The Krungthep Wing at the Shangri La is also worth serious consideration. This wing is adjacent, but seperate from the main wing, of the Shangri La. Each of the rooms have flower filled balcony's directly overlooking the river.

The Krungthep Wing is adjacent (100 yds) to the monorail station (monorail is at the rear of the hotel), so you should be able to get to the intercontinental quickly.

You shouldn't under estimate what a complete pain it is travelling around in a taxi in Bangkok. Taxi drivers often want to take you anywhere but where you want to go, and you have to agree a fare. Traffic is also bothersome.

I agree with Walter...traffic is a pain in Bangkok...and never underestimate it!So why stay at a hotel which will cause undue stress when you have to commute...in bumper-to-bumper traffic... back and forth to the conference...arriving all sweaty? Stay somewhere central or just stay at the hotel where the conference is...or do as I do...stay in more than one hotel...depending on how many days you have. I always stay in up to five hotels per trip to Bangkok. After the conference, if you still have more days in Bangkok, then switch hotels. Happy Travels!

Guenmai- makes the point! Stay at Intercontinental for the duration of the conference- then move to the river

Guenmai talks a lot of sense. Bangkok swelters and any travelling is hot and sweaty.

The intercontinental in a fine hotel that like most of the 5* hotels in Bangkok will knock your socks off when compaired with hotels in Europe and the States. For what you will pay for a standard, albeit very nice room at the Oriental you will probably be able to negotiate a suite or even club suite at the Intercontinental.

You will find that you will be more than welcome to wander in drink and dine, and soak up the atmosphere at any of the river side hotels.

Guenmai does make a lot of sense - of course except the part about moving every two days- but then again thats part of the witness protection program rules!!!!!

I know people get very attached to their favorite hotels or restuarants, but I really appreciate the various experiences people have at different places. No place is perfect; there will always be someone who has a bad experience at a place someone else loves. It really helps to know what people like or dislike about a place, as we all have differnt tastes.

I think Guenmai's cover as an international spy has been broken.

I really have not found the traffic all that terrible when staying at the Oriental. I try not to use the taxis on the street but either use a hotel car or a car and driver. I've been stuck in traffic a lot longer in New York!

the traffic is heavy and is not governed by the type of car you use?? it largely depends on where and when you have to go...there are ways to avoid some of it...drivers know these ways and also by use of a combo of skytrain/subway and taxi...imo

Gloria, it's interesting but my experience in staying by the river is that I haven't had much trouble in traffic, either. I hear many more complaints about traffic from those who stay away from the river. And even thoug some pooh-pooh it, I find the air better by the river.

Bill and Walter....You two are hilarious! Sorry to disappoint you...but I'm not a spy...Hee...hee..hee..ha..ha..ha..I move around 'cause I find variety to be the spice of life! Take care guys and Happy Travels!

Kathie-- I'm with you. I'd never stay anywhere other than the river and I have very few traffic problems these days. I did in the 80s when I first started going but not too often now.

To...From D.C. You asked Welch about the problem with finding the Jim Thompson house.Well, just get up on the skytrain and get off at the National Stadium stop. There are signs posted in the skytrain station when you get off at National Stadium...just follow them and then it's about a 10-minute walk...or take a taxi...which is really not necessary if you're near a skytrain station.Order Nancy Chandler's map at nancychandler.net...there isn't a clearer map around. Happy Travels!

Ah, Guenmai,here's where we differ. We couldn't find the JT House on Nancy Chandler's map to save our lives. Started in a taxi from the Oriental. After spending 20 minutes at one intersection (and we'd been told traffic was good on Saturday) we saw we were near a skytrain station and got out (National Stadium). I'd forgotten the hotel map and only had Nancy Chandler's. I remembered the concierge had said JT House was at the end of the line- so we went to the wrong "end of the line". Couldn't find anyone who had a clue what we were talking about despite a Jim Thompson ad on the back of the skytrain map. Wandered forever, came back to the station and found some Brits with a better map. Once we realized what we'd done, we rode all the way back where we came, but got off a stop early as my husband thought it looked closer. We dragged our sorry butts to the right street (and stop) only to se a sign saying the House had closed 15 minutes earlier. Had it been a different kind of day I might have laughed. As it was, I cried and we flew to Phuket the next day...

I'll be sure to mark up Nancy Chandler's map when I buy it in Bangkok! Don't want to end up in tears.

Oh, it was a special day!!

Oh, I'm so sorry you missed seeing the Jim Thompson House, It is one of my favorite places in Bangkok. The good news is that there is always next trip... (take a taxi!)

We tried!!!!
20 minutes at one intersection scared us. We had no idea how much further it was or how much longer it might take and the skytrain seemed like a good idea.

just a note on the nancy chandler map...it is not good for getting around...i find that it is good for the general layout of the city in some respects but that is all as a directional aide....its strength is in pointing you to areas of interest...what looks very close on her map is sometimes very distant...and visa versa...remember it is a shopping guide not a road map..

i have not found a really good bkk map in 6 trips...locals often have no idea what you are talking about....they have no interest in jim thompson or any other tourist venue, except something like the grand palace...

example....our taxi driver was asking a thai man how to get to wat arun....we could see it out the window but the man could not tell us how to get there... he didn't seem to understand what the driver was asking...this is not uncommon...they also give wrong directions---reminds me of boston

RHK loll... I dig that litle story on how you could see wat arun but some man could not give derections...

I bet. some off us could not point out where most of the tourist spots in our own home town are... I know I have NO clue or caere where most of my towns sites are and Wwthersfield CT. is cosidered a verry importent histoic colonial town..