Places to visit in Bangkok

[Serigala]

I recently got some tickets to Bangkok. Have been living like 'a frog under the shell' all these years!

Would appreciate output on where to stay, places of interest, shopping (important) and what to look out for.

Sawadika!

[smoothead]

serigala,

It depends on what interests you. As for me, I enjoyed the river cruise on the Chao Phraya. You take the boat at the Sapan Taksin pier and buy a ticket and then you can just hop on and hop off at the various stops.

Of course, there's the food, lots of it, whether its in a restaurant or just the road-side ones, I think you will like it. Cheap and good.

Shopping... theres so much to buy. For clothing, try the Pratunam area, men or ladies, mostly ladies will go ga ga. So much to buy. In fact, ask anyone, or the hotel staff for shopping areas. MBK is one big shopping mall. Across and around MBK are other malls, big ones at that also.

Getting around is no problem. Get hold of a map and you won't go wrong. I particularly like the sky train for moving around. So much easier so you won't get stuck in a traffic jam if you were to get a taxi. The tuk tuk is also another mode to get around but a bit uncomfortable and moreover you get to smell the exhaust of vehicles around you.

[CS Chua]

I recently got some tickets to Bangkok. Have been living like 'a frog under the shell' all these years! Would appreciate output on where to stay, places of interest, shopping (important) and what to look out for. Sawadika!

You can easily buy the tickets for the boat ride to visit various tourist areas. They are very cheap as it is a means of transport for the local people. Bangkok is not called the Venice of the East for nothing.

Try to avoid tuk tuks if possible as a lot of them will try to persuade you to visit certain shops. They have all kinds of ways to persuade you and they are very convincing. Their buses, LRT and taxis are very good so just stick to these and you will be alright.

Siam Paragon has opened and it is very impressive. More impressive than any that we have in KL. Definitely worth a visit. When you arrive at the airport, pick up one of their colorful brochures that are readily available as they are a good guide to touristy places.

Finally, try the traditional massage. Going rate is about 200 Baht per hour. Just make sure you keep your hands to yourself and you will be alright.

[wewa25]

U should PM tupai or sinleong. They practically lived in Bangkok b4...

[xweird]

If you will be there in the weekend (Saturday/Sunday), don't forget the Chatuchak Weekend Market!

[MOYSC]

If you like historical sites, don't miss going to the ancient city of Ayutthaya and while on the way, to visit Bang-Pa-In Summer Palace. Beautiful breath-taking sites for photography!

If u r going with kids, then you musn't miss the Samphran Elephant & Crocodile Ground Zoo, where u would be able to see Crocodile shows, elephant performances & the famous Ancient Thai war life show.

These places are only less than an hour away from Bangkok city & you can go there either by chartering a taxi or renting a car w. driver. No need to take a tour which is more expensive.

Grand Palace in Bangkok city is a must to visit too!

Hope it helps

I recently got some tickets to Bangkok. Have been living like 'a frog under the shell' all these years!

Would appreciate output on where to stay, places of interest, shopping (important) and what to look out for.

Sawadika!

[Jokee]

If you shop around Siam Paragon or Isetan, make sure you claim the 7% VAT refund on the way back to Malaysia. Total purchase amount must be more than 5000 Baht and in Siam PAragon, you'll only get the form if you shop more than 2000 Baht in a day. Shopping at MBK and Pratunam may be cheaper but you may not claim for VAT refund. The new Platinum Mall for fashions are pretty good and cheap, especially for ladies. And Chua is right. Siam PAragon is much more impressive than KL.
Do not trust the Tuk Tuk and anyone who offers you a cheap ride to pray at buddhist temples. They do not con you anything but will indirectly force you to visit their jewelery shops, will be a waste of time.
I do enjoy live bands at Suam Luam Night market. And please take care of your wallet/purse if you go to the Chatuchak Weekend Market.

[smoothead]

And please take care of your wallet/purse if you go to the Chatuchak Weekend Market.[/QUOTE]

Yes, the place is like a mad house in a sense... very crowded , hot and stuffy and they sell practically everything. You can spend hours there, but a lot of things they sell are almost the same. If you haven't been there, go try it out , but for me, once is enough. I'd rather, if shopping, spend it in an air-cond place. BTW, lost my almost new digital camera there. Suam Luam night bazaar is a better place if you ask me.

[sinleong]

U should PM tupai or sinleong. They practically lived in Bangkok b4...

wooooo... i'm not sure if u guys want me to point u around bkk... u might get some real culture shocks! many of my colleagues found out the difficult way...

[silver_bird]

For shopping in BKK, don't miss MBK, PatPhong, Chatuchak & China Town.

World-class Thai cultural show is at Siam Niramit (2,000 seat theatre).

Sightseeing include :-
City Pillar Shrine
Erawan Shrine
Grand Palace
Jim Thomson's House
National Art Gallery
Abhisek Dusit Museum
National Museum
National Theatre
Boat ride along Chao Phraya River

For Budget Travellers :-
Avoid Tut-tut for hassle-free transportation.
Temptation for a free Tut-tut ride will end up to either a Tailor or Jewelry shop or expensive Seafood Restaurant.
Hitch a ride in town bus, fare is as cheap as 70 sen - RM 1.50 per ride.
Airport Bus to Metropolitan BKK is RM 10.00 flat.

For cheap & clean accomodation, stay in Guesthouse at KhaoSan Road, air-con room (Twin sharing) at RM 36-00 per night. With attach b/room it's RM 50-00.
Irrespectable of 5 or 0 Star hotel, make sure you use padlock to secure your baggage.
Always carry your Passport along whenever you leave the hotel (a waist pouch is indispensable).

Roadside Pat-Thai - RM1-50 per plate.
Sweet Pineapple / Watermelon - RM 1-00 per pack.
Fresh Orange juice - Rm 2.50 per 500 ml
Big Red Juicy Guava - RM 3.50 per Kg.
Same quality sold at Petaling St for RM 10-00 per Kg.

Drink Bottled water - A pack of 6 x 500ml is only RM 3.00.
Durian & Mango is expensive due to low season.

[Diana]

I've been (and still am) in Bangkok past 2 weeks now. Its really a nice place and I am much preferring it to Malaysia.. Only problem is the language. Its hard doing anything because all signs/ bus routes are in Thai and in most smaller shops people only speak thai. I've learnt to point n a bit of sign language. Also if some vendors/drivers know you are not Thai they will try to fleece you but tht's rare.

My advice- try to learn a bit of Thai.

Tuk tuks are ok. But you have to bargain the price with them. Try taking a cab first and get the rates and cut it by half for an acceptable tuk tuk rate. Those people who ask you to visit certain shops are not dangerous, they are like undercover salesmen- they do it to get a commission. Sometimes the things they try to get u to purchase are not fake or of bad quality- they're just not worth what you will pay considering this person is commissioned to bring you there. Even cabbies do that, not just tuk tuk drivers. And sometimes even a stranger at a bus stop will approach u.

For shopping, definitely Pratunam, Chatuchak or if you want slightly higher end things u can try Paragon, Isetan, or Central. There's also Tesco and Makro.

I am more of a shopping person so I can't tell you abt other touristy places...

Anyways, you will enjoy your trip- no doubt. Bangkok's a lovely place..

[Diana]

i forgot the Suan lum night bazaar in lumphini.. There's even a carousel.. and a long outdoor foodcourt..

[Serigala]

Wow lots of input..tq all.. now like diana said knowing a little thai would go a long way! anyone interested to become my coach?

BTW, more inputs appreciated. Have already made out a list of places to visit...

[CCY]

Wow lots of input..tq all.. now like diana said knowing a little thai would go a long way! anyone interested to become my coach?

A tour guide once give me a guide to some basic Thai. He says that some of the foul language of the hokkien dialect give some total different opposite meaning in Thai. I wouldn't be able to put it here though but there ought to have some Thai n hokkien experts here who may be able to shed some light.

[tupai]

for many BKK is
Paradise in Hell ..

Enjoy your holidays...

Yang Ada Banyak hotspots diBKK lato tupai