bangkok (Map; 0 2374 5544; www.kantarygroup.com; 14 Soi 42, Th Ramkamhaeng, Bangkapi; s/tw from 2100/2250B; ) Big, new, well-equipped and excellent-value studios and apartments.
Refill Now! (see below) Nearest good budget option.
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REFILL NOW!
Map Hostel $$
0 2713 2044; www.refillnow.co.th; 191 Soi Pridi Banhom Yong 42, Soi 71, Th Sukhumvit; dm/s/d 525/1085/1470B; Khlong Tong; Phra Kanong or Ramkamhaeng;
From the fertile imaginations of two young Thai architects, Refill promises a ‘high-style low-cost’ place to ‘relax, rejuvenate and replenish’. It delivers with spotless white private rooms and dorms that have flirtatious pull screens between each double-bunk; women-only dorms are also available. Some might baulk at paying this much for rooms with shared bathrooms miles from town. But the hip, unpretentious vibe emanating from the funky bar (called Revive), restaurant (Recommend) and communal areas, and the unflappable, engaging staff, leave a smile on most faces. There is a massage service (Reform) on the top floor. Refill Now! is near trendy Thong Lo and only 20 minutes from the airport by taxi, or 15 minutes by City Link to Ramkamhaeng Station, then a 50B taxi. On the Skytrain, get off at Phra Kanong and take a taxi or moto taxi down Soi 71, turn right on Soi 42 and left; or best of all come by klorng taxi to Khlong Tong and walk.
EXCURSIONS
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BACK TO NATURE
TIME TRAVEL
THAI LIFE
SAND & SUN
AYUTHAYA
AYUTHAYA HISTORICAL PARK
INFORMATION
EATING
DRINKING
SLEEPING
KO SAMET
INFORMATION
EATING
DRINKING
SLEEPING
FLOATING MARKETS
INFORMATION
MAHACHAI RAIL LINE & AMPHAWA
EATING
SLEEPING
PHETCHABURI (PHETBURI)
INFORMATION
EATING
SLEEPING
KANCHANABURI
INFORMATION
EATING
DRINKING
SLEEPING
KHAO YAI NATIONAL PARK
INFORMATION
EATING
SLEEPING
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contents
Ayuthaya
Ko Samet
Floating Markets
Mahachai Rail Line & Amphawa
Phetchaburi (Phetburi)
Kanchanaburi
Khao Yai National Park
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EXCURSIONS
Believe it or not, there is life after Bangkok. The city’s central location, not to mention its role as the country’s transportation hub, make it a convenient base from which to explore much of what central Thailand has to offer. Destinations range from island beaches to critter-laden jungles, and include day trips and more-relaxed overnighters. Much of the tourism surrounding Bangkok is geared towards locals, and as such there’s an emphasis on religious pilgrimages and food – the latter ranging from ‘famous’ restaurants to buzzing night markets for socialising and dining. Both allow for fascinating insights into Thai culture. Bangkok’s outlying areas also have many theme parks and animal attractions that will entertain children who are sick of humouring their parents.
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BACK TO NATURE
Going from concrete jungle to real jungle is not as hard as you’d think. A couple of hours on a bus will take you to places so wild you can count elephants and tigers among your