Big John's Hostel Restaurant and Internet Cafe for Backpackers
Bangkok

Bangkok's only true blue Australian run Budget, Backpacker, Hostel, Guesthouse, Restaurant and Internet Cafe.

You'll recieve a FREE BEER Coupon for first time Check-ins between now and November 30.

American Thanks Thurs 22nd November we'll be serving Turkey, gravy with lots of corn, peas, mashed & baked potatoes along with cranberry jelly, apple and pumpkin pies and icecream just 250 Baht per head.

Now in opperation for over 6 years. Don't be fooled by more expensive, wannabe copycats, over 90% of out guests extend their stay and over 50% choose to stay here more than once. But we'll be shrinking the hostel back to just 2 dorm rooms from the end of November.

Welcome to Thailand, where only 5% of the population are English literate, think yourself lucky the staff speak any English at all. For the next few months when Bangkok is much cooler their is no real need for airconditioning. When's the last time you stayed in a city of 20 million people? If you want to be in the shopping centre or Business centre and not the local nightlife and entertainment center you better be prepared to spend a lot more money. I'm cutting back on what we offer to try to rid ourselves of guests with unrealistic expectations. We're getting back to being a real backpacker hostel in the upmarket part of town. Catering to people, on a budget, who want to experience real modern day Bangkok, not some contrived preconceived idea of Asia from 20 years ago. Catering to people who want to mix with locals not just other tourists.

Breakfast now also includes Yoghurt and Cornflakes or Yoghurt and Museli or Thai Rice Porridge.
Unlike the few other true Hostels in Thailand, all nationalities including traveling Thais are welcome.

Our dorms with some of the biggest/widest beds in Asia. Unlike other hostels our 10-12 bed dorms our dorms have windows, are airconditioned.
We've always tried to put your needs ahead of our own.

No extra or hidden charges
All of our beds have pillows, sheets and comforters (dunas/duvees). not just thin acrylic blankets.

Dorms
The 10-12 person dorm rooms feature a power socket/outlet next to each bed along with a dimmer switch for control of your own light.

We haven't subbed the restaurant to someone else, meaning we can provide great deals on food and drinks and it's your space to use and enjoy at your leisure. You can relax, chat with & make new friends in the restaurant cafe area which has been decorated with long, hanginging Thai silks and teak wood carvings .
With friendly, somewhat English literate, staff (at least most of them try, including the Aussie), Big John's, the original - run by Big John himself, family and staff (who will try to make your stay more of a home stay) - has developed a reputation, amongst backpackers and budget travelers - who want to get away from over trafficed, seedy, sleazy, scam artist infested, tourist areas (like Khaosan, Silom, Nana & Asoke) - as the number one place to stay in Bangkok.
Centraly Located
Just 30 minutes from the new Suvarnabhumi International & Domestic Airport. Only 170 Baht + 50 baht Airport Service charge. There may be a hostel closer, but we can guarantee you won't get to or from the airport faster than from us.
Thonglor
(Sukhumvit Road Soi 55) - 'The Berverly Hills of Southeast Asia', quoting the Sunday New York Times, is a wide 2km stretch of road on the edge of the CBD, and the sois (streets) that lead off of it are for Thais, Japanese and and Western Expatriates the desired location to live, shop and party.
Don't be fooled, in a bus or taxi, Khaosan Road will take 1-4 hours to get to/from the new Airport and may cost as much as 700 Baht. Although, during the day, without a large backpack KS Road and Banglampoo are only 15-20 minutes and 14 Baht away from us in a boat down the canal.
We offer the best of both worlds, close to the new airport in an upmarket cosmopolitan area full of restaurants and nightlife and close to shopping and the heart of Bangkok.

Big John's is a safe and friendly, real home away from home - Centraly located, especially with the closure of Don Muang Airport. (Bangkok is a very big and sprawling city with an official population of 8,500,000 people but a more realistic population of 20,000,000 people).

Big John's is a small Aussie run guesthouse and youth hostel that also includes an internet cafe, a bar and restaurant, both making and serving the number one Australian style pies, pasties, sausage rolls & burgers in Thailand - food also sold in local VILLA supermarkets, along with several other Bars and restaurants along Sukhumvit Road and shipped as far north as Rimping Supermarket in Chiang Mai and South to Samui and Krabi - Not forgetting delicious western style vegetarian meals and a range of vegetarian pies, along with international favourites including Big John's unique herb bread, thin crust Pizza, Canadian style Poutine and Thai/Fusion and classic Thai dishes like Tom Yum (Spicy Soup) and Pad Thai (Noodles).
Did I forget to mention our fabulous home made pork sausages - also sold to many local restaurants -, vege/tofu Burgers and vegetarian breakfast?
Beer & Cider, we have a a selection of Beers and Cider including; Beer Chang, Beer Lao, San Miguel, John Smiths, Newcastle Brown Ale and Bulmers.

Breakfast
No other hostel gives you a wider choice or, or serves a better value for money full breakfast.
Vegemite is free with breakfast. We also have cornflakes, Coco Pops, Frosties, Jam, Honey & Peanut Butter.
Laundry
We have numerous washing machines and driers and our staff will do your laundry for you at just 30 Baht per Kg. Half the price of most other hostels. So cheap loacals in the know bring their laundry here.

Sports & Entertainment
We have numerous satellite dishes so you can watch LIVE Cricket, NFL & American College Football, NBA & College Basket Ball, Baseball and the European football and the FA Cup, no matter what time of the day or night it's on. During live EPL matches, on Saturday & Sunday nights, there's FREE local draft Beer for 2 minutes after every goal for anyone with an empty glass (meaning you've already bought one).

Helpful Information and Travel Services
We can help with information on how to get around Bangkok, to the temples and other sites without paying through the nose and without wasting most of your time sitting in a car or van in Bangkok traffic.
We offer tours to Kanchanaburi, including the floating market, war cemetary, bridge over the River Kwai and the Tiger Temple. River and road tours to Ayutthaya are also available.
Two day tours including Erawan Falls, Hot Springs, Hell Fire Pass, Elephant rides & bamboo rafting can also be booked here along with three day tours to Kanchanaburi & Sanghlaburi, including the above and Three Pagoda Pass, Viwagaram Temple, underwater temple, orphanage and long wooden bridge.Optional extras are cycling, kayaking and trekking.
We also offer bookings on daily VIP buses to Cambodia - siam Reap, Ankor Wat & Phnom Phen - the Eastern - Koh Chang, Koh Kut, Koh Wai, Koh Mak -& Southern Islands- Koh Tao (turtle island - diving), Koh Phangan (Full moon party), Koh Samui - South - Phi Phi, Krabi, Phuket, Had Yai, Koh Lak & Northeastern Thailand - Nong Khai and Laos - Vientien.

Other Services
We have a free book swapping service and a library with a large selection of travel books on Thailand and Southeast Asia.
FREE maps of Bangkok, showing BTS (Skytrain), MRT (Subway) and canal routes are usually available at the reception desk. We also have more detailed maps by Nancy Chandler, which include Sukhumvit, China Town, Banglampoo, Chatuchak (JJ- the weekend market) and greater Bangkok for sale.
We were the first hostel in Thailand to offer free high speed, ADSL, internet access and free wifi. We also have printers, cd burners an card readers to help you copy save and upload your photos. We also have headphones with microphone and webcams to help you keep intouch with friends & family.
We also offer free bag / luggage / baggage storage to returning guests, and to store your bags should you be taking a later flight, train or bus, all of which makes us the big one for others to follow.
There is also no charge for locker use while you are staying with us.

Upcoming special events.
You need not stay with us to join in.

American Thanks Thurs 22nd November we'll be serving Turkey, gravy with lots of corn, peas, mashed & baked potatoes along with cranberry jelly, apple and pumpkin pies and ice-cream just 250 Baht per head.

Christmas Day 25th December - Enjoy our now famous 5 Roast Meat Lunch or Dinner with Lamb, Turkey, Beef, Ham & Pork, gravy, cranberry sauce, apple sauce, baked and steamed vegetables, soup, minced fruit pies, apple pie, pumpkin pie and ice-cream all for just 450 Baht or 790 Baht with all you can drink Chang Draught Beer.

Weekly Specials:
Every Friday night is Ladies night with Free Gin, Vodka, Rum, Whisky, Mixers & local Draft Beer from 5pm - 7pm for ladies, 20 Baht per drink for ladies from 7-9pm and 40 Baht per drink for ladies from 9-11pm. And for the guys there's a FREE Jug of Chang Draught Beer with every purchase of 3 Burgers.

Saturday Nights - FREE 12 inch Pizza with every 3 Litre Tower of Chang Draft Beer.

Every Sunday Breakfast - all you can eat Pancakes and Maple Syrup. Every Sunday Night you can enjoy Roast/Smoked/BBQd - with hickory & mesquite wood chips - Beef and/or Ham and/or Pork with mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables and gravy from just 190 Baht - the second Sunday of each month includes Roast lamb, the last Sunday of each month includes Roast Turkey.

Every Monday Night is Pizza & Beer Night with a Free 1 litre Jug of Chang Draft with every 12 inch Pizza.

Every Tuesday Night is 2 for 1 Night with Buy 1 get 1 free meat pies and 2 for 1 Chang Draft Beer (buy one get one free**) 5 - 11pm*.

Every Wednesday Night is Hi Card Wins FREE DRINKS - cut the deck against the bar and win and your drink is FREE* 5pm - midnight. Bangers & mash & beer only 170 Baht.

Thursday Nights - All you can eat BBQ Buffet Just 150 Baht. All you can drink Chang Draft 350 Baht.

We have a DVD player to check and watch your latest purchases and a lounge area on the 4th floor for those who just want to chill for a while.

We don't have a swimming pool, but there are swimming pools nearby available for casual use. There is also an Olympic Size Swimming Pool in Sukhumvit Soi 40 that can be used for 50 Baht per day.
We don't have a self kitchen, but the bbq's are available for anyone who wants to use them.

Barter
VEGEMITE and Large blocks of Cheddar cheese (Australian preferred) are always welcome and can be bartered here, as can Kosher Hard Salami, beef hotdogs, hot English mustard, MAPLE SYRUP, Bundaberg Rum, and good, preferably South Australian, Wine. If you have any other delicacies you wish to barter please email us in advance. We're also interested in Sports memorabilia and Australiana which can also be bartered for food and drinks and maybe rooms, but not your booking deposit.

We try to keep the do's and dont's to a minimum, trusting you will be considerate to others. Big John's is a fun & friendly hostel and home away from home, not a prison.

You don't need a member/discount/VIP card holder here as our prices are discounted for everyone. Our prices are not over inflated to offer a false discount

A great hostel is much more than a room or a bed. Here at Big John's we strive to bring both travellers and locals together in a safe and friendly environment conducive to the exchange of cultures and ideas. A warm and friendly, home away from home, offering opportunities and experiences you will remember for a lifetime and an environment you won't be in a hurry to leave.

C YA SOON

Big John

See below for what I know so far on Suvarnabhumi Airport - The new airport isn't proving to be any less of a potential rip-off than Don Muang was.

Warning:
There were some real sharks at Don Muang Airport (which has just ceased being the international Airport) wanting to take advantage of tired and unaware travelers who just want to get to their room. It looks like they've moved to the new airport. I've been hearing of people getting charged 650-800 Baht by supposed taxi services in the airport. And, not allowing them to call here for any help or advice.

Taxi:
From Suvarnabhumi International Airport take an authorized airport taxi, from the stand just outside the arrival hall doors, it's 170 Baht ON THE METER plus 50 Baht airport service fee. The should bring you via Rama 9 Road "Palam Gow" There's no need to get on a tollway. Tell the taxi driver " pai Tonglor soi gow, pai palam gow, pai ekamai " If you want to be sure they bring you the right way, not up Bangna Trad and down Sukhumvit Road, the slow way, say "Mai pai Bangna Trad, mai pai Sukhumvit, mai pai tollway".

At Donmuang Domestic Airport, if you went up stairs to the departure area you could get a taxi dropping someone off to take you on the meter to get here for less than 200 Baht. The current record from the new airport on the meter is 155 Baht plus the 50 baht airport fee. The worst has been 500 Baht, including unnecessary tollway fees.

Bus -
From the new Suvarnabhumi International Airport you can take the AE3 Airport bus to Thonglor Station from 5 am - 12 midnight, but at a cost of 150 baht we suggest you take a taxi (as above) as you'll still have a 800m walk from Thonglor Station or pay 35 baht in a taxi (minimum fare/flag fall).

From Donmuang Domestic/Charter Airport. Outside the arrival hall is the bus stand for the A3 DOWNTOWN airport bus to THONGLOR, http://www.into-asia.com/bangkok/ airport/ bus_routes.php, it costs 100 Baht per person and should drop you at our door. Depending on the time of day/night it can take between 30 minutes and 2 hours to get here, but most of the time will be less than one hour. Taxis may not be any faster.
If for some reason it doesn't/won't turn up Thonglor, your best bet is to get off at the corner of Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thonglor) just around the corner, in Thonglor, by 7eleven (not the 2 under the BTS, skytrain station) you can get the little red bus for 6 Baht, a motorcycle taxi for 10 Baht, a minivan/tuktuk for 20 Baht or walk 10 minutes to us.
We are 50m inside Thonglor Soi 9, look for the red and white "Big John's Home baked PIES" sign. We look forward to seeing you.

Original Shop which is now Praiphana Massage is at 159/12 Sukhumvit Soi 55 (between THONGLOR soi 7 & 9) the new Hostel, Reception & Restaurant is 50m down Thonglor Soi 9
PS. Tell the bus/taxi driver " pai Tonglor soi gow pai palam gow " or show him the attached map and address. Don't let them drop you off at Sukhumvit Soi 9. If you are still under the Skytrain stay in the Bus/taxi

PPS. Other options from Airports , Bus & Train Stations
Slow Public bus from Don Muang Airport : Local Air-conditioned bus 513 directly takes you to Sukhumvit Soi 55 bus stop (known as Thong Lo)

- See details above for walking or red bus up Soi 55 to Thonglor Soi 9
OR - also slow - take bus 29, 59 or air-con bus 510 to the BTS (sky train) MO Chit Station. Take BTS to Thong Lo station ( E6) - see details above for walking or red bus up Soi 55 to Thonglor Soi 9

Train : Don Muang Railway Station is about 500 meters across the highway from the airport . Take a train to Hua Lum Pong Station (see From Hua Lum Pong Station below) . Trains from Don Muang Railway Station run from 6:06 am to 8:07pm.
From Suvarnabhumi Airport take Public Bus 552 to Onut BTS Station and Skytrain to Thong Lo BTS Station (E6) - see details above for walking or red bus up Soi 55 to Thonglor Soi 9

From the Northern Bus Terminal (MOChit2)
Public bus : Air-con bus 77 or 145 drives you to BTS (sky train) Mo Chit Station. Take Sky train to Thong Lo Station ( E6) - see details above for walking or red bus up Soi 55 to Thonglor Soi 9 - A Taxi will cost around 150 Baht ON THE METER
From the Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai)

Public bus : Air-con bus 511 drives you to Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thong Lo ) bus stop - A taxi will be about 200 Baht ON THE METER
From Khaosan Road

Public bus : Air-con bus 511 drives you to Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thong Lo ) bus stop - A taxi will be about 100 - 150 Baht ON THE METER

From Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekamai) : 20 mins walk to Big John's on Thonglor Soi 9 - 50 Baht in taxi ON THE METER

From Hua Lum Pong Railway Station
Public bus : Bus 25, 40 or air-con bus 501 directly takes you to Sukhumvit Soi 55- see details above for walking or red bus up Soi 55 to Thonglor Soi 9
MRT and BTS: Take the MRT (subway) to Sukhumvit Station then cross over to the BTS (sky train) toward On Nut. Get off at Thong Lo station ( E6 ) - see details above for walking or red bus up Soi 55 to Thonglor Soi 9
AVOID TUK TUKS, you will never get a cheaper fare haggling with a taxi or tuk tuk driver than you will get in a taxi ON THE METER.



Thonglor
(Sukhumvit Road Soi 55) - 'The Berverly Hills of Southeast Asia', quoting the Sunday New York Times, is a wide 2km stretch of road on the edge of the CBD, and the sois (streets) that lead off of it are for Thais and Expatriates the desired location to live, shop and party.

From the new airport a taxi, even in peak hour traffic it should only cost 170 Baht + a 50 Baht airport service fee and will only take about 30 minutes. Don't be fooled, in a bus or taxi, Khaosan Road will take 1-4 hours to get to/from the new Airport and may cost as much as 700 Baht. Although, during the day, without a large backpack KS Road and Banglampoo are only 15-20 minutes and 16 Baht away from us.