Bob
Am 33 BF is 44....
See now you are entering a WHOLE other load of lovey places for me to ponder.
Actually was thinking about a dim sum lunch on day 2, is Liu anywhere near China town? because if it is we will certainly give it a go (thinking of going over to CT after some of the temples!!) have you been? is it worth the time or should i just skip over to the shops (which is what i really love but am restraining myself....)
Jane

jane---we have ridden through CT a couple of times and have visited some markets on the back side of it, but never really explored it...others may have good comments for you...

liu rest. is in the conrad hotel which is set back on wireless rd across from the american embassy....a lovely area really...not a huge distance from CT but not all that close either...taxi would probably be the best way....

the dim sum is the best we have ever had....so unusual...36 items to choose from from a written menu....all you can eat, plus a hot and sour soup or sharks fin (extra charge for sharks fin)....excellent service...please go you will love it...

there are no carts like in other dim sum...they just bring the things to you as you order them...the soup comes in the middle of the meal...the room is lovely and very asian looking...usually we are the only westerners there....the hotel is lovely also...

Bob anything else of interest on wireless road? that way we could head over to Liu for lunch and then have a mooch around.
Five weeks tmwr and i am off SO excited

Jane

there is some great shopping in that general area: gaysorn plaza, peninsula plaza, shops at the former hyatt hotel, four seasons hotel shops, earwan (sp) shrine..while they are not on wireless they are in that general area...central chitlom...prannum market is not far...patnip for electronics...former world trade center...thai craft shop across the street from WTC

btw...the doorman will stop the local bus for you which for free will take you to the skytrain---just ask...it comes by quite often...

oh and your embassy is right there two....taking up about 1/4 of the city...rule brittania

Bob will certainly try to check out the restuarant and area sounds really good..
LOL about our embassey taking up about 1/4 of the city... it comes from being a tiny country, always trying to keep up with you guys...(LOL)
Jane
Ps if you think of anything else that may be of interest let me know (primarily like shopping for one off or unusual things and seeing part of local life... OH and eating GREAT food of course)

now shopping-- we really know about...let me know exactly the things you are interested in as either of us will probably have some ideas...you might also buy our favorite shopping book by ron krannich....available on amazon new and used: "the treasurers and pleasurers of thailand and myanmar"....upscale hotels and restaurants are listed and tons of shopping info...well worth the money...we are on our 3rd edition...

the jim thompson outlet on soi 93, sukhumvit rd is well worth the trip...take skytrain to the end at "on nut" station...take a taxi to soi 93---not far but we found it too far to walk in the heat...shop is on the left side of the road down about 1/4 mile or less...look for brown sign....4 or 5 story building....3rd floor has the general mdse...the rest is fabric which are terrific buys...savings of up to 90%..the door man will get you a taxi when you want to leave...

also visit the jim thompson main store...good place for lunch...an experience in itself...wonderful mdse...much nicer than the small shops in the hotels around town...

mbk is ok but takes a lot of time to go through....you should at least do a quick walkthrough...do it while visiting the jim thompson house which is nearby...skytrain to national stadium and follow signs overhead for proper exit to JT house....while walking in the same direction that the train was going you want to keep going that way and way to the right...

pratanum market is very interesting....it is near to amari watergate hotel....nice buys on certain things like beaded bags...bargain hard....1/3 the asking price is normal...clothing will be too small for most westerners...good stuff for kids however very cheap....

we find that the department stores like robinsons and central have very nice things but usually they cost more than the discount stores at home...mostly name brand stuff: gap, levi's, etc....some household things are cheap however....everything with a brand name on the street is a fake...

you might look at the thai craft org. web-site for their periodic sales in the ambassoador hotel on soi 11, sukhumvit...we do our best buying there....saturdays from 10-2...be there at 9:30...i will look up their site for you and post it seperately...i forget when you are going....also the jim thompson warehouse sales are fantastic...3 sundays in december...huge savings and much more to choose from than at the outlet....

street market stuff is ok...you will see it is really inferrior when you get it home, but it is cheap...

another really good place for one stop thai shopping is narayana phang ...it is on rajadamri in back of the gaysorn plaza which is on plenochit...it is opposite the former world trade center...2 floors plus the basement of great buys, especially in the basement...crafts, cloth, linens, trinkets, thai stuff...etc...all fakes in basement....
also the suan lum nite market is fabulous for tourist shopping....lots of stuff easy to look at in a decent location and at nite when it is a little cooler....6-10PM is the best...corner of wireless rd and rama IV rd....subway right in front on rama IV...you can connect from subway at two points to the skytrain....asoke is the best place and easiest...have to pay twice however...subway station is nicely air conditioned---very welcome...
weekend market is too difficult and hot to waste your time at, imo...

thia craft org....the website is:

www.thaicraft.org

click on up coming sale schedule or some similar listing

thai....don't type fast and play with 4 year old grandson at same time...

Bob
You REALLY do know your shopping. I am going to cut and paste the above and take it with me, will also check out the website as it is thai crafts art/furniture we are looking for. Am thinking of maybe buying a Spirit house probably a wooden one for indoors so not too big... ( and then maybe buyimg the odd bit of something sparkly for me!!!!)
I LOVE JT silk and have been to JT house (Sadly tours had finished for the day) so we ate in the cafe (my first EVER phad Thai and still the best) so the JT shop is defo on my list.
I have noticed you mention the treasures and pleasures book before but i can't seem to get it in the UK and am worried it wont arrive in time if i order it from the US... but you know i may just give it a go...

I guess i am looking for that certain something to remind me of my trip to Thailand (last year i bought the most FAbulous buddha carving back from Singapore weighed 15 kilos alone and i managed to check it with my other luggage (which weighed 30k's!!!) good old SIA!!) The BF wants a suit made but am concerned we really wont have the time..arrive BK Sunday late afternoon stay 2 nights (fit in the sightseeing the next day) leave Tues morn and then arrive back Sat late morn leave mid morning next day, what do you think? do-able??

Bob just want to reiterate my many thanks for all the fantastic advice you give it really is a massive help...
Enjoy you day with your grandchild... its 9.30pm here in the uk and the weather has been lousy all day and is making me wish i was in BK all the more...
Regards
Jane

Jane-- for a "treasure" but not necessarily a bargain check out the stores in Oriental Place which is right behind the Oriental Hotel. Very beautiful items and a very peaceful shopping experience. You won't get a bargain by thai standards but you won't get ripped off either and you may find items you don't see elsewhere.

Gloria

That sounds like somewhere the BF would appreciate too, will check it out B4 we leave for CM, perfect...

With the time difference Fodors has been off ALL DAY in the UK, i was starting to get withdrawal symptoms....

Jane

jane---fodors has been acting odd for two weeks, so don't take it personally...

if you went right to a tailor upon arrival and had two more fittings before you left in two days and then went back at the end of the week you should be fine...

for womens try cotton house in oriental place

for mens monet il sarto at the marriott on the river in the mini mall on the 2nd level...

with northwest airlines they never question us about weight when leaving bkk...so just barge through with your bags...
jane i expect you to ask questions right up until the time you close your front door on your way to heathrow or gatwick or wherever...

we love to answer questions... but we prefer to do it when we get payback----a trip report after you return home...it helps us and all the other people reading here...

Bob
I will definately do a trip report when i get back and you are right, i will probably be on the free internet at Heathrow with the BF saying "not on Fodors again"!!!!

Will give him the recommendations i have received from here (shopping, tours, restuarants , bars) that should keep him busy on the flight for a couple of hours... where i will amuse myself with Bangkok 8.. have you read it? if so is it any good? (sorry these threads of mine are starting to develop in to a "Jane asks Bob/Gloria session!!)
Got to run
Jane
X

Yes-- Bangkok 8 is a good read and also has some interesting insights into buddhism and thai culture.

i read bkk 8 last month and karen has just finished it...so many of the places are places we are familiar with in bkk...i am now reading bkk tattoo the 2005 book he has done....you will love it for the plane....too much sex for BF to read however!!! haha

Thanksguys will get both books
Its not the sex that i think would put the BF off,its the constant hasseling from the "pinp pong brigade" which hewouldnt appreciate... and remeber i am planning for a return vist so want him to have THE best opinion of BKK (ah the whiley ways of a woman....)mind you he always thinks he has a choice re holidays but somehow it always seems to be my turn to choose!!!!!!!(LOL)

More questions to follow am sure....
Janex

drop the poor guy off in nana or patpong for a couple of hours to do research on the books before he reads them...well, actually he should go to soi cowboy which is central to both books....its at soi 23, sukhumvit....hopefully you will be on soi 23 as it has tons of great restaurants and lots of shopping...ask any shop for their local shopping map for the area...great ice cream shop on the right about 1/2 way down the street....

i have not mentioned one store to you and thinking of soi 23 remended me of it...its name is rasi sayan....it has been on soi 23 for years but recently moved to soi 33....i do not know the address...it is simply the best gift shop in bkk....loads of hand made things: silk, wood ware, pottery, clothing (limited),ratan ---everything in the shop you will want to buy...their phone number was 258-4195..it may or may not be the same after the move...make sure you go there...it is not cheap but everything is the best quality

Hey Bob
Maybe i should drop him of in Soi Cowboy go off and do some shopping and see how happy he is when i get back.... (i could leave him in one of those bars LOL) (probably backfire and i would have to drag him out of there.....)
Can't seem to get a reply from Face emailed them friday re a reservation!
Do you think it would be cheeky to email the Oriental and ask them too?
Jane

PS added the shop to my list
Thanks again will let you know all the lovely things i buy when i get back

may have to make sure the BF doesn't pack to much.......