good to dump pattaya....there is nothing there!! except sleeze and a few good restaurants and hotels....nothing that bangkok doesn't have 100X more of....

what kind of shopping?? custom clothing might be difficult given time constraints and need for fittings....don't buy from the guys who do quick overnite sew-ups...and bargains...a waste of money...

be specific with us about what kinds of things you are interested in????

have you considered a serviced apartment with 2 bedrooms?? centre point, ascott, adelphi suites?? and many more...cost effective and decent...

I'd like to second Mango7's recommendation about the street food on Soi Convent. There are many stalls, each cooking one dish, which I think is the custom. I've had some of the best food on my trips to Bangkok right there. One of them serves an incredible grilled pork and pineapple dish. It's a 2-minute walk from the Sala Deang Skytrain stop. Go at night when it's somewhat cooler.

I also stayed at a wonderful hotel, Swiss Lodge, right next to the food stalls.

Haha, citywalks. I stayed at the Swiss Lodge last year. Fantastic location and cute little boutique hotel. We often got up at 5 am and wandered out onto the dark streets for breakfast... nomnomnomnom... Also, there is the convenience of BNH hospital, a stone's throw away if anyone gets food poisoning or the intense squirts lol.

Hey Mango7! I'm so glad you like Swiss Lodge. I love staying there, although I always had breakfast in the hotel. Next time, I'll try some places near by like you did. The hotel is a just a fantastic location for taking Sky train as well as places to eat, etc. in the immediate area.

Hi citywalks- Whereabouts is the pork and pineapple dish? Sounds real good.

Yes, that location is very good. A little dirty, but it has a lot of character.

If I remember correctly, it's abour 4 or 5 stalls down from Soi Silom. I think it's next to that Italian restaurant. Anyway, you can't miss it because that's all they cook and it's what everyone is eating. Just sit down at an empty seat and enjoy!

i am smiling from ear to ear with all your wonderful advice. im only skimming through it now but will read it in depth when i get home from work.

pattaya is cut! and is replaced with going to the grand palace in the morning time.

the 2 bedroom serviced apartments sounds good! too bad i already booked the citalines (they have cancelation fees)...but i got it at a great rate..$55 a night?!

and the great restaurant ideas...thank you! im sure to gain some pounds from all the food..and lose some from the dreadful humidity =D

i emailed tong regarding the fishing village tour..no response from her in a couple of days

rhkkmk-regarding shopping, just looking for great knock-offs as well as unique items such as inexpensive clothes, shoes, jewelry, paintings, handbags etc.

oh! anyone know of a fantastic spa/massage/relaxation place?

Thanks citywalk! Will think of you when I'm chowing on the pork n' pineapple.

Sophia- Well-done on nixing Pattaya.. The locals here rave about Face for the spa experience. Never been myself. I've done a massage in the Sofitel Centara..a beautiful place but it was US$100 for both of us (considering you can go to a temple and have one for nearly nothing).

"unique items such as inexpensive clothes, shoes, jewelry, paintings, handbags etc."

Clothes and shoes - are you Thai size? If not, you'll have more trouble finding what you want. They do make larger, longer sizes for farangs, but I don't know that you'd call the inexpensive clothing you find on the streets "unique." There are some young, up and coming Thai designers, but their clothing will not be inexpensive. You will find cheap handbags everywhere. But if you are looking for something nice and unusual, try Jim Thompson. I have a bag I bought there several years ago - I still get comments on it wherever I go.

Much of what you are looking for, you'll find by wandering.

What kind of jewelry are you looking for? Inexpensive silver items or are you looking to buy sapphires or rubies?

There are zillions of spas. And there are even more places you can get traditional Thai massage. The Wat Mango refers to where you can get inexpensive Thai massage is Wat Po. Have you had Thai massage before? It's unlike other types of massage.

For spa, I do like Face. Take a look at www.facebars.com and click on Bangkok. From there go to the spa menu. The treatment rooms are small teak Thai houses - very atmospheric. They have space for 4 people at a time, two for each treatment room. Make a reservation in advance.

Many hotels offer massage and spa, and they will be more expensive than free-standing spas.

Sophia
MBK is a good place for good quality knock-off bags. There are lots of shops selling them on the first and second floors. They are all pretty much small shops, many showing similar items, and the price is always negotiable. Right now the big names in leather knock-offs seem to be Jimmy Choo, Balenciaga, Mulberry, Tods, Prada... to name a few. LV and Chanel are very hard to find! If you ask at some of the stalls, they may have something hidden for you.

You may find some unique clothing items and shoes, but as Kathie says, Western sizes are harder to find. But do look. You'll find an amazing amound of jewelry in Bangkok. Silver is inexpensive. Thai gold jewelry is 22-24kt so "very" gold in color. Makes my 18kt stuff look "cheap"... haha. But 22-24kt is quite soft, so do look for more durable pieces. At MBK you will pay for gold by weight. I think it's the 3rd floor that must have 100 jewelry stores!!

Take along an extra suitcase for bringing home all of your new goodies. I always do!

kathie-quite honestly i dont know what jewelry im looking for! what ever catches my eye i guess..but nothing specific. i tend to buy an excessive amount of everything when im traveling =X

im sure you're right..ill find everything i need just by wandering.

i've never had a thai massage before so im in for a suprise!

Facebar looks amazing but it is more in the expensive side.

a good place for clothes, shoes and other items is platinum fashion mall near to pratunam market....not far from pantip the electronics mega-store...
we like it better than MBK

Platinum is clothes, clothes, clothes, and more clothes (and a few shoes here and there). This is where some of the very newest Thai designers show their "new" stuff. I've seen the girls bring in their newly sewn dresses, tops, etc. and then show them to a waiting group of even younger girls, anxious to see/buy their latest designs. Interesting... Bob, I also enjoy a stroll through Platinum, but I don't buy very much there.

karen has had fantastic luck with cheap shoes..

Kathy-where is this Wat Po where i can get massages?

Wat Po (sometimes spelled Pho), also known as the temple of the Reclining Buddha is a block away from the Grand Palace/Temple of the Emerald Buddha. You have it listed on your itineray as "Wat Pro." Save time at the end of your visit there for a massage.

I've never seen so many cheap, nice women's shoes as I've seen in MBK. TW usually comes home with several pairs.

Btw, you can find grade 1 and 2 faux handbags in soi Patpong of all places!

adding to my itinerary right now

what are your thoughts on the Calypso show?