What to do in Bangkok

[katoeylover]

Hi Guys,

Just wondering what we all do during daylight hours in Bangkok.

I guess for me it centres around eating, shopping and relaxing, but now i am wondering if there are things, cultural, sightseeing etc, that we all should do.

Outside of Bangkok, in Pattaya and Phuket, I guess you have the beach and pools to relax by, so lets have some ideas please!!

[olekunde]

lolitas (soi 8) opens 11am ...

[stogie bear]

I wank!

[stogie bear]

Bangkok has a lot to offer us horny sexpat tourists when we can't sleep during the day, mate! With some of the best hotels in the world at the some of the best prices, there has never been a better time to explore this place during the day. It one of the most advanced cities in Asia and the Thai people have still managed to retain a lot of their beautiful culture and hospitality.

The names you have heard such as the land of Angels, the land of smiles are all true, and you can expect to have a great time when you are here. There is a lot to do when you are in Bangkok and depending how much time you have while you are there it is important to prioritise, and a little planning will help you to make the most of your time there so scroll down and see what grabs your interest.

Spas: Thailand has some of the best spas in the world. Ever type of massage, and treatment is available at some of the best prices you will find anywhere.

Golf: For golf enthusiasts this place could quite easily be described as a golfers paradise, with so many golf courses to choose from at some of the best rates in the world.

Grand Palace: Is an absolute MUST, as it is an outstanding architectural achievement, that also houses the infamous Emerald Buddha, which is the most revered Buddha image in Thailand. I suggest that you go early in the morning to avoid the major crowds, it will still be busy but getting there around 9 am or 10 am will give you a little more space. (Do not wear shorts when you visit, and if you bring the ladyboy from the night before I recommend that she does not wear sandals, skirts and suggest that she also wears a long sleeved blouse or something.

You will need to keep half the day if not more open to see everything and you will definitely need your camera with a lot of extra memory and batteries.

To get there, you can either take a taxi, or the Sky train to National Stadium stop and then a taxi from there, on the way back I recommend that you take one of the many taxi boats.

The Grand Palace officially opens 8.30 am and closes 3.30pm. Admission fee costs 200 Baht (I think) and includes a ticket to the Vimanmek Royal mansion. It may be advisable to rent a Personal Audio Guide that will only cost 100 Baht for two hours, and comes in English, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Japanese and Mandarin.

Snake Farm: Officially called the Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute, is definitely worth a visit and the memory will linger for while after you have returned home.

The snake farm is one of the largest producers of anti-venom Serum in Asia, and before going on to the show, they will explain to you how Serum is made, the difference between snakes and some other useful tips, such as what to do if you are faced by one!

After the school lesson you are led outside, shown around the different snake pits and then to a stand where they will show you a snake show which includes feeding and other entertaining tricks.

If you a bit queasy around snakes sit at the back of the small stand. The snake farm can be found on Rama IV, opposite the Suriawongse Road, and not far from the Pan Pacific Hotel.

The closest Sky train stop is Sala Daeng. The shows begin at 11am and 2.30 pm on weekdays and 11 am on holidays, admission is around 70 Baht.

Crocodile Farm: Is 30 kilometres away from Bangkok and about 1 kilometer from my house, and you can pretty much devote a whole day to it with transport etc included.

It is very close to the Rose Garden so you might as well do them both at the same time. It is an enormous place with over 60,000 fresh and seawater crocodiles to see. They have feeding where you can buy chicken to throw to the crocs, and they also have a show every hour, where a brave or perhaps crazy guy puts his head inside the crocs head etc.

If you do not have much time in Bangkok missing this will not be a serious mistake and something that you can always catch on another visit.

Admission is 300 Baht for adults and 200 Baht for children. The farm opens from 7 am to 6pm. The farm also houses other creatures such as snakes, gibbons, lions, and trained elephants.

They even have a small dinosaur museum, where life size dinosaurs and their skeltons are on display.

Floating Market: The infamous market that many articles on Bangkok, cover with pictures of Thais selling there fresh produce on boats.

The market is some 80 Kilometres outside of Bangkok. You can take an organised tour, or take a bus from the Southern Bus Terminal.

Everyday, hundreds of vendors boats crowd the market area early morning until around noon. You will be able to travel around in boat and see a little of what Thai village life is like. Although do remember that this is now a very famous excursion so it will not be your normal Thai village. It is best to get there early.

National Museum: This museum (which is within walking distance from the Grand Palace) is one of the largest in Southeast Asia. The museum was once used as a palace and consists of several old yet beautiful buildings of colour.

The museum also houses many artifacts found from all parts of the country ranging from Neolithic times, Sukhothai, Ayutthaya to the modern Bangkok period.

Admission is 40 Baht per person, and the museum is open everyday except Mondays, Tuesdays and annual holidays, from 9 am to 4 pm.

National Gallery Museum: Opposite the National Museum mentioned above, on Chao Fa Road, and exhibits traditional and contemporary works of art created by Thai artists. Opening times are the same as above, and the admission fee is 30 Baht.

Wha Mahathat: This is an old temple which was built during the reign of King Rama I. It is located on Na Phrathat Road near Thammasat University. The temple houses the Mahachulalongkorn Buddhist University, which is one of the two highest seats of Buddhist learning in Thailand.

Foreigners can take advantage of the meditation classes that are offered.

The temple opens from 9am to 5 pm daily.

Wat Pho: Neighbouring the Grand Palace the Wat Pho is found along Thai Wang Road and houses the very impressive gigantic gold plated reclining Buddha which is some 46 metres long and 15 metres high!

Its soles are inlaid with mother of pole!

Admission is 20 Baht and is open from 9 am to 5 pm.

Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun): This is on the other side of the Chao Phraya river. You can take a boat from the Tha Tien Pier near Wat Pho or by Arun Amarin Road.

The temple is best known for its 79 metre high porcelain encrusted Pagoda that sparkles magnificently in the sun.

Wat Ratchanatdaram: This temple was built during the reign of King Rama III, in 1846 and is found along Mahachai Road.

Loha Prasat is the temples main attraction, and stands 36 metres high with 37 surrounding spires, it is the only one of its kind in the world. Next to the temple is a statue of King Rama III.

Wat Indravihan: This temple is well known for its huge standing Buddha image called Luang Pho To, which measures 32 metres tall and 10 metres wide.

It was built during the reign of King Rama IV, and is located on Wisutkasat Road in Bang Khun Phrom area.

Wat Bowon Niwet: This temple built in 1829 is the shrine-hall of Phra Phutthachinnasi, a very beautiful Buddha image which was moulded in around 1357.

Wat Bowon Niwet is one of the most temples in Bangkok, whose one time chief abbot was King Rama IV, before he ascended to the throne. Other Chakri kings who resided here during there monkhood, include King Rama IV, King Rama VII as well as His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The temple can be found on Phra Sumen Road in the Bang Lamphu area.

Vimanmek Mansion Museum: This is definitely a great day out. The mansion is the worlds largest golden teak building. The 3 storey Royal mansion contains 81 rooms, halls and ante-chambers containing Royal memorabilia.

The compound located in the Dusit Palace on Ratchawithi Road, is open daily from 9 am to 4 pm and admission is 50 Baht. The dancing shows begin at 10.30 am and 2.30 pm. Again, like the Grand Palace, proper attire is required. So no shorts, sandals, drunk ladyboys, etc.

Wat Trai Mit: Is located on Yaowarat Road in China Town, near the Hulamphong train Station. This temple houses a very impressive solid gold Buddha which weighs 5 and a half tonnes and is three metres in height ! This seated Buddha image was built in the Sukhothai period.

Erawan Shine: You will most probably come across this shrine, on your shopping tours or perhaps as you notice that your taxi driver is no longer holding the wheel, instead is performing a quick 'wai' and not looking at the road ahead of him!

The shrine is located next to Sogo, and the Grand Hyatt Hotel. The shrine is devoted to Phra Phrom, a Hindu God, who is greatly revered by Thai people. Laced flowers (Malee) and small wooden elephants as well as Thai dancing performances are always offered to this statue by grateful and hopeful devotees. The closest sky train station is Chidlom.

Philatelic Museum: If stamps are your thing then you may be interested in the stamp museum located on the 1st floor of the Metropolitan Postal Bureau, behind the Sam Sen Nai Post office.

Stamps and such are for sale. It is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 9am to 4pm.

Ancient City: The largest outdoor museum in the world, which consists of gigantic sized replicas of famous buildings, monuments and temples that can be found all through Thailand.

The area the museum covers is some staggering 280 acres, and is built into a shape that resembles the actual shape of Thailand.

The Ancient City is about 33 Kilometers down old Sukhumvit Road about 2 Kilometers past my house and is open daily from 8 am to 5 pm with admission costing 50 Baht per person.

Thai Boxing (Muay Thai): Thai Boxing or Muay Thai is becoming very well known around the world, and is a popular stop off for people who enjoy it.

The two main stadiums are Ratchadamnoen Stadium on Ratchadamnoen Nok Road and is open Monday and Wednesday at 6 pm Thursday at 5 pm and 9 pm, and Sundays at 4 pm and 8 pm. The other major stadium is Lumpini Stadium on Rama IV Road, and fights are every Tuesday and Friday at 6pm and Saturday at 5 pm.

You may want to ask the Hotel where you are staying at for tips on the best seats and even to get the tickets for you.

Shopping: With some of the shopping facilities in Asia, shopping is something you will not want to miss. Most of the shops, have some amazing discounts, sometimes as much as 80 % off. High quality goods can be had in the major shopping centres. Copy goods etc. can be found in most of the street stalls on Sukhumvit, or the Night Plaza in Patpong.


So that's some food for though on how to spend the days of your vacation in Bangkok. I've copied most of the above from other sites so I can't claim credit for it really!

Stogie Bear

[Guest]

Hi troops
just to add a couple of things to Stogie's list. With easy access, via the skytrain, to the river and it's environs, the Chao Phraya is a good place to look for half and full day trips. You can go all the way up to Nonthaburi and have a stroll and a bite to eat.
Or take a private boat through the backwater klongs of Thonburi to check out orchid farms, flower markets, local Wats ect:, best combined with a visit to the Royal Barge sheds. Or you can go to Ko Kred Island, this place has a community of folk who are of Mon ancestry, some of the buildings have a distinct Mon influence, but the big deal on the island are the many small private pottery makers who's wares are scattered all over the place. These are really half day's but they do put you within walking distance of the cities historical heart, Rattanakosin, home to the Grand Palace, Wat Po. Wat Phra Kaew, National museum & art gallery, Democracy monument, and Pharkan Fort, all worth a look. Also in this area is Khao San Road, well worth a few hours of your people watching time.
If you arrived by the river you may lik to return by way of the "Grand Canal"(Klong San Sap) it runs from Wat Saket right through the heart of the city to it's outskirts beyond Pechburi Road. There are useful stops at Pratunam (Pantip Plaza and Baiyoke Tower, the city's tallest building) Nana Nua, and Asok. There's also a stop at the house of Jim Thompson, worth a poke around if you enjoy antique furniture.

Chinatown (Yaowarat & Charoen Road's) and Little India (Pahurat) can be done as a combination, dim sum for lunch, curry for dinner. These places are best reached from the underground at Hua Lampong.

Back on the river at the eastern side of town is one of my favourite haunts, Bangkracho, a green oasis of peace and calm that really is worth a stroll. You reach it by shuttle boat from the Wat Klong Toey Nok pier.

My favourite day trip is up to Nam Tok on the railway line that goes through Kanchanaburi. My advice would be to take the train all the way through to Nam Tok, the best part of the journey, ride the train back to Kanchanaburi for lunch, then check out the bridge, war cemetery, and museum before returning to base camp on the bus. The only draw back with the trip is making the 07:45 departure from Thonburi station. I do have to say it's well worth the effort.
You can do Ayuthaya in a day as well but it's a bit of a push and really deserves an overnight.
Hope that helps keep you out of trouble for a couple of days K.L.

Oh yes, there is one other outstanding daily attraction, this is best viewed from a bar stool at Big Dogs between the hours of five and seven p.m., but if im not mistaken i think you've done that , more than once.

[daveduke007]

When in BKK, I sleep or play pool for a few hours in the soi 4 pool bar during the day.

When I was in pattaya I tended to ride the motorbike for a few hours up and down the soi's while the g/f slept

I felt a bit like David Pleat or was it Graham Taylor ( cant remember exactly)  on the motorbike to be honest    

Dave...

[stogie bear]

(daveduke007 @ Aug. 15 2006,20:10) When in BKK I tend to sleep or play pool for a few hours in the soi 4 pool bar during the day...

I tried that. They woke me up and asked me to leave!

[donnnnnny]

eden club is open reasonably earl) stogie covered everything else

[Guest]

Do what the thais generally do ( as the old adage goes when in rome etc)

Well in Bkk - Sleep , eat as many times as you can, sleep again , eat - get fucked , eat , sleep again.

Mai pen rai na ?

The best and closest to Utopia I know.

[Mai-Kee]

Pretty much everything is said already - I might add that you shouldn't forget to get at least every second day a real massage (no, not the soapy ones - although they're big fun as well). I'm a massage addict and receiving a strong nuad massage for 2 hours from the stocky sisters of the girls you'll meet later on - keeps me fit for the program that usually follows!
I prefer classic Thai massage places to Spas! Especially those off Surawong, opposite soi Twilight. That's a dead end soi with only classic Thai massage parlours and if you go to the one owned by the Kings group you'll really get your bones stretched by the Issaan sisters of the KC3 girls....


MK

[Snick]

Do what the natives do, go shopping !!!

On weekends, Chaatuchaak market is a must.

Do the €˜circuit': MBK->Siam Discovery->Siam Center->Siam Paragon

For Geek stuff, pirate movies and music: Panthip Plaza

Amulet Market (and jewelry) : There is a street market near the Royal Palace selling amulets, this is very much a local market, very few tourists will be in sight.
[ To find the market from the Grand Palace, walk toward the river, and just before you reach it, turn left. On Na Phra That Road in Bangkok, across from the Wat Mahathat temple ]

Antiques : Attached to The Sheraton Orchard hotel is the 'River City' shopping area which is 90% antiques. Be advised if you can afford it, its probably a fake ! Includes art from all over Asia not just Thailand. Its a great place for window shopping.

Pratunam: For clothes check out the Pratunam Area, at the base of the Baiyoke Sky Hotel. Across Phetchburi Street is The Platinum Mall.

[dummy_plug]

Excellent posts! But no one mentioned sleep! I found it too hot and muggy to go out much during the day, after 5 minutes in the sun I'd be burned, covered in sweat, and a tad bit irritable.

As a ladyboy lover, I'm pretty much in Nana at Big Dogg's by 5 or 6 and I don't get to sleep around til 4-5am. I pretty much sleep most of the day off.

Just something to consider - altering your sleeping patterns while in LOS - because the way I see it, the most exciting stuff happens at night.

[donnnnnny]

dummyt plug welcome to the lqand of the midnight tan)

[daveduke007]

(dummy_plug @ Aug. 17 2006,06:09) Excellent posts! But no one mentioned sleep!

 I did (post 6 )

I too find it hot and sweaty during the day, so unless im playing pool for a couple of hours , Im ZZZZzzzzzz

[Guest]

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