A Bangkok Getaway

From floating markets to exquisitely adorned Buddhist temples, Bangkok is truly an exotic Asian
destination. On the TripAdvisor website, David Thyberg offers advice on getting to and getting around
Bangkok.

International flights go through Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, which lies 18 miles southeast of the
city center. The Don Muang Airport, 16 miles north of the city, services domestic flights. Bangkok also
has three bus terminals. The Mo Chit terminal is in the northern section of the city, with the Thonburi
terminal in the southern section and the Ekkamai terminal in the eastern part. After arriving in the city,
tourists face the daunting task of commuting around town. Buses run along myriad routes, and metered
taxis abound. Don't take a taxi that doesn't have a working meter, as the driver might try to overcharge
you. A hotel concierge can arrange for a reliable taxi pick-up if necessary. Fodor's Travel Guide also
recommends using the Bangkok Transit System's skytrain or Mass Rapid Transit's subway system for
going between the city center and the outlying train stations.

Just north of the equator, you may want to follow Chris Rowthorn’s suggestion to escape Bangkok’s heat
and find some cool breezes on a riverboat.

Bangkok’s Chao Praya Express Boats are the best way to get around the city: there is no traffic, the
breezes are cool and the views from the river are fantastic.
Sadly, most visitors to the city experience only a tiny section of the ferry route, shuttling between
Saphan Taksin pier in the south and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha or Khao San Road in the north
(there are piers close to both).
However, those of a romantic cast of mind cannot help wondering where the boats go after they drop
off the tourists, chugging upriver and out of sight.
While most Chao Praya Express Boats stop at Nonthaburi Pier, about 15km north of downtown Bangkok,
special ‘green flag’ boats continue another 10km upriver to the town of Pakret. While Pakret has little to
detain the traveller, it is the jumping off point for Ko Kret, a sleepy island in the middle of the Chao
Praya River. Ko Kret feels worlds away from Bangkok: it is almost entirely green, there are no cars and
the vibe is more rural Cambodia than urban Thailand. In addition to the serenity and fresh air, the island
is dotted with shops that sell distinctive Mon pottery, a pleasing ochre-coloured pottery that has its
roots in present-day Myanmar.

On the Nerd Nomads website, Maria Wulff Hauglann maintains that visiting Bangkok’s markets should
be part of any trip.

 Chatuchak Market
 Pak Klong Talat
 Bangkok Farmers Market
 Pratunam Market