I posted this a few minutes ago but don't see it online- so I am trying again.

We are flying into BKK from Calcutta- layover time is about 9 hours ( 4:15 PM - 1:05 AM)
I know we have to be at the airport around 10 PM to check in. Is there anything to do around the airport area, a restaurant, and/or shopping? Is there a day room or spa to check into?

Thanks,
ldtc2

there are day rooms.....there is tons of shopping in the airport...

personally i would take a taxi into bkk and have a nice dinner, but that will mean you have to pay the 700B tax per person also....

Sounds like your timing might be just about right for taking a taxi into Bangkok for a nice dinner. Figure on about 1/2 hour - 45 minutes each way. Thats plenty of time to have a relaxing meal and be back in time to check in. There is a place at the airport where you can leave your luggage for a small fee. You will have to go through customs and immigration but it really doesn't take that long.

Alternatively if you don't want to go through customs, there is a transit hotel in the airport. Maybe someone else can chime in about their experiences.

Is Myanmar still part of your plans?

The new airport is very secluded and there is almost nothing to do around. And if you check out you have to fall in line again at the immigration and pay 700 baht.
Thai Airways is promoting a shorttime sightseeing in going to town. But I think your arrival time is too late to take it.
Within the airport are plenty of restaurants and shops, the prices there anyway are high.
For a spa and daytime room there is only 1 hotel directly at the airport, the Novotel. But they know their prices very well also.

I wasn't aware of the 700 BHT fee. So, let me get this straight. If I leave the airport, I pay 700 TB? I am staying at the Novetel on route to India ( overnight). So, I guess I get hit both ways. What is the tax for? I know you don't need a visa so why the 700 TB?

I am going to check out the day room rate at the Novetel.

I am really torn about sitting in the BKK traffic - unless it is a great restaurant - any suggestions? Kathie I did see you posted a few restaurants

Craig, I decided to put Myanmar on hold. I think the thing that really turned me off was when the code share Thai Air/Myanmar Air took away the 8:30 PM flight. Thai Air assured me that I would make that 1 hour 15 minute connecting flight but I don't believe them ( and what if my plane was delayed going into BKK from JFK...

The whole uncertainty of the situation over there put me off. I had to make a financial decision at the time. I figured it would all turn out ok over there (relative to tourists) SInce I was stuck with the JFK-BKK Thai flight, I chose to go back to India for the fourth time I will be doing Calcutta, the Sunderbans, and Orissa State.

The 700 baht fee is an airport fee. It's built into most tickets, so it may even be built into yours. Most airports around the world have airport fees that are tacked on to ticket prices so you don't see them.

The 700 Baht fee is the departure tax and it is now almost always included in the price of your ticket. If you purchased your BKK-JFK ticket separate from your CCU-BKK ticket it should be included.

You are probably only going to hit heavy traffic when you reach central Bangkok. After dinner traffic won't be too bad. There are tons of great restaurants - give us an idea of your price range and what you like - Thai, Italian, Asian Fusion and we can make recommendations.

By the way, there is the transit hotel located in the airport terminal and there is the Novatel located practically within walking distance of the airport. You will have to go through customs to get to the Novatel but not for the transit hotel.

Do you know the name or email address for this transit hotel located in the airport?

I would like to eat Thai or Thai fusion- $30 US PP for dinner? Does this sound ok? I will be in my traveling mode ( blue jeans and t shirt) so no fancy establishments for me

I wasn't aware of the transit hotel ...

The full name of the transit hotel is the Louis Tavern Dayrooms. A quick search reveals little - you may not be able to reserve in advance.

You can eat at Harmonique for half that and its quite casual. Most of the major tourist hotels have nice Thai restaurants that would be in your budget - favorites on this board include those at the Peninsula, the Oriental and the Shangri La on the river. And Basil at the Sheraton Grand Sukhumvit.

I can recommend a couple of non-hotel restaurants: LaNa Thai at Face is a favorite of ours. I love the atmosphere with the old teak buildings and the candelight at night. You can peruse their menu in advance at www.facebars.com just click on Bangkok. There is also an Indian restuarnat there named Hazara. I thought the food wasn't as good as the Thai restaurant. Hmm... in fact you likely have enough time for a spa treatment at their spa and dinner afterwards before you head back to the airport.

Another old favorite of mine, also in an old Thai house is Lemongrass. It is very good food, but not as atmospheric as LaNa Thai at Face.

Both of the above are on Sois off of Sukhumvit. It may actually take less time from the airport to get to one of the river hotels, since you can take the expressway all the way to the river.

Oh, and one other hotel restaurant... Thara Thong at the Sheraton Royal Orchid on the river. The restaurant is one of the lovliest restaurant spaces in Bangkok with lovely natural teak tall ceilings, and three walls of the rooms are glass overlooking the river.

I would definitely go into the city. Departure tax is irrelavant as mentioned as it's already included in your ticket, so you might as well use it! Taxi will cost you around 300-500 baht each way depending on where you're going.

face would be an excellent choice but taxis can be hard to get when you leave without walking back up to sukhumvit...

harmonique would be an excellent choice and right off the expressway...

As usual- you guys are the best!!

Thanks