Bangkok (Lonely Planet) - Andrew Burke [200]
Sap Tai Cabbages & Condoms Resort ( 0 3622 7065; www.pda.or.th/saptai; 98 Moo 6, Th Phaya Yen, Pak Chong; r 2100-11,500B; ) This resort, with its city-hotel ambience, is the sister facility of the Bangkok restaurant Click here with the same name (and food) and supports a great cause: HIV/Aids education and prevention. It’s good value.
Village Farm ( 0 4422 8407/8; www.villagefarm.co.th; 103 Moo 7, Tambon Thaisamakee, Wan Nam Kheo, Nakhon Ratchasima; r 2200-11,000B; ) This microwinery is the closest thing Thailand has to a French village. A variety of restored teak villas are cradled in 32 hectares of farmland, and the resort includes a spa and restaurant.
Kirimaya ( 0 4442 6000; www.kirimaya.com; 1/3 Moo 6, Th Thanarat, Pak Chong; r 10,500-38,000B; ) A stunning setting and equally stunning rooms have seen Kirimaya lauded as one of the world’s top new hotels. Rooms range from luxurious to vast, lavish tents with their own pools; the spa and Jack Nicklaus–designed golf course round out the experience.
TRANSPORT
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AIR
BOAT
BUS
CAR
TAXI
TRAIN
TÚK-TÚK
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Bangkok may seem chaotic and impenetrable at first but, regular traffic jams notwithstanding, its transport system is not nearly as dire as legend would have it. The Skytrain, Metro, river and klorng (also spelt Khlong) ferries and more than 70,000 clean and dirt-cheap taxis combine to make getting to most parts of Bangkok reasonably easy. Not surprisingly, the trains and ferries are the fastest options during peak hours, while taxis are handy at other times. And as the urban railways are continually extended the whole system should work better, with faster access to more of the city and fewer cars on the roads (well, that’s the theory, at least). Flights, tours and rail tickets can be booked online at www.lonelyplanet.com/travel_services.
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AIR
Bangkok is a major Southeast Asian air hub, and dozens of airlines fly regularly between the Thai capital and the rest of the world. Thailand’s national carrier is Thai Airways International (THAI; www.thaiair.com), which also operates a number of domestic air routes.
Airlines
DOMESTIC
Thailand has fewer airlines than it did a few years ago, but competition remains fierce on a large network of domestic routes. Those listed here also fly regional international routes. Nok Air and Thai Air Asia (the local arm of budget behemoth Air Asia) are budget airlines, THAI Airways is full service and Bangkok Airways is somewhere in between. Big discounts are often available online, and most deal only in e-tickets, so there’s no reason to schlep out to their distant offices to book a fare; use a travel agent, the internet or the phone. For last-minute fares (which on THAI domestic routes are often cheaper than its online fares), buy at the departures level in the relevant airport.
Bangkok Airways (PG; 1771; www.bangkokair.com)
Nok Air (OX; 1318; www.nokair.com)
Thai Air Asia (FD; 0 2515 9999; www.airasia.com)
THAI Airways International (TG; 0 2232 8000; www.thaiair.com)
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THINGS CHANGE…
The information in this chapter is particularly vulnerable to change. Check directly with the airline or a travel agent to make sure you understand how a fare (and ticket you may buy) works and be aware of the security requirements for international travel. Shop carefully. The details given in this chapter should be regarded as pointers and are not a substitute for your own careful, up-to-date research.
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INTERNATIONAL
Some of the airlines flying to Thailand, with offices where they exist:
Air Asia (AK; 0 2515 9999; www.airasia.com)
Air Canada (AC; Map; 0 2670 0400; www.aircanada.ca; Suite 1708, Empire Tower, River Wing West, 195 Th Sathon Tai, Sathon)
Air France KLM (AF; Map; 0 2635 1191; www.airfrance.com; 20th fl, Vorawat Bldg, 849 Th Silom)
Air New Zealand (NZ; Map; 0 2235 8280; www.airnewzealand.com; 11th fl, ITF Tower, 140/17 Th Silom)
Cathay Pacific Airways (CX; Map; 0 2263 0606; www.cathaypacific.com; 11th fl, Ploenchit Tower, 898 Th Ploenchit)