T57. Closure on Bangkok

1.  Taxi  @  DongMuang  Airport

As we arrived at the DongMuang Airport, the first thing we wanted to find is the taxi stand.  Stepping down to ground floor just after immigration clearance, we saw a big signage saying TAXI SERVICE.  We wonder if that is the only taxi service available and strange enough there are not many people.  I just asked the taxi fare to Bangkok city around Nana station and I was shocked to hear 700 Baht.  He said that includes going around the city, which we had no intention to.  As it turn out, TOUR operators like to hide behind name like TAXI SERVICE and AIRPORT TAXI when actually they are tour operators charging exorbitant price for transportation to the city.  This is like a repetition of the HANOI venture.
Who saves the day again?  My wife went on and ask the Information counter and was told that the actual taxi stand is at GATE 8 where there are many people queuing up for taxi.  And the fare is just 300 Baht, just as I had figured much earlier.

2. Tuk tuk sometime, Not always train

As we are so used to city life with train as our second transportation means, we tend to forget how to ride a more down-to-earth people-friendly transportation such as tuk-tuk. This form of transportation is crucial for Bangkok is always associated with traffic jam, though not as bad nowadays due to the existence of mass-transit means.  But we never want to miss the opportunity to ride on one before this form gone forever.  And I bought a replica of the tuk-tuk as well.  The fares from Platinum fashion mall to Ratchatewi station for 15 minute ride is just 130 Baht, just like the fares for a 30 minute foot massage.  So you may want to walk to the nearest station which is not near and save the Baht for massage or you can just do both.  In our case, we had our massage the day before so this time we spent on the tuk-tuk.

3. Get the TAXI yourself

Taxi in Bangkok is considered pleasant and the driver is also well-mannered.  But as we need the taxi from our hotel rather early in the morning, we book the taxi through the hotel front counter.  Immediately the counter lady saw the dollar sign, or is it Baht sign and we had to pay about 200 Baht in extra.  My previous reading had indicated this matter but we feel its burdensome to get the taxi ourselves.  But if you want to save some money, just walk out after checking out from your hotel and get the taxi yourself, never ask from a third party to help.
As it turn out, because it was Sunday, we reached the airport in just 20 minutes, even the taxi driver seem too happy to acknowledge that is his new record.  Normally it takes one to one and a half hours to reach the airport.  It's his day indeed.