Sizzling Bangkok

Well, what is there to say about Bangkok that you haven't heard before? It's an extremely busy city with things happening all the time everywhere, be it night or day. And it's a shoppers paradise for all; everything you need they have it, and even things you don't need! There's food galore, and of course, the flesh market, for the men that is, if you catch my drift. If you have time to spare like I did,venture out to Pattaya or better still Krabi or Trang for scuba exploration.About 2 hours rive will get you to Pattaya.However Pattaya was quite a dissapointment,water was not clear and like Phuket the beach is no longer a beauty.There are other islands to spend your day at but nothing quite worth to see.Krabi and Trang are really beautiful and can is accessible from Bangkok by bus or plane whichever suits your budget better.Or engage from a local guide to book your travel to these places if you're not into roughing it out.

Quick Tips:

Always ensure that your money is kept well hidden, as pickpockets the norm in Bangkok, especially on Sundays. I met a couple of woman who had had their bags slashed, but luckily, their money was attached to a chain because they were regular travellers of Bangkok. If you take a taxi, take metered ones or it could cause you the hassle of arguing with the drivers at the end. Just check that the meters are on when you get in.

Best Way To Get Around:

Some places are meant for the feet to be able to see more. Taxis are mostly reliable and cheap, especially in comparisan to the trains. However, trains cost more, and they do avoid traffic which can be quite a hazard to the heart. To help you whiz in and out of traffic, there's always the tuk-tuk, but of late they cost quite a bit, about the same as taking a taxi. In the many times I've been there, I haven't been brave enough to get on the public buses or water taxis.

Simple yet decent accomodation, located in a very convenient area just minutes away from the train station. Pratunam and Siam Square are within walking distance. If you're not fussy about being glamourous, this hotel should be sufficient.

This is supposed to be a 5 star hotel, but I didn't see any evidence of that. It felt more like a 3 star hotel; the rooms were not that big, but they were presentable. It's located directly opposite the World Trade Centre and beside Gaysorn Plaza. It's not quite worth the money, but if you book through your travel agent you get a better deal.

This is definitely a 5 star hotel which is linked to MBK. It has a huge lobby and a very nice reception. I was lucky to have gotten the apartment wing, which has a kitchenette, a living room, and 2 bedrooms with bathrooms attached. It was very convenient, but during my stay the staff were not very polite, especially the reception manager, who got in an argument with me. I'm not sure if that has changed, but nevertheless, it's a very classy-looking hotel.

This is the tallest hotel in Thailand. The lobby is located on the 19 floor. The rooms are spacious and so are the bathrooms (which are set on high floors). For breakfast, head to the 79th floor if you can stomach it. But the set back is that since it is such a huge hotel, the service is rather poor, with an impatient and grumpy staff, probably from the continuos flow of guests.

The name itself gets your attention immediately. Located slightly on the inside of the road, it's not that easy to find so be sure to get the address right. But once you get there, you won't be dissapointed; it has a nice ambiance and quite a large dining area. And to add on to that, they serve wonderful Thai food that is simply delicious. Try the fried fish with thai sauce and shrimp. Basically, it's all good; give it a try and let your senses tell you.

Although I can't remember the name of this place, it's located across from Amari Watergate and it's the last restaurant before it hits the road. They only serve seafood. Highly recommended is the crab fried rice, which actually has real crab meat in the dish; as far as I know that usually never happens because it's always replaced with crab stick. Even the fried noodles are to-die-for, and another must-have is the crab, either cooked with chilli or pepper. Just talking about it is making my mouth water. The area is simple but clean and the price is definitely reasonable. It's best to go for dinner when the sun is down because the restaurant is not airconditoned, with just huge fans surrounding it.

Walk towards the end of Pratunam. Right at the base of Baiyoke Sky there is a row of motels with Indian restaurants, and the one in the middle serves scrumptious Indian food. The tandoori is the juiciest and the most tender I've ever tasted. The naans are also soft, but don't be greedy because servings can be quite large for 2 people. So don't order extra till you have seen what you ordered. It's a small place but draws quite a crowd; if you get turned off by the place because the only thing good is the food, have yours packed and enjoy it in the comfort of your room.

For the tight of budget, MBK foodcourt is the way to go. My personal favorite is the beef noodle facing the dessert stall on the right-hand corner. For a bowl, it costs US1.30, and even with a drink and maybe a dessert it would not be more then US2.00; a steal! And there are so many choices that you won't know where to start. Just indulge yourself!!

Chatuchak is accessible by train; it's at the last stop, Mo Chit. It opens only during weeknds from 7am-6pm. Be prepared when you get here and wear light clothing because the heat can become unbearable in the enclosed area of close to 9000 shops. Yes you heard me, 9000! Everything and anything you want you can get here. Food, clothes, plants and even animals can easily be purchased from Chatuchak. Most of the shops are wholesalers, so bargaining can be a bit difficult unless you purchase in bulk. Throughout Bangkok,this is the best- priced place; everything is cheap.

The market is segragated into clothing areas, household items, candles and incense, food, animals, plants, and lots more for easier shopping. Lots of beautiful things can be found which would make great gifts when you get home. However, be sure not to get lost because it's so big a place that it's hard to go back to where you came from. If you like something, it's best to purchase it on the spot because chances are you won't be able to find your way around if you want to return. And if you're doing lots of shopping, bring big bags, or better still, luggage, to avoid lugging numerous plastics bags around which can become quite a handful after a while. And if you're setting up a business,most of the shops have name cards that will be of help in the near future. Most importantly,drink lots of water to avoid dehydration.

Patpong is famous for its flesh market, and I mean that literally. There are scantily clad women everywhere, not to mention the transvestites. Every single bar in Patpong is meant for the sexually hungry. Being a woman myself, I wasn't impressed by this exploitation, but that's their way of earning money. But if you have no appetite for such meat, there's the night market set right in between the bars that starts and ends late.

This market mostly features men's stuff, but there is an abundance of fake branded products, like Gucci handbags, some of which actually look convincing. But remember to bargain because they tend to set a higher price in Patpong and the vendors can a bit arrogant. But don't be fooled. Be firm and you'll probably get your item at the price you want. Just like the rest of Bangkok,this place is open nightly.

As we continue the shopping bit, highly recommended for women would be Pratunam, which has rows of wholesale clothings in arrays of colours,designs and fashions. The designs change quickly and prices are wholesale; go with friends so you can split the cost. Start early to avoid the extreme heat and crowds, as well as the continuous flow of traffic in the cramped street. Across the road from Pratunam and Amari Watergate hotel, you will find a few tailors that can have your outfits completed in 24hours including a fitting before the final touches. I had a Thai silk outfit done for US45, material and tailoring inclusive. And the end result....spectacular.

Not too far away is Siam Square, which is an area surrounded by malls. There is an MBK, World Trade Centre, Gaysorn Plaza, and the list goes on. MBK is always crowded but a good place to browse and buy, and they have a fantastic food court on the 6th floor. Here the prices are fixed, and hardly any bargaining goes on.But the prices are still reasonable even though it's a mall. And there are lots of dining area so rest assured you won't go hungry.