I'll be in Bangkok for a few days at the end of a 2 week trip through Thailand and Cambodia and I'm looking for some ideas for unusual, interesting things to do.<BR>I've already been to Bangkok a few times, so I've been to the Royal Palace, Wat Po, Chinatown, Patpong night market, etc. Also, I won't be there on the weekend, so the weekend market is out.<BR>Any ideas will be welcome.

Have you taken the day trip to Aytthuya? (I know I've spelled that wrong) You take the boat one way, a bus the other. It's well worth the day. Have you been to Jim Thompson's House? That's something else worth visiting.

Maybe you can visit Thonburi It has Wat Arun Wat Rakang and Santa Cruz church.<BR>

Well, yes I have been to Ayutthaya, twice and it is well worth a trip. I've been to the Jim Thompson house and Wat Arun as well. Not familiar with Wat Rakang or the Santa Cruz Church.<BR>Thanks!

We really enjoyed the Dusit Zoo, and it's a nice way to escape the heat.

What is the Jim Thompson house that I keep reading about on this message board. I will be going to Bangkok and Singapore on July 12 for 2 weeks, and I would also like reccomendations on where to go, and what I should definitely not miss seeing in each city. Thanks

Vimanenk Mansion (included in the admission for the Grand Palace) is well worth the trip. It was formerly the summer home of the royal family. Located within Bangkok itself, it is only a short taxi ride from the city center.

Kristina, how was your trip? Have you been to any places off the beaten tourists' track? I am going there in October and don't want to do the usual touristy things too.

If you like birds and the season is right, thousands of open-billed storks nest at a temple near the city. I can't remember the name, but it is near the Queen's facility for traditional crafts. It was an eerie experience seeing thousands of large birds circling in the sky returning to their trees and working on their nests in the evening. Needless to say, we were the only tourists and our guide thought it a strange place to request to see.<BR><BR>If you want to get out of the city for a couple of days, we have also been to one of the national parks and took hikes to look for wildlife (saw gibbons, huge porcupine, and few others but no tigers or elephants), hikes and drives to see beautiful tropical birds including the hornbill, and drive/hike to watch millions of bats leaving their cave at dusk. You said you wanted the unusual.

may'be just hop on a local bus a go too where ever and walk around the many nighberhoods... get lost, it's fun..

Well, What's about the old town? Start from the Grand Palace, walk towards City Pillar Shrine, and then the Ministry of Defense, then a small roundabout, just turn left there and go straight that direction. You will be in the old neibourhouds, many lovely small shops and small restaurants. Wat Suthat is beautiful and The Giant Swing is just in front of it, and at the City Hall area. Get lost in that area would be nice.