Dean Barrett is a US born novelist who has lived in Asia for many years. His books include: Hangman’s Point Mistress of the East Murder in China Red Now a resident of Bangkok Thailand, his books often include characters connected to the infamous nightlife and gogo bars of Bangkok. Such books include: Skytrain to Murder Kingdom of Make Believe Murder at the Horny Toad Bar The Gogo Dancer Who Stole My Viagra In this video, he takes us for a stroll down the famous Soi Cowboy. Visit his website on: www.deanbarrettthailand.com or visit the site for the feature film Dean Barrett appeared in. www.pbar.info
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Everyone’s hurting a bit in this downwards spiraling world economy. But if you’re still lucky to have a job and need that release a vacation can only provide then head towards to Bangkok Thailand. With some of the wildest nightlife venues and seedy sex districts, Bangkok leaves an indelible memory on all who visit. To make the most of your vacation in Bangkok when visiting the sex districts it’s best to stay at a hotel that has a guest friendly policy. These hotels don’t require a guest to pay a joiner fee which is usually 500THB. There are many but you’llf find a some names of popular ones below Bangkok has three main sex districts: Patpong Nana Soi Cowboy
There are a few more but the 3 main ones are mainly geared towards foreign tourist. Which is a good thing since these three are connected through Bangkok’s efficient train system the BTS Sky Train. Patpong is Bangkok’s oldest red light district dating back before the Vietnam war started. Today the drinks and go go bar activities are a bit higher since Patpong has been commercialized. But you can still find decent prices on local draft or brewed beers such as Singha and Chang. There is only one guest friendly budget hotel within a 5 minute walk to Patpong and its called Bally’s Studio Suites Silom. This hotel is relatively new and the rooms are decent in size. It’s also close to the BTS Sky train so you’ll be able to get to the other sex districts easily. Nana sex district has the most guest friendly Bangkok hotels because you can find a wide selection of nightlife venues in this area. There are hundreds of beer bars, dozens of popular nightclubs and the best thing of all is Nana Plaza is located right across the Nana hotel. Nana Plaza is a small building, just 3 floors but the place is packed full of go go bars and a dazzling display of bikini clad ladies. Some of the popular budget guest friendly hotels in this area is the Woraburi Sukhumvit, Swiss Park, Nana Hotel and Salil Hotel. And they’re all within walking distance to Nana Plaza. Soi Cowboy is the smallest sex district, comprised of a Soi just 400 meters long packed full of go go bars as far as the eye can see. This area is practically a business district so there are many upper range business hotels. Luckily Nana isn’t too far, matter of fact it’s only a 10 to 15 minute walk and less by car or tuk tuk. There are a few noteworthy guest friendly hotels with decent rates such as Sacha’s Hotel Uno, Livingstone’s Lodge and Admiral Suites.
Where to find guest friendly hotels in Bangkok has been one of the most asked questions going around web forums. To be honest it’s not that hard. And the simple answer is anywhere near one of Bangkok’s 3 red light districts is where you will find the most guest friendly hotels. Just what is a guest friendly hotel exactly? A hotel that is deemed guest friendly means that the hotel’s management will not charge their customers a joiner fee for taking a guest back to their rooms. A joiner fee cost 500THB but it can be higher depending on the hotel. So if you unknowingly book a non-guest friendly hotel and plan on taking a guest back up to your room for a 7 day holiday then you’re going to be paying more money unnecessarily. As mentioned before, the best place to find guest friendly hotels is near any one of Bangkok’s 3 red light districts. Many of these hotels offer great quality and excellent service, and the room rates vary from budget to 5 star luxury. Patpong’s red light district has the fewest guest friendly hotels in the immediate area. Some of the names are Tawana Ramada, Rose Hotel and the Montien Hotel. You’ll find some more along the river such as the Peninsula Hotel Bangkok, which is expensive by the way. The area where you can find the highest concentration of guest friendly hotels are in the Sukhumvit area, which coincidentally has two red light districts named Nana and Soi Cowboy. Most of the guest friendly hotels are located along the side streets of Sukhumvit road. Some of the names of guest friendly hotels in Sukhumvit are the Majestic Suites, Amari Boulevard, Grand President and Sheraton Grande. When you’re booking guest friendly hotels it is best to book the room for two guests. In most instances the rates are the same anyway. This is just an extra safety precaution as service treatment in Bangkok’s hotel can vary from customer to customer. Also since guest friendly hotels are so popular you should keep several alternatives in mind just in case your first hotel choice has no rooms available.
Most Asian countries have problems in their big cities, like Bangkok, with over-population, traffic congestion and pollution. There are several modes of transportation in Bangkok, with the automobile being the most popular. Bangkok is a large city that possesses only the beginnings of a mass rapid transport system such as can be found in Singapore or Hong Kong. Traffic in Bangkok is also notoriously bad, and it is often impossible to ascertain just how much time is needed to go from point A to point B if you are travelling by road. There are ways to get around the city however, and the best method of transport can very much depend on the time of day, or other circumstances such as start and end points of travel. Although not expensive in any case, cost can also be a factor in selecting the best method of transport.
The colourful taxis that dominate the traffic in Bangkok are cheap and plentiful, and these days they are all fitted with meters. Nevertheless, some unscrupulous drivers will refuse to turn on the meter and quote you a flat, inflated price. This particularly happens in certain tourist areas. In this situation, it is best to get out of the taxi and flag another one down. In order to try and avoid this situation completely, it is usually better to walk just a short distance away from the tourist spot and flag down a moving taxi. It is normally the case that it is the stationary taxis who most frequently behave in this manner, although it has to be said that the vast majority of taxis will turn on their meters straight away without you having to ask. For short trips, outside of rush hour, a taxi is probably easiest and quickest, and is particularly economical if you are a group of 3 or 4. It also has the advantage of taking you from door to door. In rush hour, you will probably find that the taxis will, in any case, refuse to take you to certain areas because they don’t want to be sat in a traffic jam either. Taxis are also good for longer journeys at weekends when traffic is usually much lighter.
The ubiquitous and photogenic tuk tuk is probably something every tourist wants to try once, but as a regular way to get around the city they are to be avoided. They are often involved in scams with the intention of taking you to specific shops where they get free petrol and you get ripped off. The usual approach, is to quote you a very low price per hour, and then to take you on a tour of places where they get their commissions and kickbacks. Don’t be fooled! Even if there is no scam, they will almost always quote you a price more expensive than a normal taxi. Add to this, the fact that they are dirty, noisy and just a little dangerous, then there is little reason to use them in preference to taxis.
Equally dangerous, if not more so, are the motorcycle taxis often preferred by the locals. They are quick to get around the streets as they negotiate the traffic, sliding between cars and buses, and even taking to the pavements in some areas! They can be useful for short journeys as long as you are prepared to take the risk of travelling on the back of a motorbike without any protection in the form of a crash helmet. Costs are generally less than a taxi for short journeys, but can be more, depending on the state of the traffic.
Since 1999, the Skytrain has weaved through the streets of central Bangkok on just 2 routes. Initially empty, it is now crowded, especially at rush hour, but it is a fast and convenient way to get around if your journey coincides with one of its two routes. Expansion has already started, but it will be some time before there is greater coverage of Bangkok. 2005 saw the addition of an underground system known as the MTR but as yet there is only one line, and, in typical Thai fashion, there is no cooperation with the Skytrain, for example, in the use of a single ticket. This is despite the fact that the two systems are somewhat integrated with connecting stations. As with the Skytrain, if your starting point and destination happen to coincide with the MTR’s route, then it is probably the best choice, although if there are 3 or 4 of you it will cost more than a taxi. Safety and speed are however assured which cannot always be guaranteed with a taxi.
The Skytrain (BTS) connects, not only with the MTR, but also with the express boat services at Saphan Taksin. They ply their trade up and down the Chao Phraya River through central Bangkok, and all the way up to Nonthaburi. Incredibly cheap, it is something of an experience to take one of these boats. They only stop for a few seconds at each landing stage, allowing passengers to jump on and off, before speeding on to the next pier. They are definitely the preferred mode of transport for any destination along the river, and are particularly good for tourists wanting to visit the sites, most of which are situated close to the river. Boats also head off river, down the klongs (canals), and provide a convenient and fast mode of transport through some parts of the city. Other boats service some of the larger klongs through the city and, of course, there are long tailed boats available for hire that will take you on a site seeing trip through the klongs and to some tourist attractions such as the snake farm.
Large and small buses are everywhere in both air conditioned and non air conditioned forms. They are very cheap, and although they can suffer the same traffic delays as taxis, they are an economical way to get around the city centre and to the outlying districts of Bangkok. Bus route maps are available free at BTS stations. At certain times of the day, they can be very crowded on certain routes. Given this and the traffic situation in Bangkok, they are, therefore, not always the best option.
It is often worth spending a few minutes studying the options available when travelling from one part of the city to another, and considering using a combination of the different methods to get to where you want to be. For example, if you are located near to BTS or MRT station and wish to go to Chinatown, you could take the BTS to Saphan Taksin, and then take the express boat. Alternatively, you could take the MRT to Hue Lampong, and then take a short taxi ride or even walk. It really all depends on time of day, your personal preference and the number of people in your party as to which is the best method.
Until expansions to both MRT and BTS are completed, Bangkok will remain a traffic clogged city, suffering the pollution caused by exhaust gases from cars and ageing, diesel fume belching buses. These expansions, however, point to a cleaner, easier to get around city in the future. It will, however, be some time before Bangkok can begin to match the efficiency of the transport systems of Singapore and Hong Kong.
No fee hotels in Bangkok do not charge their guests a fee for taking a companion back to their hotel room for an overnight stay. Joiner fees typically range from 500THB up to 1000THB depending on each individual hotel’s policy. Most men who’ve never been to Bangkok and want to stay in no joiner fee hotels think they’re dirty and full of thieves and drug addicts. This is absolutely not true. Some of the finest hotels in Bangkok as well as the world do not charge their guest joiner fees. For example the Peninsula Hotel Bangkok, which is one of the top rated Asian hotels have no problems at all about their guests taking a companion back to there rooms. However the Peninsula Hotel is also very expensive. The good news is there are plenty of hotels that don’t charge joiner fees in Bangkok. Even better news is most of these hotels are located right within Bangkok’s 3 major red light districts. Many of them are well known for quality, service and most importantly affordable. In Patpong’s red light district there are the fewest hotels that don’t charge joiner fees. Such as the Montien Hotel, Rose Hotel and the Tawana Ramada. Located near Sukhumvit road, in Nana and Soi Cowboy red light districts you will find the largest concentration of no joiner fee hotels, mainly because both of those red light districts are close to each other. Another reason is because there are lots of freelance thai prostitutes who stay around Sukhumvit road looking for customers. Sukhumvit road runs through Nana and Soi Cowboy’s red light districts so you’ll find lots of business class no joiner fee hotels as well as many boutique hotels and a resort or two. Some of the most popular no joiner fee hotels in the area are the Nana Hotel, Ambassador Hotel and Swiss Park Hotel. When booking no joiner fee hotels it’s best to keep several hotel options in mind. No joiner fee hotels are very popular so the rooms are snatched up quickly. By keeping several options on hand you will increase the chance of staying in a no joiner fee hotel near one of Bangkok’s popular red light districts.
Thinking of places to enjoy a golfing vacation adventure and go somewhere exotic Consider Thailand as a Golf Vacation destination and you will never forget your experience and the adventure. In this article I will be talking to you about Bangkok Golf Vacations in particular, although there are hundreds of golf courses throughout Thailand. First a little about Thailand from Wikipedia. Thailand is home to several distinct geographic regions, partly corresponding to the provincial groups. The north of the country is mountainous, with the highest point being Doi Inthanon at 2,576 meters (8,451ft.). The northeast consists of the Khorat Plateau, bordered to the east by the Mekong river. The centre of the country is dominated by the predominantly flat Chao Phraya River valley, which runs into the Gulf of Thailand. The south consists of the narrow Kra Isthmus that widens into the Malay Peninsula. The local climate is tropical and characterized by monsoons. There is a rainy, warm, and cloudy southwest monsoon from mid-May to September, as well as a dry, cool northeast monsoon from November to mid-March. The southern isthmus is always hot and humid. Major cities beside the capital Bangkok include Nakhon Ratchasima, Udon Thani, Nakhon Sawan, Chiang Mai, Surat Thani, Phuket, and Hat Yai, in Songhla Province. Bangkok, known in Thai as Krung Thep, is the capital and largest city of Thailand, with an official census population of over 10 million. Bangkok is located on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River, near the Gulf of Thailand. Its also in the World Book of Records for the longest named city, Krung Thep is abbreviated. Bangkok is one of the fastest growing, most economically dynamic cities in Southeast Asia. It is emerging as a regional center to rival Singapore and Hong Kong. The World Meteorological Organization has dubbed Bangkok the world’s hottest large city. Moreover, it is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. Bangkok is also known for relatively low retail prices. Bangkok is the place to visit for breathtakingly beautiful temples, magnificent palaces, Thai dancers, Thai kickboxing, museums, and island hopping, with Thailand’s new airport is a work of art which stands alone and sets a new international standard for travelers, with all the latest hi-tech equipment , and visitor friendly features no where else to be found, just now opening in July through September. So, besides the enjoyment of your golfing vacation, you will also be able to enjoy the visit to Bangkok, Thailand in many other ways, not the least of, which is the fantastic Bangkok nightlife and world-class hotels at rates you won’t believe. All in all, a golf vacation to Thailand is more than just an average golfing vacation, it’s an adventure to remember. Lets talk about some of the particular Golf Clubs and Golf Courses in Bangkok. Windmill Park Golf & Country Club: Designed by Nick Faldo, this 18-Hole, Par 72, golf course is very challenging from the back tees. It features a lot of water for most of the entire course and the Par 5 holes are all doglegs. The last hole is probably the biggest challenge where you have to hit onto an island where the clubhouse is also located. Bangpoo Country Club: This 18 hole course was designed by Arnold Palmer and is one of the most popular golf vacation destinations. It is located about 60 miles southeast of Bangkok. You will not contend with as much water as you will on the Windmill course but wind will be a factor in your golf game at Bangpoo. Wide Fairways make the course a little easier for the average golfer. Vintage Golf Clubs: There is a lot more here than just golf. It features a glamorous clubhouse with tennis courts, a swimming pool, and even a fitness center. This 18 hole, Par 72 golf course was designed by Arthur Hills and is a rather flat course. However the greens, fairways, and water hazards are well placed. The Par 5 holes will give any golfer the challenge they are looking for and the 18th hole is especially challenging with a narrow green sporting water on two sides. Bangpakong Riverside Country Club: Built by the Bangpakong River, this 18 hole course presents unique challenges for golfers at any skill level. The river intertwines through the golf course and into some of the greens themselves. Thana City Golf & Country Club: This Golf Club is located along the Bangna-Trad Highway. A beautiful course designed by Greg Norman gives golfers a chance to play holes of varying skill levels. Dynasty Golf & Country Club: Designed by Dennis Griffiths, Dynasty is an 18-hole golf course about an hour-and-a-half drive from Bangkok. The greens are well placed and the course is fairly flat. Subhapruek Golf Club: (Formerly Bangna Country Club). The name, Subhapruek, was given to the golf course by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn in 1995 and means Beautiful Plants. Natural Park Ramindra Golf Course: (Formerly Winsan Golf Club until taken over by the Natural Group in 1992) Designed by Jack Niclaus, this 18-hole golf course features holes with sandy wastes, water hazards, and bunkers. These are only a few of the golf courses in and around Bangkok, Thailand. You will enjoy exploring to find other courses such as those I will recommend below. A trip to Thailand for a golf vacation is one you will never forget. Other recommended Golf courses you can search for online before booking your Bangkok, Thailand golf vacation. Green Valley Golf Club, Rose Garden Golf Club, Kiarti Thanee Country Club, Royal Gems Golf & Sports Club, Krisda City Golf Club, President Golf & Country Club, Krung Kavee Golf Club, Pinehurst Golf & Country Club, Lakewood Golf & Country Club, Panya Indra Golf Club, Lum Luk Ka Golf Club, and Navatanee Golf Club. Note from the author: Just watch out for the water traps. I’ve donated 100’s of golf balls over the years. Reed Langdon lives in Thailand with his family and is an avid golfer. For more information and tips on great golf vacations visit his website at http://www.golfvacationonline.info
Bangkok has many fabulous attractions which make excellent day-trips. One of the most popular day-trips from Bangkok is the 110 km trip to the picturesque Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, which is in Ratchaburi province. Bangkok is famous for its floating markets. You will find them at Ton Khem, and there are others at Hia Kui and Khun Phitak. Organised tours to Damnoen Saduak will probably also include a visit the Rose Garden and the chedi at Nakhon Pathom. The Rose garden is set in large landscaped tropical gardens but is mostly visited for the ‘cultural show’ that’s put on there – Thai traditional dance, Buddhist ordination ceremony, muay thai (Thai boxing), elephants at work, and takraw (a common sport in Thailand). Also in the grounds is a luxury riverside resort, thousands of rose bushes and hundreds of exotic birds. Close to Rose Garden are the Thai Human Imagery Museum and the Samphran Elephant Park. The human imagery museum is a Thai Madame Tussauds with images of famous monks and all the Chakri dynasty kings. The Elephant park has a variety of elephant and crocodile shows ( featuring these animals wrestling, performing in various ways, including tug-of-war). Nakhon Pathom, around 60 km west of Bangkok, is a town famous as the reputedly the oldest in Thailand and the place where Buddhist missionaries first entered Thailand from India. It is a typical provincial Thai town with only the gold encrusted Phra Pathom Chedi giving a clue as to its celebrated past. This is a massive 127m high, making it the word’s largest Buddhist monument, and the most important in all of Thailand. As well as the main chedi, there are numerous bots, Buddha images and other structures nearby. This area is mostly visited either on a day tour from Bangkok, or sometimes on route to Kanchanaburi. Kanchanaburi is home to the River Kwai and its infamous bridge. The building of the bridge in 1943 was part of a wartime project to link existing Thai and Burmese railway lines to create a direct route from Bangkok, Thailand to Rangoon, Burma (now Myanmar) in an effort to support the Japanese occupation of Burma. Over 100,000 conscripted laborers and 12,000 prisoners of war died during the whole project.
To the northeast of Bangkok in Minburi are both the Suwan Siam Water Park and the Safari World Park. Easy to combine in one day trip, the water park is set in large landscaped gardens and has surf, whirlpools, fountains, waterfalls, large water slides and flumes. Other family attractions here are children’s playgrounds, colorful aviaries, an open zoo and botanical gardens. With more than 150 acres, Safari World is the largest wildlife park in Southeast Asia. There are almost a hundred different animal species, including giraffes, zebras, elephants, lions and tigers. The marine section has trained dolphin shows and an aviary section with eagles, macaws and parrots. There are various shows available (including dolphins, birds, seals and monkeys). This is best visited on a tour, as the wildlife section is for vehicles only. Though the park also has coaches you can go through on, most taxi drivers can be persuaded to take you through it if pay them a little more for it. The other sections can be visited on foot.
Dusseldorf is the capital city of the German state of North Rhine Westphalia and Dusseldorf international airport is the third largest airport in the country after Frankfurt international airport and Munich international airport. Because Dusseldorf international airport (airport code DUS) is located almost 10 kilometres outside of the city of Dusseldorf, you will most likely want to hire a car to complete your journey when leaving the terminal. Cheap Rhino car hire can be booked in advance and there are great vehicles of all makes and models available through providers such as Hertz, Avis, Holiday Autos, Auto Europe and Sixt. Whether you are going through Dusseldorf international airport on business or for a holiday we have the right vehicle for you.
Last year more than 18 million passengers used Dusseldorf international airport, a large portion of them taking Air Berlin and Lufthansa flights. Air Berlin has a whole A-Z of world wide cities which it flies to from Dusseldorf international airport. These include Alicante, Bangkok – Suvarnabhumi, Copenhagen, Dresden, Faro, Helsinki, Ibiza, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Milan-Malpensa, Nice, Palma de Mallorca, Rome – Fiumicino, Sharm el -Sheikh, Tenerife – North, Venice – Marco Polo, Westerland – Sylt and Zürich among many others. There are also a large number of Air Berlin flights to seasonal European destinations such as Jersey, Reykjavik – Kevlavik, Rhodes, Kos and Minorca. There are also flights to various inter Atlantic destinations like John F Kennedy New York airport and Los Angeles airport. With Lufthansa you can fly to the German airports of Berlin-Tegel, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Stuttgart and Munich. Other flights go to Chicago – O’Hare, London – Heathrow, Moscow -Domodedovo, Newark, Palma de Mallorca, Paris – Charles de Gaulle, and Vienna. Some of the seasonal destinations are to Miami airport in America and Toronto-Pearson airport in Canada. Towards the end of the year a route from Dusseldorf international airport to Dubai airport with Lufthansa will start up as well. Other airlines which fly from Dusseldorf international airport are Austrian Airlines, Egypt Air, Croatia Airlines, Lot Polish Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines System and Swiss International Air lines from terminal A. From terminal B you can get flights with Aegean Airlines, Air Baltic, Air Europa, Air France, Delta Air lines, Czech Airlines KLM and many others. If you are flying with Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Blue Wings, Flybe, Ghana International Airlines, Jet 2, TUI Fly, Turkish Airlines and many others, you will depart from terminal C. For the latest information on all the routes and airlines at Dusseldorf international airport as well as current news you can pick up a copy of Das Magazin at news stands there for free. The other airport in the Dusseldorf area is airport Weeze (airport code NRN) which is located some 80 kilometres away from Dusseldorf and has various low cost flights. Ryanair has the most international flights from airport Weeze to destinations such as Palma de Mallorca and Alicante in Spain and Bologna in Italy. The German airline Hamburg International flies from Dusseldorf airport Weeze to places in the Middle East such as Sharm El Sheik and Tel Aviv too. Although Dusseldorf airport Weeze only had one and a half million passengers last year, this was such a massive increase on previous years that it is one of Europe’s fastest growing airports. Editorial Manager Robert Frische wrote this article for Rhino car hire as part of a series about international airports in Germany and includes information on Car Hire Dusseldorf Airport and Car Hire at the Dusseldorf Weeze Airport
What are the best areas of Bangkok to rent? What facilities and services can I expect from a Bangkok serviced apartment? What are the best and worst serviced apartments in Bangkok? Read on to learn the answers to these questions and much more in my simple and easy guide to renting a serviced apartment in Bangkok for expats and travelers. Bangkok is the Center of Southeast Asia
As the commercial center of Thailand and the hub of business and leisure travel within Southeast Asia, Bangkok has exceptional hotels of all kinds catering to the business elite and casual traveler.
Recently, a new kind of accommodation has gained favor with business executives on short stays in Bangkok–the luxury serviced apartment. With increased commercial expansion over the past several years, serviced apartments are quickly becoming the favorite choice of living style for their affordable luxury. What is a Serviced Apartment?
The serviced part of the equation usually refers to the daily or twice weekly cleaning of your room, the furniture, kitchen amenities and so on that normal apartments do not include. Some service apartments also function as hotels, and these are called Aparthotels. What’s So Special About Bangkok Serviced Apartments?
Real estate and relocation agents believe Bangkok has the most number of sophisticated apartments the world has to offer. There are not just one or two luxurious apartments, but close to 50. This is because skilled labor is cheap in thailand, and the city itself is a major business hub for the southeast asia region.
Renting a serviced apartment in bangkok can be a daunting task for several reasons–the primary one being there are so many ‘fine print’ and extra costs involved when signing a weekly, monthly or yearly contract.
I have been living in Bangkok for a few years now, and have gone through several serviced apartments, learning on the way which ’services’ are included and what to expect from your stay in Bangkok. Bangkok’s City Plan
The Bangkok Jungle has several meanings, one of them being that the city was never built with a city plan or urban design in mind. The city is a sprawling landscape, a montage of residential and commercial buildings juxtaposing one another. It is home to 10 to 15 million people, depending on who is arriving from the rural country and abroad. The people as well, from poor to affluent, live side by side.
The city itself is lopsided; if you look down any major road in bangkok, you will see that both sides of the road arent balanced, building heights are different, and there is an overall lack of symmetry. This is what makes Bangkok unique and charming. And what makes it a jungle. The Best Areas To Live In Bangkok
Bangkok contains inexpensive to exclusive apartments, but the best ones are found in the following regions of Bangkok: Sukhumvit, the main road or artery of Bangkok Asok, one of the most exclusive and expensive areas to live Thong Lo, the chic and fashionable street, Sathorn, the business district of Bangkok Silom, another business and red light district Ploenchit, business district Chit Lom, business district
The areas listed above are all within easy access to shopping, dining, entertainment, trains, skytrains, and expressways. If you choose to live in one of these areas, you will experience life in the center of Bangkok’s thriving business and shopping centres while indulging in an ultra private serviced apartment in Bangkok. I personally recommend Asok and Chit Lom, as they are the classiest areas of Bangkok, but if you are looking to be close to the night markets Silom is perfect, and Sukhumvit is always a colorful experience. Facilities and Services of Typical Bangkok Serviced Apartments
These vary between the different types of apartments and condos, but a standard of excellence has been establlished from the increasing competition among serviced apartments. Facilities and services are upgraded regularly to keep up with rival residences. However, before investing in a serviced apartment, be sure to check if these services and facilities are available. 5 Services That Should Be Included Free of Charge: Room Cleaning Water/Utilities Internet Usage 24 Hour Security Room Service/Errand Boy 4 Facilities That Should Be Included Restaurant Gym Pool Convenience Store The Loopholes: Length of Stay, Deposits and Electricity
If you are staying for a month or year, the serviced apartment may charge you for electricity. Make sure that you negotiate this price to 6.5 Baht/Unit. A lot of times the apartment owners will charge 8 Baht/Unit for more profit. They only pay 3 or 4 Baht/Unit.
Be careful when signing leases; most require a 2 month deposit, and if you move out before your contract is finished you forfeit this deposit.
Make sure the serviced apartment has a laundry service, either in house or out of house. Most serviced apartments have coin operated laundry rooms as well as pick up services. More deluxe suites will have washing machine in the room. Note that most places do not have dryers. How much Should I Pay?
This is a difficult question to answer, but the more facilities a serviced apartment has, the more it will cost. If a serviced apartment has a pool, gym and also functions as a 24 hour hotel, then the monthly price will be above 30,000 Baht.
Location also has a large part to do with cost of a bangkok serviced apartment. If you are staying in an area not close to skytrain or subway access, your price will be much lower. Conversely, staying in the business districts of Silom or trendy spots like Ekkamai or Thonglor will raise your monthly rent. Which Serviced Apartment Should I Choose?
The serviced apartment market in Bangkok is lead by three groups, The President Group, The Ascott Group, and Centre Point. Most of them offer first class accomodation and have a decent system of serving their customers. However, there are numerous independent serviced apartments to choose from.
The 2 Worst Serviced Apartments in Bangkok Ascott Bangkok Sathorn
There have been several articles written in trade journals about the decline in service at the once famous and most prestigious serviced apartment in Bangkok. Once known for attention to customer relations, their lack of it is now glaringly obvious to everyone who stays there. This place is an example of a chain serviced apartment becoming too much like a corporation with no human touch of service. Lebua
Rumor is their staff is very untrustworthy. Read the trade journals and ‘google’ the residence for reviews. Top 2 Most Luxurious Bangkok Serviced Apartments Siri Sathorn Apartments
Siri Sathorn is a five-star luxury `boutique` property which epitomises private and elegant living in a residential setting. It is a concept of the perfect home which appeals to international traveller. This place caters to Japanese clientelle but of course is open to everyone. Fraser Place Urbana Langusan
They have an exclusive 45-metre driveway leading from the main road to the serviced residence for great privacy. They also have some of the best services and customer relations I have ever experienced, pampered is the only word that comes to mind Best Value Bangkok Serviced Apartments Silom Convent Garden
Newly built in November 2006, this chic serviced apartment is located in the Silom-Sathorn area but has some of the cheapest rates for this business and night market district. For 36,000 Baht/$1000 a month you can have a 38 square meter, 1 bedroom, fully furnished luxurious apartment complete with full kitchen, washer machine, flat screen tv, and rain shower. The only drawback is the place doesn’t have a pool or gym, but thats the reason the price is so low and why its one of the best values in Bangkok.
If you are still undecided whether to have a stay in Bangkok on your next trip, it was just recently announced that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) plans to make Bangkok a “paradise” city. The article from the Bangkok Post states the BMA will establish a fund to address trash, pollution and traffic problems. Now is the time to take your next vacation or business trip to Bangkok, as life couldn’t get any better in the City of Angels!
One of the world�s most lively, vibrant and unique cities, visiting Bangkok is an unforgettable experience and having a car is a great way to get around. Experience the pulsating nightlife of downtown Bangkok. Though the city has a reputation for having a seedy side, it is in fact quite safe and everywhere you are greeted by brilliant tropical foliage such as bougainvillea. Bangkok is polluted and overcrowded though, while the heat is often stifling. More than 11 million people live in Bangkok which is massive. Thai people are incredibly friendly and so you are sure to find this a warm and welcoming city whether you come here for business or pleasure. Visitors will also find a fascinating mix of traditional Thai culture and temples with fast paced Western culture. Bangkok became the capital of Thailand when it was created in the late eighteenth century by the Chakri dynasty of monarchs. Don�t miss amazing sights such as the Ancient City, the Anantasamakhom Throne Hall and the Bangkok Butterfly Garden and Insectarium. The temples of Wat Benchamabophit and Wat Bowon Niwet are also spectacular, as is the King Taksin the Great Monument and the King Rama I the Great Memorial. Bangkok is one of the best culinary cities in the world and the spices and tastes of Bangkok are some of its most memorable aspects. You can eat the traditional Pad Thai dish at curry houses right across the city. For the more adventurous there are a range of insects such as grasshoppers and scorpions which can be eaten. If you want to learn how to cook Thai food there are a number of restaurants which do courses, the Blue Elephant chain does a relatively pricey introduction but you do get a Blue Elephant apron for your trouble. For those who prefer not to eat Thai food there is excellent international food on offer too. Another quintessentially Thai pastime is kick boxing. Take a class or watch a match depending on how brave you are feeling. To learn more about Buddhism you can go to The International Buddhist Meditation Centre where donations are welcome as attendance is free of charge. To try your hand at Thai massage go to the Wat Po Temple in Rannakosin. Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport is Southeast Asia�s busiest airport and the departures area is famous for its lavish shopping opportunities. Travellers will find all the conveniences they need here including excellent restaurants, though you should be aware t hat once you have cleared security there are no facilities or toilets. Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport has the airport code BKK and it is a main transport hub for Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways. Other airlines which use the airport are SGA Airline, Air Asia and PBair. Allow plenty of time to get around Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport because it is considered to be the world�s largest terminal building. There are a number of hotels located near to the airport for those who are making international transfers. The smaller Don Muang airport was the main airport of Bangkok up until 2006. Having a car is definitely the easiest way to get from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport to the city itself, a 30 kilometre journey eastwards. It also saves you money on expensive taxi rides (for Thailand) or the inconvenience of having to wait in line for public transport. Car hire Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport is a cheap and cheerful way to get around the city, though the traffic will certainly raise your heart rate and drivers should know that motorcycle accidents are very common. Many tourists who go to Thailand frequent the go-go bars, though they should know there are strict rules of etiquette inside and having a passport on you is advisable in case there is a police raid and you don�t fancy spending the night in jail. Also Bangkok is famous for �chicks with dicks�, otherwise known as ladyboys. The Adam�s apple is often a giveaway but some have really mastered the art of fitting in! Another word of warning regards the chained elephants which are dragged through the streets. The owners charge tourists to have their picture taken with the elephants but if you do so you are condoning this cruel practice. RESOURCE: www.rhinocarhire.com offers cheap car hire in Thailand at the major destinations of Bangkok and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Priding itself on unparalleled levels of customer service, Rhino also has an excellent selection of cars. Mo Yungsakul is a travel writer and freelance journalist based in Bangkok. He was asked to test drive Rhino Car Hire Bangkok and Car Hire Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport vehicles and write a travel piece based on his adventures. It includes plenty of hints or tips for travelers. Rob is a travel writer and freelance journalist. He was asked to test drive Rhino Car Hire Bangkok and Car Hire Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport vehicles and write a travel piece based on his adventures. |
Bangkok
September 6, 2010, 12:23 pm
 Mostly cloudy 32°Creal feel: 39°C
current pressure: 1009 mb
humidity: 55%
wind speed: 3 m/s W
wind gusts: 3 m/s
sunrise: 6:07
sunset: 18:26
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