http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13605
I found that after living in Thailand for several months that this was less of a problem, as I had started to learn the language and became aware of how you make yourself a victim for their scams.

As a previous writer said: Don't make yourself a tout magnet by stopping and looking lost; walking round in circles; poring over a guide on street corners, etc.

After living in the country for a year it was easy to get around and enjoy without any hassles ... mainly because by then, I had learned what to do and not do that causes problems.

One solution was to tell the taxi driver exactly where you wanted to go and how much you would pay before you got into the taxi (remember to be fair in your offer).

This seemed to solve a lot of problems upfront.

Speaking the language helped a lot even though I had only one year of experience speaking Thai.

When you make an effort to learn to speak their language, most Thai people are very nice and helpful to you.

I have been in Bangkok six times and each time was very enjoyable.

And I really enjoyed travelling around the country as it has a lot of beauty to offer. The area I lived in was eastern Thailand in the city of Ubon. The only hard part was getting used to the tropical heat and humidity.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13605 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13356
When on the tuk tuk they take you to places you don't even want to go. Places supposedly closed etc, I found them a constant harassment.

The final straw was when the local law student (who, incidentally, knew nothing about Thai law when asked) ended up being the same guy taking me to the airport. Needless to say, he didn't get a tip and was lucky to be paid.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13356 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12872
Now if there are two of you the choice would seem to be a simple one - take the taxi! No need to read on!

If you're alone I'd also recommend the taxi but if you are really saving the baht you've got:

1) The Airport Bus - It's comfortable, spacious and relatively hassle-free. Disadvantages are that it doesn't run to a schedule - you've got to stand there and wait, and wait. This does have one advantage however: You might meet other travellers while waiting and get to share a taxi! One other disadvantage of the Airport Bus is that they seem to take the absolute longest, most traffic-jam prone route. You're at serious risk of missing your flight if you take one of these in the day time.

2) The Khao San minibus - Cheaper than the above, they run to a schedule and they'll come to your guesthouse. Great isn't it? Well you're squeezed in like sardines and some of those vehicles look like they're about to break down. You also have to book in advance, reducing your flexibility. One advantage is that they're in tune with the road conditions so they'll avoid the worst of the traffic jams.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12872 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12870
The river taxi starts from Fort Mahanak - that's the white fort near the democracy memorial - this marks the eastern edge of Rattankosin Island. It stops at Hua Chang, which is good for MBK Department Store and Siam Square; Pratunam which is near Pantip Plaza and Central World; and Nana and Asok - before terminating near Bang Kapi. See Wikipedia link below for a list of stops.

Short journeys cost 10 baht. Important things to remember if it's your first time:

1) The interchange is at Pratunam - all passengers must change here.
2) Try to sit in the middle so it's easier to see the sign denoting which stop you're at. They're very small!
3) Try to sit near the side - less spray there.
4) Note that they often miss stops - for example they often go straight from Pratunam to Nana - don't rely on counting the stops!
5) You must get your orientation right - there's only one landing at each stop serving both directions of traffic.

The history of the Saen Saeb Canal (Khlong Saen Saeb) is interesting. It actually goes out all the way to Chachoengsao near Chonburi and was built to transport soldiers and supplies to help the war effort with Cambodia. Construction started in 1837 and took three years.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12870 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12869
These drivers are time-wasters, not interested in using the meter, very interested in taking you for more than just a ride (definitely in the case of the tuk tuks), and getting in the damned way and making nuisances of themselves.

If you want to take a taxi:

1) Haul your bags over to the main road. For our group above that would be either Chakrapong or Phra Athit. Perhaps 50 metres. Yes, the hardships.

2) Flag down a taxi. This is easy, they're coming down the road in a constant procession.

3) Open the door, get in, tell him where you're going.

4) He'll switch the meter on.

5) Get to your destination, pay the fare, get out. (If you need to, you can wait a few seconds for your change. They offer change to the nearest five baht these days.)

While all this is happening your counterparts over at Soi Rambuttri will still be standing around engaging in useless banter with a dead-beat scam merchant who is not interested in turning on the ignition for anything less than a 500% markup.

For your information the trip to the railway station costs 50-60B - that's for the *car* not per person - taxis never charge per person.

That's the drill for taxis now...

If you want to take a tuk tuk:

1) Don't

They're filthy and they spew noxious pollution. That's the drivers I'm talking about. There's no need to take one in Bangkok for any kind of journey. The taxi will always win in terms of price, safety, speed and comfort. Do the locals a favour and help to consign these evil menaces to the scrap heap.

Back to taxis: I find the yellow ones to be a lot nicer than the blue ones. The purple ones are good too.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12869 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12026
Around Bkk try to use meter taxis with the meter on - it’ll be cheaper than the tuk-tuks (take a tuk-tuk once for the experience then use meter taxis).

Don’t let the drivers take you out of your way...they’ll try to take you to some store where they get commission.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12026 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9672 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9672 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4205
It also means you can avoid taxi and tuk-tuk drivers, who are more interested in taking you where they want to go rather than where you want to go.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4205 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4089 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4089 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4086 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4086 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3772 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3772 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3763 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3763 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3755
Incidentally, the taxi drivers with Buddhist texts written on their cabs’ ceilings, seem to be more amiable - just an observation.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3755 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3738
We also made sure though that we always asked for the meter when we used the taxis. If the driver didn't put it on, we didn't get in. We always followed a map with our finger and would point out monuments loudly. This prevented drivers from taking 'alternate' routes in what is a chaotic, disorientating place.

I'm sure we were highly annoying passengers, but we never got ripped off.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3738 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3690
Also, be careful of the taxi driver who says: "Too much traffic today! 300 baht to take you there!" The traffic is always busy in Bangkok and the suggested fare, without the meter running, is bound to be more than you would pay if the meter WAS running.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3690 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3678
The bus is safe, clean, air-conditioned and cheap - just 100 baht. Yes, you can probably get where you are going a bit quicker in a taxi, but at some times of the day (rush hour) nobody goes anywhere fast.

It's also a good way to meet people, enjoyable conversations and great nights out in Bangkok have all started on the airport bus.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3678 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3664 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3664 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3647 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3647 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3646 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3646 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3585 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3585