Bangkok

Pad Mc · #1 13-03-2007, 22:13

Anyone ever stay there?

I did a bit of walking around Charon Krung Rd on my last trip… I thought it was an interesting area of the city with a mad buzz to it… These kinds of places appeal to me anyway. I also liked its general location, close to the river and not too far from Siam Sq etc. I will be trying to book the majestic suites for the first pass through BKK but since I will be probably passing through a few times on my up-coming trip, I intend to stay somewhere different for a night or two one of the times. Just wondering if anyone has any opinions on Chinatown?

LivinLOS · #2 14-03-2007, 08:58

No but do report...

I always want to explore more but just get stuck in the same zones.. china town would be really high on my list.

steve w · #3 14-03-2007, 18:19

i,ve stayed at the chinatown princess for 2 nights,right slap in the middle of chinatown/little india .very interesting area,not many bars,loads of good eats.
the main fresh market is an eye opener,not recommended for the squeamish or vegetarians! Bangkok Thailand Hotels: Grand China Princess Bangkok Official Site, Chinatown Luxury Hotel in Bangkok

Pad Mc · #4 14-03-2007, 19:00

Cheers for the link... Looks classy, but it may be a bit over my budget. Asiarooms are quoting it @ 2200bt a night... I would be thinking more around the 1000bt mark (or less)... I will probably check out some cheaper backpacker style guesthouse for a night or two. Somewhere older with that kind of authentic feel to it... From what I see Chinatown is full of these type of places.

I know that in any Chinatown there is an awful lot that goes on behind closed doors and in wee back rooms.

I will post and report on progress...

marc26 · #5 14-03-2007, 21:46

i went to Chinatown on my 1st visit and really didnt see too much that impressed me
the people are not as nice as most other places in BKK and there is just so many gold shops to look at

that being said, i was a complete newbie-so my opinion may be different now
i would liek to go to chinatown and try that bird's nest soup

Denver · #6 15-03-2007, 05:35

Interesting article on National Geo earlier today about the 'StarBucks' Coffee place in the Forbidden City in Beijing (Is it?) The Chinese want it shut down as they think it doesn't fit in with the 'image' of the 500+ year old Ding/Ping/Ching Dynasty of the place.

Starbucks are holding thier ground (No pun intended or implied! 55555) Saying that if they were to leave the Forbidden City (They have been there about 5/6 years now and have no 'in-your-face advertising) then it would be similar to asking the US to close down all the 'China-towns' that are established in the US.

Neon · #7 15-03-2007, 22:41

I love the food there but to be totally honest I dont think I would ever stay there, I agree with marc26 about the people

ub2yoo · #8 15-03-2007, 22:47

I went to China Town in BKK only once a couple of years ago.

It was very hot(!) that day and I was shocked by the smell in the streets, I mean I can handle quite some smells but that was really too much. At the point when I saw a pig head laying in the sun in front of a open shop windows that was when decided it was time to leave.

I usually like Chinatowns in major cities, but I happily skip the one in BKK.
Might have been a one-off bad experience and I should go back, but will make sure it will be somewhere low season.

nelsonone · #9 16-03-2007, 10:25

I really like the markets...the spice market and the flower market in particular

no matter what city I visit I always check out the markets....great for people watching and interraction

Pad Mc · #10 16-03-2007, 21:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by nelsonone

no matter what city I visit I always check out the markets....great for people watching and interraction

Same as that.

I spent a half a day wandering round Chatuchak market last time. Great craic. I got chatting and interacting with lots of the vendors and locals. There was a cool wee stall selling all sorts of Jazz CD's and T-shirts... The guy that ran it was cool as... He really knew his music and was also studying English in some BKK university. I chatted and hung around there for about 45 mins. He was a genuinely friendly and interesting head.... I bought a CD of a Thai Jazz band.... Comical, but listenable 55. There was some weird stuff for sale all over the market! Everything from Snakes to Cement mixers!

I remember everyone in the crowd stopped dead and went completely silent at exactly 6pm... I was thinking WTF? It was only then that I copped the national anthem being played... Good stuff.

aussie dollar · #11 17-03-2007, 02:00

Stayed at the grand princess couple years ago,can get better acc at that price but was o/k.
its position was great,but in saying that the area of chinatown is not that interesting and can be a traffic nightmare to get in and out of at night(worse than elsewhere in BKK).
does smell like the old BKK from years ago,street markets on weekend worth having a look at but not to buy.
Saw Guns in this area,not selling them but on people on the street only place in LOS I have seen this.

mega45 · #12 19-03-2007, 12:50

in chinatown at the moment.. staying at chinatown hotel 950 baht a night includes breakfast, air con,tv etc. its right in amongst the china area but a bit grubby and tired.. also the first morning had breakfast and a rat joined us for breakfast causing a load of commotion.... the food choice in chinatown is massive and there is a load of gold shops which is probably why my t/g asked to stay in this area. but moving to patpong for another two nights before heading back to phuket. china town an area to explore,shop and eat but not really party.