book01

Chapter 2
Welcome to Bang Cock!

airports to see who's coming into town. As you pass this crowd, on your left side (opposite the street) will be a Money Exchange Booth. Be sure to exchange at least $200 before exiting the airport. You will need to pay for your taxi in Thai baht (the local currency) and probably be asked to pay in Thai baht for the first night stay at your hotel. Yes, you can do a Visa or Master card cash advance at the booth. Ask for 10,000 baht advance (about $250 depending on the exchange rate).

Now, to get to your hotel from the Bangkok airport, I suggest you take the meter taxi not the hotel taxi service inside the airport. Exit the airport terminal onto the street and look for the METER TAXI booth where you will get a ticket and someone to set you up with a cab. If you can't find it or don't see it, just ask anyone, "Where is meter taxi?" Do not take the taxis inside the airport as the prices are so high, you'd think you just entered Japan. One taxi representative inside the terminal wanted 650 baht, triple the price for a meter taxi. When I told him I wanted a meter taxi, he lied saying, "No have." I said to him in Thai, "Mai chua...go hoak" which translates, "I don't believe you. You are a liar!" and walked away. Outside I booked a ride with a meter taxi for about one third of what he was asking (225 baht). Once you find the meter taxi booth,

(right outside the door as you exit), you will be asked, "Where you go?" Tell them you want to go to either the Nana hotel or the Crown hotel. (See hotels section for details). Then they will hand you a ticket stub and you will be directed to a meter taxi. When you get inside, be sure the driver agrees to turn on the meter. If not, get out and find another cab. The driver will also ask you, "Where you go?" A little bit of a communication gap between the booth and driver. No big deal.

The ride from the airport to either the Nana or Crown hotel (both located off Sukumvit, one of the main streets in Bangkok) will be about 30 minutes, depending on traffic. The driver will probably ask you if you'd like to pay extra and take the super highway. Say, "Yes!" It's worth it and will save you lots of time in getting to your hotel. You will have to pay a toll fee once or twice (about 20 or 30 baht each), well worth it. If the driver asks for the money, hand it to him with a smile. (See, I told you to exchange money at the airport before you exit. You will need to use the local currency right away).

Once you arrive at the hotel, you will pay the amount on the meter, plus a 50 baht airport surcharge. The total price will probably be about 225 baht ($5.62). Don't hand the driver a tip. You already overpaid (the taxis I'm sure are jacked up in price, even with the meter. I know

Right before you exit the airport, there will be a Money Exchange Booth where I suggest you change at least $200 into Thai baht. You will need to use the local currency to pay the taxi driver and pay for your hotel when you first check in.