London To Bangkok

[radster2212]

Hello all just booked a trip to Thailand for the first time and really excited and staying in Bangkok for a few night and was wondering if anyone can advise of bars, clubs to avoid due to the scams etc I'm reading alot about. Also any good tips for places to visit etc will be greatly appreciated and could mean a few drinks on me when I'm out lol.. I always keep my promises.

Thanks

Rad

[Satcommlee]

I was in your shoes about 8 years ago..

My best advice is not to take advice from Taxi Drivers.. They will take you to a tourist trap and earn commission from it.

Try not to appear to be a newbie..

Most westerners like the entertainment districts of Nana Plaza and Soi Cowboy.. so be firm and tell your driver exactly where you want to go.

When I first arrived in Thailand I was stung by a taxi driver who stalked me.. I even paid 800 baht for him to enter the venues too :-)

Edited July 14, 2012 by Satcommlee

[radster2212]

Many thanks for them tips, they are types of information that will really assist me in my journey to Thailand.

[craigt3365]

For some research, I recommend you Google "Thailand Scams". In the meantime, I removed one post. Please abide by forum rules:

In using Thai Visa I agree:

1) To respect fellow members.

8) Not to post extremely negative views of Thailand or derogatory comments directed towards all Thais.

[rakman]

Visit the Grand Palace, the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall is pretty cool, Wat Arun is interesting.. Ride the river, go up to Koh Kret and walk to see the small pottery makers and artist area.

All depends on how much time you want to spend. Lots to see.

[smokie36]

Avoid jetskis...don't do any scratchcards....timeshare touts...taxis who refuse to use the meter...don't pick up girls from gogo bars(most are drug addled)....gem shops....don't flash wads of money around.

Above all make sure no farang expats know if ya have money...the worst kind of scammers sometimes!

[sms747]

watch out for the litter scam in tourist areas. Bloke in uniform will come up swear he saw you drop something, possibly he did. Then will make you feel he is doing you a favour by only fining you 1000 instead of 2000. Every time I go past soi 4 nana I see some poor tourist being marched off to the little booth past bully pub. Last time I advised the victim the bloke was not a policeman and not to pay the fine but insist on a written warning as a first offender, the look the officer gave me was not one from the land of smiles! They seem to know who is a newbie, this guy said he had been in Bkk just a day and on a first visit, great welcome. I see now they give out numbers of the tourist police at the airport immigration line, lady told me they are our friends, I had to laugh. I think the number is 1550 were you ever to need it.

Edited July 15, 2012 by sms747

[brit1984]

A couple of pointers which I wish I had known before my first visit to Bangkok:

#1: Avoid tuk-tuks (flag down metered taxis or get one from an official taxi rank)

#2: Plan where you want to go (Bangkok is too hot and vast to stroll around)

A couple more guideline that have become obvious from reading this forum:

#3: Do not take drugs (and do not associate with other people taking drugs)

#4: Do not marry a prostitute (maybe obvious but the heat gets to some guys)

One more general point:

#5: Keep your brain switched on but enjoy this wonderful country and people

[radster2212]

I really can't wait to get to that great land, really excited and glad I don't do drugs. I do like a drink and to party a little. All advice has been great thank you all. Trying to do my research before I get there so I'm aware of what goes on. Either way it's a journey I can't wait to get to. I hear the Thai people are amazing and like any place it's only a small number that give it a bad rep. Living in London I can agree .

[smokie36]

I really can't wait to get to that great land, really excited and glad I don't do drugs. I do like a drink and to party a little. All advice has been great thank you all. Trying to do my research before I get there so I'm aware of what goes on. Either way it's a journey I can't wait to get to. I hear the Thai people are amazing and like any place it's only a small number that give it a bad rep. Living in London I can agree .

Don't get too drunk mate....enjoy every minute of your trip...first time in Thailand is a truly magical adventure.

[radster2212]

Indeed I will enjoy it, I like a bit of everything and will go with the flow, this is not like one of my trips to Vegas lol. Really want to see the county and experience the culture and great foods. At night yes maybe party just a little.

[Murdock]

don't pick up girls from gogo bars(most are drug addled)

Really?

Edited July 15, 2012 by Murdock

[smokie36]

don't pick up girls from gogo bars(most are drug addled)

Really?

My advice plucked from thin air....take it or leave it...

[RAZZELL]

Tuk-tuks are a laugh!

BUT agree the fare before you get in...and yeah you'll pay a quid or so more...but you are on holiday?

EDIT - OP post a bit more info about your holiday and what you want to do? Where you are going/staying and how long for?

RAZZ

Edited July 15, 2012 by RAZZELL

[phetphet]

The BTS (Skytrain) is a good cheap method of getting about. Especially with the BKK traffic.

Take precautions as you would in any city, for pickpockets etc. If someone "offers" to help you without being asked, there is more than likely a scam in the offing.

If you get into a taxi, make sure they switch the meter on.

[RAZZELL]

To start -

It's a long walk from the plane to passport control...usually about 10+ mins.

The queues are long just be patient.

If you are the confident type get your bag and go upstairs on arrival rather than getting a taxi from the rank downstairs. Slightly cheap (save 50 baht) but can be a lot quicker as no queue.

You have to pay for the toll roads, have some 20 baht notes. Journey from the airport to Sukhumvit depending on traffic about 25 mins and 250 plus tolls...so about 400-500 inc tip?

In the day time use the BTS to get around. Simple and quick.

Shopping go to places like MBK for tourist tat, and Central, Siam Paragon and Emporium to see how wealthy Thais live...

Eating...street food is fine. Never had a problem.

Nightlife...up to you

A couple of tips...never say it's your first time in Thailand...and don't believe one word someone involved in the "entertainment industry" says...oh and don't fall in love!

Enjoy!

RAZZ

Edited July 15, 2012 by RAZZELL

[WhizBang]

If you can, get an hotel along the Skytrain (or MRT) route. They are fast, relatively cheap and avoid the surface traffic jams. One thing though... they stop running at midnight.

The gogo bars in Soi Cowboy, or Nana, are fun and quite an experience if you have never been. Mostly the girls are nice and fun to talk with, but there can be some pretty pushy ones. Take home is up to you. If a girls sits and talks with you a while, buy her a drink (if she hasn't already asked) and give her a tip when you leave. It's how they earn (some of) their money.

Never have run into any druggies in the 10 plus years I have been here, at least not in the gogo bars. The freelancers outside the gogo bars, well it's buyer beware. The freelancers I would avoid.

If you do take a taxi, never take one that is sitting outside an hotel or entertainment venue. Those are mafia taxi and will stiff you for sure. Always walk away from them and flag down one that's driving by.

Good luck and enjoy your holiday.

[mamypoko]

scan all important docs, cards and save them online. Never carry all of your sources of money at one time...keep/lock some here and there. a smile with hands pressed together (wai) is your best defense and offence...never lose your cool in LOS.

after you hit all of the tourist places in BKK (bars, temples and markets)...pick a direction and head out for real Thailand.

[radster2212]

I'm in Bangkok for three nights then to Phuket for a bit before my journey back to the UK. All these tips are really handy and thank you all for the advice really gives me a better understanding of what to look out for when I'm over. Will see a few temples and want to visit the river markets . Then at night a few drinks and a laugh as I am on holiday lol.

[hotandhumid]

smokie 36 sounds like a real hoot....he's told the OP not to get to drunk and not to pick up any girls

[smokie36]

smokie 36 sounds like a real hoot....he's told the OP not to get to drunk and not to pick up any girls

Same advice to you too.

Do as I say...not as I do...

[hotandhumid]

smokie 36 sounds like a real hoot....he's told the OP not to get to drunk and not to pick up any girls

Same advice to you too.

Do as I say...not as I do...

I'll certainly make sure you aint on my party invites list

[radster2212]

Maybe when I'm over we should all meet up have a drink and find out ha ha

[howzat]

I really can't wait to get to that great land, really excited and glad I don't do drugs. I do like a drink and to party a little. All advice has been great thank you all. Trying to do my research before I get there so I'm aware of what goes on. Either way it's a journey I can't wait to get to. I hear the Thai people are amazing and like any place it's only a small number that give it a bad rep. Living in London I can agree .

don't forget post your comments after you have completed your holiday , would be interesting for us long time residents

[Daewoo]

I assume that at some point, you are going to be hitting the girly bars…

We aren’t allowed to get into great details here about that side of things, but the most important piece of advice I would give you, in that regards, (aside from making sure you use protection) is two fold…

I suggest you do not go with any girl you meet on the street, or pick up in a ‘normal’ bar/nightclub… If you take them from a bar where they work, they have a mamasan and a bar owner who offer some kind of support if she rips you off… the potential for getting drugged/robbed from a ‘freelancer’ are significantly higher…

And harden your heart to the stories you are going to hear… whilst they might be true, the girl use these stores to extract money, not sympathy…

Only use metered taxi’s, and get them to use the meter… especially from the airport, where they often try to scam you into a higher fare than the meter would be…

[ajarnpot]

Try not to believe these people with the crummy warnings, 9 times out of 10 the tuk tuk man will take you whnere its best to go, also if someone says a place is closed , it probably is,,

don't worry have fun

[tw25rw]

Where are you staying?

[radster2212]

Thanks Daewoo some honest words there and will take that into account. Hope to stay somewhere local to the bars and clubs then I get get a cab or train around town. Irish bars are always a good starting place.

[tw25rw]

Thanks Daewoo some honest words there and will take that into account. Hope to stay somewhere local to the bars and clubs then I get get a cab or train around town. Irish bars are always a good starting place.

There are plenty of hotels that fit the bill. Just don't go to a travel agent. They will either put you in the Shangri La or send youto Khao San Rd..

[radster2212]

Thanks TW will remember that .. And on my return from Phuket too.