Bangkok

The majority of cruise ships use Laem Chabang, roughly a 2 hour journey from Bangkok. There is little for visitors to see in Laem Chabang itself.

Taxis from the terminal operate at set fares.

A taxi to Bangkok costs $95 for up to 4 passengers without luggage, or 2 passengers carrying luggage. A van is $120 for up to 8 passengers without luggage, or 4 with luggage.

For Pattaya, a taxi is $40 for up to 4 people without luggage or 2 with luggage. A van costs $60 and carries up to 8 people without luggage or 4 with luggage.

A return booking adds 50% to these fares.

For the airport, expect $75 for a taxi carrying up to 4 people without luggage or 2 with luggage. A van costs $95 for up to 8 passengers without luggage or 4 with luggage.

Sharing a taxi can cost far less than cruise-organised transport, which is around $70 per person.

Certain smaller vessels berth at Klong Toey Port, placing passengers in the heart of Bangkok.

Consider the available Bangkok hotel choices.

Bangkok is vivid, energetic and sometimes bewildering. Shining skyscrapers stand beside ornate historic temples and luxury hotels, while an elderly garland seller may work outside an upmarket five-star shopping centre. Past, present and future coexist throughout the city. Floating markets, intricate fruit carvings, robed monks and tuk-tuks provide familiar postcard scenes, but Bangkok’s real contrasts and variety reward a closer look beyond those well-known images...

Many key Bangkok attractions cluster in the Old City on Rattanakosin Island. Among its numerous temples, these usually form the leading 3:

• Wat Arun, also known as the Temple of Dawn.
• The Grand Palace complex, including Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
• Wat Pho, renowned for the world’s largest reclining Buddha and its respected massage school.

For many western visitors, the combination of high humidity and warm weather makes an organised excursion an appealing option.

A taxi offers a fast and comfortable way around when the roads are moving, although Bangkok traffic can become exceptionally congested.

First-time visitors may find a cruise-organised tour helpful, as the scale and pace of Bangkok can feel overwhelming.

During a 2-day call, booking a hotel—ideally with a river view—may be worthwhile. Ask whether it can arrange transfers to and from the port. Leave at least 3 hours for the return to your ship: the drive itself can take only 90 minutes, but Bangkok’s traffic is highly unpredictable.

Bangkok offers numerous day-trip possibilities when you want to escape the city for a while.

Most excursions set off very early to get ahead of the traffic.

• Ayutthaya, the former capital with extensive ancient ruins, is around 1.5 hours away by train or bus.
• Bang Pa-In offers a magnificent Royal Palace and an enjoyable day out.
• Kanchanaburi Province combines worthwhile national parks with the notorious Burma Death Railway.
• Ko Kret, an island upriver in Nonthaburi Province, makes a pleasant escape from Bangkok’s concrete landscape.
• Pattaya is only 30 minutes from the port by taxi, with a fare of $40. For an overnight stay, Ruen Thai is designed like a traditional Thai village and provides free evening entertainment alongside its food, including kickboxing, a flame-wielding acrobat and ceremonial Thai dance.

Bangkok has malls and street markets of every kind, particularly around Sukhumvit. Locally produced goods such as clothing can be inexpensive by Western standards, though haggling is normal and expected. Some malls cater specifically to western clothing sizes and are easy to identify by their English-language signs. Negotiate firmly but respectfully.

Popular with residents and visitors, the open-air Suan Lum Night Bazaar sells everything from clothing, bags and crockery to organic produce. It is a smaller, cooler and cleaner alternative to Chatuchak, with similar goods priced about 20% higher. A large food court hosts live music each evening, and the many beer gardens make beer especially prominent.

Thailand uses the Thai baht, divided into 100 satangs, and ATMs are widespread.

Thai is the national language, while English is commonly understood and several Chinese dialects are spoken too.

Paid Wi-Fi is available inside the cruise terminal.