Help With Bangkok Please

jersey200

hi thank you for looking,we are going to be at the centre point silom bangkok 1jan 3 nights
has any one been there ?
whats around ,places ,food thai ect tips about getting about would be great ,
thank you very much in advance ....
we are then going up to chiang mai to renew our vows so getting very excited
got a new ring out of him, any help with chiang mai help also if poss ??? kind regards wendy married for 21years this year so going to do it again but in dream land not wet uk ha ha ..............come on...

Donnie

Where did you discover Centrepoint Silom? I'm sure the same place you found it has the information you seek.

Book a table at Vertigo, at the Banyan Tree Bangkok, for a romantic dinner. Choose a table alongside the edge. Sirocco will be closer to you, but more expensive.

Vertigo, Sirocco.

jersey200

found it on the web room size looked great for price so took a chance ,
do you know it well ? thanks for your help .

CTID_2

Unless you want to get fleeced at these tourist traps, DO NOT book dinner there! Go up and have a cocktail and then choose from literally hundreds of cheap and fantastic restaurants. Banyan tree is uncovered, but it will be dry when you are there. It opens at 5.30pm, get there for then as there are not many seats.

There are many things to see in Bangkok and you will not scratch the surface in 3 days. I would get a cab to Wat Pho and see the reclining Buddha. Across the road is the Grand Palace, no flip flops or shorts allowed. Then go to the water taxi station very close nearby on the Chao Phraya river. Eat at the very Thai shack on the river and watch the world go by. Then jump on a water boat (about 20 baht) and cruise down the river, get off at the Saphin Taksin stop and jump on the BTS (skytrain) back to Silom.

Silom has lots of Malls around it if you like that sort of thing. Silom Square is ok.

Hope that helps!

dondonsinspain

Hi just been to Bangkok - if you do go to the Grand Palace in shorts or what they consider unappropriate clothing - don't worry as they will hire you some long trousers or a skirt (depending) and also shirt with sleeves if you happen to be wearing a vest- you pay 100tb per item but its returnable. We were there last week, unfortunately my husband was very ill for the whole time we were there, I had to go to the drug store to get him some antibiotics at midnight on my own, probably not the best thing to do as a woman on your own, but when I asked at the reception at our hotel for help they just pointed me in the direction of the pharmacy. Long story but after doctors, drugs, and hospital visits; we finally cracked the virus or whatever it was, mind you its taken until now to 'start' our holiday - pants way to spend xmas! We will go back to Bangkok one day though and hopefully get to see more of it than the inside of Boots the Chemists!!

Sam_Bee

I'd disagree. If you can afford it, do have dinner at Vertigo, and book for sunset. OK, you're paying UK top restaurant prices (dinner for 1 £30 upto however much you want to spend!), but it's one of the most romantic restaurants in the world (thanks to view & Banyan Tree ambience). But if you're loath to treat yourself at somewhere you may never go to again, just have a cocktail.

ceejayblue

We went to Bangkok about 5 years ago and booked a tour of the floating market. It was fantastic and although we did have a couple of touristy stops on the way to and from we had a great time.

We stayed at the Amari Atrium which was an amazing hotel in the middle of a very dodgy looking district! We were warned about being approached by strangers and the possibility of being scammed. Thai people are very warm and friendly but shy so anyone coming up to you in the street and offering to help you is likely to be someone trying to get you to go to a retail outlet and buy stuff! And yes, despite the warnings, it happened to us! Have to say though the guy was OK and the shop was good and reasonable and we didn't feel pressured into buying but wouldn't recommend that anyone else does it as you can't be sure!

On the way back to the airport our driver had no change so he left us with his cab for 10 mins while he tried to get some cash. We were honest enough to stay put and not run off and he was very nice and apologetic at making us wait.

Bangkok is an amazing place, dirty, smelly and full of pollution but the temples and the way that people live are fascinating and something not to be missed.

CTID_2

The Banyon tree has an initial wow factor, but the food is poor and the prices ludicrous. It's full of tourists taking pictures and not at all romantic in my opinion. If you want to spoil yourself, go to The Face, Sukhumvit soi 38. An even better option is a wonderful restaurant further north on the river at Pak Kred . Although, if you are only there 3 days stay in the centre of town.

Good advice from ceejayblue. Thais are fantastic people, there are a few who will try to rip you off, but these are in the minority and it isn't a dangerous place. My main advice is avoid Tuk Tuks, they WILL rip you off. The floating market is about 2 hours south of BKK.

Sawadee Khap!

Horace

I had a stopover in Bangkok in March 2003 - it was a filthy stinky place and unbearably humid. The crowd that I went with arranged a few free trips - to see the Reclining Buddha (well worth it) as well as the Golden Buddha and other temples - we were expected to take photographs but I hated doing so when people were praying. Some folks when to the Patpong Night Market but I didn't go nor did I go to the Floating Market with the trip to the snake farm thrown in.

I did, however, visit the World's largest gem shop - when you can see the diamond cutters at work. Here you can buy loose stones and all kinds of jewellery and silks. I bought a silk shawl (described as a scarf) for £3 and some 18carat gold jewellery - white gold and sapphire earrings cost £200 and yellow gold star ruby and diamond ring for about £250 - back home I have had these valued at £1000 for the ring and £800 for the earrings - all the stones were certificated.

I remember being constantly warned not to go out alone and to avoid massages because there was a difference - some for pleasure and others for business.

I had a stopover on my return from Oz in Singapore which was a far cleaner place but still a tad humid.

odowdchr

jersey200 wrote: »

married for 21years this year so going to do it again but in dream land not wet uk ha ha ..............come on...

A romantic trip is to go to the flower market at about 4am....stunning.

odowdchr

CTID wrote: »

The Banyon tree has an initial wow factor, but the food is poor and the prices ludicrous. It's full of tourists taking pictures and not at all romantic in my opinion.

I think Donnie's advice was to a tourist looking for the wow factor....he's normally the first to advise the more gritty deals around Thailand.