althom1122

First, thanks to everyone who has helped us (mother/daughter) so far with our plans for our February trip! We've got nearly everything nailed down. Now I'm starting to think about specifics. We have a total of nearly 6 days in Bangkok, four at the beginning, 2 at the end (flight departs at 1720 on the last day). Here's what I'm thinking (we're staying at Centre Point Silom) -
Day 1 (Tuesday, 7 Feb) - Sleep in if we can (arrival 11:20 the night before). Cotton House to get measured for clothes. Skytrain to Jim Thompson's (lunch there), then Suan Pakkard. Late afternoon nap, dip in pool. Dinner at Cabbages and Condoms.
Day 2 - Catch boat to Grand Palace / Emerald Buddha, National Museum, Wat Po (massage). Dinner at Harmonique.
Day 3 - Hire driver for floating market. Afternoon Golden Buddha and Chinatown wandering. Dinner - Crepes and Co.
Day 4 - Marble wat (early for monks if we can get up!), then Vimanmek Teak Mansion (be there for 10:30 dancing). Afternoon shopping or relaxing. Dinner - Bed.
Day 5 - (at end of trip) Klong tour, Wat Arun, royal barges. Back to Cotton House for fitting. Dinner - Tongue Thai or Lemongrass. Cabaret Calypso lady-boy show.
Day 6 - (Saturday) Chatuchak market. Pick up clothes at Cotton House. Leave for airport mid-afternoon.
Questions: Are we missing any key sites? Is the grouping of sites logical? Would you rearrange the days? I'm thinking about getting a driver only for the floating market day. If we want to combine the floating market with something else in Bangkok that's not easy to get to, what would you recommend? Chinatown seemed most logical to me. Any other thoughts? Am I overdoing it?
Thanks,
Karen (49 going on 12 - extremely energetic) and Julie (24 going on 35 - much more laid back) - but both of whom like to shop!

simpsonc510

Your trip sounds good to me. I'm a bit older than you (60 on Nov 7) but I would try to keep up with your pace!! Just remember that the heat and humidity will play a roll in BKK, but you are going at a nice time of the year, weatherwise, for BKK.

I'm glad you plan to include the Bed Supper Club one night. It's my fave..

I didn't see Face in your list? (or are you saving that for NEXT time???)

Carol

althom1122

Yes, I saw Face recommended here on Fodor's (I've done my homework!). But I got the impression from their website that the food is very hot and spicy, and I'm not sure my Western palate is up for it. Can anyone comment on that? And of what's on my list, what would you all recommend replacing it with? We are not into fancy places. Enjoy interesting ambience (which is why Bed Supper Club is on the list - I don't see how we can possibly skip it!). Do we need reservations well in advance? As in, should I book them now for February?

althom1122

Or is it Tongue Thai where the food is very spicy?

stitchintime

I requested not spicy at Tongue Thai and it was perfect!

glorialf

I'd say it looks very good. You may need another fitting at Cotton House but that can be done at the end of the day. I'd probably skip the weekend market on your last day.

Kathie

Your plan looks good. Any adjustments are just a matter of personal preferences.

I find I'm always awake early, so if you are like me, getting to the Marble temple early to see the monks will be easy. Also, try to be at the Grand Palace when it opens.

Personally, I'm not a fan of either the floating market or the weekend market. I find better shopping in town, and I find getting to either of those places to be "time wasters" for me. If it were me, the day you've planned to go to the floeating market, I'd get to Chinatown early and go to the Golden Buddha when it opens.

By the way, I've found that any restaurant will make food more or less spicy as per your instructions.

simpsonc510

I do not like the spicy hot dishes either, and found that I could eat very well at Face. Ask for "my pet" and it won't be too hot, or "pet nit noy" if you want it a little bit hot. But "pet nit noy" can sometimes be hotter than you might expect. The Thais can eat food that would feel like hot coals on a westerner's tongue.

Instead of the weekend market, you might want to try to get to Suanlum Night Bazaar instead. It's nicer to shop in the evening, and the stalls there are much easier to wander and not get lost!!

I also note that you don't have an evening visit to Sky Bar (top of State Tower) on your agenda. The view from 64 floors up is awesome!!! Unless you are afraid of heights, I'd add this place to one of your evenings if at all possible.

Carol

Spygirl

I would skip Jatujat market altogether-hot, crowded, few bargains, out of the way- in favor of the far more fun Suan Lum Night Bazaar at Lumphini subway stop, which is open every day. (If you're into Nancy Chandler maps, she has one for this place, see www.nancychandler.net/suanlum.asp).

There's lots going on there-outdoor cafes, music, shopping-it's a real social gathering, and a lot of fun. I got a lovely hand-carved wooden Buddha there last year for a pretty good price.

glorialf

I'm not a fan of any of the markets in Bangkok for shopping. I do love the flower market especially at night. If you can't go at night (after dinner would be a good time -- say at 11PM) you could go in the morning as part of your klong trip. I find much better quality in stores in Bangkok or in Chiang Mai.

I do enjoy the floating market as an experience (not shopping) but again you should be there by 8AM and leave by 11.

althom1122

Great suggestions! Yes, I think we'd enjoy the night market (and we're doing the one in Chiang Mai, as well) more than the Saturday one.
The Sky Bar sounds great - yes, I love the idea of the view. We'll check that out one night after dinner.
As for the flower market, I had seen other posts mention it being more active at night - which strikes me as odd. I'd think morning would be more active. But if we can fit it in at night, we'll do so. Otherwise, morning with the klongs will be fine.
And lastly, I'm starting to think Face sounds like a winner. We're not big on Indian food, though, so would do the Thai one. We have just five nights so which TWO of these to eliminate?

Cabbages and Condoms
Harmonique
Crepes and Co
Bed Supper (we're keeping this!)
Thai Tongue
Lemongrass
Face

For us, food is important but we want atmosphere also - not an elegant atmosphere necessarily, but someplace different and memorable. In fact, we tend to prefer casual. What time do people tend to eat dinner? And how far in advance do we need reservations? Can we wait til we get there?
How late is the night market open?

And lastly, does anyone know if Centre Point Shilom has a regular concierge or place to book drivers or help us get taxis like a regular hotel? (I may post this separately if no one looking at this tread happens to be familiar with Centre Point.)
Thanks so much. I can't believe we're doing this!
Karen/Julie

glorialf

Karen- The flower market is definitely more active at night. By about 1000%. It seemed odd to me as well but that's because we assume everyone does things the way we do and they don't. This is a wholesale market and this is when the flowers are brought in and sold to go to the early morning general markets and to the hotels etc.

As for restaurants, based on your interests I would definitely keep Cabbages and Condoms for its unique (and admirable) atmosphere and Bed Supper Club. I was underwhlemed by harmonique.I like lemongrass and face sounds great especially for the Indian food. I also think you are making a mistake by not spending one night having dinner on the river. I would pick the Oriental Buffet or Verandah. Food is very good and atmosphere is very casual. And you're on the river which is incredible. The buffet is around $25 and has all different cuisines including things like lamb chops,lobsters etc. All is pretty much made on the spot so there is no concern about food spolage. The Verandah is their coffee shop and is indoor or outdorr. It's ala carte with a wide variety of food. You can easily eat for &10-15. Eating on the river is one of the most magical experiences in bangkok. I wouldn't miss it. So if I were you I would do Bed, Oriental buffet or Verandah, Cabbages and Condoms, Face and Lemongrass. You will have the uniqueness of Bed, a river experience, the atmosphere of condoms, what looks like a gorgeous Face and Indian food and an old thai house in lemongrass. All very different and all meet your criteria.

hobbes

Center Point Silom has a concierge. If you really like to shop you are not allowing yourself enough time to do so...Bangkok is shopper's paradise!

glorialf

In terms of logistics you can easily have a drink at the sky bar and then go to dinner on the river at the oriental or to harmonique or tongue thai. Then if you want -- after dinner you could listen to great jazz at the bamboo bar at the Oriental which begins at around 9:30 or 10.

glorialf

If you want to cut something out in order to shop more I would cut out Suan Pakkard and/or National Museum depending on your interests. You absolutely MUST go to the Jim Thompson store. The area around Cotton House has some wonderful small stores if you prefer that to the big mall shopping. And don't forget you can also shop in Chiang Mai.

chinesefan

Hi,

Since you are going to the floating market, can consider going to the River Kwai bridge at Kanchanaburi too.
Many organised tour did it together.

althom1122

Again, great suggestions. A few more things - what time would we need to be at Marble Wat to see the monks? I had thought about maybe cutting Suan Pakkard - it doesn't interest me as much as some of the other things and since you mentioned it specifically, Gloria, it's probably on the chopping block (yes, I do want a little more shopping time and don't want to feel like we're rushed in our sight-seeing - my daughter will thank you!). Chinesefan - I considered River Kwai, but think I'd rather have that afternoon in Bangkok. But I just can't cut the floating market. I know it's touristy and I hear you (Kathie!) that it's not your cup of tea, but I can't imagine going to Asia and not seeing one! Oh, and no one responded on the question about what time people usually eat dinner and also whether I can wait til arrival to make reservations for restaurants.

hobbes

Yes, you can wait until you reach to make reservations tho BED you may want to book. Last order is usually 9;45-10ish as most restaurants close 11ish. Now that u have more time to shop advise what u want and in what budget and we'll advise. I second what Gloria says about JimT - the store at the Jim t House is touristy and the one to visit for the in depth shopping is there main one on Suriwong Road.

althom1122

Our shopping desires...
silk scarves (inexpensive, as gifts for friends), beaded or woven handbags, crafts (wooden boxes, carved statues, other?), art (prints), jewelry (esp. silver, not precious stones), and clothing. Other gift ideas? Not so much into DVDs, fake watches, and the like. We're not big spenders, but just love to browse interesting shops.

hobbes

Good u have the Night Bazaar on your agenda - it has interesting stuff. For silver most of us like the shops around the Oriental Hotel, well combined with Cotton House - Lins is a fav, others are also good. Narai Phand is worth a dekko - IMO so is Central Chitlom, both their Thai handicrafts floor as well as clothes. Can do both the same day quite easily as walkways connect them most of the way. If you like the Jim T stuff you may want to consider a trip to the Jim T outlet - it is at Sukhumvit Soi 93, the sky train to On Nut (the last station) then a taxi can get you there in about 30-40 mins one way. Compared to all my other recos it is far and IMO only worth it if you like Jim T stuff and intend to stock up i.e. do a lot of shopping there. I also like browsing the Gaysorn shopping mall home floor though wares are a tad expensive.