Travel Tips - Cambodia - Thailand - JULY 2008

Location, location, location. If you want to enjoy your visit to Bangkok avoiding the cities traffic jams is the key. One way to alleviate the problem is to stay at a hotel which is within walking distance of whatever your interests are. In the center of Bangkok one can walk faster than traffic moves

Thursday July 31, 2008 - National Radio Text Service

BANGKOK HOTELS WITH EASY ACCESS - Part 3

Location, location, location. If you want to enjoy your visit to Bangkok avoiding the cities traffic jams one way to alleviate the problem is staying at a hotel which has whatever your interests are within walking distance. In the center of Bangkok one can walk faster than traffic moves and it's healthier and less frustrating.

If you were traveling by a police escorted limousine at some times of the day there is no place for traffic to move thus you are in the same situation as everyone else.

The Sukhumvit area is one of the most sought after locations for activity. One of the prime locations is the Sukhumvit Area extension which is a continuation of Sukhumvit Road west of the freeway that takes you to the Don Muang Domestic Airport and continues to National Stadium where many of the Thai National Football and Thai professional League football games are played.

This portion of the corridor's name changes from Sukhumvet to Ploenchit Road up to the World Trade Shopping Center and then is named Rama 1 Road. Why does the Sukhumvit corridor's name change? . Don't ask…. As former Bangkok Post columnist Bernard Trink often stated TIT (This Is Thailand).

The key area is near the National Stadium and Siam Shopping Center areas. They have easy access to the Sky train National and Silom stations. The Phathumwan Princess Hotel is located in this area and is within walking distance of the National Stadium.

The hotel is also situated opposite Chulongkorn University as well as being behind the Siam Square shopping area. It is also close by to the Paragon, MBK and the Siam Discovery Center shopping complexes. If its being in the center of the action you're looking for this is where it is happening.

The Novotel Hotel is located in the center of the of Siam Square. Aside from shopping Siam Square is crammed with eateries and nightclubs. Its nightlife is dynamic. Access to the Skytrain Silom station is also close by to both hotels.

Another feature is the location is close by the canal boats. The boats are a way of travel that the Tourists Association of Thailand (TAT) does not recommend. The reasons given are it is dirty and dangerous. That is true and not recommended for the weak and weary nor elderly.

With all of those problems it is the quickest way to get around Bangkok if that means anything to you. Traveling by the canal boat you can reach the Democracy Monument in roughly 10 minutes. This is where many of the Thai Democracy demonstrations are held

For your computer needs and deals the famous Pantip Shopping center is a healthy walk and is located on Petcahburi Road. Pantip has computers, hardware, software, cell phone, and camera's and computer repair shops. They are known to have the best deals in the region. Within walking distance is the Paragon and World Trade shopping centers.

Hotels in this area The Four Seasons and Hyatt Earawan Hotels on Ratchadamri Road are near Sky Train stations and not far from the Royal Bangkok Sports Club. They are also located within walking distance to Lumphini Park, World Trade (Central World Plaza), Pavilion and Gaysorn shopping Centers. With a healthier walk and you can reach the Siam and MBK Shopping Centers.

The Intercontinental Bangkok Hotel on Phloenchit Road is also located near a Sky Train stop and is also within walking distance of the aforementioned shopping centers as well as the British Embassy. The Pantip Plaza shopping center that features computers and accessories, software and cell phones is also within walking range.

The Four Seasons and Hyatt Earawan Hotels on Ratchadamri Road are near Sky Train stations and not far from the Royal Bangkok Sports Club. They are also located within walking distance to Lumphini Park, World Trade (Central World Plaza), Pavilion and Gaysorn shopping Centers. With a healthier walk and you can reach the Siam and MBK Shopping Centers.

The Intercontinental Bangkok Hotel on Phloenchit Road is also located near a Sky Train stop and is also within walking distance of the aforementioned shopping centers as well as the British Embassy. The Pantip Plaza shopping center that features computers and accessories, software and cell phones is also within walking range.

Continuing East the on Phloenchit Road the Central Department store is located on the corner of Chitlom Road. One block further East at the corner of Witthayu Road is where the British Embassy is located. The Bangkok Raffles Hilton Hotel is down the street on Witthayu Road and next to a canal boat stop.

The US Embassy is Also on Witthayu Road south of Phloenchit Road. Its a healthy walk but it's doable. During the non peak traffic time of day it is a short drive via taxi. Another notable advantage of this hotel's location next to the canal and river canal boat is Rajamangala Stadium which is near a canal boat stop. Major football contests a played there. In the past the Thai national team has faced off against Brazil, Arsenal, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Barcelona and Everton.

Our sports reporter lived in a condominium across the street from the Bangkok Raffles Hilton Hotel when Brazil played Thailand. Though he left two hours before the start of the game he was stuck in stand still traffic. He got out of the taxi and walked about two kilometers and reached the stadium before the traffic. He arrived a few minutes before half time. It was at this point the value of using the canal boat came into focus. Though he lived next to the canal for two years he never used the canal transportation.

The World Trade shopping center and Pantip Palza Computer shopping center is one canal boat stop from the hotel and the Siam, MBK and Siam Discovery Center shopping centers are two stops away from the hotel.

DR BEAT IN SIEM REAP

Dr. Beat Richner is most notably known for two things... building children's hospitals in Cambodia and playing the cello. Dr. Beat performs in Siem Reap in the auditorium of Jayvarman Hospital Saturday nights at 7:15pm.

Something for free is hard to believe but the Union Commercial Bank in Cambodia (UCB) offers just that with their no charge by them for cash advances. UCB has offices in Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, Siem Reap and Battambang.

Thailand is known for its abundance of tailor shops. A tailor made suite can be a good buy. That's the good news. The bad news is some tailor shops lure customers through their doors by advertising that they will give the tourist a package deal that includes two suits (or more), shirts and ties for $99 to $199.

When you request the promoted package you are shown old material that has been sitting on their shelves for years that the tailor can't sell. More expensive material is then pointed out to you. The price then increases radically.

If you express that you have little time and are leaving the country you may be told that you can pick it up in one or two days Give yourself enough days/time to see if the garments fit. Also give yourself enough time for the alterations to be done properly. If you leave Thailand before the clothes fit to your satisfaction, factor in how much it would cost to have the alterations completed in your country.

Many tailor shops are using brand names without authorization from the brands named company