I HAVE A NINE-HOUR LAYOVER IN BANGKOK FROM 3.30PM TO 12.30 AM. IS IT WORTH LEAVING THE AIRPORT OR IS THE RISK OF TRANSPORT HICCUPS TOO GREAT? IS IT POSSIBLE TO GET A HOTEL ROOM AT THE AIRPORT FOR JUST A FEW HOURS?
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P. CAMPBELL, YOWIE BAY
Nine hours is way too long to spend cooped up in an airport and, while the Airport Link Express Line provides speedy and efficient transport to the city, Bangkok is not easy city to try and find your way around for first-time visitors. Oriental Escape (orientalescape.com) is a local tour operator that offers a Bangkok City Tour for Transit Passengers at Suvarnabhumi Airport. This is specifically designed for travellers with 7-10 hour layovers and it's individually tailored to include whatever fits with your interests and time frame. The Grand Palace will be closed by the time you reach town but Wat Pho, a boat ride on the river, a meal and a massage would be my picks.
If you have an Australian passport, you do not require a visa to enter Thailand. Immigration formalities at Bangkok Airport are usually speedy.
The airport hotel is the Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel, located outside but close to the terminal. You can check in for just a few hours but I'd still be heading off to experience something of Bangkok.
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