AndyPandy

Firstly, may I apolgise if this has been asked before, but I am getting a little confused! Basically, my husband and I will be in Bangkok for 4 days at the end of December, staying at The Oriental. We have never been to Thailand before and therefore would like to have a nice dinner and watch a Thai dancing show.

Which restaurants do this best? We'd prefer not to have a buffet, but love all types of food i.e. fish/seafood, meat. We aren't on a budget for the evening either as it's likely to be our last evening before we leave for home.

One more question please - do the restaurants that are indoors have separate smoking and non-smoking sections?

We are leaving this Thursday for Australia first, then we go to Ko Samui for Xmas and then to Bangkok to finish our vacation. We are extremely excited about our trip and without the help of all the contributors on Fodors I really would be floundering. The information and trip reports provided have been so helpful.

Thank you.

KimJapan

I don't remember from our previous trips about smoking and non-smoking in restaurants...but I don't recall ever being bothered by smoke, and if someone is smoking nearby it does bother me, so it must have been a non-issue.

I asked about the dinner/dancing a few days ago. Here's the replies. http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34713254

Once you are at the Oriental, I'm sure that the concierge there can steer you in the right direction and take care of reservations for you. They have their own dinner/dance show place across the river, but I'm sure they will know of the others on offer.

The Thai Tourism Authority also has a list that I've seen (sorry, no link but google will bring it up for you easily enough)...slightly out of date, but useful nonetheless.

Kathie

Smoking is not allowed in air-conditioned restaurants. Many restaurants have outdoor seating areas, and smoking is allowed there, but not indoors. Also, bars allow smoking even in air-conditioned areas.

Gpanda

Always great to see another rare panda. If you look closely, there's a good chance I'll be buying cigars at the shop at the Oriental while you're there. We'll be up at the ROS.

TexasSlim

Smoking in restaurants, bars, night markets is one of the things that literally gets up my nose in Thailand. There are laws in place but they are seldom enforced (I can't comment on upmarket venues like the Oriental, which are way beyond my meager earnings) Part of the problem lies in the reluctance of Thais to cause any friction. So if somebody is sitting in a restaurant blowing cigarette smoke all over the place, nobody complains.

Kathie

I tend to eat in higher-end places, and I have to say, I've never seen anyone violate the no smoking rule. Many restaurnats have both indoor and outdoor seating, so it's easy for a smoker and a non-smoker to eat at the same restaurant without friction.

rhkkmk

smoking is a non issue really....

the oriental show, which is located across the river in a lovely building which they built for this purpose may suit you the best...food is ok but nothing special...

one good restaurant near the oreitnal is the tongue thai restaurant....OP Place is right in back of the hotel and the restaurant is right in back of it....small, good food, quiet...not a smoking problem when we have been there...

lord jim at the oriental has the most fabulous luncheon buffet...

glorialf

Smoking in the high end restaurants is not a problem. One problem with outdoor restaurants is that they do allow smoking including cigars.

Probably the best dinner/dance show is at the Oriental. It's a prix fixe dinner. Not my favorite way to spend an evening -- a little bit of thai dancing goes a long way for me-- but it's something lots of people enjoy. Food is fine but not great. Costumes are very lavish and the setting is lovely.