CRUISING in SE Asia is following the same kind of growth patterns
experienced elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific region and Thailand is one
of Asia’s busiest tourist destinations with annual arrivals approaching
20 million.
Cruise ships sailing in the Gulf of Thailand and visiting Bangkok will
arrive at one of two ports.
Laem Chabang caters to the biggest ships and is around two hours
south toward Pattaya, while Klong Toey is the older port and nearest
Bangkok CBD catering to vessels to the size of Seabourn & Azamara.
Your cruise line will most likely have transfers arranged for Laem
Chabang, while Klong Toey (KT) is better set up for DIY travellers.
Public transport is not really viable at KT and most lines visiting the
port will offer shuttles for the short journey into the city.
While most city visitors will want to immerse themselves in
Bangkok’s famous retail attractions centered on the Siam Exchange
BTS station, there are numerous cultural attractions that should also
be on your list. These include the famous Grand Palace, Wat Pho and
the King Prajadhipok Museum.
Also tucked away near the Siam station is the Jim Thompson House
[www.jimthompsonhouse.com] museum and shop. A great stop for
really stylish Thai souvenirs, especially quality silk.
These locations are best experienced on a basic city tour, while
retail is best conducted at your own pace.
Smart cruisers starting or finishing their journey in Bangkok will
allow a couple days sightseeing and shopping in this frenetic city and
Bangkok has a selection of magnificent hotels ranging from historic
and opulent to chic and funky. Most can be had for under AUD200
per night. Shoppers should try the new Mercure/Ibis right on Siam
while hipsters must check out the wild Sofitel So Bangkok near
Lumphini station.
Thai Tips
Be polite and keep your manners mild. Things will go quickly pearshaped
if you lose your cool and yes, there are plenty of things to test
your nerve in Bangkok. The Thais are a patient, friendly people, but
don’t push it. Don’t be afraid to bargain when shopping, you might
surprise yourself. It’s quite possible to halve the ‘first price’. Look
out for tailored suits, fashion and textiles, handbags, jewellery and
gadgets – my tip: MBK [www.mbk-center.co.th/en]
Getting Around
You’ve heard the stories about Bangkok’s nightmare traffic but
in truth it’s not really any worse than most major cities in the
world and the Thais almost never use their horns. Taxis and tuktuks
are inexpensive and the BTS, subway and Skytrain are a
dream. Just do a little swotting up beforehand. Private cars and
drivers are not as expensive as you might think and certainly a
relaxed way of doing your own thing – Contact: AF Holidays [www.
absolutelyfantasticholidays.com]
Who Goes There?
Princess, Star, RCCL, Hapag-Lloyd, Azamara, Seabourn, Silversea,
Oceania, Cunard and Crystal are just some of the major, big ship
lines that include stops at Bangkok. Because of its excellent airlinks,
the city is also used as a hub for many river cruises (eg Avalon,
Pandaw, Heritage Line) that turn around in Siem Reap, Cambodia or
Myanmar. Boutique ships are common too with SeaDream and HLK’s
Hanseatic sailing up river to Klong Toey.
More info: www.thailand.net.au.
