Hello,

Hubby and I will be leaving the kids with the parents and taking off for a week. We plan to go to Bangkok, however, cant decide between Malaysia and Singapore. Can you all help me out? We like shopping, love eating local food, and sightseeing. It will be for 3-4days.

Any advice would be tremendously appreciated,

D.

Let's see if I understand the question: you have a total of one week, you'll spend a few days in bangkok and then want to know whether to go to Singapore or Mayalsia? Where are you flying from (how bad will the jetlag be?)

With just a week, I'd recommend basing yourself in Bangkok and taking a day trip or two outside of the city. Bangkok is a huge city with lots to see and do. If you really aren't a "city person" then you'd be better off spending a few days elsewhere in Thailand after your days in Bangkok.

Do a search on this board and you'll find weeks worth of recommendations of things to do in Bangkok and outside of Bangkok.

Have been to both and it's DEFINITELY Singapore as far as I'm concerned.I vacation in Singapore regularly. As for food, Indochine Restaurant on Club Street is a must for lunch or dinner, but make a reservation if it's for dinner. I like to eat at the Club Street location for lunch.It's has very Southeast Asia decor and the menu is a total Southeast Asian mix. For dessert try the sticky rice and mango which is the best I've had at any restaurant in Southeast Asia.There is also an Indochine restaurant...open for dinner...next to the Asian Civilization Museum which is a must-visit museum. The Sri Mariamman Hindu Temple is right around the corner from the Club Street location and the area around the temple is great for a stroll....that's another reason for doing lunch at the Club Street location.There are also several interior design stores on Club Street that are really nice. Happy Travels!

Speaking of the Indo Chine Restaurant.We were there in June and had one of our worst meals,ever.The food was virtually cold and the service not much better - the plates were virtually thrown on your table.
For a good meal, try Patara Resaurant or for something cheap and cheerful try Nooch in City Place.

Guess, depends on what kind of shopping, eating and sightseeing you want to do.

Shopping
Bangkok offers "cheaper" shopping (though mostly for duplicate branded goods). Singapore may give you a better selection for branded electronics and other goods. Malaysia is somewhat in between.

Food
Thai food is fabulous and it is one my great favourites. You would love the Thai food, including the street food because it is always made from fresh ingradients...provided your tastebuds can handle extreme "spicy and sour" types. If you are into learning new cusine, there are many good Cooking Schools all over Thailand that offer 1/2-day to multiple days courses. But if you simply want to sample wider selection of South Asian +other type of Asian and non-Asian food, try S'pore or even M'sia. Both will offer a greater variety in terms of different types of cusines. In Singapore the choices and hygene are arguably better but M'sia is decidedly less costly.

Sighseeing
Again, depends on what you mean by sightseeing. I agree with Kathie, that Thailand has a lot to offer and of so many different variety. Extra 3-4 days around Bangkok can give you plenty of choices: history, culture, religion, mountains, beaches/islands...whatever your preference, you can find many places and not far from Bangkok. On the other hand, in Singapore you can easily spend 3-4 days. This tiny island/city/ country gives you an interesting cocktail of Asian culture (Chinese, Malay, Indian influences) blended into a western style developed economy setting that most vistors find very comforting and assuring. Malaysia can be equally fun but it is more spreadout like Thailand. Kaula Lumpur (KL) is not worth 3-4 days in my view but there are places like Genting and Malacca, not far from KL that could be worth visiting for a day trip. Genting is a small hill station near KL, better known for its casino and entertainment resorts. Malacca offers a little bit of history and lots of good food.

There are a few budget airlines that can help you hop between these countries provided you are game enough for the cattle treatment and lucky enough to actually buy a bargain price air ticket.

In nutshell, depending what you really like and want to do, spending extra 3-4 days around Bangkok, or in M'sia or even S'pore could be equally fun. If you can be more specific about your interest, I would be happy to provide more specific suggestions.

Cheers,
-S

Guys and Gals:

Thailand/Malaysia and Singapore are all different and they all have their own attractions and mystique.

Lets take Kuala Lumpur or KL. This city is good for at least 3 day. Visit to the King's Palace, the Batik Factory, the rubber plantation, Embassy Row where you can see all the colonial mansions built during the colonial days, this include the Railway Station whose roof was built to withstand snow storms. The river mount itself in the heart of the city, taker a look at the contruction, quaint Moorish architecture amongst Victorian clock Towers of the Elizabethan era amongst the local flavors of shop houses with red light district doors. Yes, in the olden days these special door ways are signs of houses of delight for the colonials. Fast forward, a visit the the Agricultural Park is a must. See how rice, mushrooms and all other kinds of indogenous food and spices are now being enhanced with the latest technology. This is the former Forest Research Institute established by the American Govt. An hour's drive from KL is the national Park jointly developed by the Selangor State Government and Malayan Nature Society.

Seek a cheap bargain at the night bazaar of Chinatown, enroute a drive pass stately Moorish buildings, modern highrise and streets beautifully illuminated befitting its name as Garden City of Lights. Whilst the night away with a sumptious Malay dinner and be entertained w ith cultural dances.

Another choice restaurant is the KL Tower with its revolving rest. Cost is only 48.00 localmalaysian ringgit per person buffet. 5 hours away by car is the Taman Negara national Park where Club Med has a facility.
This is just the sightseeing available in KL. There are more.

Lets talk about culture-they have Chinese, Indians, Malay, Eurasians and lastly the Babas and Nonyas. One of the Chinese emperors to facilitate the Chinese expansion to the Far East gave his daughter away tobe married to one member of the Royal Family in the sultanate of Malacca. Hence the lineage of Chinese and true Malay culture merging into the Babas and Nonyas where this in this culture men wear sarongs like the women alike ! Special restaurants serving this kind of food, which by the way is kosher as certified by the Jewish Rabbi, yes, they also have Jewish synagogues allover Malaysia!
called Bon Ton. There are several of these kinds of rest in and around the hotel row.

Talk about local food courts, there is one right behind Mandarin Oriental with 3 stories of local cuisine all set in clean and nice surroundings. Again all kosher. Shangri La - hundreds of rest local and american up and down the street. Same for the Regent and the Ritz. Mariott is of coursae in the middle of all these. Need I go on ?

Singapore, yes, it is clean, yes, it is new, in fact everything is new as Singapore was part of malaysia. Malaysia is also home to the Flying Dutchman ! Anybody knows what the flying dutchman is ? The jungles in Malaysia are the few in Asia which was never frozen. Hence that is why no earthquakes in Malaysia. Not to forget, the first episode of Survivor - Yep it was shot in Malaysia, in fact in the State of Borneo, Yep 3/4 of the island state belongs to malaysia.

Anybody need more info on Malaysia, I will be glad to assist.

Cheers

Joechan,
My wife and I are looking to travel to either KL or Singapore next year and spend a week in either.
In your opinion and based on shopping,sightseeing and eating out what is the best choice.