Cheap flights to Bangkok are available from Perth, typically stopping in Kuala Lumpur with AirAsia. Flights with this carrier include the same Kuala Lumpur connection when exiting the Gold Coast, Sydney and Melbourne. Cheap flights exiting Darwin may route through Singapore. Direct flights from Brisbane are available with a flight time slightly over 9 hours. Departures from Sydney are available flying directly into Bangkok on carriers such as Emirates and British Airways. Cheap flight options from Melbourne are offered by Jetstar Airways stopping in Singapore. Once on the ground there is a taxi rank outside platform 1 and you should have no trouble with the metered taxi service provided. The BorKhorSor is a bus offering cheap services into town. The most convenient ground transport is the Airport Rail Link with quick, frequent and reasonably priced services to downtown Bangkok.
Bangkok’s comprehensive transport systems make navigating the pandemonium very simple. Purchase a BTS Rabbit Card from any BTS (Skytrain) station for discounted and convenient travel. Adding stored value on these cards is ideal for making several short trips. The Underground (MRT) frequently services 18 stations. Get an upfront price for a cheap Tuk tuk ride and a metered taxi for cost efficient, comfortable travel.
Spoilt for choice in Bangkok, plan ahead to see it all! Marvel at the soaring spires of the Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun), the emerald carving at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew) and the gold statue at the Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho). Explore palatial life at the Vimanmek Mansion and the colourful eccentricity at the Phallic Shrine. A three-headed elephant welcomes visitors to the Erawan Museum, try Queen Siriki Museum of Textiles or Jim Thompson’s House for beautiful displays of Thai craftsmanship. See a mummified cannibalistic serial killer at the Siriraj Medical Museum. Test your nerve further at the Forensic Museum and the Bangkok Corrections Museum or take a day trip to the luscious landscape of the Khao Yai National Park. Try flowboarding, an indoor amalgamation of water board sports at Flow House for cheap, unique thrills. Pilot a Boeing 737 at flight simulation Flight Experience Bangkok, swim with sharks at Siam Ocean World or just in the fun setting of an amusement park at Siam Park City. For a truly amazing Thai experience, let a graceful elephant navigate your exploration of the Ayuttha ruins.
Famous for the retail madness, Bangkok shopping is much more than the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and Patpong Night Market. Include the Khong Suan Old Market on your itinerary before heading to super mall MBK. If 2,000 shops is a little overwhelming, try CentralWorld or Siam Paragon. Boutique shopping has never been more ridiculous than the 1,500 stores at Asiatique but be sure to check out the offerings at gorgeous Siam Vintage and the changing face of Siam Square. Fine dining doesn’t get fancier than al-fresco 63 floors up at Sirocco or the degustation menus of La Table de Tee and Mezzaluna. Once Upon A Time, the Hajime Robot Restaurant and the flying-chicken-catching, unicyclist of Ka-Tron Restaurant are great Bangkok experiences. Cheap snacking on scorpions and crickets can be found each evening on Khao San Road – follow it up with a street vendor meal. Party hard across 3 floors at Narcissus or make your way to Route 66. The Bed Supperclub is great to start early or Bar 23 offers an indie-like scene. Sip cocktails at Happy Monday, WTF Bar, Viva & Aviv or any of the rooftop clubs around this neon city.