15 YO Daughter Arriving Soon - Some Advice Please

[buadhai]

My 15 year old daughter will be arriving on Sunday the 18th just before midnight.

What is the taxi situation at Don Muang like now? Are there sufficient taxis at that hour or will we be in a long queue?

We plan to spend about a week in Bangkok. She lives on Saipan so her greatest desire seems to be to visit malls. But, I suspect she'll tire of this after a few days. I'd appreciate some suggestions on alternative activities. I doubt she'd be interested in sites of historical or cultural significance, but I could be wrong.

Any suggestions?

TIA

[Smeg]

That is quite a busy time for arrivals, so expect a slight delay whilst she clears customs (and gets sent along to the other terminal for clearance, the staff's usual routine)

If there is a queue for taxis, go 1/3 of the way across the bridge towards the railway station and take a right down the steps, where you'll find plenty of taxis waiting or passing 24/7 (and save a whole 50 Baht airport fee)

[NickA]

Or go up to the arrivals, I've never had to wait there and the taxi driver has never passed the 20 baht "fee" on.

[poolcleaner]

You'll be pleased to know that my new book
"How to sepend a week in Bangkok's Airport" will be on the bookshelves early next week.

You can spend hours in the place. No end of fun to be had.
From 'Pooly's famous restaurant quiz' to the 'complete the employees names and jobs' list.
There's a detailed map showing all the toilets, showers, water fountains and after you complete the quiz you'll know the price of every edible item on sale. We also detail the most comfortable benches to get some rest on.
Fun for all the family and the bonus is you don't have top pay any airport taxi fee. In fact you don't pay for a taxi full stop. Or a hotel.

Check out your copy in the 'Amazing Thailand' of your airport bookshop now!

[kingwilly]

on a very serious note if the taxi queue is crap ( and I hate those taxi's anyway ) consider the airport taxi/limosuine service. 600 baht to sukhumvit area - a very nice large sedan comfortable and (usually decent driving ) and no waiting, the normal airport taxis are so rubbish

I imagine that this would make a good impression on a 15 year old girl rather than walking upstairs to save 50 baht or walking down the hwy to falg down a taxi. her first impression will set the tone for the whole trip.

[kingwilly]

1. safari world is good fun.

2. dream world if she has frenzs here

3. MBK - cheap shopping

4. movies

5. bowling

6. Jim Thompson house

7. weekends - visit Tarling Chan for lunch - its a set of floating barges on Bangkok Noi - major klong draining into River opp. Kings Palace

8. massages

9. facials

Aisa books has a deck of cards - that is 101 things to do in BKK for Kids, ( usually at the counter to buy )
some great ideas - some a little mundane.

[buadhai]

consider the airport taxi/limosuine service

Never tried them. Where do you find them?

And, so you think poolcleaner wasn't serious, eh?

[buadhai]

Great suggestions kingwilly. I'll look for the deck of cards.

Can you be a bit more specific on the following?

visit Tarling Chan for lunch

Never been there.

[kingwilly]

consider the airport taxi/limosuine service

Never tried them. Where do you find them?

And, so you think poolcleaner wasn't serious, eh?

inside the airport - they have touts in suits and a couple of booths or stands just before the exits outside to the the regular taxi queue.

some ppl might disagree but they are nice and convienient

[Smeg]

the normal airport taxis are so rubbish

I imagine that this would make a good impression on a 15 year old girl

what is a "normal airport taxi"?

Yep, a good impression....dad is loaded so lets get spending!

[Smeg]

inside the airport - they have touts in suits and a couple of booths or stands just before the exits outside to the the regular taxi queue.

some ppl might disagree but they are nice and convienient

All the hotels have those expensive translation services too (250 Baht per word). The usual rate is 700 Baht. The tout hails a passing taxi, hands him 200 Baht, says "sanam bin" and pockets the remainder

[kingwilly]

^ fers fuck sake

mate - they are not the normal metered blue/red yellow/green taxi's

they have a fleet of well kept larger sedans and busses - look like a normal car.

He's not trying to impress a bargirl! its about his daughter - and if a 15year old has a bad start it can set the whole tone.

most 15yearolds are not gonna be impressed by a private taxi anyway!

but walking aroudn a hot dirty airport waiting for a decrepit dickhead taxi driver at midnight is a good way to upset her and start off on the wrong foot!

[Little Chuchok]

consider the airport taxi/limosuine service

Never tried them. Where do you find them?

And, so you think poolcleaner wasn't serious, eh?

Just go to the Thai Airways desk.They have a great limo service.As stated, I think it's about THB600-700,but really nice comfortable cars with air-con that works!

oh yeah, and I have never had to wait longer than about 2 mins for this service!!

[kingwilly]

The way I do it is thus,

skytrain to saphan taxsin,

talk to the river boat guys - get a long tail boat WITHOUT guide for about 400/500 baht per hour. they'll know Tarling Chan - you'll only need about 2 as they dont count the travel time which is about 30-45 mintues each way.

map above shows approx location. Its also the same klong that has the Kings river boat museum.

the barges all have small tables on them no chairs - sit at one and start ordering food/beer (loads of fresh fish and crabs and prawns etc - their catfish is sensational.) pay as you go.

large railway bridge next to it - usually loads of ppl. so arrive early (12.00ish)

you also get a great 'free' tour of the klong system as he drives the long way back.

easy way to spend several hours.

NB i might be paying too much - there might be easier ways of doing this - but i like it and it works for me.

[Smeg]

about 400/500 baht per hour.
NB i might be paying too much

I guess these are tourist prices. I don't see how they can justify that kind of money for a cronky old longtail when a taxi costs about half that per hour (at average BKK speed)

[kingwilly]

^ you might well be right !

because your so fluent in thai and have been here long enough to become a local.

hence the reason I said i might be paying too much - its only a suggestion anyway.

[Skulldigger]

about 400/500 baht per hour.
NB i might be paying too much

I guess these are tourist prices. I don't see how they can justify that kind of money for a cronky old longtail when a taxi costs about half that per hour (at average BKK speed)

Tourist prices - because only tourists use them. I doubt they'd even consider taking a Thai, if a Thai would be interested in going, that is.

I still think the idea is great though. He is spending a week with his daughter. Not trying to find the cheapest way to get around Bangkok.

Buadhai, if she is fascinated by the morbid, you should go with her to the forensic museum near Siriraj Hospital - various deformations and body parts of famous mass murderers preserved in formalin. Not the most common outing in Bangkok for tourists, and for just that very reason it might go down well. (Just a bit of a far out suggestion).

Supatra River House near Wat Rakhang on the Thonburi side (also close to Siriraj Hospital - the pier is called Wang Lang and is situated opposite the Thammasat University pier) have excellent food and a nice view of the river and the Grand Palace on the other side.

For cinema, take her to EGV Gold Class at the top of Siam Discovery Center.

[MeMock]

I fail to see what the problem is with the taxis at the airport. Walk outside - join the cue - no more then 3-4 mins pay an extra 50 baht and off ya go.

[Smeg]

Tourist prices - because only tourists use them. I doubt they'd even consider taking a Thai, if a Thai would be interested in going, that is.

I still think the idea is great though. He is spending a week with his daughter. Not trying to find the cheapest way to get around Bangkok.

I agree, and the boat owners do to

[buadhai]

I fail to see what the problem is with the taxis at the airport. Walk outside - join the cue - no more then 3-4 mins pay an extra 50 baht and off ya go.

Normally that's the case. But sometimes at the midnight hour the queue gets long and the taxis few and far between.

Just wonder if that's the situation now or if it has improved.

Day time; no problem. But those late night arrivals can be a pain when it comes to transport.

[kingwilly]

I fail to see what the problem is with the taxis at the airport. Walk outside - join the cue - no more then 3-4 mins pay an extra 50 baht and off ya go.

usually thats what i do also,

however, if there's no taxi's (sometimes happens) or a very long queue this is a comfortable alternative...

^ beat me too it - no not much has changed u can sometimes/often get that quiet lull.....

[kingwilly]

Buadhai, if she is fascinated by the morbid, you should go with her to the forensic museum near Siriraj Hospital - various deformations and body parts of famous mass murderers preserved in formalin. Not the most common outing in Bangkok for tourists, and for just that very reason it might go down well. (Just a bit of a far out suggestion).

i agree - its a different place. free also. in Thonburi. the Thais know it becasue the famous canibal child murder - Si Ouay. Dead famous he is.

[Marmite the Dog]

If you fancy impressing her with a top quality Thai meal, don't forget Baan Kanitha (02 258 4128) on Sukhumvit Soi 23. It's not too expensive but it's the best.

Book early to avoid disappointment!

[Torbek]

^ Actually, I never told you after taking up your suggestion...I was VERY disappointed with the place. Very nice setting, but EVERY dish was on the table in under 10 minutes and they were clearing plates away trying get us out in under 45 minutes.

[Marmite the Dog]

You were probably upsetting the other diners with your 'Aussie humour'. Not everone thinks its funny to play 'pull my finger' with the waiting staff.