One of the main reasons for visiting Thailand is the richness of the architecture and the thousands of Buddhist Temples called Wats. Some are just astounding and shouldn’t be missed. You won’t with this guide.
FIRST TIME IN BANGKOK
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
Why is this guide different to all others?
It is aimed at those who arrive unprepared in this bewildering and sprawling city but with our guide’s help they will know exactly where to stay and what to see. Arriving in any foreign city can be daunting but I will take the stress and strain out of your visit.
So many people arrive at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok and haven’t planned their trip. Our guide will not only save you time in finding somewhere to stay, it will guide you to all the highlights. No matter what your budget, from back packer to five star traveller, this guide will be invaluable to your trip.
Who wrote this guide?
It is written by travel enthusiast Steve Kyte who has lived in the city for a few years and is familiar with what to do and what not to, the scams and the delights. Bangkok has something for everyone but it’s not always obvious. Without wasting your valuable time I will recommend the best palaces to sightsee, eat and entertain without you having to scan numerous books or ask locals who will normally give you misinformation.
We start at the airport. What transport do you take into town? Which way is town actually? Will you be ripped off by taxi drivers? How much will it cost and which areas are the best to stay that are good for sightseeing, day time activities and the nightlife?
Bangkok is huge and you don’t want to spend literally hours travelling from place to place.This guide is clear and concise. It’s not a history book but a primer to allow you to use your time ePciently and effectively. There’s no guide like it.
“Twelve years in the making”
The first edition was published in 2005 as a short primer for those arriving confused at the airport. It is daunting to arrive in a foreign country to be met by so many strangers offering their services. There’s an information desk of course but they will direct you to their taxis, their hotels and their car hire companies.
What do you do first?
Get some money. Then relax and let this guide take you through the subsequent journey.
When you’ve been ‘Watted Out’ or to put it another way, seen just one Wat too many, then it’s time to see what else Bangkok has on offer. You won’t be surprised to learn that as the most exciting city in South East Asia, you will never be bored. Shopping, long tail boats, water taxis, stately homes, even golf. The guide lists the many possibilities not only for adults but children too.
“Food Glorious Food”
Thai Cuisine is renowned across the world. Thais love to eat, and eat out, so you’ll find reasonably priced restaurants all over the city as well as mouth watering street food. You won’t travel more than a couple of minutes before you see stalls offering delicious soups, or traditional thai dishes. Some have thai sweets and deserts that you may never have seen the like of before. I recommend the large barbecued tilapia for a meal you’ll need to share.
“Unbeatable night life”
At night, the city is vibrant. Whatever your reasons for coming here, there is much to do and see. Dance the night away at a high tech club or eat at a restaurant high on a tower block with stunning views, or tread the streets of Silom to see other activities.
“Day Time Activities For All Ages”
By day Bangkok has something for everyone. If you love the Thai culture you can visit beautiful temples or magnificent traditional teak houses. There are swimming pools, stating rinks, fairgrounds, zoo, theme parks, botanical gardens, golfing and of course shopping, one of the main reasons for visiting Bangkok. It sports some of the largest shopping malls in the world with many top end international chains but one cannot forget the markets, offering bargains you could only dream about. Bangkok boasts 8,000 local markets and 150 Malls. The guide lists the most popular. It also has the largest technology malls in the world where you can pick up a laptop, a telescope or a drone at keen prices. If VAT is charged it is just 7% which you can reclaim on exiting the country. When the UK has a 20% VAT level you can see the savings.
“Around Bangkok”
Bangkok is within easy reach of other sites around Thailand like Kanchanaburi, Khao Yai National Park or sleazy Pattaya. We pin point this places that you can easily do in a day trip.
I wrote this guide for everyone but in particular those first timers. Once you spend time here you will want to return and I hope this book will inspire you in the way Bangkok inspired me over a decade ago.