Traffic Jams, Bangkok

Bangkok has the worst traffic problems ANYWHERE! If you don't like traffic jams, do not come to Bangkok - it's hell. I'm from Toronto, Canada and I simply didn't know it was possible for cities to be so poorly organized regarding traffic. I've spent hours stuck in traffic to get distances that you could walk in an hour or so - IF it wasn't so freaking polluted and hot. One example - there is lots of construction here and they still use asbestos in the concrete and you can get huge lung fulls of the stuff just walking a couple blocks past a couple of sites. That's not even talking about all the other background pollutants. (My nose used to sting just being on a busy street - not now, those nerves having died off I presume.)

Many bangkok Taxis are metered but if you want to cacth a flight in the middle of rush hour 4PM to 8PM, you can consider to catch a taxi without meter, bargain and drive.

I once get a cab from MBK to Airport for THB with a hard 50% bargain. I tried to find a "sport" driver and the result was 45 minutes back to Airport compared to 75 minute when I came from airport.
he'll find best route for u. just sit down, fasten your seat belt and "relax" ;-)

But you should know exactly the cost of taxi meter on the same route before. For comparison, Airport to MBK on meter was around USD 11, for non metered taxi + faster was around USD 15.

One thing that surprised me in Bangkok was the volume of vehicles carrying multiple people in the back. I must have seen hundreds of pick up trucks loaded to full capacity on the express way. This coupled with the unforgiving traffic, may lead some to believe that this isn't particularly safe!

I was expecting a culture shock when I arrived in Bangkok. However, this wasn't quite what I had expected! I was ready to be taken aback by the ways of the buddhist monks, the humid weather, or the architecture, but the first thing I was confronted with having left Don Muang International Airport was the crazy driving, overtaking and ruthlessness shown on the Bangkok roads. Fast, scary and kinda fun! I couldn't believe how many times I saw close calls. The oddest thing was the overtaking lane, which served both directions, and it was highly interesting to see the problems this caused. The motorbikes meanwhile just scooted on here, there and everywhere, dodging the traffic, along with the odd tuk-tuk.

Bangkok traffic is really bad especially in the central area.

Usually there's no such thing as the peak hour traffic... Coz traffic starts building up around 3pm.

Traffic is usually better during the weekends or public holidays.

Sometimes.. walking may be the better alternative to the tuk tuk or the taxi

In Bangkok, it is famous for its traffic jam. I got in the jam for 5hrs from Baiyoke Sky Hotel back to Pathumwan Princess Hotel which is about maybe 20min drive. Therefore, recommended to go on feet or Sky train, it will save a lot of time.

As for taking a cab, make sure it is charge according to the meter as some cabby like to charges a fixed fee rather than charge according to the meter. This normally will be much more than the meter.

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Transport in Bangkok is a big problem !!
It is many times difficult to make appointments and be on time ! Day or night
So we missed a reservation in a restaurant - it took hours to get there !!! So better take the local taxi - called Tuk-Tuk

Getting around? That's a laugh. The speed of Bangkok's gridlocked traffic makes New York's streets seem like the Indy Oval. And walking is no solution, when you have to cope with poisonous fumes and a temperature of 35 degrees. If you have an early morning departure but don't want to get up at 4 a.m, your best bet is to stay at the Amari Airport Hotel, connected to the terminal by walkway.