LynnieD

I will be arriving BKK at 9 am and will be taking a taxi to my hotel "Rama Gardens Hotel" (I already know the big downside, it's just for 1 night). They offer freee shuttle service to Downtown.

I plan to check in and then take the shuttle to whereever it goes, hopefully a Skytrain or Subway station, and then travel to a mall. I don't want to buy anything in particular other than a Sim Card, I just want to spend the afternoon in comfort before meeting my group early the next morning to leave for Cambodia.

Which of the many malls would be good just to window shop and get something to eat at? I have no interest whatsoever in high end stores, we have plenty in LA. Maybe crafts or something like that. Just looking to get over jet lag after an 19 hour flight.

Also, what's the best way to get from Chinatown to CHatachuk Weekend Market? I will be at the Grand China Princess.

Thanks,

Lynnie

travelduo

My choice would be to take the skytrain righ to mbk. Its got good eats, cool stores, lots of foot massage places, sim cards, its not high end at all. Some people love it, others have been once and never want to go back. My wife and I love it for the cool cheap stores, and food court.we usually buy lots of useless crap to bring home to people in the US.

MichaelBKK

My guess would be that the Rama Gardens shuttle will take you to Central Plaza & Mo Chit Skytrain station, and not all the way in to town.

Based on what you say, Central Plaza may do for you. Otherwise, I'd recommend you head for MBK, which is unlike any mall in LA, I think (I haven't lived there for 15 years).

From the Grand China Princess, take a tuk-tuk to Hualumpong station and then use the subway to get to Kampangphet station. Use the right exit and you'll come up in one corner of the Chatuchak market.

simpsonc510

Just to add to what MichaelBKK had to say about taking the subway to the Chatuchak market.

I noted on my July subway trip to the market with a dear Thai friend that we did NOT get off at the station that "sounded like" the weekend market. We got off at the NEXT station, and it WAS, indeed, right inside the market! I'm sure Michael has the right station name... just don't be confused by the one that SOUNDS like it might be the market...

You said you wanted a SIMM card on your adventure to a mall. MBK has loads of them. Soooooo many to pick from...

Plus, another thing about MBK is that it is right across the street (catty-corner) from SIAM Discovery and Siam Center mall, which is then adjacent to Siam Paragon mall. They are all with easy walking distance of one another. You might find the Siam centers to be of interest, especially if you go to MBK first. You'll see both ends of the shopping spectrum, sort of... from MBK to Paragon, and Discovery and Center are sort of in between.

The food court in the basement of Siam Paragon is absolutely awesome!

rhkkmk

even though it is somewhat highend, i would head to paragon, or i would stay at rama's pool and just rest...

Kathie

Siam Paragon is the nicest mall. There are a number of food options. On the 4th (?) floor there is a place to eat, The Orangerie, where you order from a menu that hsa preparation by several different well-known Bangkok restaurants (Blue Elephant for Thai, The Cedars for middle eastern, etc). It's a nice atmosphere from the food court.

MichaelBKK

What Simpsonc510 is saying is that you don't use the "Chatuchak Park" station to get to Chatuchak Market. The market is next to the park, but it's a long-ish walk from the park's station to the market, while the Kampangphet station is more or less IN the market.

glorialf

Now Sian Paragon is one mall I actually did like. Any idea if I could go there for a cell phone/sim card rather than MBK?

Kathie

Gloria, I'm sure you could get a SIM there.

AdrianS

The Paragon is comfortable. Lots of food on the basement level food area. Everything from the simple food court to fast food joints to Tony Roma's and a few other places tucked away. A few Starbucks spread throughout. You can get a sim card at any 7-Eleven. There is a DTAC store on the 3rd or 4th floor of Paragon just below the movie theater and bowling alley.

www.BangkokDentistry.com

AdrianS

P.S. While you are at the Paragon, you might consider visiting Pranali Wellness and Spa to help with recovering from the long flight.
;-)
There is a link to their website here at www.bangkokdentistry.com/page9.html

SirHalberd

You probably can get a sim card in one of the hundreds of Seven Eleven Stores all over the place.

MichaelBKK

7-11 sells prepaid refills, but I don't think they sell Sim cards.

Freebirdy07

Yep definately MBK. I had a stop over for a day as well and headed to MBK and found it to be pretty cool. Have a great time!!

JohnFitz

Siam Paragon if you want an excellent food hall and quality goods .The others cannot compare in my view .

simpsonc510

But if you want a uniquely Thai experience, then it has to be MBK. (IMO)

LynnieD

I do want an uniquely Bangkok experience, so MBK it is. I may wander over to the Siam Paragon if I'm not too exhausted, but I think a foot massage, a SIM card, a bite to eat and then the Rama pool for the rest of the day sounds fine.

AdrianS

For future reference, yes, you can get a sim card at any 7-11.

www.BangkokDentistry.com

Kathie

Adrian, no advertising is allowed.

Mango7

MBK, baby