3 day stayover in Bangkok

[Jezzman]

... Taipei in April, so what's to do in Bangkok? Well except for the red light district and the sex industry.

 

It's my first time there and I'll be staying at the Hotel Mandaring, where ever that is? Any good ideas...? Are the Temples worth seing? The canal market? Grand Palace??

[Tosh]

If you're there on a weekend, Chattuchak market is worth a visit

[Jezzman]

If you're there on a weekend, Chattuchak market is worth a visit

 

I'll be there from Friday morning. What's on the Chattuchak market?

[Guest Scot]

Where in the city is your hotel located? Temples are definitely worth a visit, if you're there three days it's probably not worth going to Ayudhaya, though. There's a Wat on the river, not too far up from the Peninsula (on the same side). Wat Maharat? Something like that. That's good. Grand Palace is obviously worth a visit, it's gorgeous.

 

If you're looking for a massage (if you're not you should be) then Healthland on Sathorn Road is a good place. It's mobbed though so ask your front desk to phone ahead/make a reservation.

 

Suan Lum night market is somewhere I seem to go every visit. Row upon row of little stalls. Some of it is sh*t, some not but it's always interesting. You might find some live music on there in the square if you're lucky. There's almost bound to be something on. Some decent food too. The restaurant next to the Joe Louis Theatre (right on the roundabout with a barrel/waterfall) has good tom yam goong soup.

 

My favourite place to eat is Supatra River House. Not that the food is wonderful, though is usually is, but the location is also great. It's right on the Chao Phraya. if you're coming from the Thammasat side they'll send a free shuttle boat across the river to collect you. That's pretty nice. You can drive to it also though, if you want. Some nights they have Thai traditional theatre outside. It's a bit touristy, but it's fun. Other good place to eat is the Jim Thompson place in Sala Deng. In fact, the Jim Thompson museum is sort of worth a visit. Not worth dedicating an afternoon to or anything. It's not really Thai but Le Notre on Langsuan Road has some of the best cakes/pastries I've had anywhere in the world. Angelini in the Shangri-la is a fantastic Italian restaurant if you fancy that. Shangri-la also does a decent afternoon tea.

 

Not worth searching for, but if you pass/happen upon a Ban Rai coffee house then stop in. They're Thailand's answer to Starbucks or something. They're Thai-owned, using sustainable growing methods and supporting Thai growers. The coffee is as strong as f*ck too. You'll be buzzing for about 12 hours.

 

Oh yeah and you HAVE to ride a tuk tuk. Just because. I'm now in the habit of riding a tuk tuk around the Grand Palace/democracy monument area before I leave. There's no better way to get the atmosphere, sounds and smells of the city.

 

I love Bangkok, you'll have a ball, mate. Nicest people on earth.

[Ostrich Man]

try to buy some heroin of a policeman if you can....its a cheap way of finding accomodation and prolonging your stay for free.

[Tosh]

I'll be there from Friday morning. What's on the Chattuchak market?

 

Everything from saucepans to incence sticks, cds to football kit, clothes to motorbikes

 

All locally made and of the highest quality. Ask Sabre!

[boohog]

Make sure you take at least 5 dollars with you.

[Jezzman]

Where in the city is your hotel located? Temples are definitely worth a visit, if you're there three days it's probably not worth going to Ayudhaya, though. There's a Wat on the river, not too far up from the Peninsula (on the same side). Wat Maharat? Something like that. That's good. Grand Palace is obviously worth a visit, it's gorgeous.

 

If you're looking for a massage (if you're not you should be) then Healthland on Sathorn Road is a good place. It's mobbed though so ask your front desk to phone ahead/make a reservation.

 

Suan Lum night market is somewhere I seem to go every visit. Row upon row of little stalls. Some of it is sh*t, some not but it's always interesting. You might find some live music on there in the square if you're lucky. There's almost bound to be something on. Some decent food too. The restaurant next to the Joe Louis Theatre (right on the roundabout with a barrel/waterfall) has good tom yam goong soup.

 

My favourite place to eat is Supatra River House. Not that the food is wonderful, though is usually is, but the location is also great. It's right on the Chao Phraya. if you're coming from the Thammasat side they'll send a free shuttle boat across the river to collect you. That's pretty nice. You can drive to it also though, if you want. Some nights they have Thai traditional theatre outside. It's a bit touristy, but it's fun. Other good place to eat is the Jim Thompson place in Sala Deng. In fact, the Jim Thompson museum is sort of worth a visit. Not worth dedicating an afternoon to or anything. It's not really Thai but Le Notre on Langsuan Road has some of the best cakes/pastries I've had anywhere in the world. Angelini in the Shangri-la is a fantastic Italian restaurant if you fancy that. Shangri-la also does a decent afternoon tea.

 

Not worth searching for, but if you pass/happen upon a Ban Rai coffee house then stop in. They're Thailand's answer to Starbucks or something. They're Thai-owned, using sustainable growing methods and supporting Thai growers. The coffee is as strong as f*ck too. You'll be buzzing for about 12 hours.

 

Oh yeah and you HAVE to ride a tuk tuk. Just because. I'm now in the habit of riding a tuk tuk around the Grand Palace/democracy monument area before I leave. There's no better way to get the atmosphere, sounds and smells of the city.

 

I love Bangkok, you'll have a ball, mate. Nicest people on earth.

 

Great info. thanks a lot

 

My hotel is situated close to Siam Square, Lumpini Park and Lumpini Boxing Stadium if that tells you anything? On 662 Rama IV Road.

Edited February 21, 2006 by Jezzman

[Guest Scot]

Great info. thanks a lot

 

My hotel is situated close to Siam Square, Lumpini Park and Lumpini Boxing Stadium if that tells you anything? On 662 Rama IV Road.

 

Great location that is, Jezz. I didn't mention it - I've never been - but Muay Thai is something most people do when in BKK and it's always popular.

[Superjay]

Dude you have to go to super pussy on phat pong. You have to experience a ping pong/birthday cake/paper show. Only thing is theres a market that charge extrordinate prices running up the middle of it and as you get more and more hammered (not that way) you start haggling badly for tat you don't need.

 

Also must see is

 

The Palace

Muai Thai Fight

and if you have time go to the floating market.

 

If you fancy shopping try the weekend market like tosh said, theres a stall outside near the skytrain that sells top quality jerseys for next to nowt. If failing that you can shop at the end of sumkuvit road, the Siam centre.

 

And under all circumstances you must ride a tuk tuk in rush hour traffic.

 

Great info. thanks a lot

 

My hotel is situated close to Siam Square, Lumpini Park and Lumpini Boxing Stadium if that tells you anything? On 662 Rama IV Road.

 

Perfect location for both weekend market and siam centre. If bored at night go to the cinema MGM premier i think it was. Huge reclineable leather chairs, with blankets and pillows, also come and serve you popcorn and drinks.

Edited February 21, 2006 by Superjay

[patsy]

is it work in Taipei? where will you be staying there?

 

and the tips off Scot and Tosh are great.... if you miss Danish food i know a place that serves open sandwhiches

[Jezzman]

is it work in Taipei? where will you be staying there?

 

and the tips off Scot and Tosh are great.... if you miss Danish food i know a place that serves open sandwhiches

 

I haven't recieved my hotel details for Taipei yet, but will in the next weeks. In Bangkok it's vacation time in Taipei it work. Well most of the time anyway, as I have to go to Miaoli County for the work part.