Bangkok, places to stay, things to do.
 
This lovely hotel on the banks of the river is probably not where you will want to stay.
The evening scene in Rambuttri Village, near Khao San road, is much more laid back and mellow than Khao San.
In Bangkok there are many, many Guest Houses and Hotels. Usually the taxi drivers will take you straight to Khao San Road where all the travelers like to go and shop. It is a funky area but, for some, it may be a little busy.
Some affordable guest houses in behind a Thai Temple a short distance from Khao San Road are:
Rambuttri Village Inn (check web-site –google)
Four Sons Guest House
Green Guest House Merry V Guest House
Bella Bella House, on Rambuttri road behind temple; rooms from 220 baht
Thai Cozy House (near 7 Eleven on Tanee Circle Rd.) 750 Baht & up
Villa Cha Cha ( google) More expensive but very nice close to Khao San 900 Bt & up
(Note: Ear plugs are good to have in Bangkok )
These guest houses are back-pack traveler style and range from 200-600 Baht per day. The taxi drivers know of all these guest houses. There are fancier hotels on Khao San as well for approx. $15 -20 US per day.
Guest House Away from Khao San Road area:
Also approx. 30 minute walk or 5 minute Chao Ferry ride from Khao San road are some other good guest houses.
This area is also close to the Chao Phraya River where you can catch a local river ferry to the various temples such as the Grand Palace and Wat Pho.
The Guest Houses we recommend here in this area are:
Tavee Guest House
83 Sri Ayuttaya (off Thewet)
(behind National Library)
Intersection of Ratchavithi Rd. & Samsen Rd.
We have stayed at the TAVEE often. It is a very reliable and clean place. It is just down the alley from the Shanti Lodge. It is open 24 hours. If you arrive late….you walk down the alley and see a wide , wooden door on your left. You may ring the bell and the hostess will let you in. It is very safe in this area as well.
The Shanti Lodge
37 Sri Ayuttaya Road off Thewet
(behind national library) Telephone: 628-7626
It is good to have the address or name of your guest house on a piece of paper for the driver and tell the taxi driver that these guest house are behind the National Library or Khao San Road.
If these guest houses are full, we would recommend going to the Rambuttri Village Inn behind Khao San Road .
Suk Pasath Hotel
Chawfar Road & Soi Rongmai ($8-$10 US)
Guest House Costs:
Costs of rental at the Shanti or Tavee Guest Houses as well as guest houses close to Khao San Rd. are from : $6 - $15 US
They have cheaper dorms as well. They also have a safe deposit box for passports etc.
You are also welcomed to do your own research for guest houses in Bangkok and if you have any you recommend please let us know so that we may share them with the other students. Thank-you.
Valuables:
Make sure you keep your valuables such as your passport & monies/ cameras…. on you when you leave your guest houses in Bangkok for shopping or outings or you can also keep things in a safety deposit box at the guest house.
Your guest house can usually recommend a taxi back to the airport as well.
Tourist Attractions * Temples * Thai Dance * Floating Market
Siam Niramit is an excellent Thai Culture Show in the City : Book at Local Agencies:
 
It is fun to take the Chao Phraya river ferry to look at some of the local Thai Temples and Thai culture.
The Grand Palace & Wat Pho are amazing temples to see. You may only want to see one per day for they are BIG! These temples are usually free to visit on Mondays. The cost for the spectacular Grand Palace is usually 200 Baht but free on Mondays. Wat Pho is 20 Baht but also very beautiful…there is also a Thai Massage school @ Wat Pho where you can have a massage after visiting the temples. There are lots of other free Buddhist Thai Temples to visit in Bangkok.
You can also arrange a tour of the temples at your guest house or travel agency.
Thai Cultural Dance:
The Tavee Guest house & other ticket agencies sell tickets & transportation to an authentic Thai Dance and Dinner Theatre. It is wonderful! 500 Baht
Other tours such as the “Floating Market & Rose Garden “ are fun to do as well. Nice to take in some of the culture & arts of the city before coming to the island. 500 Baht approx.
Internet Café:
There is an internet café close to the Tavee & Shanti Lodge.
There are a number of internet cafes on Khao San Road as well.
Phone Card:
There is also a 7-Eleven next to the Tavee where you can buy international phone cards. These are also on Khao San Road.
Joint Ticket to Koh Pha Ngan
As mentioned before you can get your joint bus or train / ferry ticket to Koh Pha Ngan at most of these guest houses or at a local travel agency in the area.
Vegetarian Restaurant in Bangkok
There is an excellent Thai Vegetarian Restaurant called May Kai Dee’s close to Khao San Road. As you walk away from the Police Station towards the Burger King turn left onto this street and right into the next alley. People along there know where May Kai Dee’s restaurant is. It is worth the search. Great Vegetarian Thai Food! This road is close to Ratchadamnoen Rd. May Kai Dee gives a one-day Thai Cooking Class where you can learn 10 dishes in one day! I have heard it is a great cooking class. Yummy! 1000 Baht $27 US
Close to the end of Khao San road - behind the Burger King in the alley.
Ethos Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurant
Close to the end of Khao San road - behind the Burger King in the alley next to May Kai Dee's.Ethos.
A Health Oasis in Bangkok, serves a delicious Vegetarian & Vegan Menu , with organic brown rice, kambuchua mushroom teas, hibiscous ice drinks and more!
The atmosphere is comfortable with WI FI access and great world music!!A great place to meet and connect up with travelers!
Australian owner, Phil King also offers up guidance in Meditatin and Sound Healing upstairs in Ethos restauarnt as well. Thai Massage also available ! phil@ethosnet.biz www.ethosnet.biz
Gem Shop Tuk-Tuk: Warning
Beware of the Tuk-Tuk drivers that offer to take you on a tour to the temples or around town for 10 Baht. They will stop at many Gem Shops along the way and hope that you will buy the gems from there friends. They have some really good stories cooked up and have people working for them at various locations where you receive the same stories about the Gem Shops.
We do not recommend these Tuk-Tuk Drivers.
Khao San Rd Stores:
With shopping on Khao San Rd. you will find many people bargaining with the Thais. They like to barter or they expect you to barter so therefore they have their prices raised on many items only on Khao San Road
Thai Stores:
If you walk to the left or right of Khao San Rd. you will notice that this is where a lot of the Thai locals shop and the prices are more regular here. On Khao San you will have more choices of Asian goods from India & Nepal as well but here you may need to bargain.
In Bangkok you will find the landscape a mix between the modern world and third world. The Thais are friendly people. They love it when you smile at them and they love to have there picture taken too. J They also love it when you try to speak some phrases in Thai….but like anywhere else …. some merchants are also tired at times for they have long hours of work.
Patience is good.
You may ask some Thais about the Famous Pat Pong Weekend Market in Bangkok as well. It has many good things at great prices. It is a Thai market.
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