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Chapter 2
Welcome to Bang Cock!

rules (and just the fact they drive on the opposite side of the street Americans are used to), I can almost guarantee, if you drive yourself, you will get into an accident. The rule in Thailand is if you get involved in an accident, since you're a foreigner, it's your fault. (Actually, the rule is the bigger guy is at fault. For example, if a car hits a motorbike, it's the cars fault, simply because the car is bigger. If a truck hits a car, it's the trucks fault, etc. But if a foreigner is driving, it's his fault no matter what. That's the name of the game in Thailand where discrimination is fare game).

6. Hey! The new inner city tramway in Bangkok is now functional (in part, anyway). For around fifty cents (20 baht, assuming a 40 baht to the dollar rate), you can ride in a brand new, air-conditioned tramway that will zip you through the city in no time at all. Check it out. It's a blast!

7. If you're traveling outside to Bangkok, for example up north to Chafing Mai or south to the beaches (such as Phuket), you can take the train for a real adventure. See the chapter on Phuket for details.

8. Thai airlines has daily flights out of Bangkok south to Phuket (see chapter on Phuket) or up north to Chiang Mai. It's about an hour flight in either direction. You will need to take a taxi from your hotel in Bangkok to the domestic airport in Bangkok. For more information on air schedule and pricing, see any travel agent or tour director (such as Nana Tours inside the Nana hotel lobby).

Of course, you can always walk rather than use the buses, taxis or motorbikes. If you stay at the Nana or Crown hotel, you will be walking distance from most of the places you need to go. One word of caution: Do not jay walk. Always cross the streets at the light signaled cross walks or best, along the walk bridges. Pedestrians do not have the right of way and if you cross the street in the middle of nowhere, my sympathies to you.

Travel tip: the best rule to follow when crossing the street is to follow the crowd. Go when all the other Thais and tourists are crossing. At least that way, if a soaring bus does come out of nowhere, you won't die alone.

HOTELS

Thailand has everything to offer to the tourist in terms of accommodations. If you want five star luxury at it's best, you can stay at the world famous Oriental hotel or the Shangra La hotel in Bangkok. If you're on a budget, hop on a bus to South Pattaya Beach Resort (a two hour ride south of Bangkok) where you can find a decent fan room for as little as $5 a night. Or spend your vacation in the tiny island of Koh Lanta

Be sure to carry your hotel business cards with you wherever you go. That way when you enter a taxi, you can just show the card to the driver and he will know how to get you back to your hotel. Most taxi drivers speak little English.