Some last minute help
 

We are leaving next week for 2 weeks in Thailand and I have some questions.
How do I arrange for a car from the airport to the hotel in Bangkok? We arrive at 1:00 AM after 20+ hours of travel and I just want it to arranged ahead of time.
Will it be easy to get money at the ATM at the airport?

I know that our shoulders must be covered for the wats, but are sleeveless tops okay for the rest of the time? Tank tops?
How about sandals or flip flops?

Thanks for all your help-I'm sure I'll have a few more questions later!

You can take a taxi from the airport (just follow the signs), which is cheapest, you can use AOT Limo, just outside the exit door from customs (they have large sedans available all hours, on the spot), or you can order ahead through a company like AAC Limo. AAC can be booked via email. I don't have the address available, but if you search the board, you'll find it (note that someone recently tried to book them, but thought it was ACC limo and of course never received a return email because it was the wrong addrress).

There is an ATM in the arrivals hall, get cash while you wait for your luggage.

Sleeveless tops are ok except at wats, if they are modest, though you'll be more comfortable in something with some sleeve to help protect you from the sun. Tank tops should be saved for the beach. Sandals or flip flops are fine, except at teh Grand Palace/Emerald Buddha.

Remember to pack one pair of closed toe shoes for the wats. It is crazy since you have to take off your shoes to enter the wat, but you need to wear them all the same. Also, for men and women you cannot wear shorts to the wats either. As for the car, taxi is the best depending on where you are staying. Sometimes, like all big cities, they want to take you the long way.

Hey you dont have to worry much when coming here in bangkok well there's plenty of taxi at the exit.Well about clothing you need to get light clothes as it is really going to be hotter now as summer is about to beggin.Anyway thailand is a nice place and safe place to be.I f you might need a guide you can contact me at [email protected] i can be there to show you around as a guide
if intrested write to my email.
I can be available for your airport pick up
read you soon

Only at the Grand Palace are you required to have closed-toed shoes. And of course, you must take your shoes off to enter the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

Jomo, no advertising is allowed in teh forum.

As soon as you leave the customs area, there's the AOL car. You don't need to rearrange one. Plus, if the plane is late or something changes in your flight schedule, the pre-arranged car won't wait for a long time. Happy Travels!

karen has worn sandals at the grand palace with no problem....she thinks that the strap around the back is the issue--you must have one....

Easy to get limo and use ATM at the airport - no waits.

We knew about the sandals and the shoulders rule at the GP, but were "busted" for capris (me) and basketball shorts (my sons). Had to rent a sarong and martial arts pants for the boys. My shoes were not completely closed-toe, one or two toes were showing, but they did not cite me for those.

My recollection is also that it is the strap that is important at the Grand Palace. Last time I went I decided to play it very safe and wore heavy duty walking shoes that was completely enclosed -- left my sandals in the car.

Is the capri pants rule just for the Grand Palace or for all the Wats? Is this just for short capris (close to knee) or for any capris? Mine look more like "flood" pants, about 3 inches above my ankle but way past my kneecao.

My capris were about 4" below my knees. One guard thought this was acceptable; another did not.

I thought they were going to take out a ruler and measure. (Think I stood out because my boys clearly looked disrespectful in sweaty basketball shorts.)

We loved the clothes they made us rent and they look great in our photos.

Purchased my own sarong nearby because I thought this would happen again, but fashion faux pas went unnoticed at the other wats.

You'll probably be fine in flood pants.

(There's more about this in my trip report, "Boy Falls Off Elephant...Man Buys Japanese Toilet"...It's falling off this page, but I'm about to add the next installment)

Are sneakers ok in the Grand Palace? I'm trying to avoid packing too many pairs of shoes.

Yes. They are fine. You will have to remove them when entering the wat.

speaking of ATM....

Should we convert $$$ o Baht for teh taxis, etc...or do they take US$$ ?

Mark-

Really, you'll use only baht in Thailand. So use the ATM or change your dollars to naht.

Really? So we need to convert to Baht? We were planning on bringing all cash....we have to use Baht?

Ouch...better figure that one out soon then, since we wont have much time to convert there...

There is an ATM in the arrivals area as well as a bank exchange counter. Not a problem.

Is the bank exchange counter open at midnight?

Yes. I exchanged money at midnight while waiting for our luggage.