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-   -   My 6 day Bangkok itinerary.Any thoughts? (https://www.fodors.com/community/asia/my-6-day-bangkok-itinerary-any-thoughts-556964/)

shanek Sep 7th, 2005 05:03 PM

My 6 day Bangkok itinerary.Any thoughts?
 
After countless hours of research,I have put together a rough plan of the Bangkok leg of our Oct trip to Thailand and I would appreciate any comments you may have.I am travelling with my wife(we are mid/late 30s)and our 2 boys (4 and 6)and we have booked 6 nights in a junior suite at the Marriott Resort and Spa(thanks Bob).
Monday 10/10; Arrive in Bkk at 8.30 am.Taxi to Marriott.Spend afternoon lazing around pool(might even sneak out for a massage).In the early evening,catch the Marriott boat/skytrain to MBK for a quick shop and dinner at the food court.Back for a relatively early night.
Tuesday 11/10;Gorge ourselves on the Marriott breakfast and then work it off by playing with the kids around the pool while Kerry gets her hair or feet or legs done.Organise a Klong tour for the afternoon that takes in Wat Arun etc.In the evening,Boat and train to Suan Lum night market for dinner a few changs and a shop.Drop the family back and sneak out for another passive yoga session.
Wed 12/10; Early rise and take the boat to Grand Palace and Wat Pho.(Organise for 2 of their girls to come back to the hotel later that evening for a massage)Cruise back to the hotel in the early afternoon for some R and R around the pool and maybe organise a dinner cruise which includes some Thai dancing on a family friendly boat.Back to the hotel to meet the massage girls.
Thurs 13/10;Take a half day tour to the floating market and then spend the afternoon at the pool.In the evening either re-visit MBK or Suan Lum or off to Central Chidlom to sample the wares at the Loft food court.
Friday 14/10;Take the kids to Safari World or the Bangkok Zoo.(Has any-one been to either?)Spend the evening at leisure or if the kids still feel energetic,venture back to Suan Lum and take in the puppet show at the Joe Louis Theatre.
Sat 15/10;Very early breakfast and then take the train to the weekend market for some people watching and a final shop.Afternoon around the pool with kids while Kerry has some leisure time and then myself and Joel(6yo) may go off to the kick boxing.
Sun 16/10;If we feel up to it we may get up early and go and explore Lumphini park and then head back for Breakfast and a mid-day Taxi to the airport for another 14 days of fun, food,and pampering at the Kata Beach Resort.Meeting up with the In-laws here on there first trip out of Australia so it should be an intersting time.
I have stuctured this Itinerary around the kids and based around not using the hotels baby sitting service.If we comfortable doing so when we get there we may venture out to the Bed Supper Club and the Sky Bar.They both sound like places that would not be too kid friendly and I have also ruled out Jim Thompsons House and a few of the museums for the same reason.This will be my 9th trip to Thailand but my first extended stay in Bkk and I dare say we will be back a few more times to cover some of the places that we have missed.

KimJapan Sep 7th, 2005 05:09 PM

I think you've got a great outline put together. You have wisely included a lot of pool time for the kids. From Australia, jetlag shouldn't be an issue at all. I wouldn't change a thing...other than to encourage flexability within your itinerary, but I'm sure you already know that.

Kathie Sep 7th, 2005 05:44 PM

One recommendation: I use my mornings and late afternoons for touring. I find the afternoons hot and therefore perfect for spa and lazing activities. So you might prefer to have your klong tour in the morning.

rhkkmk Sep 7th, 2005 07:49 PM

looks like a great plan, with lots of holes to make changes if you desire...i do not know of a boat that has dancing on it but there may be one...i would not waste my money and instead would enjoy a good restaurant with the kids...the food is quite expensive at marriott and only fair...

the family restaurant (thai) out front in the mall on the left on 1st level is good and cheap and lots of kids in there

simpsonc510 Sep 8th, 2005 05:53 AM

Bob,
there is a boat with dancing. It docks at River City. The food is not bad, the dancing is interesting (one or two dancers at a time, not a stage full) but I would not necessarily call the boat "kid friendly." I did not see kids on there the night we went. That doesn't mean they are not welcome.
Carol

Gpanda Sep 8th, 2005 07:51 AM

Shanek-There must be a mistake. This is a rational plan and does not provide any major faults that we busybody posters can criticize. I can only hope that this is not the start of a trend. Perhaps you committed the cardinal sin of reading past posts BEFORE you planned your itinerary. That would be a distubing occurrence. You could make amends by requesting a copy of Lynn's Trip Report.

shanek Sep 9th, 2005 12:08 AM

Thank you all for your thoughts and recommendations.Gpanda,I will make sure to request Lynn's trip report and I might try and fit a 16 temple tour in on the way to the airport after requesting the bed supper club to open up early for brunch !!!!
I am counting down the days(30 more sleeps)and before long will be counting down the hours.Maybe next year we will fit 2 trips in as 12 months seems to drag on too long.I'm sure the bathroom renovation cant wait until 2007.

r_shum Sep 9th, 2005 06:47 AM

A few comments:

I found MBK is not a good shopping mall. It sells more local/low end stuff. Maybe go to Siam Centre/Siam Discovery Centre for interesting stuff.

Central Chidlom is much bigger department store with lots of wares.


Gpanda Sep 9th, 2005 10:17 AM

Siam Discovery does have more interesting stuff. Central Chitlom is an interesting Dept. store with the best food court I've ever seen. Confess, you've already asked Lynn for her report.

shanek Sep 9th, 2005 04:29 PM

Hi Gpanda,you've got me.Not only have I requested several copies of Lynn's report I also bid on Ebay for the original microcassette notes of her trip,surely the "holy grail" of trip report junkies!!!!
Just a quick question on MBK shopping.r_shum mentions that it is mostly local and low end wares.I think that is exactly what we are after.Is it the best place for reasonable copies of deisel jeans and trendy footware?If so,what price can I expect to pay?Last year in Samui street markets the going rate for trendy jeans were about 800baht and between 400-900 for ok quality shoes that have all lasted the 12 months since we returned.Also quite partial to camel clothing.Is there an outlet of AZ designs at MBK?

rhkkmk Sep 9th, 2005 06:42 PM

mbk is a good place to shop...the other places mentioned above are all good places but there are not bargains to be had and the stuff is the same merchandise you can buy at home in places like macy's or marks and spencers or your standard shops at home---the only difference is that it may be more expensive in thailand...

mbk has tons of stuff....most of the clothing like all clothing in thailand may be too small for a western frame however...shoes yes and in many shops including the nite market...flip flops galore at 199 and 299 B....all fancy and decorated...some more expensive at 550B....

custom clothing is a good buy in bkk...

jack at the marriott is good for this--monet il sarto out in the mini mall---both men and women...

clothing at nite market as well...


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