Making the most of Bangkok
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Most cruise ships dock in Laem Chabang, about a 2 hour ride away from Bangkok. Laem Chabang itself has nothing to offer.
Taxis are offered at fixed prices in the terminal.
To Bangkok up to 4 persons (no luggage) or 2 person with luggage $95. A van up to 8 persons (no luggage) or 4 persons with luggage $120.
To Pattaya up to 4 persons (no luggage) or 2 person with luggage $40. A van up to 8 persons (no luggage) or 4 persons with luggage $60.
Return tickets are 50% more.
To the airport up to 4 persons (no luggage) or 2 person with luggage $75. A van up to 8 persons (no luggage) or 4 persons with luggage $95.
Sharing a taxi, is much cheaper than taking a cruise organized transportation, about $70 pp!
Some smaller ships dock in Klong Toey Port right in the heart of Bangkok
Hotels in Bangkok.
Fascinating, vibrant, colorful, and at times even mind-boggling... Welcome to Bangkok, where gleaming skyscrapers grace the skyline alongside dazzling, historical temples, and luxury hotels. Where a wrinkly garland maker plies her trade outside a posh five-star mall. Past, present and future live harmoniously together. Indeed, Bangkok has it all; it's a sensory thrill that never ceases to delight. From floating markets and fruit carvings to robed monks and the infamous tuk-tuks, postcard images abound. But, to experience the true marvels of this city of contrast and diversity, take a deeper look – far beyond the visual images you are familiar…
Most of Bangkok's sights are concentrated in the "Old City" on Rattanakosin Island. Out of Bangkok's many temples, the following usually make the top 3:
- Wat Arun (The Temple of Dawn).
- The Grand Palace, featuring Wat Phra Kaew (The Temple of the Emerald Buddha).
- Wat Pho, home of the world's largest reclining Buddha and a famed massage school.
Getting around
The high relative humidity and warm temperatures are for most westerners a reason to partake in organized excursions.
Taxis are a quick and comfortable way to get around town, at least if the traffic is flowing your way. Traffic can be horrendous.
If this is your first time in Bangkok, take a cruise organized tour, the city is overwhelming.
If you have a 2-day stop here, it might be advantageous to book a hotel, with river view if possible, and find out if they can arrange transportation back and forth to port. Please allow at least 3 hours to get back to your ship, it is only a 90-minute ride, but Bangkok traffic is chaotic at best.
Nearby places
If you want to get out of the city for a while, there are plenty of day trip options from Bangkok.
Most of these trips, however, leave very early in the morning in order to beat traffic.
- Ayutthaya - Ancient capital showcasing its many ruins, 1.5 hours away by bus or train.
- Bang Pa-In - Magnificent Royal Palace makes for a pleasant day trip.
- Kanchanaburi Province - Some good national parks and the infamous Burma Death Railway.
- Ko Kret - an island in Nonthaburi Province, upriver from Bangkok, makes a pleasant day trip out of the concrete jungle.
- Pattaya is only 30 minutes by taxi, $40, from the port. If you stay overnight: Ruen Thai resembles traditional Thai village buildings. Its draw at night is that in addition to food, it offers free entertainment. Kickboxing, an acrobat with flames, traditional Thai ceremonial dancing.
Food and shopping
Bangkok is full of shopping malls and street markets of all types, especially in the Sukhumvit area. Prices can be cheap by Western standards, especially for locally produced items such as clothes, although bargaining is expected and required. Special malls exist for westerners, due to the different cloth sizes. They are easy to spot, as English is used to lure foreigners. Bargain hard, but with respect.
Night Market: Hugely popular with tourists & locals alike is the open air Suan Lum Night Bazaar. This is a large and colorful market offering bargains on everything from clothes, bags, crockery to organic foods. A smaller, cooler and cleaner version of Chatuchak - same wares sold for 20% more. There is a large food court with a live band every night. Beer seems to be the official beverage of this place - lots of beer gardens here.
Money
The local currency is the Thai Baht, which is divided into 100 satangs. ATM's everywhere.
Staying connected
The national language is Thai. However, English is widely understood and some Chinese dialects are also spoken.
The cruise terminal has paid wifi.