Thailand forum

Sukhumvit is way NOT close enough to walk from KoSan Road. Way across the town.
KSR is in the "old city" near the river on the west side. http://www.guidetothailand.com/maps-thailand/bangkok-rattanakosin.htm

Sukhumvit is out on the east end of the skytrain. See the BTS skytrain map and notice how it does go to the river. So you take the BTS to the river and then a boat up to the old city. see the skytrain map: http://www.guidetothailand.com/maps-thailand/map-bangkok-subway-skytrain.htm

The river, old city, Banglamphu etc is where most of the sightseeing is. There is nothing of interest out on Sukhumvit and you will have a long comute back and forth. Suk is more convenient to the airport to get away and for the Eastern bus station at Ekamai (BTS). Out on the airport side is a suburb or small town of Samut Prakan which has some interesting sights: the 3 Headed Elephant Temple, The ancient city. You can search the lonely planet thorn tree forum for more on this.

Tuk tuks are a bad mode of transport. Take one for fun with a few friends but don't go anywhere the driver suggests. They are mostly out to get a kick back when you to spend money at a local business that they will talk you into visiting. Also they are hot, dirty and dangerous. There are river and canal boats and cheap meter taxis. Also busses if you want to take the time to deal with that.

You can walk around freely in the touristed areas and most others but the same common sense applies everywhere, eg know where you are, not in the middle of the night, sober etc...

Walking about alone at night is very safe...except if you get very drunk and Khao San Road is probably the least safe place in the whole of BKK to be drunk.


Tuk tuks are a far worse option than taxis .. they are more likely to take you where you don't want to go (eg gem shop after gem shop) especially if they give you a "very cheap price".

If you insist on being taken directly to where you want to go, tuk tuks always charge more than a comfortable metered A/C taxi. Tuk tuks are noisy and often beltch black smoke. You are forced to breath in traffic fumes. Your clothes and skin will get covered in grime and your hairdo will probably be totally wrecked.

If you need the thrill of traveling "authentically like the Thais do" then motorbike taxis are the way to go. They are also the quickest form of transport for distances that take 10 minutes to walk.

Instructions for ladies: How to use a motorbike taxi.

Approach a Thai bloke wearing an orange jacket with the word "taxi" on it. They can usually be found hanging out on street corners near some parked motorbikes. Explain where you want to go (if you can, most don't speak much English)

When you've explained where you want to go, the motorbike driver will hand you a battered helmet and invite you to get on the motorbike behind him.

To be polite, lady passengers should balance side-saddle on one buttock and try not to touch the driver. (Try and do this in an elegant manner like Thai ladies do please) Hang onto the helmet with one hand as there's usually no strap to stop it flying off once you get going. Use the other hand to call someone on your cellphone in order to display the right degree of nonchalant sophistication and blend in properly.

The motorbike taxi will zip in and out of traffic at breakneck speed to get you to your destination as fast as possible, so remember to keep your legs well tucked in if you value your kneecaps at all.

On arrival get off the bike (elegantly), hand back the helmet, briefly rearrange hairdo, and pay the driver. Price is 10B up, depending on whether you have managed to convince him that you do this sort of thing all the time.

;-)