Bangkok advice
 

Hello
My husband and I are travelling to Thailand at the end of March. It will be our fourth visit to Thailand and we are really looking forward to it!!

We would love some advice for places to visit in Bangkok. In the past we have visited Wat Po (would love to have a massage this time), The Grand Palace, Damnoen Saduak floating market and the tiger temple. We have hired a guide in the past, but we thought we'd 'go it alone' this time.

We'd also love to hear any recommendations on restaurants in Bangkok. We love Cabbages and Condoms, and prefer less formal places.

Thanks
Debbie

A few suggestions for your consideration:

The Prasart Museum - This is a gem! A private collector opens his estate by appointment only. You'll need a driver to get you there and back, as it's on the outskirts of Bangkok and difficult to find. Photos at www.marlandc.com Click on 2005 Bangkok photos

I'm assuming you've been to the Jim Thompson House, (if not, GO!) but have you been to the Suan Pakkard Palace? It's a lovely house museum with the famed Laquer Pavillion.

Visiting Wat Ben in the early morning to see (and perhaps participate) in merit-making.

I always like to visit a few off-the-tourist-track wats each trip. There are hundreds in the city, and once you get past the few everyone visits, you'll likely be the only westerner there.

If you haven't been to the Erawan Shrine, do visit. It's a favorite of mine, and I always make offerings there.

Restaurants (do you have Bob's list?) some of my favorites: Lana Thai at Face, Chote Chitr (almost impossible to find, but amazing), Harmonique (if you can tolerate the terrible service)

the former prime minister's house not far from sathron rd is very interesting...it is on the nancy chandler map....open sat and sun only

Bob, did you get there last trip? We haven't been yet, but I expect we'll go this year.

Kathie, It's funny that you mention the service at Harmonique. We actually had fairly fast and attentive service but it definitely wasn't done with a smile! The crab curry makes it worth it!

A very cheap & interesting trip is to take a local water ferry for 20 baht(best to get on at Sathorn Bridge stop to ensure a seat)up to Nonthaburi (last stop). It takes about an hour and is great to see life along the river. When you arrive at Nonthaburi there are lots of markets lining the streets including a very interesting 'wet' market. We visited last week and spent an enjoyable couple of hours exploring the place.

Anna's Cafe on silom soi 1 is pretty nice too.

Euro, I've been going to Harmonique since a couple of months after it opened. The service has always been slow (glacial, some would say), but this year I've heard people complain that the staff are surly. Interesting, I've not heard that before. And you experience was that you had service, but no smile. Bob has a theory that one of the owners (the old man) has died, so things have changed. I never interacted with him, but usuallly talked with the older Chinese woman who makes the steamed bread.

we saw no difference in the service this year at all, except maybe it was a bit quicker.....they are very busy and always short of help....quite simply they serve excellent food at a reasonable price.....its a place to go for supper, not to "dine at", if you get my jist...

it remains at the top of my list

Hi Debbie

Try this place
http://www.somboonseafood.com/index_en.html
Have the crab curry!

Kathie's idea to go make merit is a good one. I also like to go to the temple where they cremate unclaimed bodies and buy coffins. They cost $12. A visit and donation to one of the orphanages can also be enlightening. Can give details if any of that appeals.

Sorry I'll miss you by a couple of weeks!

Lori

Try a Klong tour through Thonburi. Easy to arrange at a Tha (pier). If you're active, a bicycle tour is fun. Search this forum for websites.

This year we booked Tong, a guide, and she arranged a day for four of us that was amazing and very different. Merit-making, a visit to a seaside village, feeding monkeys from a boat, eating lunch in the bay and then a visit/donation to an orphanage. It was a long day, but wonderful. You can read about it on my trip report or that of RhkKmk.