By now you have probably left for BKK but want to have a shot at
this cut & paste anyway.
I stayed in Chinatown earlier this year and sorry to say was a bit
disappointed and moved back to Sukhumvit. Not to say that you
won’t love it there of course.
3 best things I found : My first happy ending massage at hotel we stayed at.
: Buying gold and gems. Soft gold (25/26 carat ?) higher
Than we get in Australia anyway was cheap. Just look for shop with most people
In it - will be best price for that day. Gems a bit harder because most shops were
Wholesale only. If they won’t sell just go back a bit later and see a different sales
Lady - worked for us.
: Chinatown is great for public transport - would recommend
Picking up tourist map from hotel (free) which shows all u/g train, skytain and
River ferry stops.
Buses - didn’t use
Undergroung train station - didn’t use myself but bloke from hotel did to get
To Sukhumvit at night - said was good.
Sky train (via river ferry) - Used it every day - was fantastic - there are 3
Different lines so have to change platforms at some stops ( like at Flinders st)
And we found most economical was 100bht day ticket.
River ferries - a great way to see BKK. Tha Ratchawong is the stop in Chinatown.
Take ferry heading right for Grand Palace,Wat Pho,Kao Lak Rd etc. Take ferry
Heading left for Silom,high tea at famous hotels and Skytrain stop.
Check timetable on pier. 3 different river ferries marked by different coloured
Flag flying at stern. Only thing to be careful with is one is an express ( blue
Colour as I recall) not stopping all stops. Cost 15,20or 30 bht depending
Which coloured flag. Always buy ticket from conductor on board - NEVER
From kiosks on pier .Also beware that last ferry is around 1900hrs.
And if you jump on the ferry that just goes across river - don’t get mad - we’ve
All done it.
Restaurants - Very disappointing, especially Yum Cha which is my favourite.
Tried hotel expensive plus café cheap but neither a patch on Yum Cha in Melb.
- Ended up eating great Thai food in Chinatown.
Nightlife - Nothing there that I found , admittedly was not looking too hard.
However did walk a long way looking at street market still saw
Nothing and as I said young bloke took himself off to Sukhumvit at night.
Trips - Grand Palace good . Remember to wear long pants,long sleeve shirt
And socks ( respect for king) or you won’t get in. Also closes for around 1-1½
Hours around midday. Beware of the touts around here. Wouldn’t advise
Hopping into tuk-tuk with them or believing their stories (e.g. Palace closed
Today but I show you better one) On the other hand could make a great story
For this forum.And if anyone from an old hag to a young child thrusts bird
Seed into your hand - you have to pay.
Wat Pho - just up the road from palace is a couple of acres of temples and one
Dirty big buddha - impressive. Also here you can get a traditional
Massage. Hurts like all fcuk but body feels good once the torture over.
Chatuchak Weekend Market - take sky train to Mor Chit - is a huge
Market - great place to buy everything you want cheap and in the one
Place. We got some good Thai silk here inexpensive. Best to go early
Before too hot .
Bridge on River Kwai - Didn’t go this trip but will definitely go next time.
Didn’t realise could do as 1 day or ½ day trip. To pay our respects .
We’ve been to Dachau in Germany and although this camp had no ovens
And more Russian than Jewish inmates (of which I am neither) it was
just such a moving experience. Both wife and I feel we need to go. Of
Course may be different for us as both sets of parents fought in WW11.
Aussie Bar- just because I want to give Rob (owner) a plug. Diagonally
Opposite Eden club. Any info you want can get from ex-pats here.
Not just Aussies - more Brit ex-pats actually frequent bar. Can get a
Fosters and Rob puts on free BBQ every night from around 5.30.
Great spare ribs.
Have a good trip
God I hope this works - if so - thanks Diz
P.S. Almost forgot I did a lot of research on
http://www.thaivisa.com/forum which is an excellent
forum. For questions rated PG to M.( not X) you will surely
get an answer.