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1. wan y February 4, 2010 8:00 pm

   Its easy to get around in Bangkok on your own and transport is always readily available. The train system brings you to most tourist destinations. if you chose to take taxis, there’s plently available and is very affordable. I went there free & easy several times and absolutely not much hassle getting round by yourself.
   References :

2. Mummydearest February 4, 2010 8:19 pm

   Gosh – Bangkok is full of tourist touts who will try and direct you to expensive tour operators, souvenir shops or even tailors. My suggestion is to ask at the airport or tourist information centres for recommendations – it is their job and focus to keep tourists happy and recommend Bangkok. Major hotels are fantastic at offering alternatives but the cheaper end of the market tend to do the ‘touting’ business. Some places of interest you can do yourself:
   – Palace you can get there by taxi
   – River cruise using the public river boats. Can do this from Palace
   – wander the streets and take in the atmosphere of Bangkok
   – Night market if only to watch how other tourists behave under the influence of cheap booze and available ‘ladies’. Interesting watching how the locals go about enticing the tourists
   - snake farm and crocodile farm
   – try haggling at the markets or with the street vendors
   – have dinner or a drink at the tallest restaurant; stunning at sunset

   Choose your travel times wisely as traffic in Bangkok is terrible. Look at using the train system where possible. Taxis are cheap especially if 3 are sharing but watch the traffic situation. Check with the hotel to see if you can stitch up a deal for exclusive use of taxi for the whole day or even duration of your stay.

   Enjoy it – Bangkok is a city of contrasts
   References :

3. The_Mouse February 4, 2010 9:03 pm

   If you are staying in Bangkok for only 3-5 days, I suggest you get a half day or a 1-day tour which can be organised by most tour desks at any hotel lobby. It is probbaly better than trying to get around on you own in unfamiliar city.
   Give yourself one full day for shopping. Even going to the clothes market – haggling for cheap clothes for your 11 yr old brother can be just as exciting.

   There are MANY MANY tourist places which are family friendly. There is so much to do in Bangkok it is hard to give you a list for only 3-5 days visit. Grand Palace and Emerald buddha temple is usually the "must see " place for visitor. It would be something totally "exotic" for you 11 yr old brother.

   BIG shopping malls like the MBK and the Siam Paragon would be worth a visit for all of you. The aquarium at Siam Paragon is good. Sit and have lunch while watching beautiful fish in mini aquariums in the middle of you table at the food court in the lower floor at Siam Paragon.

   An afternoon snake show at the Saovabha Memorial Institute is excellent (and the show is both in Englishand Thai)

   Travel around BKK is best with metered taxi. ALWAYS and I emphasise – ALWAYS get the taxi to put the meter on. NO meter – DO NOT get in the taxi. Do not negotiate a fare to desinations.
   Usually you can tell the staff at the hotel where you are going and they will wave down a taxi for you.

   Invest in a copy of Lonely Planet "Best of Bangkok" – you will be glad you did.

   Hope this helps
   References :
   Regular traveller to Thailand.
   See photos of my trip to Thailand last October (and a few photos take at the snake show) here http://geocities.com/phinghaw

4. yourasianlove February 4, 2010 9:51 pm

   I have never had a tour guide and over 3 years have explored 4 provinces. If you are in BKK- the Palace, Temple of the Jade Buddah, take tour on the river. In the lobby of most hotels are hourly and day tours to partake of. For your brother I would suggest a trip to Samut Prakan, by taxi to the crocodile farm, and perhaps the Ancient City you can rent bicycles there for self tours. Shopping where other foreigners are- MBK, Siam Square, Pantip Plaza and for the expensive tastes- Siam Paragon and the Emporium. Gold- take a tour of China Town. Want away from the foreigners- take a taxi to Seacon Square Mall or Imperial World. Thais are very friendly. Stay away from Taxis and Tuk Tuk parked outside hotels, always catch a moving one on the street. Not a trip to BKK without riding the Skytrain (BTS) Beware of Thais approaching you offering tour services or "cheap fares" stay with the metered Taxis. When you have more time- get away from the city. Cheap flights to most provinces.
   References :

5. bogmonster February 4, 2010 9:59 pm

   Within the city, there are 2 electric rail systems:- the skytrain which is above ground and the metro which is underground. There is also a regular speedboat service which runs east-west across the city on the Saen Saep canal. These 3 services will allow to beat the terrible traffic jams.

   You should buy the Lonely Planet’s Bangkok or Thailand guide. These will save you far more than the price of the book and provide many helpful maps and a huge amount of advice.

   Finally use taxis. They are very cheap and will go near or far. For trips within Bangkok, ask for the meter. They will turn it on. For trips outside Bangkok, you need to agree a price. One way to Pattaya (150 kms) would cost you 1000 Baht or 30 USD. Don’t worry if they can’t speak English. You can use the "I love farang" service in which you use the driver’s mobile phone to speak to a translator.

   Hope this helps.
   References :
   Long term resident of Thailand