Getting Settled

Getting Settled Excerpts from the Guide are provided for your information. You need to refer to the Bangkok Guide 17th Edition for complete details.

This chapter in the Bangkok Guide contains detailed information on these topics:

The information in this chapter will help you get settled once you’ve arrived in Bangkok. It covers everything you need to know about setting up your new home, getting around Bangkok, and arranging your financial and legal affairs.

Arriving in Bangkok

Bangkok’s impressive new domestic and international airport, Suvarnabhumi, (pronounced “su-wan-na-poom”) opened in September, 2006. It is located approximately 30km south-east of the city, in the Bang Phli district of Samut Prakarn province. Travel time between the airport and central Bangkok is around 30-40 minutes, but may take longer depending on traffic.

Information about the airport, including maps of how to get there, layout, and facilities is available on www.bangkokairportonline.com.

Other information including flight times is available on www.airportsuvarnabhumi.com.

Don Muang Airport has been recommissioned for some domestic flights. It is recommended that you contact your travel agency or airline to clarify your travel arrangements.

From the international terminal

Transport from the airport includes buses, taxis and limousines. A rail link is currently under construction.

Taxis Use the authorised taxis from the public taxi stand outside the arrival hall. The service counter staff will ask your destination and issue you with a numbered ticket (in case of any complaints). Look for the taxi meter sign displayed on the top of the taxi. When your journey begins ensure that the driver has the meter turned on. There is an additional 50 baht airport surcharge.

Limousine service Counters are located in the arrival hall on Level 1. The approximate fare from the airport to downtown ranges from 900 to 1250 baht (excluding tollway charges).

Hotel service Many hotels have their own transport to and from the airport. Enquire at the time of booking.

Coaches and Buses. Airport Express runs from the airport to major hotels in central Bangkok. This leaves from outside the Arrival hall, Level 2. Public buses leave from the Transport Centre which is reached via a free shuttle bus. This can be picked up also on Level 2, outside the Arrival Hall.

Getting around – transport in and around Bangkok

Public transportThailand’s public transport service is effective and inexpensive. In Bangkok it includes above-ground and underground trains, taxis and tuk tuks and buses as well as river and klong transport. There are also good networks for inter-city bus, train and plane travel from Bangkok.

Trains Bangkok’s BTS skytrain (rot fai faa) and MRT subway (rot fai daai-din) are quick, efficient and air-conditioned means of travel, high above or way below the traffic. One tip for efficient travelling around Bangkok is to identify where the BTS and/or MRT stations are located in relation to your destination.

• BTS Skytrain The BTS operates skytrains along two lines, the Sukhumvit and Silom lines.
• MRT subway The MRT subway, Bangkok’s first underground rail system, opened in 2004. It is operated by Bangkok Metro Public Company Ltd. There is currently one line, the Chaloem Ratchamongkhon Line, which runs between Hua Lamphong Station, Rama IV Rd (near the front of Bangkok’s main railway station) and Bang Sue Station near Chatuchak (Jatujak) Market.

Taxis, tuk tuks etc.

• Taxis can be hailed anywhere. Taxi meters The most common type of taxi used is air-conditioned, reasonably comfortable and inexpensive.
• Tuk tuks (samlaws) are 3-wheeled open-air vehicles that offer an interesting ride.
• Motor bike taxis. When the streets are jammed, hopping on a motor bike may be the only way you will get to your destination on time. However, the journey can be hair-raising as the bike weaves in and out of the traffic. Fares on motor bike taxis are very cheap but it is not advisable to get on a motor bike taxi if the driver cannot supply you with a helmet.

Buses

A variety of buses operate in and around Bangkok. Bus route maps are available from the Land Transport Dept. 1032 Paholyothin Rd (Chatuchak), supermarkets, hotels and bookshops.

Driving in Thailand

In Thailand all traffic drives on the left side of the road, so right-hand drive vehicles are standard. Driving licences If you intend to drive a car or a motorbike in Thailand, you will need to have a Thai driving licence. Foreign licences are not recognised. International driving permits are recognised and legal to use for twelve months once validated by stamp at the Dept. of Land Transport.

Settling in

The following are some suggestions that may help make this settling in period easier and more enjoyable: Newcomer’s courses. Suggestions are available in the Bangkok Guide 17th Edition.

Contact a social or support group. Suggestions are available.

The following services and businesses are included in this chapter:

The following services and buisnesses are included in this chapter:

• Massage and day spas
• Hair and beauty salons
• Religious services

Setting up home

Domestic help & child minding

It is very common to have domestic help in Thailand and working as a maid/helper or driver for a foreign family is well regarded. Maids/nannies generally ‘live-in’ and almost all apartments and houses will have a maid’s quarters with separate entrance. Drivers generally do not live on site. Many expatriates have no experience with live-in home help so it can be a difficult arrangement to accept. If you are not used to having household staff you may find the presence of others in your home six days a week a little constraining. If so, try hiring someone on a ‘live-out’ basis, to work weekdays or part-time, with an option to work Saturdays when needed. Be prepared to interview several people before you make a choice, especially if you have never had domestic help before.

Baby-sitting services are listed in this chapter.

A number of ways to find a maid/nanny are listed in the chapter.

Hiring procedures

Hire on a trial basis, usually one month, to ensure mutual compatibility.

Suggested documentation and details are listed in this chapter. For example:

Telephone contacts in Bangkok, home address upcountry (if necessary), person to contact in an emergency. Pre-employment health check. Wages.

Job descriptions, Conditions of Employment, Interviews etc.

This section deals with most of the things that you will need to know for the hiring of staff.

Utilities

• Electricity. The cost of electricity is high and air-conditioners and large appliances are expensive to run.
• Gas supply. Some kitchen stoves and some water heaters are fuelled by bottled gas (LPG) delivered in cylinders.
• Water is billed monthly. If you live in an apartment, check with your building manager as some will pay water bills on your behalf and/or bill you directly. Make sure you are issued with a receipt.
• Drinking water. It is usually recommended that bottled water, rather than tap water, be used for drinking, although the water is clean and safe for bathing, teeth cleaning etc.

For information on other topics listed you will need to refer to the Bangkok Guide 17th Edition.

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