Some people have obviously never been to Banglamphu, and the riverside on and around Phra Arthit...

I [almost] totally avoid Sukhumvit, Siam, and Silom.

julies - I understand your feelings too.

I didn't dislike Bangkok, exactly but didn't love it. I'd probably give it another chance, though my wife feels she's been enough. As you say, the sprawl didn't appeal and like you, I enjoy a walk to explore. Trying that didn't really feel enjoyable in Bangkok, to me. I don't care for lux hotels or top dining experiences. Character, pleasant.... not TOO much character and some typical street food. That felt somewhat off brief for Bangkok (though the serviced apartment at Centrepoint was very nice). We're definitely not shoppers at home or away.

I loved the river travel and watching the boat traffic. I really enjoyed the amulet market, which felt like seeing something you don't normally do. I'd like to think there are more hidden places like that. And a couple of out of the way temples were cool and shady places to absorb the surroundings for a moment. But just didn't find it that easy to go from one to the other and didn't feel it was easy to come across such places as part of a day's exploration.

Like you, we did enjoy Phnom Penh. Friendly people there also, very gracious.

Thanks for a candid report.

I think if you enlisted the aid of a driver (not a guide ) you might have had a whole different experience. The time , energy saved as well as getting to do and see more makes a world of difference.

Thurs--- CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW???