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Someone once said that the first feeling you get when arriving to BKK is like someone would cover you with hot, wet towels. That is exactly what it feels like at first. I don't know what it is, but the heat is really preassuring and humid. But luckily, you get used to it over time. The first thing you want to do is take a taxi or bus from the airport. A taxi ride from the Suvarnabhumi airport to somewhere around central BKK should be around 200-400 baht. (One euro is roughly about 50 baht) Just check that the meter is on and that you have something smaller than a 1000 baht bill, because the taxi drivers don't usually have alot of spare cash to give back. Taxis are a big part of BKK - they are everywhere at all hours. A short taxi ride is usually around 50-70 bht.A good tip is to have someone in write the name and street of your guest house or apartment in thai, that makes things much easier. Getting to places in BKK is quite easy, once you get to know the BTS system and know to avoid the worst rush hours. The BTS is a Skytrain line, which is very easy to use and has air conditioning. A day pass for the BTS is around 120 bht. There is also a metro line, which is very neat and nice.
I would recommend getting a room from a hotel or a guest house (there are lots of affordable ones in e.g. Sukhumvit) for the first few nights, as it makes the aparment hunting much nicer than having to carry your stuff around. Looking for an apartment in BKK (especially the ones recommended by former AE students) is relatively easy. Remember to check that there is someone there before you arrive (call first!) and be prepared to pay a deposit when you make a deal. I'll write more about the accomodation alternatives near Kasetsart University soon!
When arriving to BKK, I would recommed changing quite alot of bahts in your home country, because (depending on your bank) there is always a fee in using the ATM here. Some ATM:s don't have fees, but the exchange rate is quite a lot lower. Using cash in BKK is so much easier than paying with a credit card. Most of the bigger stores accept the major credit cards, but paying with it is often quite complicated and time-consuming for some reason. So I would recommed cash ! Also just as a tip, the new international bank card, the debit-card does not really work here. At least in my case, all the withdrawals and purchases have been taken from the credit card side.
Getting a thai telephone subscription is something I would recommend getting ASAP. It is so easy - just go to any SevenEleven and ask for one. You pay some small amount for the sim card and the amount of money that you want to have on your prepaid. Getting the phone subscription quickly is really good, because you have to make calls as soon as you arrive in apartment hunting etc.
After settling down, what should you do in BKK? There is a million things to do, but at first I would recommend a few. The city center itself with the shopping malls, shopping at markets like Lumphini Night Market and Chatuchak Weekend Market, admiring the temple ares of Wat Po (the 40m golden buddha!) andThe Grand Palace, drinks above Bangkok at SkyBar, walking around Khao San Road and Chinatown, taking a river boat on the Chao Praya, going to the movies…The city is full of things to do!
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