By Derek Miller
Of all of the places to visit in South-east Asia, the Kingdom of Thailand is easily the most popular with Western travellers.
Attracted initially by the flavors of old Siam, the stunning natural beauty of the islands, beaches and mountains of the North and the warmth of the Thai people, many visitors never leave or come back time and again.
What tends to anchor travellers and secure repeat trippers are the convenience of easy access to most Western โ€˜necessitiesโ€™. In many parts of Thailand access to fast-food chains, bookshops, video stores or English language TV is easily available.
At the same time the throbbing Tuk-tuks, the street hawkers selling chocolate coated grasshoppers and the long-tail boats jetting down pungent canals never let anyone forget where they are. Even the French-fries will be served with a sachet of chilli sauce.
Western amenities are not the only home-comforts for the tourist in Thailand; western standards are also becoming the norm too. The standards of many of the international hospitals in Bangkok (and elsewhere) are truly world class and often the hospitality they offer really sets them apart.
Traditionally visitors to Thailand have included the budget travellers, the sex tourists, the beachcombers, the middle-aged world tourists and the businessmen but these days more and more people are coming here specifically for the medical facilities. The rationale is why not combine a relaxing beach holiday with dental work, cosmetic surgery or even elective surgery?
Especially when the standards of medical treatment can rival any in the world and the low prices mean that those relaxing weeks on the beach are effectively an idyllic free recuperation.
Thailand is so ready to receive Western tourist these days that many of the old frustrations have been completely eliminated. Also the ability of most Thais to be able to offer basic assistance in English helps things run smoothly.
However, as with visiting any foreign country, some care should be taken in communicating with people to minimize those awkward misunderstandings. In Asia particularly it is important not to show anger or impatience as it will only count against you. Also, choose your words carefully to be easy to understand. Listening to irate โ€˜Farangsโ€™ shouting โ€˜Department of Consular Affairsโ€™ at a wide-eyed motorcycle taxi driver in Bangkok can be extremely tiring for all concerned and unlikely to be successful for the tourist.
Now that Bangkok has state-of-the-art mass transit in its unique sky train and ultra-modern underground rail system it is a lot less draining to move around this sprawling metropolis. The systems donโ€™t cover every part of the city yet but you can travel in comfort to the area you want first, so to eliminate those interminable cross-town taxi or bus rides.
http://www.articles-hub.com
Showing posts with label Bangkok Guide. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bangkok Guide. Show all posts
2007/09/16
2007/09/09
Travel In Bangkok: How To Find The Right Transportation For Day Tour
Cherdkiat Taesookavat
Travel in Bangkok sometimes never easy for many of foreigner tourists as there are many kinds of public transportation available. Moreover you may find that if you want to go to some area that there is only one type of transportation could access to. Therefore, it is very essential for foreign tourists to study all of the details concern to transportation in Bangkok in order to save time of your travel and protect you from accidentally lost. The following article gives in-depth guide about public transport, which you can choose effectively to save your time and money. It is unlike kind of general guide that you can find anywhere else on the internet because this article was written by Thais who live in Bangkok for more than twenty years so you can rest assure that you will get information from an expert.
There are two types of the Mass Transit in Bangkok, the BTS SkyTrain service and the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Subway service so they have simple map that you can understand easily but these types as the following are more complicated than the Bangkok Mass Transit.
1.Tuk Tuk (three-wheeled taxi)
For some of you who have already visited Bangkok for few times may be familiar with this kind of transport. They are a kind of non-air condition taxi, which you can ask them to take you to anywhere in Bangkok area. The most distinct advantage of using Tuk Tuk is the price is really cheap and you can negotiate for the fare before you decide to take it. The first rule of thumb of using Tuk Tuk is you MUST negotiate to get cheaper price and this is possible. Normally you can negotiate for up to 50 - 100 Baht less that what the driver offer, if the driver refuses to discount, do not waste your time with him, and just go for another one. However, by taking Tuk Tuk, apart from you can get cheaper price, it is also allows you to see outside environment when you travel so they are quite suitable for some of you who love open-air transport and enjoy Bangkok sightseeing. There are some cautions that you have to consider when using Tuk Tuk, you must choose the car that in good condition and has valid yellow registration plate. It is also possible to ask to see driving license of the driver in case of emergency and while Tuk Tuk is running, you should be careful and hold the rail of a car tightly, especially if you have your child, you must hold them with your body for safety while Tuk Tuk is running too.
2. Bus
It is quite common for Bankokians to take bus, but for foreign travellers, especially first time travellers to get confused. This is because there are almost five hundred bus lines throughout Bangkok. However, bus is the cheapest transport in Bangkok. There is information about Bangkok bus line available in tourist information center around Bangkok area. The disadvantage of bus transport is you have to know the name of destination that you are going to visit, so it seems to be very difficult for first visit travellers. Therefore, if you intend to use bus as you major transport, make sure that you study about bus routes, number as well as the name of destinations that you are going to visit.
3. Air-conditioned taxi
This is probably the most convenient way of transport and it is also cost a lot too. Fare is varied depends on the distance of your travel. The distance and fare will be automatically calculated by electronic meter so you do not have to ask for fare quote or make negotiations. All you have to do is know the name of destination and tell the driver.
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/travel-in-bangkok-how-to-find-the-right-transportation-for-day-tour-183636.html
Travel in Bangkok sometimes never easy for many of foreigner tourists as there are many kinds of public transportation available. Moreover you may find that if you want to go to some area that there is only one type of transportation could access to. Therefore, it is very essential for foreign tourists to study all of the details concern to transportation in Bangkok in order to save time of your travel and protect you from accidentally lost. The following article gives in-depth guide about public transport, which you can choose effectively to save your time and money. It is unlike kind of general guide that you can find anywhere else on the internet because this article was written by Thais who live in Bangkok for more than twenty years so you can rest assure that you will get information from an expert.
There are two types of the Mass Transit in Bangkok, the BTS SkyTrain service and the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Subway service so they have simple map that you can understand easily but these types as the following are more complicated than the Bangkok Mass Transit.
1.Tuk Tuk (three-wheeled taxi)
For some of you who have already visited Bangkok for few times may be familiar with this kind of transport. They are a kind of non-air condition taxi, which you can ask them to take you to anywhere in Bangkok area. The most distinct advantage of using Tuk Tuk is the price is really cheap and you can negotiate for the fare before you decide to take it. The first rule of thumb of using Tuk Tuk is you MUST negotiate to get cheaper price and this is possible. Normally you can negotiate for up to 50 - 100 Baht less that what the driver offer, if the driver refuses to discount, do not waste your time with him, and just go for another one. However, by taking Tuk Tuk, apart from you can get cheaper price, it is also allows you to see outside environment when you travel so they are quite suitable for some of you who love open-air transport and enjoy Bangkok sightseeing. There are some cautions that you have to consider when using Tuk Tuk, you must choose the car that in good condition and has valid yellow registration plate. It is also possible to ask to see driving license of the driver in case of emergency and while Tuk Tuk is running, you should be careful and hold the rail of a car tightly, especially if you have your child, you must hold them with your body for safety while Tuk Tuk is running too.
2. Bus
It is quite common for Bankokians to take bus, but for foreign travellers, especially first time travellers to get confused. This is because there are almost five hundred bus lines throughout Bangkok. However, bus is the cheapest transport in Bangkok. There is information about Bangkok bus line available in tourist information center around Bangkok area. The disadvantage of bus transport is you have to know the name of destination that you are going to visit, so it seems to be very difficult for first visit travellers. Therefore, if you intend to use bus as you major transport, make sure that you study about bus routes, number as well as the name of destinations that you are going to visit.
3. Air-conditioned taxi
This is probably the most convenient way of transport and it is also cost a lot too. Fare is varied depends on the distance of your travel. The distance and fare will be automatically calculated by electronic meter so you do not have to ask for fare quote or make negotiations. All you have to do is know the name of destination and tell the driver.
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/travel-in-bangkok-how-to-find-the-right-transportation-for-day-tour-183636.html
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