Welcome to Bangkok Information

Welcome to the 2015 IAAAC Conference in Bangkok

If you have never been to Bangkok, arrival may be a little overwhelming. I will do my best to provide you with a little information to make your arrival as easy as possible. I have also included the shuttle service information to get to NIST from the Westin as well as Skytrain information. I hope this will help you get and from all the places you need to be.

At the Airport
I am not going explain how to get off the plane, get your visa, visit immigration and get your luggage… you are on your own for all those incidentals. However, once you make your way past the luggage claim area, past the “Nothing to Declare” signs and into the arrivals area, I can now provide you with some assistance.

ATM’s or Money Exchange

You have two choices; 1) Use the ATM’s and FOREX in the baggage claim area, or 2) Use the ATM’s and FOREX in the arrivals area
Money exchanges at the airport and throughout Bangkok are comparable in exchange rates. There is not a noticeable difference between any of the vendors or banks
The rate is about 33 Baht = 1 US$. You can buy a Grande Caramel Macchiato at Starbucks for 150 B and a nice plate of chicken and rice on the street will run you 50 Baht
If you run out of money in Bangkok there are ATM’s literally every 50m on Sukhumvit for your convenience

Mobile Sim Cards

Most of you will arrive in the main terminal and will be on the far left end of the airport. Walk out of the exit and make your way past numerous tourist provider counters on your left. Walk about 70m and you will find a number of mobile sim card suppliers on your left hand side next to the window side of the airport.
If you need a Thailand sim card, this is the time to pick one up. I have used two companies in Thailand. One company is called “happy” and the other is “AIS.”
I have used both and prefer AIS. Make your way to the AIS counter and get a sim card. They have a great data plan and I have had better service and reception with AIS.

Transport to Sukhumvit (Manhattan Hotel, NIST International School, The Westin)

IAAAC is not responsible for your transportation to and from the airport. Bangkok is very well known for excellent and affordable transportation options.
Once you pick up your sim card at the AIS/Happy counter, don’t forget your luggage and make you way into Bangkok.
There are a number of transportation options (train, limousine, van and meter taxi), if you don’t mind paying around $10 US… take the meter taxi.
TAXI - To get to the meter taxi you have to take an escalator down to the ground level. Follow the signs to ‘taxi’ if you get lost.
Once on the ground level, you will be taunted with requests for “taxi?” There are limousine options inside the terminal, you can opt for a limo but will pay a higher rate of about 1000-1200 Baht.
If you walk outside the terminal on the ground level you will notice a large number of colourful taxi’s waiting to serve you. It is quite organized. There are taxi stands/counters outside. Walk up to a taxi counter and tell the nice ladies where you are going.
Have your hotel information /destination address ready, and you will get the next available taxi. The taxi’s use meters. All you have to do is pay the meter amount when you arrive at your hotel on Sukhumvit.
Along the way into the city you will most likely go through two tolls. One toll will cost you 25 baht and the other 45 Baht. You will have to pay for the tolls extra to the taxi fare. Make sure you have some baht to pay the tolls.
The taxi ride into Sukhumvit should cost you between 250-350 Baht + toll fee (depending on traffic).
If you choose to take the limousine service, you do not have to play the toll.
If you are arriving with a group of 4-6 people and all going to the same location, a limousine van will be a good option and save you money if you all share the cost.

How to Get to NIST from the Westin
Once you leave the Westin from the main entrance, turn right and walk 120m on Sukhumvit, towards Soi 15. You will pass the Robinsons Department Store and McDonalds on your right hand side. When you reach Soi 15, you will notice the S15 Sukhumvit Hotel on the corner. At this point, turn right and start walking down Soi 15, towards NIST. If you walk past the Sofitel, you walked too far, turn around and go back to Soi 15.

NIST Shuttle Service
- On Saturday, October 3, between 7:45 am - 8:30 am, NIST will provide shuttle/bus service from the corner of Soi 15 to NIST in the AM.
- On Saturday, October 3, between 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm, NIST will provide shuttle/bus service back to Soi 15 in the PM.
- NIST has three custom white tuk-tuk’s that can sit about 8 adults.

Walk, Motorbike or Tuk-Tuk
- To be safe, always walk facing traffic and stay close to the side of the street.
- Now that you are walking down Soi 15, you have approximately 700m until you reach NIST. You will pass the Dream hotel on your right and the Royal President and Kingston Hotels on your left.
- Once you have walked approximately 650m you will notice a long white wall on your right. This is the Wattana Wittaya School. Continue another 50m and you will be at NIST.

If you do not want to wait for a shuttle, or do not feel the urge to walk to NIST, you can always take a motorbike. For about 20 baht, you should be able to get a ride from Sukhumvit all the way down to NIST. On the return trip, there are always motorbikes waiting to give the NIST students and teachers and ride up to Sukhumvit. For the same charge of 20 baht, you should be able to get a ride back to the Westin. A tuk-tuk will cost you about 40 baht for the one-way trip.

Hotels
The Manhattan Hotel - Conference Discount Hotel

The IAAAC and NIST International School has partnered with The Manhattan Hotel Sukhumvit Bangkok to provide you with a great deal on a conference hotel at a discount rate.
- Room Rates
- Make a Reservation
To find the current currency exchange rate at www.xe.com
The Manhattan Google Map Location, CLICK HERE

Take the Skytrain - BTS
This BTS Route Guide has been designed to help you discover all the interesting sites and activities surrounding each station so that you can get more out of your BTS-hopping experience through Bangkok. There are two lines: The Silom line runs west to south, between the National Stadium in the Siam shopping area to Wongwian Yai in Thonburi (across the river), while the Sukhumvit line runs north to east from Mo Chit to Bearing. The two lines meet at Siam Station. A new train arrives every 3 - 6 minutes or so between 06:30 and midnight. The last train leaves between 23:30 and 23:50.

The BTS Rabbit cards (Skytrain Passes) are used to access all stations. You will be charged 100 baht (eligible for 50 baht refund) for the use of the card. Fares start at 20 baht per one stop. A one-day pass (120 baht) may be a good option for those planning to do a lot of hopping on and off for one full day. But if you plan to be in Bangkok for a while, it might be a good idea to buy the BTS Smart Pass. The 25 trip pass may be your best deal.

Skytrain Stations
- The Skytrain runs up and down Sukhumvit Road and provides you access to everything you will want to do and where you want to go. If all you did was travel on the Skytrain on Sukhumvit, you would hit as many places as you would need to… but be more adventurous
- The Westin Grand Sukhumvit is located on Sukhumvit Soi and directly next to “Asok” Skytrain station.
- The Skytrain stations on Sukhumvit are as follows:
  - Station “Pheon Chit” near Soi 1
  - Station “Nana” near Soi 9 and 11, easy walk to Soi 13
  - Station “Asok” at Soi 21 and 19, easy walk to Soi 15 and Soi 13
  - You can access some amazing malls and shopping on the Skytrain stops
  - Station Siam, then transfer to National Stadium train – MBK Shopping (discount Mall… you must stop and shop here for all your needs)
  - Station “Asok” at Soi 21 – Terminal 21 Mall
  - Station “Phrom Phong” at Soi 27 – Emporium Mall

Sukhumvit Road

Sukhumvit Road is one of Bangkok's best known shopping streets. Easily accessible thanks to the BTS, its air-conditioned malls, department stores, myriad shops and sidewalk vendors offer an overwhelming variety of goods that range from fashion trends straight off the catwalk to cheap imitations.
The most visible and vibrant form of commerce are the street stalls peddling souvenirs, knock-off clothing and pirated DVD's. These open in the afternoon and operate all along lower Sukhumvit road around the main hotels. It is fascinating to watch how the stalls change during the day, from tourist souvenirs in the daytime, clothing and adult items in the evenign to to late night restaurants and bars. Many don't close until late. Shops, meanwhile, feature everything from haircuts and antiques to tailored suits and happy-ending massages.
Upmarket shopping is almost as easily found. Connected by elevated walkway to BTS Asok is The Westin Grand Sukhumvit, Robinsons Department Store, Terminal 21 Mall and to BTS Phrom Phong the Emporium Shopping Mall.
Home to many of the city’s funky fashion boutiques the swanky street of Thonglor (Soi 55) - the 'Beverley Hills of Asia' according to the New York Times - is perfect for those wanting trendy clothes, gadgets or home wares crafted by both homegrown and overseas designers. Many fine interior and home decor stores in this area celebrate the creativity and craftsmanship of Thailand.