Serviced Apartments in Bangkok

• Starbuck Café (5-minute walk)
• Japanese restuarant (5-minute walk)
• Thai restaurant (5-minute walk)
• Italian Restaurant (5-minute walk)
• Nana BTS Station (8-minute walk)
• Bamrungrad Hospital (8-minute walk)
• Villa supermarket & flower shop (8-minute walk)
• Tailor Shop (8-minute walk)
• Pharmacy (8-minute drive)
• Above Eleven Roof Top Bar on 33rd floor

• The Nana BTS station is just 8 minutes away by foot.

Travellers can easily move around Bangkok by buses, private cars and vans, taxis, tuk tuks, motorcycle taxis and ferry services. A little knowledge of the widely spoken Thai language will help when asking for directions or bargains. Bring along your accommodation card when heading out as it usually comes in handy.

• From Suvarnabhumi International Airport, approximately 30 minutes’ drive time.
• From Donmuange Domestic Airport, express service by Nana BTS station.

Bangkok is the largest city in Thailand, also known as the Land of a Thousands Smiles, with a population of approximately 12 million people. Most travellers would begin their tour from Bangkok, Thailand's epicentre of political, economic, social and cultural life.  One of the world’s top tourist destinations, the capital city of Thailand is religious with its many monasteries, complemented by the fine arts, swanky restaurants, groovy music scenes, hip bars and the experiential shopping.

A city uniquely blended with vibrancy, culture and heritage, and exotic appeal, Bangkok is well-known for its water travel along the rivers which remains an important mode of transportation in Thailand.  While the city is supported by major roads and railways branching out to various parts of the country, the iconic tuk tuks, the contemporary three-wheelers, are commonly used to traverse amidst thick traffic jams within the city.

Weather

Bangkok is a tropical city and remains warm throughout the year. The best time to visit is from October through February as temperatures range around 25-28 degrees Celsius, with cooling light breezes and only occasional showers.

Language:

The national language is Thai, a tonal language with its own alphabet. If you wish to take a taxi to a specific destination, you need to be equipped with the Thai language, as taxi-drivers who speak and understand English are few and far apart! Bilingual Thai/English road signs are found on all road signs including BTS and some local buses.

Time Difference: GMT +7 hours.

Visa:

Travellers should check the visa regulations at a Thai Embassy/Consulate prior to their journey. All foreign nationals entering Thailand must hold valid passports. At the airport, citizens from most countries will be granted a free transit visa valid for a period of up to 30 days, provided that they have a fully-paid ticket out of Thailand.

Currency:

The unit of currency is Baht (THB). ATMs generally display both Thai and English signages and will accept most internationally recognised foreign cards. Many ATMs also accept cards that are CIRRUS, Maestro, VISA or MasterCard. Most traveller cheques can be cashed at banks with proof of passport or ID.

VAT:

Goods purchased in Thailand are inclusive of VAT at 7%. If you're visiting for less than 180 days in a calendar year, not an airline crew member, and leaving Thailand by plane, you can claim for VAT refund (Non-Thais only).

Gratuity:

Tipping is not expected, but is increasingly more common. A 10% service charge is normally added to the total bill at most hotels and restaurants. In restaurants, tipping is usually between 10 % and 15% but at small roadside eating places, it is not necessary to tip. Taxi fares should be rounded up to the nearest 5 or 10 Baht, to 'reward' the knowledgeable metered taxis-drivers who remain incredibly patient even in the midst of the infamous Bangkok traffic!

Business Hours:

Banks, in general, are open as follows:
Mondays to Fridays, 09:00 to 15:30 hours
Saturdays, 09:00 to 11:30 hours

Offices, mostly:
Mondays to Fridays, 08.30 to 17:30 hours
Saturdays, 08:30 to 12:00 hours

Shops, may vary but mostly:
Mondays to Sundays, 10:00 to 21:00 hours

Cellular Network:

There are 3 mobile phone operators in Bangkok, Tue Move, AIS and DTAC.

Health:

Travellers should seek medical advice at least three weeks prior to their trip to Thailand. Protect yourself against mosquito bites at all times and be careful about what and where you eat. On the whole, if you follow the general guidelines, you should not experience any major problems. Should medical attention be required, rest assured that Thailand provides excellent health services. In fact, the medical services are so well regarded that it is fast becoming popular as a health tourism destination.

Electricity:

Voltage is 220 Volt AC with flat 2-pin plugs.  Adapters for shavers, laptop computers, mobile chargers, etc., can be purchased at most department stores.

Public holidays:

New Year's Day, Chinese New Year, Makha Bhucha Day, Chakri Memorial Day, Songkran Festival, National Labor Day, Coronation Day, Visakha Bucha Day, Buddhist Lent Day, HM The Queen's Birthday, Rama V Memorial Day, HM The King's Birthday and the Constitution Day.

Eating Out:

Bangkok is a city brimming with exotic taste experiences and innovative food sensations. Apart from the Thai cuisine which is renowned for its unique blend of spicy, sour, sweet and salty tastes, there are also many cuisines from around the world that can be found here.  Dining options are as unpredictable as some of the cuisines on offer; from great-value food courts, riverside bar-restaurants, Thai-style dining in teak pavilions, air-conditioned fine dining to international and local fast food chains. Bangkok offers an unforgettable dining experience fit for the fussiest gourmet foodie!

Shopping:

From high fashion outlets to bargain hunting markets and specialty stores, shoppers are spoilt for choice in Bangkok, fondly known by many as the shopper’s paradise.

Browse for trendy buys in one of the many well-known shopping malls, such as Central Chidlom, and after shopping, go for some inexpensive delectable treats which you can find in just about every corner if you would walk along Rama IV Road or Sathorn Road.

Take a trip to the famous Chatuchak market and be amazed at the selection of wares available. From clothing to accessories, art to pets, Chatuchak market embodies the variety of Bangkok’s shopping. Shop for gold and traditional stuff at Chinatown Centre, situated on Yaowarat Road and Sampheng Lane, along Ban Mo Jewellery Street and Phahurat Cloth Market. More jewellery and gemstone shops can be found along Mahesak Road and Charoenkrung Road as well.

Located on Maharat Road near the Memorial Bridge, Pak Khlong Talat is an ideal place to buy all kinds of cut flowers and vegetables needed for the household. About 80 kilometres west of Bangkok is the famous Damnoen Saduak Floating Market.  Accessible by bus from the Southern Bus Terminal, this is the perfect place to shop for wares or simply to soak up the local market culture.