You may remember me from last year when we went to Thailand for the very first time and had to leave Ko Samui because it wouldn't stop raining and then we had some various problems with the Oriental in Bangkok!

Anyway, we are returning to Thailand! We leave London on the 13th Dec and go to Phuket first to the Banyan Tree, then to Khao Lak to Le Meridien and then back to Bangkok only this time staying at the Peninsula!

Throughout the year I've been making copious notes from this forum and now have some queries of my own which I hope someone can help me with.

Royal Thai Handicraft Centre - where is this? I've looked on their website and it says Dusit, Bangkok - where is Dusit area? Could we get there by skytrain etc rather than taxi?

Last year, we did buy some really nice souvenirs etc from Narayana Phand, but the teak carvings and things at the Royal Thai Centre look like something we'd really like to bring home.

Thank you.

The Royal Thai Handicraft Center is out by the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, about 1-1/2 hours outside of Bangkok. Unless they have an outlet in Bangkok, there is no way you get there by skytrain. It is worth the trip, especially if you are into that sort of thing.

Thanks for that quick reply! We want to avoid going anywhere by taxi if possible! Perhaps we'll have a rethink of our plans!

Here is their website, as Craig says they are in Ratchaburi out towards Damnoen Saduak Floating market, you'll need a driver to get there.

http://www.royalthairtc.com/index.html

Aloha!

Aloha!

The website I've been looking at is

www.carvedteak.com

Are they separate companies or one and the same with 2 branches?

Andy:

I don't think they are related and prices seem a little inflated compared to what I have seen at the factory in Ratchaburi.

I don't have my bkk map with me cause I'm at work but address seems to be right in the heart of town. Someone will advise if you can get there by skytrain, I would think so, just a matter of how close. Why don't you email them for details on how to get there.

Aloha!

oops posted too soon

Whichever one you go to bargain fiercly. You get them to drop the price 30 to 40 percent, maybe more but I'm not that good

shipping if needed should always be incl in the price. They do have some beautiful and unique pieces there.

Have Fun!

Thanks for that. I've just emailed them.

I'm not very good at bargaining, but if we get there I will try!

a

there are a number of places in bangkok that sell carved furniture...several i have seen along sukhumvit road....i think that i got their names from the treasurers and pleasurers of thailand by ron krannich...

they suggest:
peters furn.--157/6 mahadlek 2 rajadamri rd, right behind the 4 seasons hotel, tel 252-5236
pong sin woodwork co, 109 suthisan tel: 693-6222

gerson Z& co, 21 off soi chaisamarn, soi 4, sukhumvit rd

they list a few more...

I am looking at the two websites and the companies do not appear to be related.

The Dusit area (Rama V) is not really close to anything. The closest skytrain stop is Victory Monument but you would still have to take a taxi to Rama V. Interesting that Nancy Chandler does not mention it at all.

It's coming back to me now! I think it's up near Vimanmek! Victory Monument is where we got off and we walked to Vimanmek - I nearly collapsed from heatstroke when we got there though!

rhkkmk - thank you, I've made a note of those addresses and will check out those places first I think.

rhkkmk - I also have a question to ask about the "Tongue Thai" Restaurant - do you need to reserve a table or can you just turn up?

We might have had a reservation at Tongue Thai when we ate there last February but did not need one. At 7:30 PM it was about 1/2 full.

We just showed up at Tongue Thai (with fellow Fodorites, Susan and David) - at about 7, also in February. We were the only ones there and got royal treatment.

We fiound the place a BIG disappointment 5 years ago ands again this April. It is over-priced and teak in colder climates becomes brittle and cracks if you like any of their beautifly wall pieces. Plus there shipping costs seemed inflated. We shopped in BK and found better prices but chose not to purchase anything anyway.

ok i now want to agree with stan--i didn't want to say anything negetive before---its not worth a trip way out there.....we did not like the royal thai handicrafts at all, except the furniture was interesting to look at and to see the carving going on out back...

tongue thai does not require a reservation at least any time we have been there....

are you going to chiang mai?? there are several furniture makers on the long shopping street..

try the cashew chicken at tongue thai....the best we have had in thailand and the fried (fried in a wok, not deep fried) morning glories, also the best we have had...

Thank you for all the replies.

I had an email from Royal Thai saying that they'd send a car for us from our hotel. But we're going to try the other places suggested first before going there.

We aren't going to Chiang Mai unfortunately, it's next on our list of places to go!

Tongue Thai is top of the list for restaurants at the moment, we didn't make it there last year unfortunately. Does it do Pomelo salad that I keep reading about?

Thanks

Great screen name. One of the best.

Tongue Thai is very good. One of the very few instances in which I was able to convince Bob. You will not need a reservation.

not sure about the salad...