Dressing for the Wedding NIght?

Ummm, we did discuss evening wedding attire, but I forgot what you told me. Can you refresh my memory for both men and women in attendance. Thanks!

Good question, we kind'a missed this one in the big email, so...here was our response to this guest email question.

Not sure what you call it...Wedding Warm Weather Casual?

From Travis - Men don't need a suit and tie - the older Thai guys will be in suites, b/c that is what they do, and the younger ones will probably be more in slacks/pants and a nice shirt. It will be warm, so a jacket would need to be light, i.e, linens. A tie optional, but would not be out of place...it can be removed at anytime. The wedding party dudes will not be in suites, rather thai style shirts (a mix b/w a button down and a sports coat thing) with black slacks.

Its outdoors venue with a New Year's Eve party vibe, and we want folks to be comfortable.

From Ticha - Party dress, lots of colorful Thai silk will be around, something that lets you get your dance on! Just be aware of the shoes - i.e., spike high heels will only aerate the grass.


Let us know if you have any more questions,
Tn't

Still need to book a hotel?

If you have not booked a room, excluding your stay at the Rose Garden, in BKK let us now. We have been scoping out the local hotels and have been getting the low down! We have looked at rooms in local hotels, all have a pool(s), such as...
Asia Hotel - A Classic!
Vie Hotel - "boutique"
Siam City Hotel - Higher end Traditional/Thai feel
Reno Hotel - basic/backpacker
Pullman King Tower - "Urban Modern"
First Hotel - basic/tourist

Good websites to book/compare hotels. The areas you want to stay are "Siam Square" or "Sukhumvit" - near at "BTS" station is helpful.

www.accorhotels.com - they have a hand full of hotels in BKK such as Vie and Pullman
www.agonda.com - seems to have good deals in BKK
www.booking.com
www.hotels2thialand.com

Bring US Dollar

Bring US cash! The ATM’s in BKK charges 150bht ($5US) for each ATM transaction – this just started a few months ago. This is on top of what ever your bank is charging (usually a 3% transaction/exchange fee and an out of network ATM fee) call your bank to get the low-down. In our instance, we are paying over $10 for each time we take a big chunk of cash from an ATM. Credit Cards usually have an exchange fee associated to international transactions as well, so this may be realistic for paying for your hotel bill, etc but will not that useful for many daily purchase. What is the best option? Bring US cash (large bills $50/$100 get you a better exchange rate) and exchange it at any number of currency kiosks around town.

Transport from Airport to your hotel - Taxi

Use a “Public Taxi” to get from the airport to BKK. When you get off your plane, go through immigration, get your bags, and head towards the “Meeting Point” as you leave the arrival area. Depending where you exit the arrival terminal these may be 300m or right in front of you. The importance of this point is that is where you take an escalator/elevator down to the “public taxi” stand. You most likely will be approached a few times with offers of “information” and “taxis”, while on the main floor but unless you actually get your taxi through the “public taxi” stand down a level you may pay more than you should. The “public taxi” stand guarantees that you will be in a metered taxi. Side note, if the public taxi driver ask you if you want to pay for the express highways I always say “yes”. This is a tolled highway that can save you time and money…it is usually around 35bht.

That being said, many hotels will arrange to pick you up, but at premium cost. A Public Taxi cost about 200-400bht - (32bht=$1US) - to the heart of bangkok.

Travel/Health Insurance

Hi all,

I was looking into travel/health insurance for Ticha and I wanted to share some of my findings.

First, do you need travel and/or health insurance? Probably not "travel", but maybe health insurance if you plan to visit a variety of countries and/or just want to make extra sure...the insurance is pretty cheap. The greatest cost you can occur when traveling is if you need to be evacuated to a hospital - to a large city or even "home".

For more info and answers to your questions check out this site - Travel Insurance 101.

At this point, World Nomads is looking like the best fit for Ticha and I. About $45 a month for medical and evacuation coverage...worse possible case scenario.

No matter, read the fine print - "benefits" & "exclusions". For example, many of them do not cover riding a scooter b/c they see it as high risk.

Cheers!

After a few hours of research I came up with a short list of Hotels/Guest Houses in BKK.  These are either in the areas of Siam Square or Sukhumvit Rd and Near a BTS stations (light rail) for easy movement.

Nice hotels are having challenges in BKK - I read at 30% occupancy rate in September!  There is simple to many luxury hotels these days.  I found www.wotif.com to provide a lot of deals.  Keep checking in with update "hot deals".  Found  4/5 star hotels for 50-60US a night! Ticha's family and friends have stayed at Novotel Hotel.  Great location and a nice international hotel chain.  www.novotel.com.  There was a "hot deal" for 2000bht a night, which may reappear on www.accorhotels.com.

If you want budget digs - Kho San road is the place.  Go on to Lonely Plant and find a guest house.  It is about a 60-100bht cab ride to Sukhumvit/Siam square area.

 

Hotel Reservation and Review Sites

AccorHotels

Wotif.Com

Lonely Planet Hotels

Trip Advisor



Budget - Mid-Level



The Golden Palace + Lonely Planet



Reno Hotel + Lonely Planet Close to Siam Sq and Nat Std – (1200bht)



Wendy House (Guesthouse) + Lonely Planet ­+ Trip Advisor (1100bht queen 1200bht two twins)



Baan Sukhumvit Inn + Trip ADvisor 1600bht



Citadines Bangkok Sukhumvit 8 + Trip Advisor 1800bht



Mid-High Range - starting at 2800bht (US$80+)



Novotel On Siam Square Deal



Mercure Hotels in Bangkok - $50 a night (DEAL)



Grand Mercure Bangkok Asoke Residence (previously Sofitel) – Trip Advisor Reviews



*Grand President (4 Star Self Catering) + Lonely Planet Jr Suite 3200bht ($90US) = Nana BTS



Legacy Suites



Pullman Bangkok King Power - Superior 1 King Bed – $266 for 3nights (accore $2000)



Fraser Suites Sukhumvit, Bangkok



Grande Centre Point Hotel & Residence Ratchadamri + Trip Advisor

Grand Suite = 3900bht Wotif & US223 on Hotel Site



Majestic Grande



Dream Hotel Bangkok – 5080 special + You Tube Video + Trip Advisor + 10min walk to Nana BTS station



Davis “boutique” hotel - Rooms from 2900 bht/Suite = 4000bht Trip Advisor + Lonelyplanet

Flying in Asia????

"Hi guys...we are looking to fly from bangkok to siem reap then later to krabi and then back to bangkok...I know I flew Nok Air before...any other airlines you know of that I could be searching directly???  Thanks. Love ya!"

Rose Bowl Football Game

Some U of O alums hope to be watching the Ducks play in the Rose Bowl football game. The game starts on January 2nd at 5:10 a.m. (Thailand time).

I will be searching for a suitable location to watch the game in Bangkok. Does anyone have any suggestions for locating a bar that will be open early in the morning?

For those who are not Duck fans but like to drink Thai whiskey at 5:00 a.m., please feel free to join us.

Rose Garden Problem!

[posting for Liz & Tricia] They tried to book a room about 3 weeks ago at the Rose Garden and it was sold out other than one Executive Suite or one of two Teak Houses. As of today, there's only one Teak House left. They reserved the Suite to have something, but it's $8,200 baht / night ($273!) and since it only sleeps 3 (for another $1200 baht), there's no one to share with.

Do you have room for these two ladies in one of your Teak Houses??? Or does someone have a reservation they can't use? Please advise!

what to wear?

We're getting so excited to help celebrate in Thailand! Was curious what's the customary attire for both men and women for the day and night wedding ceremonies?
Thanks!
D. Trumbell