Thailand in budget. Review on Bangkok

It is very cheap and easy to go from India to Bangkok and other Thailand cities provided you have done your homework well. In the media you may see cheap offers to Thailand, as low as Rs. 16, 000 for 5 day package. I never take such packages as I know I will become bound to them and I will not be able to experience the real and true flavor of the city.

There are cheap flights from India to Bangkok run by Cathay Pacific, King Fisher, Jet Airways, etc. I had taken the direct non stop flight from Mumbai to Bangkok costing Rs. 13, 850. Cheaper flights go via Kolkata an stop there for 2-3 hours, wasting time. When you go to Bangkok, it is natural to have shopping in mind as there are excellent markets in Bangkok offering goodies at low prices. If you have such preferences then its better to take your travel bags light and empty. You can but T-shirts and jeans as soon as you land in Bangkok for use during your stay. Most of the toiletries and day to day needed items are priced similar to those in India but better in quality.

Preparation for travel:

Till 3rd of March 2010 the visas were free. You could get visa on arrival, the only requirement is that you should have 10, 000 Bahts per person and your passport should be valid for 6 months from date of arrival. You should carry 2 passport photos of 3 X 4 cms. size.

(Note: Indian Rupees can be changed to Baht in Indian airport and Bangkok airport. Legally one passenger can carry Rs. 7, 500 Indian Rupees out of India and there is no ceiling on foreign currency amount. Exchange rates are almost same in Indian airport and Bangkok airport. Indian currency will be changes with difficulty outside Bangkok airport. US dollars, Euros and GBP can be changed easily anywhere at the hundreds of exchange kiosks in the city. Airport rates are better.)

1GBP=51.9 Baht / 1 Baht=100 salangs / 1Baht=1.36 INR)

When you arrive at Bangkok airport follow the crowd walking over the horizontal transport belts till you arrive at the visa counter that will be on the left of the belt. Pick up a form, fill the details and hand it over to the officer with your photograph and passport. The officer will check your details. There is a column to fill your hotel name, you can fill the one you intend to stay or just name any hotel. You will be handed a laminated catd bearing a number. Take the card and wait on the chairs on the side. The staff will process your visa and then come to the counter and flash the number. If it is your number go to the counter show your card and take your passport with stamped visa. All this process takes about half an hour.

Now you are legally allowed to enter Thailand. Walk straight and then go to the left where immigration counters are located. Stand in the queue and wait for your turn to be photographed and passport checked. It takes 20 minutes for all this. Then you head to the big area where the baggage arrive. On the indicator you will read your airline number and the baggage belt number. For Cathay Pacific it was No. 23, the last one on left side.

After collecting the baggage, go to the lower floor by escalator. Be careful to pull baggage properly as soon as your step comes to an ending, else there can be accident if you fail to pull your trolley bag. On the ground floor, you collect the free map of Thailand from one of the travel counters, and proceed to gate No. 8. From here you will get free shuttle bus to Transport center. Transport center is like a big bus stand from where buses go to various locations in Bangkok as well as outstation cities like Pattaya, etc.

Plan your trip:

If shopping is in your mind then keep Bangkok as the last city to be visited else you will end up carrying heavy bags to all other cities where you intend to travel.

I suggest you go to Pattaya first and then come to Bangkok for shopping before leaving the country. There are direct buses from Swarnabhumi airport to Pattaya that reach you within 2 hours to 2.5 hours. The fare is 124 Baht for good air-conditioned bus. Bus number 389 (to Jomtien Beach) or 905 (to North Pattaya Bus Stand)

The buses go to two places. Many of them to North Pattaya Bus Stand and few of them go to Jometien Beach Bus Stand. North Pattaya Bus Stand is best to reach most of the happening places and also to large number of choices of hotels, which are situated in Central Pattaya.

As you have light travel bags with you, you can take Bhat taxis that charge uniform rate of Bhat 10 per person to get down at any point on the way. Ask the driver if the taxi is going to Beach Road, Dilphin roundabout, or 2nd Road in Central Pattaya.

(Note: There are plenty of hotels for budget traveler ranging from 200 Baht to 600 Baht with breakfast. Choose a hotel on the 2nd road as it is near the beach and near all the action.)