Archive for October, 2006
Where to go?
There are many Siam Commerical Bank and Thai Military Bank counters at the Suvarnabhumi Airport but the easiest ones to find when you first arrive at the airport are:
Just come out of immigration and baggage section (Level 2 - Arrivals), walk towards the Exit 5 and Exit 6 - you will see the Siam Commercial Bank and Thai Military Bank counters located near both exits.
Rates are surely be MUCH better than those offered to you by the hotels so these are the BEST places to cash your local currency before heading into the city of Bangkok
October 16th, 2006
Since the opening of Suvarnabhumi Airport, there had been some problems in finding the taxis to go into town or having to wait for a long time to get a taxi. Now those problems seemd to be resolved as the AOT had increased the numbers of taxis to meet the high demand of the passengers arriving at the new Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Where are the taxi stands??
They are located on Level 1 - in front of Entrance 3, 4, 7, and 8.
There are about 15-15 taxis waiting at each of the above stands. In the rush hours - be prepared to wait for 4-5 minutes for the taxi come up from the parking lot.
How much do you have to pay??
All taxis use meters for all transfers into Bangkok city. The fares are varied depending on the time of the day (of course, fare will go up if you travel during the rush hours). Usually, to go to downtown of Bangkok, say, Silom area - it should cost you around THB 200-250.00 PLUS an extra fee of THB 50.00 for the ticket. Any express way or toll way is paid for by the passengers.
IF you are going to Pattaya, Hua Hin or anywhere outside of Bangkok - fares MUST be negotiated before the ride as there are NO fixed rates and meters will NOT be used!
How long does it take to get into the city??
I would say should be around 40 minutes and up. Again - depending on where you go and the time of the day you travel. It will of course take you longer if you travel in the rush hours.
This taxi service works out extremely fine and worth the prices you pay! AOT limousine costs you at least THB 800.00 (one way) for its limo (Toyota Camry or Isuzu MU-7).
Why pay more?
October 16th, 2006
There is ONLY one “Lost & Found” counter at the Suvarnabhumi Airport. It is located at the Information Counter on Level 4 (Departures) near the Entrance 5.
The counter is named “BAGGAGE SERVICE” so do NOT look for “Lost & Found” sign as you will not be able to find it!
October 16th, 2006
Those of you who want to know about the information for the left luggage counter at the new Suvarnabhumi Airport - here you are:
There are 2 left luggage counters at the Suvarnabhumi Airport;
Level 2 - Arrivals
The Left Luggage Counter is located on the Level 2 (Arrivals) - near the escalator - behind EXIT 4 area.
Level 4 - Departures
The Left Luggage Counter is located on the Level 4 (Departures) - near the entrance of Entrance 4.
More information on the charges here:
- Each item deposited will be charged at the rate of THB 100.00 per 24-hour period.
- Items stored for over 24 hours will be charged at a rate of THB 50.00 per 12-hour period (any part of the 12 hour will be charged at THB 50.00).
- If the items are deposited for more than 3 months (92 days), the charge per 24-hour period will be THB 200.00 per item.
- Any deposits not collected wtihin 6 months (180 days) will become the property of the depository.
NO jewelry, watches, antiques, gold, cash, credit cards, perishable goods, fragile articles, electric appliances, mobile phone, shaver, CD player, MP3 player, portable computer, camera (film or digital) or VDO camera accepted.
October 16th, 2006
Vietnam Airlines recently announced that passengers can now order vegetarian, Halal, Hindo or Judaic meals on all of its flights of 2 hours or longer. Special meals for the children now also available. However, these special meals must be requested at the booking offices at least 24 hours before departure.
October 13th, 2006
Good news for the night owls visiting Ho Chi Minh City! The new law has been luanched allowing all the bars in the 4 or 5-star hotels to stay opened until 2.00 a.m. instead of midnight!
Do not forget to wake up in the morning for your sightseeing program the next day though!
Cheers!
October 13th, 2006
Travel to Vietnam is a lot easier these days (I still remember back in 1988 when there was only Vietnam Airlines and Thai Airways are flying into Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City)!
Malaysia Airlines has recently added 2 more flights to its weekly route between Kuala Lumpur and Hanoi making the total of 9 flights a week. These new flights, together with the existing weekly filghts from Ho Chi Minh City, will provide you with more option to travel to Europe, South Sfrica and other destinations with a Malaysia Airlines’ stopover in Kuala Lumpur.
October 13th, 2006
Tourism is really booming in Vietnam this year! You can see that they are really moving ahead at a much quicker pace now!
According to ThanhNien online news, a company in the southern metro is in the process of designing two 400-kms. rail lines to speed up up train travel between Ho Chi Minh City and Nhatrang. When completed, one line is said to be run at lightning fast 200 kmp, cutting travel time from over 8 hours to 2 hours! The other track to run paralled will carry trains at eaven faster speed of up to 350 kph, cutting the travel time to 1 hour and 25 minutes.
The construction work has not been confirmed at this stage.
October 13th, 2006
The Best Islands of the World!
The country and people of Koh Samui made a remarkable awards for its hospitality by Conde Nast Traveller’s Readers’ Travel Awards 2006!
Ranked as No. 6 (from its 20 islands worldwide), Koh Samui has been given a warm welcome and received a top mark of 95.56% for its people/hospitality and also exceptional value for money (93.33%)
At the same time, Phuket has also been ranked No. 10 (85%).
Well done and many congratulations!
Meanwhile - the list of the top 20 islands are:
Ranked No. 1 - Maldives (95.69%)
Ranked No. 2 - Seychelles (94.75%)
Ranked No. 3 - Mauritius (94.31%)
Ranked No. 4 - Sicily (93.79%)
Ranked No. 5 - Greek Islands (93.79%)
Ranked No. 6 - Koh Samui (90.80%)
Ranked No. 7 - Barbados (90.37%)
Ranked No. 8 - St Barts (90.28%)
Ranked No. 9 - Fiji (89.54%)
Ranked No. 10 - St Lucia (87.84%)
Ranked No. 11 - Phuket (85%)
Ranked No. 12 - Bali (84.70%)
Ranked No. 13 - Capri (83.70%)
Ranked No. 14 - Mallorca (81.76%)
Ranked No. 15 - Cyprus (80.40%)
Ranked No. 16 - Sardinia (79.87%)
Ranked No. 17 - Antigua (78.74%)
Ranked No. 18 - Langkawi (77.34%)
Ranked No. 19 - Canary Islands (76.63%)
Ranked No. 20 - Ibiza (75.81%)
October 5th, 2006
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