Bangkok Trip Report (Long but in Chapters)
Oct 30th, 2005, 04:48 AM
#45
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Lyndie -
I bought the restaurant guide in Bangkok at one of the many Asia Books stores (another great store by the way). It doesn't appear on Amazon, making me assume it's sold in Bangkok only.
The same day, ironically, I bought the Lonely Planet Bangkok guide for about 800 baht - which turned out to be completely useless.
The restaurant guide made our trip much more enjoyable and was a great find.
Shade
I bought the restaurant guide in Bangkok at one of the many Asia Books stores (another great store by the way). It doesn't appear on Amazon, making me assume it's sold in Bangkok only.
The same day, ironically, I bought the Lonely Planet Bangkok guide for about 800 baht - which turned out to be completely useless.
The restaurant guide made our trip much more enjoyable and was a great find.
Shade
Oct 30th, 2005, 12:52 PM
#47
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Tks Shade & you too glorialf.
I agree the LP is not that great. We use Timeout's Guide to Bangkok and the Islands. It's been a real help with our Koh Tarutao trip planning. And now my partner wants some clothes made from Jesse & Victor's. I like to keep the shopping money, just for me! Tks again.
I agree the LP is not that great. We use Timeout's Guide to Bangkok and the Islands. It's been a real help with our Koh Tarutao trip planning. And now my partner wants some clothes made from Jesse & Victor's. I like to keep the shopping money, just for me! Tks again.
Oct 30th, 2005, 08:07 PM
#48
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shade---great report...i loved how your organized it...well balanced and almost 100% accurate imo..
bed is on soi 11 not 12
the terrace rest. at the penn imo is their coffee shop....i find it the least interesting of the restaurants there....too bad you did not try the thai al fresco one out near the pool...next time perhaps...
i find the prices at shirroco outrageous for bkk....the service i witnessed there did not appear all that good and i found the bar men at the bar rude and unattentive...imo again...did you eat inside or out...
glad to hear that the food was great...
lastly....i have only been to the sunday brunch at rang mahal...it is fantastic, although we generally do not do bufets...we had a similar thing happen to us two years ago at angenilli at the shangri-la where a couple at the next table were having a fight...it ruined an expensive meal and otherwise perfect meal...c'est la vie....
so did you see huge changes in 5 years??/ good or bad...
i have looked at the marriott and think the pool is the best of the roof tops in bkk and also the rooms are very nice....good place for a family with multiple rooms available for a decent price and a great location imo....i have been told that it may be converted to a marriott city time share???
thanks for the great report!!
bob
bed is on soi 11 not 12
the terrace rest. at the penn imo is their coffee shop....i find it the least interesting of the restaurants there....too bad you did not try the thai al fresco one out near the pool...next time perhaps...
i find the prices at shirroco outrageous for bkk....the service i witnessed there did not appear all that good and i found the bar men at the bar rude and unattentive...imo again...did you eat inside or out...
glad to hear that the food was great...
lastly....i have only been to the sunday brunch at rang mahal...it is fantastic, although we generally do not do bufets...we had a similar thing happen to us two years ago at angenilli at the shangri-la where a couple at the next table were having a fight...it ruined an expensive meal and otherwise perfect meal...c'est la vie....
so did you see huge changes in 5 years??/ good or bad...
i have looked at the marriott and think the pool is the best of the roof tops in bkk and also the rooms are very nice....good place for a family with multiple rooms available for a decent price and a great location imo....i have been told that it may be converted to a marriott city time share???
thanks for the great report!!
bob
Oct 31st, 2005, 12:42 PM
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shade, On my first day to BKK (and 1st trip there) I plan to see Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Grand Palace and if time the Nat'l museum. Which restaurant would you recommend that has aircon in that vicinity? No KFC! and like you I stay away from vendors.
By the way, I have an e ticket with TG on the same flight in Feb. Hope I don't have that pblm.
K
By the way, I have an e ticket with TG on the same flight in Feb. Hope I don't have that pblm.
K
Oct 31st, 2005, 01:04 PM
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Thanks for posting your trip report Shade. I leave for Tokyo in 1 week(4th trip visiting a friend) and then continue to Bangkok. It will be my first time there. I have found these trip reports as well as answers to others inquiries so helpful in planning my trip. Kymm
Oct 31st, 2005, 03:38 PM
#53
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Karen -
I don't know which would be the best restaurant choice in the immediate vicinity. Of note, the Penn and Oriental are a 10-15 minute boatride back up the river and there are great lunch choices up there. Again, we loved the lunch at Sala Rim Naam - a great experience that my wife is still talking about.
Shade
I don't know which would be the best restaurant choice in the immediate vicinity. Of note, the Penn and Oriental are a 10-15 minute boatride back up the river and there are great lunch choices up there. Again, we loved the lunch at Sala Rim Naam - a great experience that my wife is still talking about.
Shade
Nov 1st, 2005, 07:25 AM
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Hi Shade,
Interesting report but I guess you have much more to tell for 3 weeks. A follow up soon ?
May I ask,
what is larb chicken ? and how much did that meal cost ?
How long will the guided tour take for the Grand Palace ?
For the river transport for sightseeing, which company or type of boat will you recommend ? Do you know of any day pass ticket with unlimited rides in a day ?
Do you enjoy Red Eye ? I find it more like a silly slasher flick. I prefer the much more intelliegent Flighplan, have you seen it ?
Interesting report but I guess you have much more to tell for 3 weeks. A follow up soon ?
May I ask,
what is larb chicken ? and how much did that meal cost ?
How long will the guided tour take for the Grand Palace ?
For the river transport for sightseeing, which company or type of boat will you recommend ? Do you know of any day pass ticket with unlimited rides in a day ?
Do you enjoy Red Eye ? I find it more like a silly slasher flick. I prefer the much more intelliegent Flighplan, have you seen it ?
Nov 1st, 2005, 08:36 AM
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What a wonderful report Shade!
My wife and I are visiting Thailand in December and we are finding your report very informative.
I can't wait to visit all the restaurants and site that you have mentioned.
This is a great complement to the advice of Rhkkmk, Glorialf and Simpson 510 etc.
My wife and I are visiting Thailand in December and we are finding your report very informative.
I can't wait to visit all the restaurants and site that you have mentioned.
This is a great complement to the advice of Rhkkmk, Glorialf and Simpson 510 etc.
Nov 1st, 2005, 04:09 PM
#56
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Chinesefan -
Larb chicken is minced chicken and typically fairly spicy - even by Thai standards. You can find it in most U.S. Thai restaurants. KFC simply adopted the concept to fried chicken. It was quite good. It was only $1-$2.
The Grand Palace tour took about an hour or so.
I don't think there is an unlimited ride pass for the boat. You can always hire a private long-tail boat for an hour or longer. I was referring to the public transportation that the Thai people take up and down the river. The cost one way is typically about $0.25. I really enjoy this boat, but it's not for sightseeing per se, though it's doable for sightseeing.
My wife and I really wanted to see Flightplan at the Gold theater but it came out the day we left.
Shade
Larb chicken is minced chicken and typically fairly spicy - even by Thai standards. You can find it in most U.S. Thai restaurants. KFC simply adopted the concept to fried chicken. It was quite good. It was only $1-$2.
The Grand Palace tour took about an hour or so.
I don't think there is an unlimited ride pass for the boat. You can always hire a private long-tail boat for an hour or longer. I was referring to the public transportation that the Thai people take up and down the river. The cost one way is typically about $0.25. I really enjoy this boat, but it's not for sightseeing per se, though it's doable for sightseeing.
My wife and I really wanted to see Flightplan at the Gold theater but it came out the day we left.
Shade
Nov 1st, 2005, 04:59 PM
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Very good info!
Chinesefan, one of my favorite dishes is larb (pronounced lab)salad! As a matter of fact, I just had it today for lunch! It is usually made with chicken but here in Portland, OR. there is a restaurant that makes it with ahi and it is fabulous! I have taught myself how to make it like the restaurant does.
It usually contains fish sauce, lime juice, thai chili peppers, finely sliced shallots or red onions, chopped mint and rice powder. Very easy to make and delicious with cubed quickly seared ahi! Yummy!
I can't wait to eat nothing but thai food for 3 weeks straight in Feb!
Cheers!
Chinesefan, one of my favorite dishes is larb (pronounced lab)salad! As a matter of fact, I just had it today for lunch! It is usually made with chicken but here in Portland, OR. there is a restaurant that makes it with ahi and it is fabulous! I have taught myself how to make it like the restaurant does.
It usually contains fish sauce, lime juice, thai chili peppers, finely sliced shallots or red onions, chopped mint and rice powder. Very easy to make and delicious with cubed quickly seared ahi! Yummy!
I can't wait to eat nothing but thai food for 3 weeks straight in Feb!
Cheers!
Nov 2nd, 2005, 04:45 AM
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eurotraveler- having lived in Portland for 4 long years- I'm sure you will enjoy the sun and heat of BKK rather than the cold dark damp Portland weather. (we had to bail out after 4 years- we missed the sun and warmth too much)
Nov 2nd, 2005, 07:29 AM
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In answer to chinesefan question there is also a special ferry that started in 2003 strictly for tourists. It serves only 12 major piers that provide easy access to important tourist sites such as China Town, the Grand Palace, Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Pho, Khao San Road etc. They use better and more comfortable boats and a one day pass with unlimited stops, cost 75 baht (under $2). The boats run every half hour from 9am to 5pm daily, with tour guides providing information and entertainment (in english and thai). Included with the pass is a bottle of water and a 28-page colour guide book with fold-out map. It starts from the Sathon pier below the (Taksin Bridge skytrain station. More information on this site http://thailandforvisitors.com/centr.../bkk-boat.html
Nov 2nd, 2005, 08:03 AM
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Billt, I was born in Canada, I have lived in 4 states in the USA and traveled through most of them and there is no place I would rather live than in Portland.
It is clean, green and friendly with mountains, desert and the ocean within a couple of hours drive. I love it here, thank you!
It is clean, green and friendly with mountains, desert and the ocean within a couple of hours drive. I love it here, thank you!
