Scams & Other Pitfalls in Bangkok

As a popular tourist destination, Bangkok has it share of touts and scam artists working hard to bilk unsuspecting tourists of their money (and dignity). Last week we encountered three instances of these scams.

The first one is fairly common - tuktuk drivers who will quote exorbitant rates to ferry passengers to destinations that aren't that far. The best way to deal with them is to just walk away (by which they will immediately lower their price by half).

Another variation for the tuktuk drivers is the opposite - quoting you an outrageously low fare (30 baht for a 30 minute trip? really now). The scam here is that the driver would bring the passenger someplace (like a gem store) that would give them commission for every unsuspecting farang that they bring in. The passengers would them be subjected to high-pressure selling tactics to buy a product, like overpriced gems (which is a scam themselves).

Touts hanging around the temples and touristy places also use this tactic. They would approach a group of tourists (like my group) and introduce themselves as being part of the tourism office or something (they speak English pretty well). They would then ask where they're going. Then they would tell them that the wat is closed or only admits Thai people, but they would recommend another temple, calling a tuktuk driver at the same time. To give them more credence, they would warn you not to pay more than a certain amount. We encountered two touts in different temples making this kind of attempt. We graciously skirted their attempts by telling them that we're going someplace else.

The third one was not exactly not a full-blown scam but still designed to bilk money from unwitting tourists as well. In Wat Arum, there's a painted cutout at the entrance where you can stick your face and have your picture taken. Beware of this as, painted in the bottom inconspicously, is the figure "40", and as soon as you stick your face in the hole, an attendant would be there in an instant asking for 40 baht payment.

There are other scams in Bangkok that are directed towards tourists but we haven't encountered them yet (and I hope I never will), such as the sex show scams in Patpong and attempts to entice tourists to drink a drugged softdrink or beer and them robbing them while they're out of their wits.

I like Bangkok, and I think this is not a very common occurrence. One way for tourists to continue enjoying the city during the trip is to try to keep your wits at all times. To get more tips on how to recognize scams, this site has an extensive list: http://www.bangkokscams.com/.


If you encounter these scams while in Bangkok, report them to Tourist Police Telephone 1155 

pics, from top: a scammer follows his target near the Grand Palace; a tuktuk; the cutout painting in Wat Arum

Flight Schedules Now in Google Search

Flight schedules are now available in Google Search. If you search for flights between destinations, Google search will return all available non-stop flights, the time and date, duration of flight and the airlines flying.

I think this is only available for international flights, as far as Philippines is concerned. Searches on domestic routes do not return results like the one above. We'll see until Google integrates ITA software in its search.

Cruising Along Chao Praya River

Cruising along the Chao Praya river, one of Bangkok's main rivers, is one of the most enjoyable and least stressful activity to do while in Bangkok.

While the main reason for taking the tourist river boat was to get to the temples located in the north of the city, the trip itself is an adventure.

The river, which empties into the Gulf of Thailand, is about 372 kilometers long. It figured prominently in the history of the country.

Along its banks dot the structures that give witness to the past: temples, churches, government and royal buildings and forts. During the ride from Sathorn station up to Phra Atit, we saw Wat Arun, the Sta. Cruz church (built by the Portugese in 1770), the Wichai Prasit fort, the Holy Rosary church (also built by the Portugese in 1786), the former trading house of East Asia Trading company, the first headquarters of the Siam Commercial Bank (built in 1906) and of course, the bridges that criss-cross the river to connect Bangkok with the Thonburi district. Phra Atit is also the terminal point to get to the backpacker haven of Khao San Road.

Useful info: the Chao Praya river tourist boat operates from 9:30am to 6:30pm. An all-day pass can be purchased for 150 baht at the Sathorn station, below the BTS station of Saphan Takhsin. The trip terminates at the Phra Atit station, and a boat comes every 30 minutes.

pics, from top: Chao Praya as seen from the top of Wat Arun; inside the boat plying the river; Sta. Cruz church; Wat Rakhang, an old Ayutthaya temple.

Temple of Dawn

Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, is a Buddhist temple located at the Thonburi district of Bangkok.

The temple, named after the Indian god of dawn Aruna, sits adjacent to the Chao Praya river, and is one of the well known temples of Thailand.

Built in 1809, the wat has a central Khmer-style tower called prang, and is surrounded by four smaller phrangs. All towers were decorated with seashells and bits of porcelain that reflect light during sunrise.

The temple was built by King Rama II, whose ashes were buried in the base of a Buddha statue presiding over the temple.

We stopped over at the Wat Arun during our second day in Bangkok, a trip that took us to several temples around the city (more on that in the next posts).

How to Get There: Wat Arun is located at the Thonburi district of Bangkok. It is accessible through the boats that ply along the Chao Praya river. The Chao Praya River tourist boat, which starts at Sathorn pier (near the Saphan Takhsin station of the Bangkok BTS) is the best bet. Get off at N8 Tien station, then take another boat across the river to reach Wat Arun. The tourist boat sells an all day pass for 150 baht, and the boat trip from N8 to Wat Arun costs 3 baht. There are no entrance fees to the temple.

pics, from top: Wat Arun; climbing the steps of the 282-foot tall central prang; Chao Praya river and the Bangkok skyline as seem from the top of the temple; statues and the tower of the temple adorned with seashells and bits of porcelain

Bangkok 360

It's becoming a tradition of sorts for me to visit the tallest building or structure of the city that I visited. The tradition continued when I visited Bangkok for the second time - I got the chance to visit and go up Baiyoke Towe II, the tallest building in Thailand.

Located in the Ratchathewi district, the building, which contains the Baiyole Sky Hotel (the tallest hotel in Southeast Asia) is 304 meters tall. The revolving observation deck, which offers a 360 degree view of downtown Bangkok, is in the 84th floor. There is also a public viewing area at the 77th floor.

A bar, called Rooftop, is located a floor below the revolving deck and is perfect for chilling out while admiring the Bangkok skyline.

How to Get there: Taking the BTS train, you may get off at Siam or Ratchathewi station and walk to the direction of the building. The supertall is not easy to miss. There is a 250 baht entrance fee to get to the observation deck, but it comes with a free drink at the Rooftop. 

Come Again?

Signages such as these often give unintended entertainment/undue constersnation to grammar police/travelers.


[seen around Bangkok, Thailand, May 20-22, 2011]

Summer Outing

My company conducted the annual summer outing for its employees in Virgin Beach Resort, in Laiya, Batangas. The resort, about 3 hours from Manila by bus, has open-air bamboo cabanas and parasols lining along the 2-kilometer beach. 

Useful Info: For a day tour, the entrance fee is PhP 850, including lunch. If you want to stay overnight, the cabanas rent for PhP 5000; the  airconditioned 2-bed casitas (PhP 7350, good for 4 persons) are also an option. Directions on how to get there, here. [contact info]

Hotel Review: Crowne Plaza Changi Airport

so

For a hotel that charges around SG$300-450 a night, I would expect Crowne Plaza - Changi Airport to at least offer one amenity that I can get for free from (way cheaper) backpacker hostels - free WiFi. Alas, I was disappointed. I was told that I can get free internet access using the RJ-45 jack in my room, but since I was carrying an iPhone and an iPad, means no luck for me.  

Aside from that teeny bit about the lack of WiFi, the Crowne Plaza - Changi Airport is a nifty hotel. The building exterior looks avant-garde, with an exterior composed of metal latticework. Its location, right next to  the Terminal 3 and the SMRT station, is very convenient to travelers. 

A double room - minimalistically decorated - can accommodate up to 3 people. It comes with a nice view too, either overlooking the pool area, or a view of the runway - perfect for planespotters. Security is also tops - the keycard uses RFID, and you can only access your floor and common areas when using the elevator, meaning if your room is in the 6th floor, you cannot go to  the fifth floor. The common areas contain the aforementioned pool, plus the gym, spa, business center, and several restaurants and bar. 

The usual amenities are provided: free toiletries, a spacious bathtub, free bottled water and cookies, a well-stocked minibar and ref, a free copy of Straits Times every morning, LCD television with cable and a iPod-capable sound system/alarm clock, among others. 

But no WiFi. 

Useful info: Crowne Plaza - Changi Airport is located at 75 Airport Boulevard, right next to Terminal 3. Check in time is 2pm. And there's no free WiFi. 

pics, from top: the lobby; pool area; the room

The "Beach"

The closest thing Singapore has for a "tropical island paradise" vibe is the 2 kilometer stretch of artificial beach in Sentosa island. The beach is divided into three: Siloso, Palawan and Tanjong. The second was supposedly named after the island in the Philippines where the white sand were taken from, and it is accessible using suspension bridge from Siloso. It's claim to fame is being somewhat dubiously the "most southernmost part of continental Asia."

Having been to several natural beaches I almost have the impression that the place is trying too hard to look pretty. There's the requisite groves of coconut trees, beach umbrellas and recliners abound, and of course, the implanted white sand. Several bars and restaurants line the beachfront, offering $9 beers and typical fares such as fish & chips. Most of the patrons were the locals who need a place to show off their Rip Curl boardies and some expats with their kids.

There are also several activities to be had around the beach: I enjoyed the Flowrider last year, there's the Songs of the Sea show, and there's a zipline and parachute ride simulator nearby. There are also theme parks such as the Universal Studios and Resorts World Singapore in the island, among others.

How to Get There: The beaches of Sentosa can be reach through the Sentosa Express monorail that plies from Harbour Front in the mainland to Beach station. Fare is SG$3, and includes entrance fees to the island.

Airline Review: Tiger Airways

I'm a big fan of budget airlines, or low-cost carriers (LCC) as they are known in the industry. I believe that they democratized air travel and made backpacking so much cheaper.

For my Easter trip to Singapore I opted to take Tiger Airways; the airline started servicing Ninoy Aquino International Airport (previously only Clark), and the fares in Cebu Pacific, my usual budget airline of choice, was more expensive on the dates that I wanted.

Online Booking and Price

Booking online is quite easy and straightforward, but there were some caveats. First, the fares that they quote does not include taxes, so comparison shopping can be a bit tricky. Also, the airline charges you a "convenience fee" when paying online, to a tune of $20. I also made the mistake of checking the "convert to local currency option" box at checkout. The exchange rate that they use is very unfavorable to the customers (a difference of almost 2 pesos per $1), so it adds up. All in, I spent about $240 for a roundtrip flight. I probably would gotten cheaper fare if it the date I chose was not on peak.

Cabin and Amenities

The cabin layout of the plane, an Airbus A320, is typical of LCCs: 3-3 seating with cramped legroom and almost spartan. They sell food during the flight, listed in a menu called Tiger Bites. The choices are nothing to write home about, and a bit pricey too: S$8 for hot meals (chicken curry with rice etc), S$8 for a croissant, and S$3 for sodas, Milo and coffee. Tiger beer, wine and vodka are priced at S$6.

Tiger also carries a selection of duty-free items. They are not cheaper nor more extensive than the ones found in shops in the airports, but I'm eyeing the Tiger Airways 1:200 model aircraft (S$21) for souvenir.

Schedule
Tiger Airways schedule their flights to/from Manila on the wee hours of the morning probably to take advantage of cheaper fees. From NAIA it departs at around 5:20am, and the Singapore leg departs at 1:20 in the morning, arriving at 4:50am. Both flights that I've taken were prompt, and on the return leg we arrived 15 minutes early. 

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