Hallo everyone,
I am new here but have read a lot of the topics here.
I will be stopping over in BKK in the middle of May for about 5 days. As I am not all that young anymore, I am a bit concerned how I will go. In earlier days my husband and I travelled a bit but because of his bad health we could not do so in the last 15 years and were restricted to Australia.
Could I please get some advice on safety (I have no intention to visit "seedy" areas but would like a good look around.
Thanks in advance.

What are your interests? What is your accommodation budget? We might be able yo offer suggestions and a hotel location to fit your interests.

Most people who get into trouble, in Bangkok, have been drinking too much, or partaking in questionable activities. Stick to popular areas and the worst case might be a picked pocket or snatched purse.

You need to also be aware of scammers. You will probably be approached by friendly strangers offering tour and shopping advice. Don't let them detour you from any planned activities.

Try to us the BTS "skytrain", MRT "underground" and the Chao Phraya express boats to get around. Taxis are plentiful, and cheap, but often try to negotiate a "set" fare. Insist on the meter.

Disregard my PM to you, Curt.Found the way to reply by now.
I am interested in the temples, the food, generally the culture, definitely not night life or similar.
i have been reading here about the scammers so I will be very careful who I talk to. I would like to stay somewhere central, in the medium price range. One problem I have is a terrible fear of heights so I don't like high-rise hotels. I found a few here that seem to be no more than 5 stories.
I noticed that the prices quoted here are very different from the ones in the brochures available from travel agents here.
I still have more questions but will leave them for later.
Thanks in advance for the help.

I have had a good look at the hotels (and I am getting more and more confused which area to choose).
One thing I noted: it states that taxes and service fees are not included in the quoted price. How much is that usually? Also, breakfast is sometimes included. Is that a buffet style breakfast in the dining room or just the so=called Continental Breakfast? Some hotels also offer airport transfers. Would that be by limousine and what would be the approx. cost.
Thanks in advance for any info.

You've thrown me with the 5 story rule. I really don't know accommodations that well to single those out. Because land is expensive, most accommodations will be vertical. Living here, location is about all I know.

Riverside is good, unless you want bright lights and partying. "Siam" is good for shopping. Something near the BTS or MRT is always a good bet. The Chao Phraya express boats make most riverside spots accessible.

VAT is 7%. Any "service charge", not to be confused with a gratuity, is 10%. Coming from Oz, tipping is not your norm. But, if so inclined, don't assume that any "service charge" goes to the staff. Bottom line is that if you see "tax and service fees" extra, that will, most likely, mean an additional 17%.

Breakfast could mean anything from toast and jelly, to eggs and bacon, up to a full buffet. It usually depends on the number of guests the place accommodates.

The tried and true means of getting from the airport is catching a taxi from the official queue. You tell the clerk your destination, they type it up and instruct the driver where to take you. You keep the receipt for your record of the trip, on the outside chance there is a problem. The fare will usually run between 300~400 baht, to most city locations, tolls included. You will be expected to pay any tolls, when encountered, and there is a 50 baht airport pick up surcharge, paid at the end of the trip.

Exchange some cash at the airport, the airport exchanges are not a rip off. Any branch, of any bank, will have the same exchange rates at any given time, no matter location. Be sure to get some smaller denomination bills, 20 and 100 baht notes. Cabbies "don't have change". ;-)

Yesterday I have booked my flight and paid for it. I am having a 5 night stopover before flying on to Frankfurt.
The travel agent suggested a hotel in the Siam area, he had quite a list of reasonably priced 4 Star ones incl. full breakfast. I didn't have time to check them out properly, will do so next week. I will have to see how I can overcome my fear of heights and pray I don't end up on the 50th floor or similar.
Thanks for the info so far, Curt. You are a great help.

I haven't written here for a long time, too busy.
As I said before, I booked my flight, the hotel and now also some excursions. I thought that it was probably a bit ambitious of me to do it all on my own at my age (I am 70). But that does not mean I will not explore as much as I can and enjoy the city and the culture. And I may come back and see more of the country.
Thank you, Curt, for your help.

Even taking the skytrain around the city is interesting, easy, and will give you a sense of the city; same with the subway, probably near your hotel.

Ask your reception at the hotel for suggestions, and if they seem nice and trustworthy, perhaps they can recommend a reasonable tour or a good guide for you for a day.

Perhaps you'll meet someone in your hotel who can join you as well on an excursion, which is not unusual.

In any case, with the right attitude and common sense, I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself.