First Time Bangkok Questions
 

Hi all: I'm planning my first trip to Thailand for this summer and I have some questions about Bangkok. What is appropriate dress for men? I'm actually quite concerned about the heat. Therefore, are shorts and t-shirt appropriate during the day while seeing the sights? I want to be culturally sensitive. Also, where can I get a traditional Thai massage? I don't need a fancy hotel spa.

Thanks very much.

i usually wear chinos and a polo or camp style shirt, all cotton....i wear sandals with a heal strap and sometimes socks..

i think you will feel out of place with shorts and a T shirt...you will see people wearing these but to make the transition from wat to hotel for lunch or a nice restaurant you might prefer to wear something slightly more like i suggest above..

i do not feel one bit more hot in long pants as long as they are cotton..

massages are everywhere....

many love the spa at face restaurant on soi 39 sukhumvit rd....res suggested...

above the gallery cafe near the sheraton orchid some have had wonderful massages as well...

the best way to mediate the heat is to escape to a taxi for a long ride after having visited an outside place...or go to a store or restaurant for a break...or a trip on the skytrain which is always cool...

we find that taking taxis from place to place works best for us...be forewarned however that getting a cooperative taxi driver in a tourist area is difficult: grand palace area, nana area, some of the wats, river city shopping area....
they always want to overcharge you or not use the meter...just say no and go to the next taxi...
we sometimes walk one street away from a tourist area and there find a taxi..

also the very best way to get a cooperative taxi is to go to a hotel and have the doorman call one for you

You will be more comfortable in long light pants in the city. Shorts are considered resort wear. You will not be allowed into teh Grand Palace?Emerald Buddha complex in shorts. A light t shirt is fine, just no tank tops.

There are zillions of places that offer traditional Thai massage. You can have a massage at Wat Po (which is the massage school) or can have a Wat Po masseuse come to your hotel room to provide a massage. Very inexpensive.

Regarding clothing, I always wear light long pants and an Ex Officio Baja Shirt. You will sweat no matter what you wear, but these seem to be most comfortable.

Massages are my favorite. We've had very good massages by calling the Wat Pho Massage School (get the phone number of the web. Try google.com. You may have to E-mail them, but they will respond with a phone number). They will send one or two people to your hotel room. This allows for maximum comfort and minimal time disturbance. I get many each time I'm there.

Thanks for all the suggestions.