Best Route to Bumrungrad?

[Ratsima]

I'd just stop and park at a shopping center that you're familiar with, take a taxi to and from Bamrungrad, and lessen the stress. I live in Bangkok, and that is one of the places I refuse to drive to. I typically take the train, but it does get crowded, so taxi would be the best option. It would save you a seperate trip.

We've actually done that a few times. Park at Mega Bang Na, take their shuttle to BTS and then on to Nana. It's a long ride though. But, that's the only shopping center we know how to get to.

[404cameljockey]

Following Google Maps is the shortest way if you don't have Rats' fear of cutting across slow/medium speed traffic, Soi 3 does usually have a queue on the right side waiting to get into the free (if you are paying a bill and get a token from the accounting section) hospital parking, but you're avoiding a trek across Bangkok by taxi or public transport.

Note: Soi 1 is small with two-way traffic, but ends in a no through road at the north end (you can cut through the hospital parking to reach Soi 3 for a quick way back to Sukhumvit), and Soi 3 is one way southbound.

[caller]

Note: Soi 1 is small with two-way traffic, but ends in a no through road at the north end (you can cut through the hospital parking to reach Soi 3 for a quick way back to Sukhumvit), and Soi 3 is one way southbound.

Yes, it takes you to the hospital complex and car parks.

[Ratsima]

Here's Apple Map's solution:

Note that it still shows the Honey Hotel which was demolished several years ago.

[caller]

I was aware of that route, but the traffic in that whole area can be really bad, especially since Emsphere opened (on the old Washington Sq area), which has definitely affected traffic. Also the traffic heading north onto Sukhumvit often queues from the start of the conference centre, south of the lake in the pic. I sometimes go walking in the park and around the lake.

[Ratsima]

Is it really possible to turn right from Suk into Soi 1?

[404cameljockey]

Is it really possible to turn right from Suk into Soi 1?

Yes it is. Going west on Suk you must be in the right hand lane at Soi 3 where you can filter across into the oncoming lanes which are then two-way traffic. There is a small sign showing this but it's late. Google Maps is your friend if you don't know when you've reached Soi 3 but it's opposite the Nana Plaza soi, past the Landmark Hotel.

[caller]

Is it really possible to turn right from Suk into Soi 1?

Yes it is. Going west on Suk you must be in the right hand lane at Soi 3 where you can filter across into the oncoming lanes which are then two-way traffic. There is a small sign showing this but it's late. Google Maps is your friend if you don't know when you've reached Soi 3 but it's opposite the Nana Plaza soi, past the Landmark Hotel.

It's controlled by traffic lights, so as 404 states, get into the right lane ready to cross into the other lane. It's the same way the free hospital shuttle bus from Nana BTS travels. It also takes traffic onto the tollway at Sukhumvit.

[Ratsima]

To all of those who contributed to this rather odd thread, I offer my thanks for the edification and for inspiring me to ruminate on our previous missteps. With new found confidence I look forward to breaking our long record of failure. It can be done.

[STEVE G]

^Good luck!
I've never spent much time driving around Bangkok and try to avoid it. When we used to drive up to Issan, I sometimes used to get asked to go and pick up family members of my partner in Bangkok and I used to tell them to get a taxi to a gas station on the highway and I'd pay the taxi.
Whatever it cost, I was happier than if I'd spent a couple of hours in Bangkok traffic.