Phrom Phong (BTS: Phrom Phong) is a great area of Bangkok to hang out.
Here are some of my picks in the area:
Food
Bourbon Street
Sukhumvit Soi 22, in Washington Square
The best home cookin' in Bangkok, hands down. Everything has been fantastic here: gumbo, crawfish, brisket, pizza, breakfast... Okay, so let me tell you about something called "Mexican Buffet Night." Every Tuesday you can go to Bourbon Street for an all-you-can-eat Mexican buffet (About 300 baht). The food isn't excessively authentic, but it hits the spot when you get your cravings for Mexican.
Coyote
Sukhumvit Road, near soi 33
This is a huge ex-pat hang out on Thursday nights for ladies night.
The Londoner
Sukhumvit Road, at soi 33
The Londoner is a place where you can eat some good hearty pies or pasta while watching a live football (soccer) match. It's actually in the basement of a building- don't miss it!
The Dubliner
Sukhumvit Road, between soi 24 and soi 22
The Dubliner serves a mean Irish breakfast all day long. They also have great Irish pies.
Attractions
Emporium Shopping Mall
BTS: Phrom Phong, sky walk to mall
Emporium is a collection of high-end stores, great eateries and a cutting-edge movie theatre.
Queen Sirikit Park
This small but beautiful park is home to picnickers, joggers, and families. There's a fountain show at night, but it's not much to write home about.
Flower Street Vendor
BTS Phrom Phong
On Sukhumvit Road, across the street from Emporium, is a great selection of fresh flowers. You can get a bouquet for as little as 25 baht (less than a dollar). It takes up a big portion of the block- it'll be hard to miss.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Thai Snack Vendors
Thailand is famous for snacking, which is why there are vendors lining every major road in Bangkok.
Diced fruit on the go?
Pork satay on the go?
Roasted bananas on the go?
It can ALL be located in this food-loving city. A word of advice: It's all cheap, so give everything a try!
Here are some of the snacks/vendors you might encounter...
Roasted Bananas
Fresh-Squeezed Orange Juice from Mr. Orange
Belgium Waffles
Spring Rolls
Diced fruit on the go?
Pork satay on the go?
Roasted bananas on the go?
It can ALL be located in this food-loving city. A word of advice: It's all cheap, so give everything a try!
Here are some of the snacks/vendors you might encounter...
Roasted Bananas
Fresh-Squeezed Orange Juice from Mr. Orange
Belgium Waffles
Spring Rolls
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Safety
How safe will you be living in Bangkok? It's a massive city in an area you've probably never visited. Of course you're going to be nervous about safety.
Here are the key points:
1. There is crime, but most crime happens in touristy areas and is typically petty crime- like pick pocketing or purse snatching.
2. There has been and will continue to be (for the foreseeable future) political unrest. The unrest is not geared toward tourists. When they plan rallies, the media relays the information (date, place, number of people) days in advance. If you register with the US Embassy (highly, highly recommended), they will send out e-mails warning you of future protests. They are peaceful rallies, but should be avoided anyways. It's a big city, go somewhere different.
But that being said...
Bangkok has one of the lowest crime rates for a major international city. In my 10 months here, I've never felt threatened, scared or unsafe. Bangkok is a very pleasant city. But even so, use common sense like you would in any other world city. Don't walk alone on the street at night, lock your door... the basics.
Here are some English media sites to bookmark:
The Bangkok Post
http://bangkokpost.com/
The Nation
www.nationmultimedia.com
Register with the US Embassy
Here are the key points:
1. There is crime, but most crime happens in touristy areas and is typically petty crime- like pick pocketing or purse snatching.
2. There has been and will continue to be (for the foreseeable future) political unrest. The unrest is not geared toward tourists. When they plan rallies, the media relays the information (date, place, number of people) days in advance. If you register with the US Embassy (highly, highly recommended), they will send out e-mails warning you of future protests. They are peaceful rallies, but should be avoided anyways. It's a big city, go somewhere different.
But that being said...
Bangkok has one of the lowest crime rates for a major international city. In my 10 months here, I've never felt threatened, scared or unsafe. Bangkok is a very pleasant city. But even so, use common sense like you would in any other world city. Don't walk alone on the street at night, lock your door... the basics.
Here are some English media sites to bookmark:
The Bangkok Post
http://bangkokpost.com/
The Nation
www.nationmultimedia.com
Register with the US Embassy
Shopping
Here are some of the best shopping spots in Bangkok
Emporium
BTS: Phrom Phong
Emporium has a collection of high-end stores like Hermes and Chanel, a movie theatre, grocery store and a great selection of eateries.
Paragon, Siam Discovery, Siam Center
BTS: Siam
These three malls are all within a 10 minute walk from each other. Paragon is known as "the pride of Bangkok," for its high-end fashion, aquarium named Ocean World, and car showrooms- including Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati. Siam Discovery and Siam Center are just other beautiful Bangkok malls.
Central World
BTS: Chit Lom
Central World is a somewhat affordable mall for a teacher's salary. Their department store has very reasonable prices, many sizes (unlike street clothes) and frequent sales.
Siam Square
BTS: Siam
Siam Square is across the street from Paragon. It has inexpensive and fashionable clothes, shoes and accessories.
My favorite shop "Kini I Ri Ma Shi Ta" is on Siam Square soi 3.
Chatuchak Weekend Market
BTS: Mo Chit
This 35-acre weekend market sells fashionable clothes, antiques, artwork, pets and souvenirs.
MBK
BTS: National Stadium
MBK is a massive indoor market- styled mall with kiosks for clothes, new and used electronics, souvenirs and more.
Platinum
BTS: Phaya Thai
This market-style mall contains kiosks selling the same things over and over, except a few kiosks. It's like going through a thrift store- you'll find something good every once in awhile.
Pantip Plaza
BTS: Phaya Thai
This market-style mall contains kiosks selling DVDs and electronics of all kinds. It's like Best Buy, but way better.
Emporium
BTS: Phrom Phong
Emporium has a collection of high-end stores like Hermes and Chanel, a movie theatre, grocery store and a great selection of eateries.
Paragon, Siam Discovery, Siam Center
BTS: Siam
These three malls are all within a 10 minute walk from each other. Paragon is known as "the pride of Bangkok," for its high-end fashion, aquarium named Ocean World, and car showrooms- including Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati. Siam Discovery and Siam Center are just other beautiful Bangkok malls.
Central World
BTS: Chit Lom
Central World is a somewhat affordable mall for a teacher's salary. Their department store has very reasonable prices, many sizes (unlike street clothes) and frequent sales.
Siam Square
BTS: Siam
Siam Square is across the street from Paragon. It has inexpensive and fashionable clothes, shoes and accessories.
My favorite shop "Kini I Ri Ma Shi Ta" is on Siam Square soi 3.
Chatuchak Weekend Market
BTS: Mo Chit
This 35-acre weekend market sells fashionable clothes, antiques, artwork, pets and souvenirs.
MBK
BTS: National Stadium
MBK is a massive indoor market- styled mall with kiosks for clothes, new and used electronics, souvenirs and more.
Platinum
BTS: Phaya Thai
This market-style mall contains kiosks selling the same things over and over, except a few kiosks. It's like going through a thrift store- you'll find something good every once in awhile.
Pantip Plaza
BTS: Phaya Thai
This market-style mall contains kiosks selling DVDs and electronics of all kinds. It's like Best Buy, but way better.
Labels:
Central World,
Chatuchak Market,
Emporium,
MBK,
Pantip Plaza,
Paragon,
Platinum,
Shopping,
Siam Discovery,
Siam Square
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Weekend Trips
Just because you don't have enough time to get out of the country... It doesn't mean you don't have enough time for a weekend getaway.
Here are some great spots to go-
Kanchanaburi
Travel time: 3 hours
Leave from the Southern Bus Terminal
Favorite Place to Stay: Sam's Place
You can go to the Erawan Waterfall, a 7-tier waterfall.
You can see the famous "Bridge on the River Kwai."
Koh Samet
Travel time: 4 hours
Leave from the Eastern Bus Station or go by mini-bus from Victory Monument to Rayong. When you arrive in Rayong, you can purchase individual ferry tickets (cheap, hour ride, you have to pay the park entrance fee) or go by speed boat with several other people (boats are usually 1,500 baht- the more people the merrier, 10 minute ride, don't have to pay the park entrance fee).
Favorite Places to Stay: The Lost Resort (up the hill on Silver Sand Beach) and Silver Sand Resort
You can relax on the white, sandy beaches. It's truly an island experience.
Pattaya
Travel time: 2 hours
Leave from the Eastern Bus Station
Favorite Place to Stay: Anywhere on Jomtien Beach
You can hop on a cheap ferry to Koh Larn (gorgeous beaches).
You can visit Nong Nooch Gardens.
Hua Hin
Travel time: 3 hours
Leave from the Eastern Bus Station
You can visit the Hua Hin Vineyard for a tour on an elephant.
You can spend time on the beach.
Here are some great spots to go-
Kanchanaburi
Travel time: 3 hours
Leave from the Southern Bus Terminal
Favorite Place to Stay: Sam's Place
You can go to the Erawan Waterfall, a 7-tier waterfall.
You can see the famous "Bridge on the River Kwai."
Koh Samet
Travel time: 4 hours
Leave from the Eastern Bus Station or go by mini-bus from Victory Monument to Rayong. When you arrive in Rayong, you can purchase individual ferry tickets (cheap, hour ride, you have to pay the park entrance fee) or go by speed boat with several other people (boats are usually 1,500 baht- the more people the merrier, 10 minute ride, don't have to pay the park entrance fee).
Favorite Places to Stay: The Lost Resort (up the hill on Silver Sand Beach) and Silver Sand Resort
You can relax on the white, sandy beaches. It's truly an island experience.
Pattaya
Travel time: 2 hours
Leave from the Eastern Bus Station
Favorite Place to Stay: Anywhere on Jomtien Beach
You can hop on a cheap ferry to Koh Larn (gorgeous beaches).
You can visit Nong Nooch Gardens.
Hua Hin
Travel time: 3 hours
Leave from the Eastern Bus Station
You can visit the Hua Hin Vineyard for a tour on an elephant.
You can spend time on the beach.
Thong Lor
The Thong Lor area (Thong Lor stop on the BTS) is considered "The Beverly Hills of Bangkok."
On this short street, there are three Starbucks, many of Bangkok's top restaurants and clubs, boutique dress and suit designers, two grocery markets, karaoke and bowling alleys.
Here are my top picks for Thonglor...
Beccofino
Located on Thong Lor, at about soi 4
This is an up-scale restaurant serving fine Italian food, from pasta to pizza to steak. Dishes start at 300 baht ($10) and head northwards for dishes like steak.
Witch's Tavern
Located on Thong Lor between soi 8 and soi 10
This is a great restaurant that is frequented by young professionals in Bangkok. The meals (pasta, salad, pizza, appetizers) start at 200 baht ($6). They have live jazz on Wednesdays for ladies' night.
Woodstock
Located on Thong Lor soi 13 on the left, about a 5-minute walk from Thong Lor
This American-owned restaurant serves your favorite American food and has the best burgers in the city. Meals start at 250 baht ($7).
Ana's Garden
Located on Thong Lor, between soi 1 and soi 3
This Thai restaurant serves some of the best Thai food I've had- with a menu full of options. It's all very fresh and spicy.
Soi 38 Night Market
Located at the Thong Lor BTS stop, at Sukhumvit 38
This street, which opens every night around 6pm, serves the best street food in Bangkok.
Located on Thong Lor, between soi 23 and soi 25
This has a huge American breakfast and lunch menu, as well as several Thai dishes. The meals start at 100 baht ($3). They have great banana pancakes!
The Witch Pie Factory
Located on Thong Lor soi 1, between Thong Lor and Sukhumvit 53
Although they have traditional Irish pies, this restaurant serves a killer 99 baht breakfast breakfast on Saturday and Sunday mornings until 1pm. The breakfast comes with toast, eggs, potatoes, tomatoes, baked beans and bacon.
Located on Sukhumvit soi 53, about a block from Sukhumit Road
This cupcakery is the finest in Bangkok. The cupcakes are made with all-natural ingredients and come in unique flavors such as: lavender, Nutella, and chocolate-orange. This bakery sells cupcakes, cookies and cheesecake (the cheesecake flavor changes each week).
J Avenue
Located on Thong Lor, at soi 15
This area has popular eateries (Greyhound Cafe, Au Bon Pan, iBerry... and even a McDonalds), a bowling alley on the top floor, a grocery market- Villa, and boutique shops.
Tops Market
Located on Thong Lor, at soi 4
This collection of shops is similar to J-Avenue- just a smaller version. They have a grocery market- Tops (that has a really good, and cheap, Mexican counter), ice -cream parlors, restaurants and boutique shops. On Sundays you'll see some ridiculous cars (Ferraris, Bentleys, Lamborghinis, Porsches, etc) parked in the lot.
Sorbet, Boutique Store
Located on Thong Lor soi 13 on the left, about a block from Thong Lor.
This dress and skirt shop makes one-of-a-kind dresses for about 3,000 baht ($100). They use the extra fabric to make matching shoes. Their dresses, skirts, and shoes are worth saving for- very high-quality!
On this short street, there are three Starbucks, many of Bangkok's top restaurants and clubs, boutique dress and suit designers, two grocery markets, karaoke and bowling alleys.
Here are my top picks for Thonglor...
Food - Lunch and Dinner
Beccofino
Located on Thong Lor, at about soi 4
This is an up-scale restaurant serving fine Italian food, from pasta to pizza to steak. Dishes start at 300 baht ($10) and head northwards for dishes like steak.
Witch's Tavern
Located on Thong Lor between soi 8 and soi 10
This is a great restaurant that is frequented by young professionals in Bangkok. The meals (pasta, salad, pizza, appetizers) start at 200 baht ($6). They have live jazz on Wednesdays for ladies' night.
Woodstock
Located on Thong Lor soi 13 on the left, about a 5-minute walk from Thong Lor
This American-owned restaurant serves your favorite American food and has the best burgers in the city. Meals start at 250 baht ($7).
Ana's Garden
Located on Thong Lor, between soi 1 and soi 3
This Thai restaurant serves some of the best Thai food I've had- with a menu full of options. It's all very fresh and spicy.
Soi 38 Night Market
Located at the Thong Lor BTS stop, at Sukhumvit 38
This street, which opens every night around 6pm, serves the best street food in Bangkok.
Food- Breakfast
Little Home BakeryLocated on Thong Lor, between soi 23 and soi 25
This has a huge American breakfast and lunch menu, as well as several Thai dishes. The meals start at 100 baht ($3). They have great banana pancakes!
The Witch Pie Factory
Located on Thong Lor soi 1, between Thong Lor and Sukhumvit 53
Although they have traditional Irish pies, this restaurant serves a killer 99 baht breakfast breakfast on Saturday and Sunday mornings until 1pm. The breakfast comes with toast, eggs, potatoes, tomatoes, baked beans and bacon.
Food- Bakery/ Sweets
SparklesLocated on Sukhumvit soi 53, about a block from Sukhumit Road
This cupcakery is the finest in Bangkok. The cupcakes are made with all-natural ingredients and come in unique flavors such as: lavender, Nutella, and chocolate-orange. This bakery sells cupcakes, cookies and cheesecake (the cheesecake flavor changes each week).
Places to Go, Things to See
J Avenue
Located on Thong Lor, at soi 15
This area has popular eateries (Greyhound Cafe, Au Bon Pan, iBerry... and even a McDonalds), a bowling alley on the top floor, a grocery market- Villa, and boutique shops.
Tops Market
Located on Thong Lor, at soi 4
This collection of shops is similar to J-Avenue- just a smaller version. They have a grocery market- Tops (that has a really good, and cheap, Mexican counter), ice -cream parlors, restaurants and boutique shops. On Sundays you'll see some ridiculous cars (Ferraris, Bentleys, Lamborghinis, Porsches, etc) parked in the lot.
Sorbet, Boutique Store
Located on Thong Lor soi 13 on the left, about a block from Thong Lor.
This dress and skirt shop makes one-of-a-kind dresses for about 3,000 baht ($100). They use the extra fabric to make matching shoes. Their dresses, skirts, and shoes are worth saving for- very high-quality!
Friday, February 26, 2010
Traveling
You'll find that traveling to and from Bangkok is very inexpensive and easy.
Here are the best ways to travel:
By Mini-bus
Victory Monument- There are mini-busses that leave all day. Ask around for mini-busses, and they'll point you in the right direction. This is the fastest form of transportation, because they make minimal stops.
By Bus
Ekkamai (Eastern) Bus Terminal- Right off the BTS stop at Ekkamai, there are kiosks serving individual destinations.
Mo Chit (Northern) Bus Terminal- Close to the BTS stop Mo Chit, there are kiosks serving individual destinations.
Si Thai (Southern) Bus Terminal- Literally it's in the middle of nowhere. You'll have to catch a taxi to take you to the other side of the river. This station is huge and services travel across the whole country.
By Train
Hualumpong Station- Right off the MRT stop Hualumpong
By Plane
Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Muang Airport are excellent ways to travel within and outside of Thailand. I suggest flying Air Asia, as they usually have the most promotions, least expensive tickets and excellent service.
Labels:
Airports,
Bus Stations,
Train Stations,
Transportation,
Travel
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