Here are some travel tips for Bangkok:
As a quick and easy reference, ICANN have created the flyer at the link below (Weather, Voltage, Timezone, exploring Bangkok, restaurant recommendations, getting around):
Bangkok Fun Facts Flyer by ICANN
More specific details, as experienced by OARC's Events Director
Money at the BKK Airport
There is an ATM in the Baggage collection area (on the side of the foreign exchange counter).
NOTE: the ATM has a currency conversion board next to it, however these are rates for the foreign exchange counter and not the ATM.
NOTE 2: It is likely you will be offered two conversion rates at the ATM - a fixed amount (the wording is something along the lines of "with conversion"), and a variable amount (wording: "without conversion"). Experience dictates the fixed amount is much higher than the variable rate.
NOTE 3: Do not fold your currency notes when handling them or when handing them over while making payment. It's considered very rude because most bills have a picture of the King of Thailand on them.
Mobile network SIMs
The baggage collection area is also where the various local mobile telephony SIMs can be bought.
They only take cash, and you are expected to leave a little bit extra as a tip.
They sell tourist packages. You can buy 7 day ones and 15 day ones too. Make sure you are getting enough data with whichever you choose and ask them if any minutes are included and if not, how much extra that will cost.
As an example, the AIS network booth sells a tourist package for 7 days (with unlimited 4G data) for 299 THB and a 15 days one (with 15GB 4G data) for 499 THB. This is inclusive of tax. The latter does not come with any pre-paid credit to make cellular calls, however this can be added in portions of 100 THB (national calls are charged at 1 THB per minute).
IMPORTANT: Make sure your data is activated and working before you leave the booth. Sometimes things are overlooked.
The cellular network booths in the main arrivals concourse are much busier and they have different tourist packages. However it is much easier to use the smaller booths in the baggage collection area.
NOTE: they will take a photocopy of your passport as this is a legal requirement in Thailand.
Transportation to the Shangri-La Bangkok Hotel
Once in the arrivals hall, take one floor down for the taxis.
Go to any of the electronic kiosks and get a ticket from the machine and head to the aisle / stand number printed on the ticket and get your taxi from there
Will come to THB 500 - THB 600 including the THB 50 surcharge and expressway toll fee.
IMPORTANT: Ensure you have enough cash for the taxi. Not all of them will take cards.
Alternatively, use the app - "Grab” (They bought Uber in Thailand) and use them. You can pay by cash or card (the latter can be added to the account you create in Grab). Probably best to install it before you arrive in Thailand if you wish to use this service from he airport. Like Uber, they have a variety of cars, and the cheapest one will cost around THB 400 - THB 500 including airport surcharge and expressway toll fees.
Note that the Grab taxis are likely to pick you up from the departures floor. Once you have been assigned a driver, message the driver from within the app and ask where the taxi will pick you up / where to meet in the airport complex.
Shangri-La Bangkok Hotel
There are two entrances to the hotel. The main entrance - the Shangri-La wing - is on 89 ซอย Wat Suan Plu - Dumex, Khwaeng Bang Rak, Khet Bang Rak, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10500
The other entrance is the Krunthep Wing next to the BTS Skytrain station Saphan Taksin and is about a 5 minutes walk to the main reception.
Power Sockets in Thailand
Thailand power outlets use either the EU (two prong round) or USA (two prong flat) sockets.
The rooms at the Shangri-La Bangkok have power outlets with "International" sockets.
