LANGUAGE

Thai

CURRENCY

Thai Baht

BEST TIME TO VISIT

November to August

NEAREST AIRPORT

Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)

EMERGENCY HELPLINE NUMBER

911

INTERNET ACCESS

Wi-fi is standard in guesthouses and cafes. Signal strength deteriorates in the upper floors of multistorey buildings; you can always request a room near a router. Cellular data networks continue to expand and increase in capability.

VISA

Most nationalities can receive a 30-day visa exemption on arrival at international airports or a 15-day visa at land borders; a 60-day tourist visa is available through Thai consulates.

Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs oversees immigration and visa issues. In the past several years there have been new rules almost annually regarding visas and extensions; the best online monitor is Thaivisa (www.thaivisa.com).

Citizens of 62 countries (including most European countries, Australia, New Zealand and the USA) can enter Thailand at no charge. Depending on nationality, these citizens are issued a 14- to 90-day visa exemption if they arrive by air (most nationalities receive 30 days) or for 15 to 30 days by land.

HOTEL

Bangkok developed around the Chao Phraya River and it continues to be the long, flowing core of the city. Many of the city’s luxury hotels sit along the river, offering their guests tranquil river views. The city is quite spread out but well connected by Metro and its BTS elevated Skytrain system. The areas of Siam and Ratchaprasong are the core of tourist Bangkok, home to the palace, temples, and museums. Sukhumvit Road is one of Bangkok’s main arteries and also home to mall after mall filled with every kind of shop, from discount to luxury. The area on and around Khao San Road has long been the core of the city’s backpacker scene, with a large inventory of hostels and budget accommodations. The Bang Rak and Sathorn districts are mainly filled with corporate skyscrapers, but their non-tourist location means there are good hotel values to be found. Visitors to Bangkok should keep in mind that costs are quite low in Thailand and that applies to accommodation. At the top end of the scale, five-star hotels can be secured for under $200 per night, and budget rooms can be found for under $20.

LUXURY

Most of the city’s luxury hotels are located along the Chao Phraya River, with its beautiful views and ever-changing parade of humanity and watercraft.

Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers

Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok

Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok

Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit

MID-RANGE

Hotels in the Bang Rak and Sathorn Districts are great options since the area is more popular for corporate buildings than tourists.

Sathorn Vista, Bangkok – Marriott Executive Apartments

Eastin Grand Hotel Sathorn

Hotel Muse Bangkok Langsuan, MGallery Collection

BUDGET

Traditionally, the Khao San Road area has been the epicenter of Bangkok budget lodging and this is still true today.

Dang Derm Hotel

ibis Bangkok Riverside

Diamond House

ibis Bangkok Sathorn

COST OF LIVING

Hotels in Bangkok can be found for next to nothing, but be warned that the absolute bottom end gets you a low standard that isn’t found many other places. Spending a bit more can get you something fairly nice, and things get better and better the more you are able to spend.

The transportation and attractions cost very little as well, so once you are situated you can keep yourself entertained for days on a very low budget. And of course food is not only excellent in Bangkok, but it’s famously cheap as well. Freshly prepared dishes from street stalls can be found all day and well into the night, with meals costing around US$1 and up, and restaurants in the city don’t charge much more for a comfortable seat and good service.

Compared to elsewhere in Southeast Asia, getting drunk here can be expensive, with wine and spirits being particularly steep. Budget-minded party people can save money by buying the first couple of rounds from one of the thousands of mini markets and starting in the hotel or hostel.

It doesn’t always happen this way, but in Bangkok the hotel seasons match the dry and rainy seasons exactly. For mid-range and high-end hotels, the high season in Bangkok is from November through April, and many also have a peak season during the Christmas and New Year’s holiday period.

The low season for Bangkok hotels runs during the rainy season, from May through October. For cheaper hotels they might not change the published rates at all during the year, but you’ll be in a better position to bargain for a lower rate during the low season, especially if you are planning on staying more than a couple days.