Anything "New" to do in Bangkok During the Daytime?
 

As many of you know, my wife Jeane and I have been to Bangkok several times in the past few years. We have two full days at the end of our trip next month. On one of these days we will visit the "secret" fishing village with one of Tong's people. I think we are all shopped out at this point although we may return to the Benjarong factory and/or the furniture place on the way to the fishing village (we've done the floating market). We have visited all of the major temples (two times to the Grand Palace). We have done the klong tour twice. We have spent time at the MR Kukrit house and the Prasart Museum. I have done a cooking class at Blue Elephant. We are not interested in a bike tour or going to Bumrungrad for dentistry (Jeane's a dentist) or plastic surgery. Jeane may want to visit SJ but other than that, I have nothing planned except for a Fodor's GTG in the evening. I suppose we could take in a movie - we haven't seen and will not likely see "Avatar" before we leave - any recommendations on the best place to see it in 3-D? Any other suggestions for things to do?

Have you been out to Amantee? It's a lovely teak residence/shop located near the old airport and has wonderful Asian (mostly Tibetan) antiques. They also have a restaurant that is supposed to be wonderful (we keep planning to try it, but haven't yet). The setting is beautiful and the antiques are lovely.

www.amantee.com

IMAX, Siam Paragon for 'Avatar'

I have a couple of OTHER suggestions Craig...

lol lol lol.

dogster, are you still in BKK? Ken (kuranosuke) is on his way, if he isn't there already. You should meet him at Maeng's!

Craig, Brad saw that movie at IMAX and enjoyed it. I think he will jump in here with his assessment.

I can spend hours wandering through the catacombs at MBK the crowded stalls at Pratunam Market, or looking at Thai crafts at Amarin (2/3/4 floors) or NariPhan (sp), or just doing people watching from a seat along the glass atrium wall at Haagen Dazs at Central World. I'm easily entertained! haha

Carol

The amulet market north of the Grand Palace is amusing.

I would sign up for a nice spa treatment, hang out by the pool with a good book, and just totally relax on the last day. Get your money's worth from your hotel and use it as a nice way to reflect on your vacation, and smooth the transition back to your 'other' life.

In reality, something else will probably come up.

Avatar at the Imax Theater at Siam Paragon is a great way to spend an afternoon.

Get the V.I.P. seats.

Agree with Dogster that the Krunsgri IMAX at Siam Paragon is your ticket for Avatar. Rising for the national anthemn before the screening will remind you where you are.

Our day at Tong's fishing village was very satisfying, particularly relaxing at the house after lunch.

It doesn't get much press here but I adore the Suan Pakkard Palace. Everyone talks about the Jim Thompson House but this, to me, is equally enchanting. The standard description of "five small teak houses" etc. doesn't begin to do it justice. The Laquer Pavilion is exquisite.

It is convenient to the skytrain and could be slipped into your schedule, allowing plenty of time for lounging at the hotel as Lucy wisely counsels.

The day we visited in August 2008, there were two other people on site the entire time; that was undoubtedly part of the charm. Perhaps many travelers think in terms of the category of "houses" and choose to visit the Jim Thompson House, leaving this less touristed. Or perhaps our experience was a fluke.

I look forward to reading about whatever you decide to do.

Yup Carol, just back today after 8 days in a mystery location.

LeMeridien this time. Verrrry cool. I'm a bit over my down-market digs. This sure ain't that.

www.lemeridienhotelbangkok.com/

Might hit Avatar tomorrow. Sleep now, tho'. Is Brad still here? If he is, he's up darn late - it's 4.55 a.m. right now.

Kathie - Amantee sounds interesting. I'll have Jeane look at the website

marya - forgot to mention that we have been to the Suan Packard Palace and the Teak (Vimanmek) Palace as well.

Carol - we like Nari Phan, esp at it's new location but as I said, as far as Bangkok goes, we are shopped out - however, can you tell me more about Amarin (like where is it?)

Dog - let's keep it PG (do they say that Down Under?)

Dog, Carol, Brad, marya - okay, if I can convince Jeane to see an American movie in a foreign country, it sounds like VIP seats at the Paragon IMAX is (are) the way to go. I would truly get a kick out of standing for the National Anthem.

Gpanda - amulet market probably not worth a special trip?

lcuy - yup, "in reality something else will probably come up" - Jeane doesn't like to sit still for too long anyway...

Craig, Amarin is directly across from the Intercontinental and Holiday Inn Phloenchit. It's a shopping mall... yes, I love my shopping. But Amarin is just a bit different from the others.

The theaters in Bangkok are a real treat, regardless of the movie you are seeing! I love the recliners/booties/blanket and pillow treatment! Now, I don't know if the IMAX goes that far... but the Gold Class Theater at Siam Discovery does, if a "better" movie option would be available there..?

Dog, Brad is back home. He's sitting at his computer about 15 feet from me. We're both "working"... (I use that term loosely) DO stop by and see Maeng, and maybe you can catch up with kuranosuke... you would like him.

Craig, what about riding down the river to the Marriott and looking around, having a tea/beer, then going back to the pier and taking the boat to the Chatrium for another sip of something and a look around? I find it relaxing to ride on the shuttles on the river, and they're free.

You can also head up to Sky Bar (top of State Tower) if you've not been there yet. The view isn't quite the same in the daytime as it is at sunset, when the city lights come on, but it's still an awesome view. One drink... sipped very slowly...

I'm sure you will find something to your liking. Bangkok has sooooooo much to offer.

Carol

doing a klong ride on the klong in back of the jim thompson house...

visit monk bowl alley

The newest movie theatre for 3D and supposedly the best and most advance is the MMAX theatre. There are two of them in Bangkok, same owners or group as the one in the Paragon, but for convenience sake I would go the Paragon. Hope Avatar will still be playing when you get here.

Here's some info for the new MMAX: http://www.majorcineplex.com/esplanade/mmax-theatre.php

Okay, Carol we'll check out the Amarin Plaza - looks like we'll be in that area anyway if we do the movie.

I like the idea of cruising down to the Marriott too.

We've been to Sky Bar a couple of times...

Will keep the Gold Class Theater in mind if MMAX doesn't work out.

Bob - thanks for the reminder about the monk bowls.

With Amantee, this is likely more than we can accomplish in the one day...

What is the latest on your final plans, Craig? The Maoists seem to have sufferend some major shirt in their politics. No strikes threatened.

Dogster, I am aware that the Maoists decided not to strike. However, with all of the other nonsense going on (it's not just the Maoists that seem to be striking), I just don't want to go there right now with the potential hassles. Besides, it's warmer in India and very cold here in the northeastern US.

So, it's 1 night Bangkok, 3 nights Varanasi, 1 night Delhi, 4 nights Udaipur, 3 nights Aurangabad and 3 nights Bangkok. We are meeting up with our Rotary Youth Exchange student and her mother in Delhi as our paths will be crossing there (she will not be in Indore in February). If you are still drifting around Bangkok on February 23 there will be a Fodor's GTG at a place and time to be determined...