Thailand (Lonely Planet, 13th Edition) - China Williams [77]
Newley Purnell (www.newley.com) This Bangkok-based American freelance writer comments on everything from local politics to his profound love for pàt gà·prow stir-fry.
Stickman (www.stickmanbangkok.com) Formerly associated with naughty Bangkok nightlife, the ‘new’ Stickman is a more general blog about life, work and love in Bangkok.
* * *
Post
Main post office (Map; Th Charoen Krung; 8am-8pm Mon-Fri, to 1pm Sat & Sun; river ferry Tha Si Phraya) Services include poste restante and packaging within the main building. Do not send money or valuables via regular mail. Branch post offices throughout the city also offer poste restante and parcel services.
Telephone & Fax
Bangkok’s city code (02) is incorporated into all telephone numbers dialled locally or from outside the city. Public phones for both domestic and international calls are well distributed throughout the city.
Communications Authority of Thailand (CAT; Map; 0 2573 0099; Th Charoen Krung; 24hr; river ferry Oriental) Next door to the main post office; offers Home Country Direct service, fax transmittal and phone-card services.
Telephone Organization of Thailand (TOT; Map; 0 2251 1111; Th Ploenchit; Skytrain Chitlom) Long-distance calling services and an English version of Bangkok’s Yellow Pages.
Toilets
Public toilets in Bangkok are few and far between and your best bet is to head for a shopping centre, hotel or fast-food restaurant. Shopping centres might charge 2B to 5B for a visit; some newer shopping centres have toilets for the disabled. Despite what you’ll hear, squat toilets are a dying breed in Bangkok.
Tourist Information
Official tourist offices distribute maps, brochures and advice on sights and activities. Don’t confuse these free services with the licensed travel agents that book tours and transport on a commission basis. Often, travel agencies incorporate elements of the official national tourism organisation name (Tourism Authority of Thailand; TAT) into their own to purposefully confuse tourists.
Bangkok Information Center (Map; 0 2225 7612-5; www.bangkoktourist.com; 17/1 Th Phra Athit; 9am-7pm; river ferry Tha Phra Athit) City-specific tourism office provides maps, brochures and directions; yellow information booths staffed by student volunteers are located throughout the city.
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT; 1672 for assistance 8am-8pm; www.tourismthailand.org) Head Office (Map; 0 2250 5500; 1600 Th Petchaburi Tat Mai; 8.30am-4.30pm; Skytrain City Air Terminal, Metro Phetburi); Banglamphu (Map; 0 2283 1555; cnr Th Ratchadamnoen Nok & Th Chakrapatdipong; 8.30am-4.30pm) Opposite the boxing stadium; Suvarnabhumi International Airport (0 2134 4077; 2nd fl, btwn Gates 2 & 5; 8am-4pm).
* * *
FREE RIDE
Launched in 2008, Green Bangkok Bike is a municipally sponsored program encouraging visitors to explore parts of old Bangkok by bicycle. The small green bikes can be borrowed for free, and an expansive tourist route encompassing the area’s major sites has been marked by relatively clear road signs and occasional green bike lanes. There are eight stations spread out between Ko Ratanakosin and Banglamphu, and the suggested starting/ending point is at the southwest corner of Sanam Luang (Click here), across from the main entrance to Wat Phra Kaew. Bikes are available from 10am to 6pm, and you’ll need some form of ID to borrow one.
* * *
Travel Agencies
Bangkok is packed with travel agencies where you can book bus and air tickets. Some are reliable, while others are fly-by-night scams issuing bogus tickets or promises of (undelivered) services. Ask for recommendations from fellow travellers before making a major purchase from a travel agent. Generally, it’s best to buy bus and train tickets directly from the station rather than via travel agents.
The following are some long-running agencies:
Diethelm Travel (Map; 0 2660 7000; www.diethelmtravel.com; 12th fl, Kian Gwan Bldg II, 140/1 Th Withayu/Wireless Rd; Skytrain Phloenchit)
STA Travel (Map; 0 2236 0262;