Transportation is the name of the game. Seems like on a trip like this we spend almost as much time arranging travel as we do actually traveling.  Bangkok, Thailand has proved no different.
If negotiation has a home, I’m pretty sure he has set up residence somewhere here off Khao San Road, the heart of the tourist district in Bangkok.
Food no problem. Pad Thai: 30 Bhat (less than 1 USD), or maybe Thai Banana pancake smothered in sweetened condensed milk, oh and let us not forget the fresh fruit, my favorite being the pineapple dusted with just a touch or red chili pepper. Oh and if none of those make your mouth water there is a plethora of eatables on a stick you can purchase for under 1 USD. More importantly no negotiation necessary, just go dig in the couch for 30 seconds and you have your lunch money.
Lodging. Not particularly negotiable. Well it probably is but really no reason to try because its fairly cheap.
Transportation・Well now that’s where things get interesting. Taxi, or Tuk Tuk, doesn’t matter. You never quite know what you are getting yourself into, even when you think you know what you are getting yourself into. Taxis, even if they have a meter, may not want to use it. But pick your destination, and haggle the price and thats about it assuming the driver does know where your destination is. Note to self, its always good to have some idea where you are going even if its just the nearest metro stop.
Now the tricky one is Tuk Tuks, basically a small motorcycle front with a covered area in the back that fits 2 to 4 people depending on how much you want to squeeze.  That said, say you want to go from your hotel on Khao San road to one of the nearby temples. You will certainly be approached by at minimum 4 drivers upon exiting your accommodation.  Now what you have to ask yourself is “what is my plan for the day?” because if you are willing to stop at some tailors, and markets, and maybe the tourist center you will have a Tuk Tuk driver for the day for under 40 Bhat. The driver will take you to 5 or 6 tourist destinations, temples, etc and wait for your while you explore. But say you don’t need a new suit and just want a ride to somewhere. That’s tricky, because most drivers don’t make their money from your fare. Rather its from their sponsors who give them petrol or some other compensation for getting you to visit their establishment. So if you want a tuk tuk to give you a ride somewhere you need to not only negotiate a price, but also the number of sponsors you will stop at.  If that number is zero, good luck because in this part of town there is someone right behind you that doesn’t know any better.  In addition you may have troubles with drivers telling you that some of the tourist attractions are closed for some reason, because if you aren’t at a tourist attraction you have more time for sponsors.
But when it’s all said and done,everyone eventually gets where they’re going. So slouch down in your seat so you can see the city go by as your driver tears through traffic filled streets, running between cars and into oncoming traffic.
And remember to keep your arms and legs inside the vehicle and pray that that touristy photo you just took is not the last photo is your last.
