BANGKOK
on a commission basis. Often, travel agencies
incorporate elements of the offi cial national
tourism organisation name (Tourism Authority
of Thailand; TAT) into their own to purposefully
confuse tourists.
Bangkok Information Center (Map p 60 ; % 0
2225 7612-4; http://www.bangkoktourist.com; 17/1 Th
Phra Athit; h8am-7pm Mon-Fri & 9am-5pm Sat
& Sun; bus 32, 33, 64, 82, river ferry Tha Phra
Athit) City-specific tourism office that provides
maps, brochures and directions; yellow infor-
mation booths staffed by student volunteers
are located throughout the city. They also oper-
ate 20 tourist information booths (h9am-
5pm Mon-Sat) in touristed areas.
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT; %1672;
http://www.tourismthailand.org) Head Office (of f Map
p 92 ; %0 2250 5500; 1600 Th Petchaburi Tat
Mai; h8.30am-4.30pm; MRT Phetchaburi);
Banglamphu (Map p 60 ; %0 2283 1500; cnr Th
Ratchadamnoen Nok & Th Chakrapatdipong;
klorng taxi Phan Fah; h8.30am-4.30pm);
Suvarnabhumi International Airport (%0 2134
0040; 2nd fl, btwn Gates 2 & 5; h24hr). Travel Agencies
Bangkok is packed with travel agencies where
you can book bus and air tickets. Some are reli-
able, while others are fl y-by-night scams issuing
bogus tickets or promises of (undelivered)
services. Ask for recommendations from fellow
travellers before making a major purchase from
a travel agent. Generally, it’s best to buy bus and
train tickets directly from the station rather than
through travel agents.The following are some reputable agencies:
Diethelm Travel (Map p 90 ; %0 2660 7000;
http://www.diethelmtravel.com; 14th fl, Kian Gwan
Bldg II, 140/1 Th Witthayu/Wireless Rd; BTS
Phloen Chit)
STA Travel (Map p 82 ; %0 2236 0262; http://www.sta
travel.co.th; 14th fl, Wall Street Tower, 33/70
Th Surawong; h9am-5pm Mon-Fri, to noon
Sat; BTS, MRT Si Lom)
visit beyond (Map p 80 ; %0 2630 9371; http://www.
visitbeyond.com; New Road Guest House,
1216/1 Th Charoen Krung; river ferry Tha
Oriental; h8am-noon & 3-7pm)8 Getting There & Away
Air
Bangkok has two airports. Suvarnabhumi In-
ternational Airport (Map p 153 ; %0 2132 1888;
http://www.bangkokairportonline.com), 30km east
of central Bangkok, began commercial interna-
tional and domestic service in 2006 after several
years of delay. The airport’s name is pronounced
sù·wan·ná·poom, and it inherited the airport code
(BKK) previously used by the old airport at Don
Muang. The unoffi cial airport website has practi-
cal information in English, as well as real-time
details of arrivals and departures.
Bangkok’s former international and domestic
Don Muang Airport (Map p 153 ; %0 2535 1111;
http://www.donmuangairportonline.com), 25km north
of central Bangkok, was retired from commercial
service in September 2006, only to be partially
reopened fi ve months later to handle overfl owTHE INSIDE SCOOPSeveral Bangkok residents, both local and foreign, have taken their experiences to the
‘small screen’ and maintain blogs and websites about living in Bangkok. Some of the
more informative or entertaining include:» (^) 2Bangkok (www.2bangkok.com) News sleuth and history buff follows the city head-
lines from today and yesterday.
» (^) Austin Bush Food Blog (www.austinbushphotography.com/category/foodblog) Written
by the author of this chapter, the blog focuses on food culture and eating in Bangkok
and elsewhere.
» (^) Global Post (www.globalpost.com/bio/patrick-winn/articles) Patrick Winn, this online
news agency’s Southeast Asia Correspondent, is based in Bangkok and has a knack for
uncovering all the wacky things that go on there.
» Greg To Differ (www.gregtodiffer.com) ‘Stories, rants and obersvations on expat life
in Asia’s craziest city.’ Also has an accompanying podcast.
» Newley Purnell (www.newley.com) This Bangkok-based US freelance writer com-
ments on everything from local politics to his profound love of pàt gà·prow (a type of
spicy stir-fry).
» (^) Not The Nation (www.notthenation.com) Thailand’s answer to The Onion.
» (^) Stickman (www.stickmanbangkok.com) Formerly associated with naughty Bangkok
nightlife, the ‘new’ Stickman is a more general blog about life, work and love in Bangkok.