Beyond Bangkok

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 noise, chaos and frenetic pace of Bangkok can be quite overwhelming so, when you are able, take the opportunity to escape the city and enjoy some of the more peaceful and scenic parts of the country. It is amazing how the character of the country changes once you leave the city behind and there is so much to explore beyond Bangkok – from pristine national parks and handicraft villages to Khmer ruins and cave temples.

This chapter concentrates on areas closest to Bangkok, suitable for a day or overnight trip by car. It also covers some places further away (suitable for a long weekend trip) – Nakhon Ratchasima, Prachuap Kiri Khan and Rayong in the central region of Thailand. Bear in mind, often the longest part of the trip is negotiating the traffic leaving and returning to Bangkok. By leaving early or travelling on a Sunday, you may have fewer traffic delays. If you are planning a trip further afield, such as Ko Samui, Chiang Mai or Phuket, see the Further afield section in the Guide which lists bus, train and domestic airline services, as well as travel agents and tours.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has a great deal of information on its website including destination guides, attractions, accommodation, festivals, tour operators and TAT office locations. The Regional offices are great for picking up maps and brochures on places of interest. Open: 0830-2000 daily. TAT call centre is T: 1672. www.tourismthailand.org

In Bangkok you can find a TAT Tourist Information Counter at:

Tourism Authority of Thailand

1600 New Phetburi Rd, Makkasan, Rajathewi.

Open: 0830-1630 daily. T: 0-2250-5500 (120 automatic lines).

Refer to the TAT website for other locations.

Look for places of interest as well as special deals on transport and accommodation in daily newspapers. The Horizon section of the Bangkok Post and the Travel section of The Nation (sections printed weekly) are recommended. Contact a travel agent (a complete list is available in the chapter) or talk to friends to find out about good places to visit.

TRAVELLING IN THAILAND

Thailand is very well set up for tourism and the accommodation choices are endless; from basic bungalows to luxurious villas. Information is available from guidebooks, the TAT, websites and travel publications (see below). Often, though, word of mouth is the best recommendation. Room rates are often negotiable, particularly during the low season. You will frequently get a better deal for simply being resident in Thailand. Alternatively, ask someone who can speak Thai to make reservations on your behalf. Bangkok also hosts regular travel fairs where you can purchase special one-off package deals as long as you are prepared to book and pay up-front. Dates and venues of upcoming fairs are published in daily newspapers. Always check whether an American breakfast (AB) is included in the room rate and make sure you keep the receipt and/or make a note of the name of the contact person you booked with.

For an insight into a particular area and its history it is worth visiting local museums. The Central region of Thailand has twenty one museums. Entrance fees are low. Note that provincial museums are usually closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and all offi cial holidays and substitution holidays. See www.thailandmuseum.com for more details.

Thailand’s tropical climate with high humidity and rainfall supports biologically diverse flora and fauna that includes tropical, deciduous and mangrove forests, fragile coral reefs and marine ecosystems.

Thailand has over 100 national parks (which include terrestrial and marine parks) plus a further 200 wildlife sanctuaries, non-hunting areas, forest parks, botanical gardens and arboretums, which together cover around 17% of the country. Not only are these areas conserving important and diverse refuges for land and marine animals and plant life, they also provide valuable recreational and educational opportunities.

National parks are designed to preserve natural areas for educational and recreational activities. In contrast, wildlife sanctuaries and non-hunting areas are designed to conserve wildlife and habitats. These are not tourist areas so visitors must take their own supplies and observe the no-disturbance rules set up to protect the animals. Some non-hunting areas allow educational and limited recreational activities. Forest parks are smaller than national parks and have features considered valuable for recreation, such as waterfalls and caves.

National parks and protected areas are administered by the Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP). The national park system is funded through the government budget and park entrance fees. Entrance fees for foreigners to all national parks of Thailand, including forest parks, are 200 baht per adult and 100 baht per child under the age of 14.

Thailand is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) of Wild Fauna and Flora which controls the export and import of endangered animal and plant species. The Thai government and other NGO organisations are implementing conservation initiatives which include trying to stop poaching by educating and hiring local people, and developing the capacity of government staff to understand, monitor and protect wildlife and natural resources through training.

For further information on the national parks programme and individual national parks see www.dnp.go.th/National_park.asp

Staying in a national park

Many national parks have bungalow accommodation, which is administered by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), 61 Phaholyothin Rd, Chatujak (between Sois 43-45, north of Kasetsart University). Reservations can be made by telephone or online. You must confirm your booking within one week by payment in person at the DNP or by bank transfer through Krung Thai Bank. If you are planning to camp or go to a little-known park, booking may not be necessary. Open: 0830-1630 Mon-Fri. T: 0-2562-0760. www.dnp.go.th/National_park.asp

National parks within easy travelling distance of Bangkok tend to be extremely popular on weekends, so it is advisable to book if you require accommodation. Facilities vary between parks but tend to be basic; usually two-bedroom cabins are equipped with a number of mattresses and pillows plus a single sheet for each mattress (some have quilts). Electric lighting, a toilet and either a rudimentary shower or klong jar bathing facilities may be provided. Take candles and/or flashlights as the electricity is often turned off around 2200. Generally there are no cooking facilities and most open-air restaurants only operate on weekends, so take plenty of non-perishable food supplies. Bottled water is not always available in the more remote national parks so it is wise to take your own supply. See the DNP website (above) for details of the accommodation facilities available at individual national parks.

Reservations for national park accommodation can also be made through www.thaiforestbooking.com This website also has listings, and booking services for hotel and resort accommodation near national park areas. It has comprehensive maps on how to get to the parks and it is licensed with TAT.

Khao Yai National Park located in Nakhon Ratchasima (see below), is probably the best-known national park due to its easy accessibility from Bangkok.

• For those who do not have access to a car, hire a car or mini bus and driver and head off exploring. Day and short trip possibilities are endless.
• Place and road names can be confusing as sometimes spellings differ. The blue tourist signs have made it easy to locate places, though not all places have them. It is best to travel with a good map, and have an idea of where something is before you start looking for the signs and asking directions.
• If you are travelling with a Thai driver it is a good idea to get copies of TAT brochures in Thai as well as in English.
• Dress codes: remember that dress standards apply at all royal residences; some, like Bang Pa-In, strictly enforce the dress code. Appropriate clothing should be worn when visiting all temples. See the Customs & etiquette section in the Thailand in Brief chapter.
• Admission fees: many attractions charge admission fees, which are considerably higher for foreigners than for Thais. National Parks, non-hunting areas and forest parks charge adult foreigners 200 baht entrance, children up to the age of 14 years 100 baht, whilst Thais pay 20-30 baht. Consider it a donation to the future of Thailand’s wildlife. Also, there is a small charge for taking in vehicles: 4 wheel car - 30 baht; 6 wheel car -100 baht.
• Food and drink: there is no shortage of food or drink wherever you go, although once you get away from the main towns it may be difficult to find western-style food. All towns have markets with fresh fruit, vegetables and food stalls. Fried rice or noodles are a good standby for the fussy eater. Once you are off the main tourist track, menus will not be in English so get to know the Thai names of your favourite dishes or take a phrase book with you.
• Comfort stops: all service stations have toilets (squat) and a sink with running water; take your own toilet paper. The bigger chains such as Jiffy, Caltex and Shell seem to have the best facilities, where you can stock up on drinks and snack foods. For those who have difficulty with squat toilets, major towns with newer shopping centres have pedestal toilets.
• Safety: it is advisable to always travel with a first aid kit available for sale from some hospitals, or purchase supplies and make your own. See the Immunisations section of the Health chapter for recommended vaccinations, particularly for central and northern Thailand.

Travelling with babies & young children

Travelling with babies or small children in Thailand is actually quite easy. In fact, in some respects even easier than it is back home. Thai people have a natural affinity with children and restaurant/hotel staff will happily entertain your little ones while you relax and enjoy the surroundings.
With a bit of advanced planning, everyone in the family can enjoy a day or weekend away. The following are some useful tips to ensure the experience is as comfortable and stress-free as possible.

• Take a baby first aid kit (insect repellent, paracetamol, ointments, baby sunscreen lotion etc.). If you are only going for a day or weekend, take your own supplies; the last thing you need is spending time locating shops to buy things. Baby supplies are available most places, unless you need a particular product. Most hotels and resorts will sell necessities.
• Fresh milk is not always readily available outside the larger cities, upcountry, or even in some major hotels. Depending on where you are going, you may need to take your own milk in an ice cooler, or use milk powder.
• Like Bangkok, footpaths can often be uneven and crowded. Given this, a baby carrier/backpack is highly recommended.
• Bottled water is available everywhere, but make sure the cap is sealed before drinking as there have been reports of bottles being refilled with tap water.
• Some hotels provide kettles but check before you leave. If not, take something to warm the baby’s bottle or ask hotel staff to heat water or a bottle.
• Microwaves are not available in hotel rooms so you will need to make alternative arrangements for sterilising bottles and feeding equipment.
• Always check when making reservations to see if cots are available and if so book one. Be aware that cots may not meet international standards. Highchairs are provided in some large restaurants and hotels but are usually without child restraints.
• The bigger hotels provide reliable and inexpensive baby-sitting services.
• Traffic delays are inevitable and unpredictable. At all times it is advisable to make sure you have plenty of things in the car to keep your child content and entertained – drinks, books, snacks, CDs and toys.

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