Thailand
Bangkok (Laem Chabang)
Bangkok via Laem Chabang: Royal Palaces, Ancient Capitals, and the Full Sensory Reach of Thailand
Bangkok became the capital in 1782, when King Rama I moved it across the Chao Phraya River and founded the Chakri dynasty. Leave vapes and e-cigarettes on the ship: possessing or using one is illegal in Thailand, and offenses can bring heavy fines and detention.
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What Cruise Travelers Should Know About Bangkok via Laem Chabang
Medium and large cruise ships dock at Laem Chabang, Thailand's largest port, on the Gulf of Thailand in Chonburi Province. Bangkok is a road trip of about 90 minutes or more to the northwest, longer in rush hour, so a good part of a port day there goes on the drive.
- Laem Chabang is a port city of about 88,000 people, built up around the port since the late 1980s. It sits about 25 km north of Pattaya and 30 km south of Chonburi.
- Suvarnabhumi, Bangkok's main airport, is about 120 km away.
- Smaller ships can sail up the river to Khlong Toei, close to central Bangkok, so check which port your ship uses.
- Thailand uses the baht (THB).
Bangkok on Your Own
An independent visit to Bangkok from Laem Chabang means a long transfer each way, by taxi, minibus or intercity bus, while Pattaya and the nearby coast are much closer. If you do go to the capital, choose one area, such as the Grand Palace and Wat Pho next door, and leave early.
- Taxi from the wharf: A taxi desk on the wharf arranges cars and minibuses to Bangkok, and prices there are high. Minibuses on the main road outside the port cost a little less.
- Bus to Bangkok: Frequent buses run from Laem Chabang to Bangkok's Eastern Bus Terminal at Ekkamai, taking 90 minutes or less. You can ask to get off early at On Nut and change to the Skytrain.
- Bus to Pattaya: Southbound buses to Pattaya stop at the Sukhumvit Road traffic lights in Laem Chabang and run at least ten times an hour.
- Watch the clock: Thailand keeps UTC+7 all year, which may not match ship's time, so check which clock all-aboard is given in.
- Carry a copy of your passport: Police may ask to see your passport, and a copy of the photo page is usually enough.
- Getting back on time: All-aboard is usually about 30 minutes before sailing, and your ship posts the exact time. A ship will not wait for passengers touring on their own, and Bangkok traffic can turn a 90-minute drive into much more.
Getting Around from Laem Chabang
A ship's tour or a hired car is the most direct way to reach Bangkok from the port. Inside the city, the river boats and the Skytrain are alternatives to the crowded roads.
- The Chao Phraya Express Boat runs a 21 km route along the river, with tourist boats in addition to the regular express boats.
- In Bangkok, always agree on a price before getting into a tuk-tuk, and hail one that is moving on a main road.
- Take care in open vehicles such as tuk-tuks, and do not hand over your passport as a deposit when renting anything.
What to Eat in Bangkok
Thai food is one of the pleasures of a day here, and noodles, curries and salads are easy to find at street stalls and restaurants. Stir-fried noodle dishes such as pad thai are eaten the Thai way, with a fork and spoon.
- Pad thai: Rice noodles stir-fried with fish sauce, sugar, lime juice or tamarind, peanuts and egg, with chicken, seafood or tofu.
- Som tam: A spicy green papaya salad.
- Green curry: Kaeng khiao wan, a coconut curry made with fresh green chilies and Thai basil.
- Khao man kai: Boiled chicken on rice cooked in chicken stock and garlic, with a spicy dipping sauce.
- Sriracha: The hot sauce takes its name from Si Racha, a town close to Laem Chabang.
Tipping in Thailand
Tipping is not common in Thailand, and Thais themselves don't usually tip. It is now common in many high-end hotels and tourist restaurants.
- Restaurants: Do not tip when a service charge is already on the bill.
- Taxis: Thais round the fare up, or down, to a convenient amount.
- Currency: Thailand uses the baht (THB).
Palaces, Temples, and Bangkok's Living Cultural World
Bangkok's main sights sit close together on the east bank of the Chao Phraya, with the Temple of Dawn across the river. Temples and the palace are places of worship and royal ceremony, so dress and behave with care.
- The Grand Palace: The kings' official residence since 1782, it is still used for official events and includes the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Everyone must cover their torso, legs and upper arms to enter.
- Wat Pho: One of Bangkok's oldest temples, it holds Thailand's largest collection of Buddha images, among them a reclining Buddha 46 m long. It is known as the birthplace of traditional Thai massage, which is still taught there.
- Wat Arun: The Temple of Dawn stands on the west bank in Thonburi, and its main spire was finished in 1851.
- Bangkok National Museum: Opened in 1874 and housed in the former Front Palace since 1887, it is one of the largest museums in Southeast Asia.
- Respect for the monarchy: Criticizing the Thai monarchy is a crime that carries long prison sentences, and the law is interpreted broadly.
From Siam to Thailand: Kingdoms, War, and the Chakri Dynasty
Bangkok began as a customs post on the river below the old capital of Ayutthaya and became the capital itself after Ayutthaya fell in 1767. Laem Chabang, by contrast, is a modern port, built from the late 1980s.
- 15th century: Bangkok was already an important customs post on the Chao Phraya, where ships stopped on the way upriver to Ayutthaya.
- 1688: A Siamese revolution forced the French garrison out of Bangkok's fort, and Siam's ties with the West were almost severed for a time.
- 1767: The Burmese razed Ayutthaya. King Taksin set up a new capital at Thonburi, on the west bank of the river.
- 1782: King Rama I, founder of the Chakri dynasty, moved the capital across to the east bank and began building the Grand Palace on May 6.
- 1788: Rama I ordered Wat Pho rebuilt, and Rama III enlarged it between 1832 and 1848.
- 1874: King Chulalongkorn opened Siam's first public museum.
- 1932: Siam ended absolute monarchy and adopted constitutional rule. The country was later renamed Thailand.
- Second World War: Thailand allied with Japan, and Allied aircraft bombed Bangkok.
- 1991: The container port at Laem Chabang was completed, three years after work began.
- To learn more ashore: Museum Siam, on Sanam Chai Road in Bangkok, tells the story of Thailand from the past to the present through interactive exhibits, in a former ministry building of 1922.
Bangkok with Children and Families
With younger children, a day near the port is easier than the long trip to Bangkok, and the coast has a large open zoo and beaches. School-age children and teenagers can manage the capital if you plan for heat and traffic.
- Younger children: Khao Kheow Open Zoo, near Si Racha, holds about 8,000 animals of more than 300 species, including tigers and Malayan tapirs.
- School age: Museum Siam in Bangkok is built around interactive exhibits on Thailand's history, made for learning through play.
- Teenagers: The Sanctuary of Truth in Pattaya is an all-wooden temple-castle under construction since 1981, and visitors go in wearing hard hats.
- At the beach: Jomtien Beach, south of Pattaya, is broader and more family-oriented than Pattaya Beach. Swim only where lifeguards are on duty and follow the warning flags.
Accessibility in Bangkok via Laem Chabang
Bangkok means a long road transfer and busy streets, so travelers with limited mobility should ask their cruise line what each tour involves. In the city, motorbikes, traffic and crowds make walking hard work.
- Motorbikes sometimes ride along the pavements at speed.
- Bangkok traffic is heavy at rush hour, which lengthens the transfer from the port.
- Pattaya, about 25 km from the port, is a shorter ride than Bangkok.
Shopping in Bangkok
Bangkok's biggest market is the Chatuchak Weekend Market, so check that your call falls on a weekend. Be wary of anyone who steers you toward a particular shop.
- Chatuchak Weekend Market: The largest market in Thailand, with more than 15,000 stalls in 27 sections.
- Thai silk: The Jim Thompson House, the home of the American who founded the Thai Silk Company in 1948, is now a museum of his art collection.
- Shop detours: Tuk-tuk drivers sometimes offer free rides that end at clothing or jewelry shops that pay them commission.
Beaches Near Laem Chabang
The nearest well-known beaches are at Pattaya, about 25 km south of the port, and Jomtien beyond it. Bang Saen, north of Si Racha, is a resort popular with Thai visitors.
- Pattaya Beach: Crowded on weekends and holidays with day-trippers from Bangkok.
- Jomtien Beach: Broader and quieter than Pattaya Beach, and more family-oriented.
- Swimming safety: Strong riptides have drowned swimmers, especially in the monsoon season. Thailand uses flags at designated beaches with lifeguards, so heed the red flag.
- Jellyfish: They can come close to shore, especially in the rainy season from May to October, and their stings can be fatal.
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