BANGKOK PLANNING : When, What, Where & How
Bangkok became my second home ever since my parents decided to move there for work purposes. Since then I have always been travelling to and fro to visit them in between my semester breaks and this gave me, and us the opportunity to actually take our own sweet time to explore Bangkok city and its outskirts.
I shared my photos privately via social media among friends and soon many came asking for my itinary and what to eat and where to go and which is best and how to get there. So here I am, the notsoskinnypiglet writing to you readers to share our travel journey, and which of course is accompanied by the skinnypiglet.
WHEN TO GO?
- Anytime is a great time to visit Bangkok. Best time would be during December due to better weather when it is more windy.
HOW LONG TO STAY IN BANGKOK?
- Time is never enough when your exploring Bangkok. It has way too much to offer. In my opinion, a 4D3N or 5D4N would be just nice to get a taste of Bangkok. Be sure to include the weekend as there are certain places that you would not want to miss and are only open during the weekend (example : Chatuchak Weekend Market)
HOW TO GET AROUND?
- The twoskinnypigs travel most of the time by Bangkok's Train System (BTS) with the use of the local touch n go known as the Rabbit Card. It can be purchased at any ticketing counters. These cards can be obtained for just 200 baht (100 baht issuing fee + 100 baht initial stored credit) with a choice of adding value to the card or adding trips.
Adding value : Add minimum value of 100 baht & a maximum of 4,000 baht. Fares will be deducted according to published fare table.
Adding trips : For adults, 15 trips for 450 baht (average 30 baht/trip), 25 trips for 700 baht (average 28 baht/trip) and etc.
Usually for value, thetwoskinnypigs take the choice of adding trips.
Non-thai citizens are only limited to the Senior and Adult Rabbit Card pass. As to purchase the Student Rabbit Card pass you would be needed to present your thai student card with your local/international university or school's name on it.
Below is an example of how the Rabbit Card looks like.
- Another option for travelling would be Uber/Grabcar services to avoid the necessity for haggling with the taxi drivers. All you need to do it to download the app and your ready to go. Afraid your driver can't locate you? Fear not, certain malls provide Uber/Grabcar waiting areas to ease your driver locating you. Take note that current promotional codes are sometimes available at waiting areas, public bus stands, train stations and etc so you might wanna keep a look out for their advertisements. Or you could google it.
- the twoskinnypigs do not prefer to take tuktuk as the price paid is out of this world and there's no air conditioning system
WHERE TO STAY?
- I would recommend any hotels nearby Siam area for convenience, especially when you are rushing for time. Or any hotels with close access to the BTS stations would do. Remember to calculate your journey time between hotel and the main city as sometimes it could take 30-40mins, which could be pretty time consuming, aka. less shopping time.
I have circled the main area most people book their accomodation in red, which is SIAM station. Reason why most people opt to stay here is mainly due to it's close approximity to major shopping malls and the convinience of finding food. (It is similiar to Malaysia's Pavillion Bukit Bintang area)
One station away - Ratchathewi and Chitlom are also not too bad. But, if you prefer somewhere further away from town to avoid congestion, traffic and noise, the other two red squares - Asok, Phrom Phong and Saphan Taksin station are more preferable. Most exclusive and premium hotels are located at Saphan Taksin station facing the famous Baan Chao Praya river.
HOW MUCH TO BRING?
- The twoskinnypigs like to allocate about 1000 baht/day per person for meals, desserts, transportation and some light shopping. If your going on a tight budget, it is definitely possible to live on 500baht/day in Bangkok but you'd have to be careful on spending too much.
WIFI
- The twoskinnypigs will always purchase the 5 or 7 days promotional mobile and internet package for tourist upon arriving at the airport. They seem to have it whole year round, but with different prices (approx. 299baht for 7 days unlimited 3G). I have tried several telecommunication companies and personally think that AIS is the best if you are going to spend most of your time in town. It has super fast connection and even if the data finishes, it is comparatively faster still than other companies.
Oh, and sometimes AIS collaborates with eateries, hence you will receive more discounts if you dine with those restaurants!
MONEY EXCHANGER
- Should I change money in Malaysia or in Thailand itself? The answer would be, MALAYSIA. Change all required money in Malaysia. Better rates are given and usually thetwoskinnypigs like to compare between two companies, one which is Spectrum Forex (Sunway Pyramid, Lower Ground Floor) and Max Money (Midvalley Basement) which offers the best rates. Do drop a comment if you do know elsewhere with better rates. Thank you :))
Do let us know if thetwoskinnypigs missed out on any details that you would like to know more prior planning for a trip to Bangkok. We would be more than happy to help within our knowledge.
The above post is not sponsored by any company and are based purely on our own recommendations.
WHEN TO GO?
- Anytime is a great time to visit Bangkok. Best time would be during December due to better weather when it is more windy.
HOW LONG TO STAY IN BANGKOK?
- Time is never enough when your exploring Bangkok. It has way too much to offer. In my opinion, a 4D3N or 5D4N would be just nice to get a taste of Bangkok. Be sure to include the weekend as there are certain places that you would not want to miss and are only open during the weekend (example : Chatuchak Weekend Market)
HOW TO GET AROUND?
Adding value : Add minimum value of 100 baht & a maximum of 4,000 baht. Fares will be deducted according to published fare table.
Adding trips : For adults, 15 trips for 450 baht (average 30 baht/trip), 25 trips for 700 baht (average 28 baht/trip) and etc.
Usually for value, thetwoskinnypigs take the choice of adding trips.
Non-thai citizens are only limited to the Senior and Adult Rabbit Card pass. As to purchase the Student Rabbit Card pass you would be needed to present your thai student card with your local/international university or school's name on it.
Below is an example of how the Rabbit Card looks like.
- the twoskinnypigs do not prefer to take tuktuk as the price paid is out of this world and there's no air conditioning system
WHERE TO STAY?
- I would recommend any hotels nearby Siam area for convenience, especially when you are rushing for time. Or any hotels with close access to the BTS stations would do. Remember to calculate your journey time between hotel and the main city as sometimes it could take 30-40mins, which could be pretty time consuming, aka. less shopping time.
I have circled the main area most people book their accomodation in red, which is SIAM station. Reason why most people opt to stay here is mainly due to it's close approximity to major shopping malls and the convinience of finding food. (It is similiar to Malaysia's Pavillion Bukit Bintang area)
One station away - Ratchathewi and Chitlom are also not too bad. But, if you prefer somewhere further away from town to avoid congestion, traffic and noise, the other two red squares - Asok, Phrom Phong and Saphan Taksin station are more preferable. Most exclusive and premium hotels are located at Saphan Taksin station facing the famous Baan Chao Praya river.
HOW MUCH TO BRING?
- The twoskinnypigs like to allocate about 1000 baht/day per person for meals, desserts, transportation and some light shopping. If your going on a tight budget, it is definitely possible to live on 500baht/day in Bangkok but you'd have to be careful on spending too much.
WIFI
- The twoskinnypigs will always purchase the 5 or 7 days promotional mobile and internet package for tourist upon arriving at the airport. They seem to have it whole year round, but with different prices (approx. 299baht for 7 days unlimited 3G). I have tried several telecommunication companies and personally think that AIS is the best if you are going to spend most of your time in town. It has super fast connection and even if the data finishes, it is comparatively faster still than other companies.
Oh, and sometimes AIS collaborates with eateries, hence you will receive more discounts if you dine with those restaurants!
MONEY EXCHANGER
- Should I change money in Malaysia or in Thailand itself? The answer would be, MALAYSIA. Change all required money in Malaysia. Better rates are given and usually thetwoskinnypigs like to compare between two companies, one which is Spectrum Forex (Sunway Pyramid, Lower Ground Floor) and Max Money (Midvalley Basement) which offers the best rates. Do drop a comment if you do know elsewhere with better rates. Thank you :))
The above post is not sponsored by any company and are based purely on our own recommendations.
Thanks for reading.
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