Realtors operating in the Thai capital often get asked which districts in Bangkok are the most suitable for expats. The thing is, there isn’t a straightforward answer to this question because lifestyles and expectations are subjective. With that in mind, the short answer has to be that there is no ideal place for an expat to live in Bangkok.

Not All Homes and Neighbourhoods Are Equal

Some people prefer to dwell in high-rise condominiums around busy, vibrant areas like Asoke or Nana, enjoying great city views from living room windows. Others may like the more intimate feel of a low-rise condo or apartment in the city’s quieter parts of town like On Nut.

However, for those expats working in Bangkok’s CBD, location and easy access to their office is imperative. This may mean they have to be practical perhaps more so than picky when looking for accommodation. For them, the Sathorn area is often the preferred location, and Yenakart is a very good choice.

The Yenakart / Sathorn District

Quiet, green, and centrally placed with easy access to Rama 3 Expressway, Rama 4 Road, Sathorn Road, and Narathiwat Road, makes it actually quite difficult to find a more centrally placed location in Bangkok than Yenakart.

It is also important to note that Yenakart has three points of access from Bangkok’s public transportation network. The first and original one, is the Chong Nonsi BTS (Skytrain) station, which is only a five minute drive from the central Yenakart area. Closer still is the Lumpini MRT (Metro) station, located near Q-House Lumpini (a 38-storey office building set on the corner of Sathon and Rama 4 roads). From Q-House, residents can reach most of the condos mentioned in this article within a 15 minute walk. And finally, there’s the more recently opened Yenakart BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) station on the Bangkok BRT line.

Now let’s take a look at the type of accommodation available in Yenakart.

The Resorta Yenakart

Fortunately, Yenakart has a complete range of accommodation on offer, from low-cost studios starting at around 13,000 THB/Mo, to beautiful, spacious three bed condos, renting out for 100,000 THB/Mo and above. However, let’s begin by looking at the smaller, low-cost units on offer at The Resorts Yenakart, located in the Yan Nawa district of Bangkok.

One bedroom units here can be had for as little as 15,000 THB/Mo, but the better furnished, more attractive rooms will be priced up to 18,000 THB/Mo. Resorta Yenakart is a low-rise condominium housing a total of 308 condo units. Some of the condo facilities include:

• Large swimming pool
• Attractive grounds and gardens
• Fitness room
• Sauna / steam room
• Mini Mart
• Reception Area
• Covered Parking
• 24hr security

The Resorta represents great value for those wanting to live in the Bangkok CBD area.

Sathorn Plus Condominiums by Sansiri

Moving up in terms of price are another two fine low-rise condominium buildings: the Sathorn Plus on the Pond and Sathorn Plus by the Garden, both of which are located on the main Yenakart road. These condos are built by Sansiri (one of the largest real estate developers in Thailand) and offer practical living in the Yenakart area.

Some of the typical facilities for each of these Sathorn Plus condos include:

• Car parking
• Fitness room
• Multi-Purpose Room
• Roof-top swimming pool
• Shady garden area
• 24 hour security with CCTV and Security Key Card Access Control

The 50sqm one-bed units at these Sansiri properties rent out for approximately 24,000 THB/Mo at the time of writing, and the studios are slightly cheaper at just 17,000 THB/Mo.

Baan Sirisathorn, Yenakat

Located not far from the two low rise buildings above is Baan Sirisathorn. This is yet another good quality low rise building, providing grade-A living for residents.

As with the other low-rise accommodations in this area, there is a nice feeling of both intimacy and quality about the place. Fitted out with solid wooden floors, powder coated window frames, and top quality fixtures & fittings throughout, these units really are something else.

At the time of writing, the 35sqm studio condos here rent for about 20,000 THB/Mo. A 55sqm one bedroom goes for approximately 30,000 THB/Mo, and the 80sqm two bedroom units for 40,000 THB/Mo. Condo facilities include:

• Reception Area
• Undercover Parking
• Roof-Top Swimming Pool
• Roof-Top Sun Deck
• Roof Top Fitness Studio
• 24 Hour Security

Baan Sirisathorn is a cosy residence and makes for a perfect home for expats working in CBD.

The Lanai Condominium

As mentioned earlier, Yenakart has accommodation to suit a varied selection of tastes, budgets, and requirements. If you like traditional South East Asian styles and oriental architecture, then the Lanai could be the perfect place for you.

This exclusive condominium is an eight story low rise project with just 34 one and two bed units in total. The Lanai offers its tenants a very unusual choice in Bangkok living.

Indisputably a high-end building with a real five star quality feel to the place, the Lanai affords residents with a peaceful, resort style experience, not dissimilar to what you might expect at a luxury retreat in a tropical location such as Samui, Phuket, or even Bali in Indonesia.

The condos at the Lanai are huge, with three bedroom units being over 250sqm. Even the two bedroom units are above 200sqm. Oozing quality and opulence, the Lanai condos are bright, airy, and sophisticated. Facilities include:

• Covered Car Park (2 spaces reserved)
• Fitness Center
• Reception
• Roof Garden
• Sauna / steam
• Swimming Pool & Deck
• 24 hour Security with CCTV

The moment you enter the lobby, it’s as though you have been transported far away from Bangkok and miraculously set down at a beautiful five star resort along the Andaman Sea or Gulf of Thailand. It is fair to say that this quality residence offers something that no other Bangkok condominium building can.

Obviously all this space, luxury, and hi-so lifestyle comes at a price. With rents in the neighbourhood of around 100,000 THB/Mo for a three bedroom unit, it will only be Bangkok’s high earners who get to reside at the exclusive Lanai Condominium.

The Conclusion

As you can see, this little known and often forgotten corner of Bangkok known as Yenakart, actually offers expats a great deal of choice and convenience. With easy access to the BTS Skytrain, MRT Metro, and the Bangkok BRT system, it’s amazing this part of town remains somewhat of a hidden gem. Additionally, those expats who own a car can also easily access Rama 4 road, Rama 3 road, Narathiwat road, Sathorn road, and the Rama 3 Expressway.

Going back to our opening paragraph, where we said there are no districts in Bangkok which are most suitable for expats, perhaps there is after all, and perhaps it’s Yenakart!

Guest friendly hotels in Bangkok is a label for hotels that do not charge an extra fee for bringing in an unregistered guest into your room to stay overnight. You may have also heard of the label no joiner fee which means the same thing. Hotels that require their guests to pay an extra fee even though the room had been booked for two is an unfair business practice that occurs throughout Bangkok hotels. Non guest friendly hotels usually charge a 500 THB ($14 USD) fee for bringing in unregistered guests. Some places charge as high as 1000 THB ($30 USD).

Fortunately there are many guest friendly hotels in Bangkok. You can find them mainly centered in the popular commercial areas of Sukhumvit Road which is conveniently close to the myriad of nightlife venues and hot spots throughout the area. Here are names of 5 popular guest friendly hotels in Bangkok (as of writing):

1. Ambassador Hotel

2. Citi Chic Boutique Hotel

3. Amari Boulevard Hotel

4. Landmark Bangkok

5. JW Marriott

There are many more guest friendly hotels of course, with hotel rates ranging from 1000 THB up to 6000 THB ($30 USD to $170 USD) per night, which usually includes a buffet breakfast. There are hotels with even lower rates. Some have rates that go as low as 500 THB or $14 USD per night , but I highly suggest that you avoid staying in a hotel with such low rates as it will most likely be unclean and far from the center of nightlife activities in Bangkok.

Another alternative is to book your stay in a serviced apartment in Bangkok. Serviced apartments in Bangkok are either run by hotel or private management. They treat their guest with full hotel hospitality such as daily house keeping, use of facilities like a fitness gym and swimming pool. Most up market rooms may be equipped with a full kitchen and washer dryers. Most even provide a free buffet breakfast included in the room rates just like hotels in Bangkok. It would stand to make sense that serviced apartments do not charge a joiner fee because the room’s are technically apartments. However you are personally responsible for your guests.

There are many serviced apartments in Bangkok. The most popular one is called Centre Point. Currently there are 7 Centre Point Hotel properties that are in convenient locations close to main attractions through out Bangkok. They are a fully established serviced apartment, labeled as a hotel, but most of the guest who stay there are vacationers. Personally Centre Point hotels are my favorite places to stay in and I never have to worry about having to pay a joiner fee for my guest.

Let’s face it, Bangkok and it’s environs are not particular suited for cycling, the capitol sits in a basin devoid of hills, the traffic in the city is awful and the roads are not the safest for cyclists. Despite this, avid cycling fans have developed and routed a number of trails within a short driving distance of Bangkok that make for a fun day out.

Khao Ito

Khao Ito is perhaps the most famous mountain biking day trip from Bangkok for good reason. Located on the outskirts of Khao Yai, one of the oldest and largest National Parks in Thailand, Khao Ito is a small mountain with dozens of trails suitable for XC mountain biking, all of which are well maintained so that you don’t spend half the time pushing through brush or getting lost.

The downhill from the top of the mountain is a good 10 minutes non stop pure adrenaline rush and there is the added bonus of a car park, restaurant and scenic lake at the base. Khao Ito is located 2-3 hours North East of Bangkok, depending on traffic conditions making a trip to this trail a full day out.

Khao Mai Keaw

Located in Chonburi province, 1-2 hours from Bangkok, Khao Mai Keaw or Tam Pratoon as it is also known is another well known mountain biking track in Thailand that is popular with XC riders. Although the maximum elevation is not high, there are some nice downhill sections and a good combination of terrain and variety of trails to make this a great mountain biking track. Khao Mai Keaw is located on the Eastern seaboard of Thailand, also within close proximity of Pattaya and Rayong.

Wat Suwankhiri

Wat Suwankhiri is situated on a small mountain in Chachoensao province, East of Bangkok. The trail starts in the grounds of a temple (Wat means temple in Thai), and forms a 10km loop around the mountain which can be done either clockwise for fast downhill sections, or counter-clockwise if more technical uphill is your thing.

Few people make it out here so it is likely you will have the trail to yourself but the journey will be worth it as you cycle through jungle and bamboo plantations through some exciting single track. The trail is an hour and a half from Bangkok and lies just off the main road connecting Prachinburi and Chonburi.

Khao Yai Da

One of a number of mountain biking trails in Rayong, Khao Yai Da is a dream for downhill fans featuring huge jumps, ramps, drop-offs, berms and fast decents all packed within this short 2km downhill trail. Downhill fans park their cars at the bottom and cycle/push their bikes up a paved road up the mountain to the start of the downhill before the quick descent to the bottom and often repeat several times.

Khao Yai Da is not recommended for novices despite trails going around some of the ramps, and the cushioned trees give an indication as to how dangerous this trail can be. Reaching Khao Yai Da is quite a drive from Bangkok in the region of 4 hours, however an early start and a combination with other trails in the area can make it worth the effort.

Khao Kheow

Perhaps the most accessible mountain biking track from Bangkok, Khao Kheow is in Chonburi province, around 1 hour from Bangkok and situated near the Khao Kheow Open Zoo and Flight of the Gibbon, two popular tourist destinations in the area.

There are various mountain biking trails in Khao Kheow suitable for XC enthusiasts and a number of different terrains, from riding through farms and forest, to open mountain top and fields. A bike ride at Khao Kheow can be accomplished in half a day leaving plenty of time to explore the open zoo or even do some ziplining!

Flying up the Gulf of Siam in a Boeing 727 at 37,000 feet we were in and out of the cloud tops and experiencing moderate turbulence at times. With the 727s high wing loading we couldn’t request a higher level because we were already quite close to “coffin corner”. That’s the top area on the performance chart where the two lines converge to show a very small margin between the low and high speed buffet boundaries. Aircraft with large wing areas such as the Boeing 777 can comfortably climb straight to 41,000 feet and fly above most of the weather on short to medium sectors.

Off the coast of Cambodia, one of the young stewardesses came into the cockpit visibly upset by the rough ride we were having. It was her first solo flight after completing her training. The seat belt sign was on and cabin service had been suspended. We smiled and asked her politely to get rid of the food trays, so we wouldn’t have metal projectiles in the form of knives and forks flying around the cockpit, then to come back and sit in one of the observer seats and keep us company for the rest of the flight. We quickly managed to restore some of her self confidence but added that flying in rough weather occasionally was part of the job she had chosen and that she had better get used to it.

I was going to give her the universally held definition of flying; that is, hours and hours of sheer boredom interspersed with moments of sheer terror, but I thought better of it. Instead I gave her the definition of a pilot to divert her attention away from the lightning flashes.

“The average pilot, despite the sometimes swaggering exterior, is very much capable of such feelings as love, affection, intimacy and caring. These feelings just don’t involve anybody else.” She started laughing until tears rolled down her cheeks. I quickly added that the definition did not apply to the three of us, who were overflowing with compassion, affection, and caring for others.

Approaching Rayong we copied the ATIS (automatic terminal information service), briefed the approach, and asked for descent clearance. We were radar vectored in a wide arc and we were number 9 in landing sequence. Eventually we were cleared for an ILS (instrument landing system) approach to runway 21R at Bangkok’s Don Muang Airport. At the final approach fix we were handed off to the tower for landing clearance. A trainee air traffic controller asked us to maintain 1,500 feet which was contradictory to the approach clearance we were flying. When we were over the runway threshold, still at 1,500 feet, she cleared us to land. That’s asking a bit much of any pilot of a large aircraft, despite the 13,000 ft runway. I suppose with the pressure of trying to handle so much inbound traffic, she simply forgot about us. In any case, it meant following the published missed approach procedure. Realizing our plight she had us handed back to approach control who gave us radar vectors to the back of a long queue for another approach. It was 6.30 pm with aircraft converging from many points of the globe.

We eventually landed after 11 other aircraft. It was not critical, just a little inconvenient, as we had plenty of fuel. As we were leaving the runway, a trainee stewardess came through the cockpit door bearing a silver tray on which were placed three crystal glasses containing champagne and brandy – this was called a “reverse thrust”. Normally this kind gesture would be handed out at the gate, if at all, and not while taxying to the gate. She returned a few minutes later and stuffed 3 cold lagers into everybody’s flight case for the “fourth sector”. No objections here! The schedule involved flying three sectors terminating in Bangkok. The trip into central Bangkok in the hire car was called the “fourth sector” because at that time of the day it could take almost as long to get to the hotel as it did to fly up from Singapore. The flyover had not yet been constructed.

As I had a flight into Bangkok about every 14 days, I got into a routine for my 16 hour layovers. On arrival at the hotel I showered, changed into casual clothes, then hailed a tuk tuk (motorized samlor) to take me to the Oriental Hotel on the Chao Phraya river. I would relax with one, or perhaps two, cocktails in the Bamboo Bar listening to jazz while soaking up the atmosphere of this excellent watering hole. Afterwhich I would wander up Charoen Krung road to “the Wall” restaurant which was partially hidden down a small soi (lane) off Suriwongse road.

This restaurant was unusual for two reasons. Firstly, in the evenings there was always a log fire burning in the fireplace. Outside the temperature was 30+ degrees Celsius, but inside it had been cooled down to a chilly 18 degrees. Requests for tables by the fire were common. I usually managed to get one because I was a regular who arrived after 9.00 pm. The place was very dark and the only illumination came from candles which were placed on every table as well as the glow from the log fire. The menu clearly indicated that the proprietor was Swiss. The food was very good and not at all expensive.

The second unusual feature was that there was another menu on the table featuring a wide selection of music. Every evening, except Tuesdays, a big white-haired Frenchman sat at a table grand piano and played anything that the diners ordered from Rachmaninov to Blues and everything in between. He was a likeable character and extremely versatile as a pianist.

After dinner I would take a taxi up to the bar area centered around Patpong, and spend two or three very pleasant hours in the “Other Office” or “Lucy’s Tiger Den” imbibing the local beer and chatting to some interesting characters, or listening to the exploits of a group of Air America pilots who had been involved in the secret war in Laos, and were now resident in Bangkok. In these two bars the girls did not hassle patrons, but were available if you wanted them. Often I’d finish up the evening with a massage to loosen up a little before walking back to the hotel. On Friday and Saturday nights the bars stayed open until 1.00 am which made it just that little bit harder to go to work the next day. However, with an 11.00 am departure time it was still quite legal and well outside the “eight hours bottle to throttle” rule. The next day was an easy single sector day of just under two hours flying.

Of all my South East Asian layovers I enjoyed Bangkok the best. The girls were friendly, the food and beer was cheap, and there were plenty of interesting and slightly eccentric characters to talk to. My only regret was that we saw Bangkok by night and didn’t have the opportunity to get out on the river or do any of a myriad of other interesting things in the daylight. The sort of things that make up real Thai life!

Party vacationers in search of an affordable place to stay in any of Bangkok’s nightlife districts will have no problems at all finding guest friendly hotels with clean modern rooms. With so many new hotels plus older and well kept properties in Bangkok to choose from, making a decision on where to spend the hard earned cash on a room can inundate the best savvy budget traveler.

To begin the search and make your hotel research easier start by looking around the city’s nightlife entertainment districts for guest friendly hotels that you can afford. Many budget hotels in the $40 to $50 USD range are found right in Nana, Patpong and Soi Cowboy, which are Bangkok’s 3 main nightlife hubs. Staying at a hotel near any of the 3 nightlife districts in Bangkok will save budget travelers time and a bit of money on having to pay for taxis and train fares even though those modes of transportation are relatively inexpensive.

That said, if given the choice, it is best to stay near the nightlife district in Nana. As a central location in the Sukhumvit district, Nana has everything party seekers need for a great night out in Bangkok. There are plenty of places to eat, shop and of course drink and party. Since the area mainly caters to foreigners many of the businesses in Nana are able to help foreigners with basic English.

And Nana has the most budget quality hotels as well, most of them are located right through Sukhumvit 4, just past the go go bar center of Nana Entertainment Plaza.

The first highly recommended hotel in Nana on Sukhumvit 4 is the Boss Suites. This is a new hotel opened in early 2010. The rooms there are modern with a comfortable room size plus the friendliest guest services I’ve experienced in a hotel with a $45 USD per night price tag. Not bad at all since the hotel offers guests use of a swimming pool and a little gym above it.

Across is the Woraburi Sukhumvit Hotel and Resort. Though an older hotel property it is well kept and as the name implies you do get a resort like feel in a concrete jungle such as Bangkok. Rooms at the Woraburi especially the standard rooms are very basic yet clean though small. But you can’t complain since it only cost around $25 USD per night.

Just a bit further away on Sukhumvit 4 and closer to Nana Entertainment Plaza is the newer Heaven@4 and older Royal Ivory Hotel. Both hotels are very good options though the Royal Ivory Hotel is the better choice since the rooms are bigger and there is a swimming pool.

The last recommended guest friendly hotel in Bangkok is the Manhattan Hotel. Located on the edge of Nana nightlife, however there are many clubs and popular bars surrounding the Manhattan Hotel. It’s a huge hotel property and very popular since the rooms can go as low as $40 USD during low season rooms sales.

Bangkok is the largest urban area, primary city and capital of Thailand. During the kingdom of Ayutthya, the city was at the Chao Phraya River mouth as a small trading post. After Ayuttava burning in the year 1968, it was given the status as capital city and can came as forefront of Siam.

However, the Rattanakosin kingdom began only after the year 1782, when the capital city was moved by RamaI across the river after the king Taksin death. Pertaining to the boundaries of ancient in the core of metropolis the Rattanakosin capital is formally called as “Phar Nakhon”.

Now, the name Bangkok incorporates build-up of urban which has its public administrator and governor as own since the 18th century. In the duration of over 200 years, Bangkok has grown as the best center in the field of politics, social and economics.

The growth of the capital city is not only in the Thailand but also for South East Asia and Indochina. The Bangkok has been given the status of global city because of its influence in the education, entertainment, fashion, politics and arts as well as being Asia’s center for business, finances and culture.

The Province of Bangkok borders 5 other provinces: Samut Sakhon, Nonthaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Pathum Thani, and Nonthaburi. All these five provinces have joined together to provide the contribution for the Bangkok Metropolitan Area.

In population rating, Bangkok is the 22nd largest populated city in the world with approximate registered residents of 8,160,522. Due to the increase vibrant in the population of the city it gives the status to be a cosmopolitan city where the greater population of Bangkok is close to the estimation of 15 million.

Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is situated at the delta of Chao Phraya River. This centrally located city is densely populated and despite this, it is a wonderful place to visit. The city, which originally was a small port some five centuries earlier, has evolved into a mega city of multifaceted cultural richness. The significance of this metropolitan city can be understood by the fact that it has remained the as one of the world’s most visited cities year after year. It has also ranked as World’s Best City for some years. Bangkok in its essence is a fun city. The native people find amusement as a key aspect of their daily affairs and chores. When you visit the place, you would see evident signs of fun and lightness that sweeps the moods of the public wherever you go. What you eat and shop for, or the activities you engage yourself in as a tourist, you would share their sense of ease and jollification in everything you do. It is mirth that walks in the streets of Bangkok, within the high spirit of the millions of Thai folks. For accommodation, you may check a huge Bangkok hotels list to find out what type of stay you would prefer for yourself. The range of options simply is overwhelming.

Modernity and old times walk side by side in this Thai city. Huge malls, small villages, monasteries, temples, and the river banks all exist in the same city and offer a striking contrast. From busyness to absolute quietude, you would experience a city in its vast dynamic versions. In essence, Bangkok is both a culture and a modern city. You can find many luxury hotels in Bangkok where you would have a great time pampering yourself. Or you can look for small or standard accommodations like guesthouses. Staying at some place by the river is another enjoyable affair to indulge in the city. Bangkok also offers some amazing cuisines for some palatable experience. In a stark contrast to those accustomed with the manners of fine dining, Bangkok offers food that you can eat in its busy streets on the go. Typical Thai cuisine and spicy and salty, but still delicious. Whether you want to experience the urbanity or the cultural significance of the city, Bangkok is never going to disappoint you. Probably these are the reasons why this tourist destination has always remained a personal favourite around the globe and for millions of people.

Major attractions in Bangkok are Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Arun which are the religious places. Lumphini Park is where you can relax completely. Jim Thompson House is a great example of a fine architecture. A market on the footpath known as the Amulet Market is a nice place to visit if you have an interest in gems, etc. There are several other monuments that you can visit to observe the historical richness of Bangkok. You would find that there is a lot you can do or see in Bangkok. Just check out a comprehensive Bangkok hotels’ list and book your ticket in advance, so that you have the peace of mind when you arrive here.

Flights from Varanasi to Bangkok cater to the needs of the travelers who wish to connect from the spiritual capital of India, Varanasi to the national capital of Thailand, Bangkok. Varanasi is located on the banks of the River Ganges in Uttar Pradesh located at a distance of around 320 KM from the state capital Lucknow. Considered to be the holiest of the seven sacred cities in Hinduism and Jainism, it is continuously flocked by travelers both from domestic and international terrains. Home to regional headquarters of several multinational giants, Bangkok attracts people from all across the world to seek investment opportunities and other business related opportunities.

India and Bangkok are both important tourist destinations. In order to connect the two, there are regular flights that cater to the specific requirements of the business and leisure oriented people alike. Flights from India to Bangkok are available in plenty and all major cities have several flights to the destination. Metropolitan cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai, in particular have large number of aircraft and air carriers which cater to the diverse range of travelers on this route. Of you wish to catch a flight from the national capital New Delhi to Bangkok, you can do so effortlessly from the Indira Gandhi International Airport.

Booking flights from Varanasi to Bangkok –

Varanasi is well connected with the rest of India through air, road and rail. If you wish to reach Bangkok, you would need to book a connecting flight from Varanasi to one of the major cities in India and then to Bangkok. There are many options available but the most popular one is Delhi. The tickets for Varanasi to Bangkok flights can be acquired from the local office of the selected airlines or via World Wide Web. Due to the ease involved in booking a ticket through the online method, most of the passengers prefer it over anything else. However, you can also check out the local travel agents for the same as they offer cheap deals in order to lead the competition in the market.

Both India and Bangkok are major destinations and therefore it is quite natural that scores of travelers catch flights from India to Bangkok each and every day. Shopping in Bangkok is world famous and those looking for electronic goods at cheaper rates can always find a good bargain here. Shoppers from India and other parts of the world visit this dream destination to buy several products for their personal or resale use. In fact, even the businessmen and corporate people come here to get the best bargains and eventually earn huge profits.

The Bangkok Airport is the one of the major transit airports in Asia and many travellers find that they have to change planes here and have some free time on their hands.

Most flights through the Bangkok Airport have connecting flights scheduled fairly close together, so you won’t have long to wait for your next flight. But, even so you are going to want to fill in the time and if you only have a four hour layover, there is not sufficient time to leave the airport and visit Bangkok.

So what can you do if you have a Bangkok Airport layover, before changing to another international flight?

Well the first thing is to make sure that you are checked in for the continuing flight and have been issued with boarding passes. From then on the time is your own, but here are some available options.

Airline Lounges

A First or Business class passenger will have access to their Airline Lounge. Most lounges are set up with access to the internet, have snacks and drinks available and some comfortable chairs to rest in.

If you have been flying for many hours you may prefer to walk around Suvarnabhumi airport, rather than sit in the airline lounge.

For those flying Thai Airways, there are showers in all the lounges and complimentary 30 minute massages are also available. There is nothing quite like freshening up after a long flight before you continue your journey.

Most airline lounges are closed between 12:00am and 6:00am, so check availability before you depart.

Paid Lounges

If you are a Louis’ Tavern member, then there are a number of these lounges spread around the airport that you can use.

Louis’ Tavern Day Rooms

Louis’ Tavern also has day rooms available in minimum four hour blocks. These are like a small motel room, with a bed and shower but located inside the airport. The Louis’ Tavern dayrooms are a great choice if you need somewhere private.

Traditional Thai Massage

If you find that you need to release the tension in your muscles, then why not spend the time having a traditional Thai massage at Chang Massage and Spa. There is a range of services available, including a simple manicure or pedicure, neck and shoulder massage or the more relaxing oil massage. The benefits of a Thai massage are renowned throughout the world, so go on, give yourself a treat.

Churning of the Milk Ocean

Located in the centre of Suvarnabhumi Airport is a fabulous sculptural piece entitled Churning of the Milk Ocean. It is a crafted after a story from Hindu folklore and makes a great place to take your photograph as a memory of your Bangkok Airport layover.

Bangkok Airport Shopping

Duty free shopping is never better than at Suvarnabhumi Airport and you can pick up some fine Thai silk at Jim Thompson or something more exotic at one of the many brand name stores on site.

Check before buying any liquids that you are allowed to take them on your onward flight, or you may lose them at the boarding gate.

Eating

Choose Thai, Japanese or Western food, it is up to you. There is a great selection of places, from formal dining to casual settings, so you are sure to find something that suits your budget. Just make sure that you have some Thai Baht with you as not all places take credit cards.

Reclining Chairs

Set out at strategic intervals are groups of reclining chairs where you can relax or take a nap. You may be lucky and find some available seats to while away the time.

Internet

Free internet is available at various points throughout the airport, with workstations set up for passenger use. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available for limited periods before payment is required. Ask at the information counters, located at then end of the concourses, for a password.

The Western tourist can come unstuck when looking for cheap hotels in Bangkok. Ideas of basic standards of accommodation vary according to where you come from. Hiram and Hettie from Houston may be expecting better facilities than Han from Hanoi – or even Henry and Hannah from Harrogate (UK). Let me guide you. To be sure of western-style luxury stay at one of the many familiar western chains. The only problem is that they can be very expensive. And, let’s face it, stay in a Hilton or Marriott in Bangkok and you might as well be in New York, London or Cairo.

You want to stay in Bangkok, right? The good news is that there are plenty of independent hotels in Bangkok that offer reasonable standards of accommodation at bargain rates, Who needs a wardrobe, after all? Hangers are the important part – right?

You’ll probably know that Bangkok is the capital, and primary city of Thailand. In Thai it’s called Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (or Krung Thep for short, which means “city of angels”). Bangkok has a population of over six million. The dominant religion is Buddhism, practised by all but 5% of the city’s population. The majority of what remains are Muslim with a scattering of Christians. Bangkok is choc-a-bloc with temples and gardens, plus (lest we forget) a thriving sex industry. One of Bangkok’s strengths is its fascinating mix of old Thai culture with western-style capitalism.

This is my personal choice of the best Cheap Hotel (Bangkok):

New Siam River Side

21 Soi Chanasongkram Phra-A-Thit Road, Chanasongkram, Phranakorn, Bangkok 10200.

Here is an upmarket guest-house with great views, located beside the Chaophaya River, very near to the Grand Palace. Fully air conditioned, it boasts a coffee bar, decent restaurant, and large swimming pool. As in most good Thai hotels, the beds are foam rubber. Every room is equipped with bedside control, cable TV, and refrigerator. High-Speed Wi-Fi is available in all rooms. All rooms no smoking..

Take care when booking because the New Siam River Side has two other “branches. Prices for rooms start at 1390 bahts (single). A non-air conditioned room with a fan in one of the other guest houses starts at only 590 bahts ($20).

Silom City Hotel

2 Soi Prachum (Silom 22), Silom Road, Bangkok 10500

Formerly called the Silom City Inn, this hotel can be found in the middle of Bangkok’s business centre, close to every key shopping centre. The Silom City within a short walk of the major nightlife and shopping areas as well as Suan Lumpini Park, the Bangkok Railway Terminal, and the river. It has 70 guest rooms, all of which come with air-conditioning, a personal safe, connections for PC and fax, the in-house music system, colour TV with satellite, and en suite bathrooms. The advertised weekly rate starts at 1,150 baht a night (around $40) for a single room, but we are told it is possible to barter.

TakeANap

920-926 Rama4 Rd. (At Surawongse Junction, Opposite Red Cross Society), Silom District, Bangrak 10500,

The cutely named TakeANap is a family-run hotel that has its fanatical supporters. There is a mix of single, doubles and dorm-bedded rooms, starting at 350 baht a night ($12). Singles come in at approximately 1,000 baht ($34). Great for backpackers, not so good for business travellers or tourist families. The 30 single and double rooms are all decked out in different themes, most of them designed to give you a headache after too much beer! TakeANap is very central, just a few metres from the sky train (BTS) and subway (MRT). TakeaNap is also near to the nightclubs, city centre, and market area. Wardrobe freaks should note that rooms come sans their favourite furniture item, but with hangers and a rail. You’ll also be very lucky to get a fridge,

Sivalai Place

168 Isaraphab Soi 33 Isaraphab rd Thra Pra Bangkok-Yai Bangkok 10600 Thailand

This apartment house offers tremendous value for anyone on a budget. Their smart studio apartments range in price from 1,450 baht a night (under $50) and double apartments come in at a mere 100 baht more. Expect queen-size beds and en suite bathrooms with shower panels equipped with six (count them) massage jets. The facilities are better than Bangkok’s average, ranging from a fully-equipped karaoke room to tennis, restaurants, cafés and a gigantic swimming pool without chlorine, filtered instead by an eco-friendly ‘O-zone’ non-chemical filtering system. Then there’s the sauna, the “good karma” library and a well-equipped games room. The Sivalai Palace comes highly recommended.

Those are my recommended cheap hotels Bangkok style. Have a brilliant time and let me know if you find any other gems.