Itinerary to Bangkok for Firsttimer

As I promised you in my previous Notes, here's the ultimate step-by-step recommendation in Bangkok. Bring this along with you... so you'll never miss any precious travel moments there. Enjoy!


Passport and Visa
Indonesian needs no visa and there is a regulation of minimum 6 months passport validity to enter Thailand. The maximum stay for business and leisure is 30 days.

Flight
There are numerous flight services from Jakarta to Bangkok and vice versa. For those living outside Jakarta, there’s a connection in either Singapore or Kuala Lumpur before reaching Bangkok. You can choose Full Board Airlines such as Garuda Indonesia, Thai Airways, or Singapore Airlines. Or if you prefer the budget option, go for Mandala-Tiger Airways, Air Asia, or Jetstar. All of the above mentioned airlines are landed in Suvarnabhumi International Airport, except Air Asia. Starting three months ago, Air Asia moved to Don Mueang International Airport. While Suvarnabhumi is served with an airport link train, the easiest way (though not the cheapest) to reach downtown Bangkok from Don Mueang is by taxi. But if you’re thinking if cheaper option, go for local. There are some services

Local Transportation
Bangkok is blessed with reliable and cheap mode of local transportation. When I was there in the 1990s, Bangkok was jammed so bad that going from one place to another can take more than 2 hours. But it’s a lot better today, with its BTS (Bangkok Sky Train) and MRT, Silom to Siam can be reached with less than 15 minutes, while it used to be hours. To add the ‘wow’ to its commuter system, Suvarnabhumi International Airport is now linked to downtown, making it easier (and cheaper) for travelers.

Money Matters
1 Thailand Baht (THB) is approximately Rp 320,-. For other exchange rate (USD to THB, Euro to THB, or SGD to THB), please check at http://www.xe.com.

Halal Food
It is considerably easy to find halal food places all over Bangkok. There is one halal stall in every food courts in Bangkok Shopping Malls. If you wish to go for the authentic and more variety Thai halal food, go for Yana Restaurant in MBK, Saman Islam food centre in Chatuchak Market, or Pratunam area (Ratchathewi BTS Station) nearby Darul Aman Mosque.


Top 5 Hostel
  
1) Saphaipae Hostel
(http://www.saphaipae.com – reservation: rsvn@saphaipae.com)
5 minutes walking to BTS Surasak Station. Bed in mix dormitory starts at THB 350 (Rp 96.000,-) per person per night. Clean, worth the money, separate bathrooms for Ladies & Gents, designated floor for Ladies only, strategic location to reach every parts of Bangkok, friendly staffs. Recommended.

2) Lub d Siam Square
(http://siamsquare.lubd.com)
100 meters from BTS National Stadium Exit 1.  Near MBK Shopping Mall and Siam Square. Bed in mix dormitory room starts at THB 600 (Rp 192.000,-) per person per night. Perfect location, clean, slightly expensive comparing to other hostels.

3) CheQInn
(http://cheqinn.com/)
15 minutes walking to BTS Nana Station. Bed in mix dormitory starts at Rp 133.000,- per person per night. Boutique hostel style, nicely design and cozy, very clean, need a bit walk to BTS Station.

4) Nap Park
(http://www.nappark.com/)
10 minutes walking to the famous backpacker area – Khao San Road. Bed in ladies dormitory is at THB 500 (Rp 160.000,-) per person per night. Strategic location for sightseeing in old city (Grand Palace, Chao Phraya River, Wat Saket, Wat Pho, etc).

5) Smile Society Hostel
(http://smilesocietyhostel.com/)
10 minutes to BTS Saladaeng Station and 15 minutes to MRT Silom Station. Bed in ladies dormitory is at THB 440 (Rp 140.000,-) per person per night. Nearby Patpong Night Market, clean, minimalist, friendly staffs.


Top 5 Family Hotel (Prices are based from online booking engine – Agoda.com or Booking.com)

1) The Montien Hotel Bangkok. (http://montien.com/Bangkok). Best location, friendly staffs and spacious room. 5 minutes walking to Sala Daeng BTS Station and Sam Yan MRT Station. Superior Double Room starts at THB 2200/Rp 704.000,-.

2) Citadines Sukhumvit Soi 8. Apartment style, 15-20 minutes walking to Nana BTS Station (or 5 minutes with complimentary tuk tuk service). Executive Studio from THB 2000/Rp 640.000,-.

3) Aspen Suites Bangkok. Apartment style, 15 minutes walking to Nana or Ploenchit BTS Station (free tuk tuk service to BTS Station is available). Superior Studio from THB 2000/Rp 640.000,-.

4) Novotel Bangkok Fenix Silom. 10 minutes walking to Surasak BTS Station and Saphan Taksin Pier. Standard Double Room from THB 2200/Rp 704.000.-.

5) Budacco Hotel. 5 minutes walking to Pratunam Market and Platinum Fashion Mall. 10-15 minutes walking to Ratchathewi BTS Station and Central World Shopping Centre.


Top 5 Budget Hotel (Prices are based from online booking engine – Agoda.com or Booking.com)

1) Metz Pratunam. 10-15 minutes from Platinum Fashion Market, 15 minutes to Ratchathewi BTS Station. Double Room is at THB 1300/Rp 416.000,- include breakfast.

2) Nasa Vegas Hotel. 5 minutes walking from Ramkhamhaeng Airport Link Station. Double Room from THB 600/Rp 192.000,-.

3) Rambuttri Village Plaza. 5 minutes walking from backpacker area (Khao San Road) and Chao Phraya River. Superior Double Room is at THB 1000/Rp 320.000,-.

4) Ecotel Bangkok. Around 15 minutes walking to Pratunam Market/Platinum Fashion Mall and 20 minutes to Chidlom BTS Station. Superior Double Room starts at THB 1100/Rp 352.000,-.

5) For You Residence. 5 minutes to Surasak BTS Station. Standard Double Room from THB 950/Rp 304.000,- without breakfast.


Top 5 Places to See for First-Timer to Bangkok:

1) Grand Palace.

• How to get there: Alight at Saphan Taksin BTS Station, take Chao Phraya Express Boat to Tha Chang pier and walk 10 minutes. The journey from Saphan Taksin BTS Station is around 15 - 20  minutes. By taxi is around THB 100/Rp 32.000,- from MBK/Siam.
• Price: THB 400 (Rp 128.000,-).
• Operational Hours: Everyday 08.00 – 18.00.
• Notes: there are many scammers in front of the Grand Palace main gate trying to trap tourists by telling that Grand Palace is closed until late noon. Ignore them, go to the ticket counter and consult the uniformed staffs. Grand Palace do closed on certain days, such as New Year, Songkran, and King’s Birthday. To make sure everything is in order, call or visit the TAT office.
• Worth to see: the entrance fee is included Emerald Buddha Temple and Vimanmek Museum in Royal Dusit Palace. Pay a visit if you have time.

2) Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha Temple).

• How to get there: Wat Pho is located next to Grand Palace. Or alight at Saphan Taksin BTS Station, take Chao Phraya Express Boat to Tha Tien pier and walk 5 minutes. The journey from Saphan Taksin BTS Station is around 20 minutes. By taxi is around THB 100/Rp 32.000,- from MBK/Siam.
• Price: THB 100 (Rp 320.000,-).
• Operational Hours: Everyday 08.00 – 18.00.
• Notes: just like Grand Palace, there are many con artists in Wat Pho. They try to take you somewhere (usually the other temples – Lucky Buddha, Standing Buddha, etc) and end up in tourist-trap shops. Don’t listen to them.
• Worth to try: Wat Pho Thai Massage at THB 250 – 300 (Rp 80.000,- – Rp 96.000,-) for 30 minutes.

3) Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall (Museum).

• How to get there: by taxi (around THB 100/Rp 32.000,-) from MBK/Siam.
• Price: THB 150 (Rp 480.000,-) + THB 50 (Rp 16.000,-) for sarong.
• Operational Hours: 10.00 – 18.00 Tuesday to Sunday. The Museum is closed on Mondays, New Year, and Songkran Holidays.
• Notes: Proper attire is required, no short pants, sleeveless t-shirt, and torn jeans. Women should wear skirt or purchase sarong to cover the pants.

4) Madame Tussaud (Wax Museum).

• How to get there: Siam Discovery 6th Floor (Siam BTS Station).
• Price: THB 800 (Rp 256.000,-). There’s a limited offer for early bird. Check the website: http://madametussauds.com/Bangkok for further information.
• Operational Hours: Everyday from 10.00 – 21.00. Last admission: 20.00.
• Notes: our first-ever President Soekarno is standing proudly at Madame Tussauds Bangkok. Never leave this wax museum without taking picture with him.

5) Khao San Road

• How to get there: alight at Saphan Taksin BTS Station, take Chao Phraya Express Boat to Phra Arthit pier and walk 10 – 15 minutes. The journey from Saphan Taksin BTS Station is around 30 minutes. Or by taxi (around THB 100/Rp 32.000,-) from MBK/Siam.
• Notes: Khao San Road is the mecca for backpackers and travelers. This road is busy 24-hour and may not suitable for some people, especially after dark as clubs and pubs open the doors. The street vendors selling merchandises and clothes are overpriced comparing to Chatuchak or Platinum, but if you really want to buy something, try bargaining politely.
• Don’t leave Khao San Road without: trying pad-thai – Thai Fried Noodle. You can easily spot the cart selling pad-thai along this road. Prices are cheap and the portion is huge.

There are many other interesting spots to see in Bangkok. A whole week probably not enough to cover all these. But if you can spare more time in Bangkok, why don’t you try: Wat Arun (Temple of The Dawn), Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, Jim Thompson’s House and Museum, Siam Niramit Show, The National Museum of Bangkok, Old Town Night Tour, Chocolate Ville and Yaowarat (Chinatown). Bet you will have an unforgettable journey to Bangkok!


Recommended Shopping Places:
1) Mah Boon Krong (MBK) Shopping Mall. National Stadium BTS Station (or walk 5 minutes from Siam BTS Station).

2) Siam Paragon. Siam BTS Station or walk 5 minutes from MBK.
3) Central World. 5-10 minutes walking from Siam BTS Station.
4) Chatuchak Market. Mo Chit BTS Station Exit 1 or Chatuchak Park MRT Station Exit 1. Opening hours: Saturday and Sunday from 9.00 – 18.00.
5) Asiatique by The Riverfront. Saphan Taksin BTS Station and Asiatique free shuttle boat service.

6) Platinum Fashion Mall. 10 minutes walking from Central World Shopping Centre.
7) Terminal 21 – Themed Shopping Mall. Adjacent to Asoke BTS Station.
8) Bobae Tower. The easiest way to go to Bobae Tower is by taxi, the fare is less than THB 100/Rp 32.000,- from MBK.

9) IKEA. Udomsuk BTS Station and IKEA free shuttle bus service.

10) Mega Bangna Shopping Complex. Udomsuk BTS Station and IKEA free shuttle bus service.


Must-Eat & Drink in Bangkok
1) Som Tam (Papaya Salad) – you can buy Som Tam from any Thai Restaurants all over Bangkok, food courts, and street kiosks.

2) Pad Thai – Fried Noodle Thai Style, with your selection of meats or vegetarian. Pad Thai is probably Thai food that I never get bored of.

3) Tom Yam – seafood spicy and sour soup with or without coconut milk and cream.

4) Tom Kha Gai – chicken and herb soup in coconut milk.
5) Green Curry – with selection of seafood, chicken, or beef.
6) Thai Beef Noodle – clear beef broth soup with white noodle.
7) Thai Chicken Briyani Rice – Thai Moslem specialty of halal food.
8) McWings Tom Yam from McDonalds – tom yum flavor fried chicken wings.

9) Thai Sausages (Halal and Non-Halal)
10) Mango Sticky Rice – sweet Thai mango served with sticky rice and condensed milk.

11) Thai Ice Tea – thick and black Thai tea mixed with condensed milk and evaporated milk.
12) Thai Ice Green Tea – Japanese green tea mixed with condensed milk and evaporated milk.
13) Thai Tea Ice Cream.

14) Coconut Ice Cream.
15) Luk Chup – Mini fruit-shaped mung bean dessert.


Top 10 Restaurants, Cafes, and Food Courts in Bangkok
1) Yana Restaurant (Halal Thai Restaurant) – MBK Shopping Mall, 5th Fl. Price: THB 150 – 200 (Rp 48.000,- – Rp 64.000,-) per person.

2) Som Tam Nua (Recommended: Som Tam with Salted Crab and Som Tam with Salted Egg) – Siam Square Soi 5 (in front of Siam Paragon Shopping Mall). Price: around THB 150/Rp 48.000,- per person.

3) Manna Thai Restaurant – Thailand Best Restaurant 2012. Located in Ground Floor Siam Paragon. Price: THB 200 – 300(Rp 64.000,- – Rp 96.000,-) per person.

4) Food Court Siam Paragon – cheap Thai cuisines (Halal food available) in Ground Floor Siam Paragon. Price: THB 50 – 80 (Rp 16.000,- – Rp 25.600,-) per portion.
5) Food Court Platinum Shopping Mall – cheap Thai cuisines (Halal food available) in 6th Floor Platinum 2 Shopping Mall. Price: THB 40 – 100 (Rp 12.800,- – Rp 32.000,-) per portion.
6) Saman Islam Food Centre Chatuchak Market. Price: THB 50 - 200 (Rp 16.000,- - Rp 64.000,-).

7) Mango Tango (Recommended: Mango Sticky Rice – large portion) – Siam Square Soi 5. Price from THB 80/Rp 25.600,- per portion.
8) After You Dessert Café (Recommended: Shibuya Honey Toast) – Siam Paragon Ground Floor and Thong Lor 13 (J Avenue). Shibuya Honey Toast THB 160/Rp 51.200,- per portion.
9) Dean & Deluca (Recommended: Coffees, Tarts, and Sandwiches) – Chong Nonsi BTS Station (Exit 3), next to Ritz Carlton. Coffee from THB 100/Rp 32.000,-.
10) Crepes & Co – Langsuan Soi 3 (15 minutes walking from Central Chitlom Shopping Mall) Chitlom BTS Station. Price from THB 150/Rp 48.000,- per portion.


Top 5 Souvenirs
1) Fridge Magnets (Chatuchak Market – 7 pieces for THB 100/Rp 32.000,-)
2) Coin & Cosmetic Pouch (Chatuchak Market, 2 – 5 pieces per package. THB 80/Rp 25.600,-)
3) IKEA stuffs (Catalogues and prices can be checked at http://ikea.com./th/en)
4) Tae Kae Noi – Seaweed snacks (Tae Kae Noi Land – Terminal 21 Asoke. Prices from THB 5/Rp 1600)

5) Monthong Durian Chips (Mah Boon Krong Shopping Mall THB 150/Rp 48.000,-)



Suggested Itinerary (3 Days 2 Nights)
Day 1: Arriving in Bangkok. Sightseeing (and shopping) around Siam area: Siam Square, MBK, Siam Discovery – Madame Tussauds, Siam Paragon, Central World. Dinner and watching Calypso Cabaret performance in Asiatique by The Riverfront.
Day 2: Chao Phraya River – Grand Palace – Wat Pho – Ananta Samakhom. Dinner and walking around Khao San Road – the backpacker place of Bangkok.
Day 3: Last Minute Shopping at Platinum Fashion Mall and Pratunam Market before heading back to Indonesia.

PS: If you’re going on the weekends, you can squeeze in or add one more day to see Chatuchak Weekend Market.


I'm adding this Tourism Authority of Thailand information, in case you need it:

TAT Head Office
Tourism Authority of Thailand
1600 New Phetchaburi Road, Makkasan, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400
Tel: +66 02 250 5500
Fax: +66 02 250 5511
Website: http://www.tourismthailand.org
E-mail Address: center@tat.or.thTAT Tourist Information Counters

TAT Tourist Information Counters can be found at the following locations:
Tourism Authority of Thailand
1600 New Phechatburi Road, Makkasan, Rajathewi, Bangkok 10400
Open daily from 08.30 to 16.30 hrs.

Suvarnabhumi Airport Arrival Floor, Domestic Tel: (66)2134 0040 Open 24 hours
Suvarnabhumi Airport Arrival Floor, International Tel: (66)2134 0041 Open 24 hours

TAT Call Center 1672 Operational hours’ 08.00-20.00 hrs.


sumber: https://www.facebook.com/notes/claudia-kaunang/cks-best-ever-travel-and-shopping-d-guide-to-bangkok/453614594688543