Bangkok Travel Forum

Hi... I'm planning bring my parents to Bangkok and this is our first time.

Therefore, I'd like to ask few questions:
1) Do the locals understand English ? Can we use English there ?
2) Is the transportation there user-friendly ? Can we actually travel on our own without need to sign up for a tour.
3) Are all the sign boards written in Thai ?
3) What is the good place to stay.. (i.e. near the shopping area ?)

Really appreciate your answer/suggestions.

Thank you very much

Natalia

Have just returned from Bangkok so can answer some of your questions. Yes, you can use English there. A lot of locals don't understand English, but you will always find somebody that does. I asked a security guard once, and he took me to a news stand where he knew the man could converse with me, so they are helpful. Transportation is easy to use, stacks of taxis and tuk-tuks, and buses if you want to rough it a bit more, and trains as well. Ferries are an excellent cheap, quick way to get around, and so is the sky train. In the city area, it is quite easy to walk around and see the sights, hopefully it won't be too hot when you visit. I did tours for areas out of Bangkok, eg. Floating markets, River Kwai, Bang Pa Summer Palace.(Tours are reasonably priced) I stayed at the Residence Rajtaevee which is right in the centre of the shopping area, near MBK and Siam Paragon, etc. lots and lots of shops and markets nearby as well. It was a nice Hotel and within close walking to all the big shops.The skytrain station was close also. It is located at 588/1 Petchburi Road, Rataevee, Bangkok. I was very happy here. Quiet at night because it is in a side street. Included in the price was a nice buffet breakfast. Can recommend on my stay.

Yes , as the previous poster said, there is enough English spoken to get around. Street signs are in English, so with a map and a knowledge of where you want to g, its no problem. Sometimes taxi drivers dont speak English and that can be a challange. The train system ( both underground and sky train) covers most of the city except the old quarter around the Grand palace and is very good and easy to use. Use the ferry to the old quarter or take a taxi ( ferry better)- peirs are numbered so its easy to follow. Avoid tuk Tuks- they are mainly for tourists and are over priced and often talk you into going to tailors or gem shops as they get a kick back from any tourist they take there- avoid them and be warned that around the Grand Palace , tuk tuk touts try to tell you the palace is closed and you can see lesser temples in their tuk tuk- all lies. Forget arranged tours, work out your own plan and go for it.

Thais are very communicative. Most know a little English. This said, if a Thai walks up, out of the blue, and starts a conversation in English, politely excuse yourself and move on. Although most Thais are quite friendly and helpful, few will ever confront a stranger. When one does, you can be pretty sure that, at some point, there will be money involved.

Many Thai signs are actually written in Thinglish, which can result in a dozen different spellings of the same word. Then there is the pronunciation of Thinglish words. When they went about writing Thai with English characters, they invented a third language to transliterate between the two.

If you wish to tour on your own, try to use the BTS skytrain and the Chao Phraya Express Boats. These two systems will cover most of downtown and the riverside sights.

As far as where to stay, it would be best to find accommodations near the BTS. To suggest specific stays, we will need to know your budget and comfort level.

Yes, being English-only is not a huge problem in BKK and there is no need for a package tour. It is informative, however, to hire guides at the gates of certain attractions, such as the Grand Palace, to take you through the place and providing you with historical background.

Also, there will be a million little travel agencies around selling day trips to, for example, Kanachanburi (Bridge over River Kwai) and other places. These are sometimes useful for day or half-day trips. They will always add on an unscheduled "factory tour" of jewellers, or crafts, or a carpet place, or similar - basically an enforced 20 minute sales pitch where the guides get their kickbacks. This is part and parcel of the SE Asian experience, and shouldn't put you off. When choosing short tours, the most important question we ask is "How many on the bus, and will we be joining other tour groups later?" If there is a maximum of 15 people on a mini-bus and we will NOT be joining other groups, then that is the trip for us, even if a little more expensive. The last thing in the world is to be horded around in a group of 60 for the day - horrible.

As to hotels, we will need to know what plateau we're dealing with. For example, if you splurge once in your life for a top end hotel, then Bangkok is the place to do it (or Kuala Lumpur). SE Asia 5-star hotels are often like a 6 or 7 star by European or North American standards; they ruin you for life at other hotels afterwards. On the other hand, there are many decent basic "backpacker hotels" around the MBK area (a mall), which is a good central location.

If you are taking your parents, better join a tour. Be prepared to spend some time "shopping stopovers" where tour operators getting commission for bring visitors. The good thing is that you do not have to buy anything. It keeps the tours less expensive. Of course, if you can afford, then hire a taxi or personal tours. Silom area is a good place for first time visitors. Narai hotel, stayed there before, is a popular budget conscious travellers.

Most sellers will use calculator to show how much. You are expected to bargain down the price. Always carry a hotel card which has Thai address and address and ask the hotel staff to write on paper where you want to go in Thai. Also use "meter taxi", do not use the taxis that waits at hotels which charge a higher rate.

As mentioned, beware of polite well dressed touts who claim that they are travel agents or tour guides or representatives. If they bring you to places you want but you will be charge very high because the owners of shops, restaurants or travel office will pay a high commission to these touts.

Bangkok is an easy place and great destination to travel, eat and shop. Just have to patient at times and speak in simple English. Have a great holiday.

Not much to add to the other comments other than English signs do exist but sometimes the spellings on the signs vary - for example the word for canal can be spelt klong or khlong.

I would recommend the Sukhumvit area as a place to stay. The hotel I always use is the JW Marriott. For more info please see my Bnagkok pages.

Regards

John

bkkmark

My advice is to get a hotel that is close to the Skytrain route. My preference is the Sukhumvit Road or Siam area. In the Sukhumvit area there are many hotels in various price ranges.

Do you have a price range in mind for a hotel or will any expensive place be okay? You or your parents can pick up a cheap Thai English dictionary and when you want to be specific you can just point to the word you know in English and the Thai can read the word in Thai. These dictionaries can be found at Asis Books, Bookazine and other places.

Don't change any money over in your country, you will get your best rate in Thailand when you arrive. You can also use debit cards in ATM's too! If you intend to use a credit card or debit card make sure you tell your bank that you will be in Thailand or the withdrawal from an ATM may be denied because of suspected fraud.

Partial list of hotels by "star" rating.
http://www.asiahotels.com/location-listby-starrating/Bangkok-Thailand.asp-3.asp

Partial list of hotels near the Skytrain.
http://www.hotelthailand.com/bangkok/bangkok_bts.html

If your parents will get all up tight if their hotel is near some bars then perhaps the Siam area, maybe Asia Hotel or Pathwumwan Princess will be better. If they are okay with hotels not far from bars (not necessarily next door, but they may pass by some,) than Sukhumvit Road gives you the better selection in price ranges.

Good luck.