photo by llamasonic
The Associated Press has just posted an article on how to do Bangkok on the cheap. They even mention my favorite spot to stay on Sukhumvit Road, Suk11.
From 15-cent train rides to excellent, one-dollar meals, Thailand’s tropical capital is teeming with budget options for the penny-pinching traveler. Where else in the world can you get a free vasectomy? It’s easy to spend hundreds of dollars a day in Bangkok, home to some of the most luxurious hotels in the world. But following some guidelines, you can enjoy the city at a fraction of the price.
In Bangkok’s prime residential area of Sukhumvit Road, one budget option is Suk 11, a quirky guesthouse legendary among backpackers, where the halls have been remade with creaking wooden planks and hanging lanterns to look like old Bangkok alleyways. A bed in a clean, air-conditioned dorm room starts at $7.50.
Another great place to stay that I recommend highly is Shanti’s Lodge next to Thevet market. Key advantage, it’s right by a water taxi stop. Stay away from taxis an tuk tuks if you can. The Skytrain and water taxis will take you just about any place you want to go without you getting scammed while choking on exhaust fumes.
I prefer places like this over hotels for so many reasons. The main attraction for me is the cool people you meet at a hostel. That just doesn’t happen in the same way at hotels. You also always feel like a mark when you are exiting a hotel in most of Southeast Asia.
Being at a hostel gives you the sense of being part of the neighborhood. Shanti’s Lodge is totally like that. You can watch Thai people come and go to work and back from school. The place is really calming with it’s own mellow beat of action. You’ve also got fish tanks in some of the rooms. BTW, Shanti’s has a great restaurant. Order some Tom Yum and my favorite, Som Tam,
If you like chillies just say ‘pet pet’ after everything you order.
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Weeeeeelll, yes, I agree that a) tuk tuks and taxis are the work of the smoke-befugged, tourist-mugging devil, b) Bangkok is bank-delightingly cheap and c) one of the best things about travel is chatting to other people, I have to say ‘tsh’ and ‘pshaw’ to your hostel preference. I’ve spent many a night in Thai hostel panicking about the fact I was about to die, having stuff stolen, hiding from scary old men and generally not being a happy bunny. Whilst once I wouldn’t have hesitated in booking into the most icky-looking brothelish Bangkok dive, these days I’ll take a stupidly luxurious hotel anytime.
Hi fellow traveller :) Agreed on taking a nice hotel over an icky hostel.. but many hostels are run more like a b&b. Suk11 rooms are as clean as any hotel – and the bathrooms are probably cleaner.
The key thing to do before you check into any hostle is check out the reviews or a decent guide book. The next time you’re in a 4 or 5 star hotel, start moving some furniture around, you’ll be surprised what’s hiding under the tv table. I find that in some of these cooler family run places they really take pride in having things nice, clean and safe.
Cheers and catch you at the bar :)