Bob, Gloria,and Kathie, I read your reviews on the Bkk locations, My wife and I are vegetarians although we do eat fish. Any specific suggestions or can you ask at any of the r you mentioned? My wife doesn't like her food too spicy do they honor that request in most places? Much thanks to all of you for your wealth of knowledge. We will be in Bkk for 5 nights at the end of our trip and we will be looking to get some gifts for children and grandchildren where would our best bet be to accomplish that? We are not talking about any serious expenditure on each one but not cheap cheap either. Thanks to you for your continued help.

the restaurants will honor lower spice levels usually...have your hotel write this request out in thai for you and present it each time to the server...this will help...

most every restaurant will have some veggie options...they eat loads of veggie stuff...

i think there are a couple of strict veg. rest. as well...let me look in my book...nothing listed seperately...

you should not have a problem

Bob, Thanks for your quick response. I will follow your advise and have our hotel write that out. Also thank you for your money advise Should I take some travelers checks in addition to the credit card, atm card ? Please let me know the best place you would go for the shopping I posted. Thanks Bob

i would take a few checks as a back-up...take more than one card...atm are all over...i use the bank of ayutthai machines (bright yellow in color) because they do not charge a service charge, unlike some other machines..

you will find tons of stuff for the kids all around...how old are they...in the markets and shops..lots of wooden stuff...great T-shirts...make sure to measure the kids before you leave as the sizes are all crazy in thailand...never believe a tag size...try it on...measure it...

no special place for stuff...the nite market on wireless rd is a good one stop place for variety...go at nite between 6 and 10...can eat there as well...nice evening out...subway is right in front of it and you can connect to skytrain at two places...asoke is the best connection...

My partner is veg and never had a problem in Bkk. Even if they do not have too many veg items they will help you out eg if you point to a dish and ask them to make it without meat they will do so. Also, as fish eaters you should not have any problems. For your gifts go to the main Jim Thompson shop at Suriwong Road they have lovely adults and kids clothes (tshirts, silks shirts, sarongs) and knick knacks. You could also check out Central Chitlom. Both are reasonable places to shop.