Bangkok

[luckystrike]

I was hoping that someone could help with a few specific queries about Bangkok:


Do I have to pay a landing tax when I arrive, or a tax when departing?  Does this apply when flying to / from Koh Samui?

Can you wear a short sleeved shirt / T-shirt when in a temple or the Grand Palace?

Is there a website which would let me know what on in the city, eg, the likes of Ticketmaster?

How long does it take on the Skytrain between Saphan Taksin and Nana?

Is taking in a 'show' at Nana Entertainment Plaza OK for couples?

Is it safe for two western couples to ride the Skytrain at night?

Is the night market at Suan Lum any good?  Because we only have 4 full days, we were thinking of going there instead of the weekend market at Chatuchak Park.

Is a boat trip to Ayutthaya a good way to spend a Saturday, or is it a waste of time?

We're going to Bed Supperclub restaurant on a Saturday night � anyone been?  What's it like?  Any advice?

Finally, does anyone have any personal recommendations foe fun things to do in the city, rather than spending the whole time following the direction of Lonely Planet!

[Pinotage]

Was a departure tax last time I was there, not arrival.

Short sleeves no problem in Palace

'Adult show' - most places have no problem with couples. Best to let your female partners demand to go. Don't get them to go unless they ask to. Bear in mind you won't getthe full experience as the hostesses won't give you the full welcome ;)

If you go I'd recommend Patpong rather than NEP - more choice, plus a night market in the street, plus its the place everyone has heard of. Queens & Kings Castle reliable and recommended for couples. Don't go in any place with a door fee.

Ayuthaya is well worth a visit - ensure the boat journey allows you enough time there.

[ewand]

Hi luckystrike.  When I was there we went on a longboat which raced around the waterways.......it was spectacular and really good fun, but take a t-shirt to occasionally wipe the dubious coloured water off when you get a bit of spray.

Also, going to see the reclining budda is fantastic, and i'd recommend (and second) everything Pinotage has said, though give yourself time to immerse into the wonderful Thai culture, eating amazing cheap food from street vendors etc.  

Hope this helps, though I hope Bangkok reads this, because i'm sure they've got plenty of good knowledge and advice to share.

Have a great time in a wonderful place.......

[Bangkok]

Leaving Bangkok on International is 500 Baht per person (cash only).  Domestic is in the ticket price now.

Thai ticketmaster has a website in English, other than that, pick up a Metro or Big Chilli magazine when you arrive. 

Saphan Taksin?  Staying at the Shang are we?  Change at Siam Sq, about 25-30 minutes.  Skytrain no problem for safety at night, shuts down about midnight.  In you get a taxi at night, try and get one off the street rather than sitting waiting, some that wait want more than the meter price.

Nana / Patpong shows ok for couples.  Nana is less aggressive, both are an experience.  As Pinotage says, Kings and Queens in Patpong, most places in Nana are safe.  If you go upstairs (the show bars) and they have no other punters in, turn round and leave.  If you buy one drink for an employee (and they will ask!) then you end up buying lots.  If someone tries to rip you off, politely ask for the Tourist Police - the bar owners will normally back down.

I can see Suan Luam from where I am sitting in my appartment.  It's ok, beer bars, stalls, the usual stalls (rip off jeans, object d'art etc).  Chatuchak is the real deal on markets, but avoid the animal section (very disturbing, you hear / smell it before you see it).  Suan Luam is less varied, but more accessable and less cramped.  Depends whether you want to serious shop (in which case go to Chatuchak - skytrain will get you there).

[Bangkok]

Ayutthaya is great.  Depends how much you like ruins and boats.  I'd do it.

What to do depends on your budget.   Food is great here - Baan Khanita on Soi Ruam Rudee for Thai, Angellinis at the Shangri-La for Italian, loads of places on Sukhumvit.  Vertigo at the Banyan Tree is open air 60 floors up (flippin' expensive - 100 quid a head for grill plus drinks, and at the mercy of the weather, but views to remember for ever).  If you go the Shang, have coffee and a little something on the terrace after dinner and watch the tugs pulling the unlit barges.

If you are going to Samui, eat at Betelnut on Chawang one night.  Samui airport is a hoot - thatched roof with a sign 'Welcome to Samui International Airport'  Landed almost sideways one time.

Buy your duty free on arrival, way, way cheaper than Heathrow.  WIth a name like luckystrike I assume you smoke??   things, hmmm.  Eat noodles on the street, watch the world go by, go on the pedolos in Lumpini Park (sunday morning watch the Tai Chi lessons), go to the cinema if you like films (eight quid a head gets you Gold Class - huge reclining armchair and waiter service, remember to stand for the national anthem).  

Drink Mai Tai's for fun, avoid local beer (Chang, Singha), try Asahi (brewed here, dry Japanese beer). Any special dietary issues? Spicy good or bad?  Mai pet means not spicy Pet means spicy, most touristy places take it into account.  Any pet hates or likes? 

[ewand]

Now you've made me want to go back tomorrow, Bangkok!  Great answer........i'll do all those things when i'm there again in November......

[Bangkok]

I'm going to leave the office soon and have a beer on my balcony overlooking Lumpini Park as the sun goes down and the temperature is 33C.  Then I'll go back inside to the aircon, and call a fantastic Thai meal for 2 to be be delivered in 30 mins and cost less than 7 quid.

Sorry Ewand, roll on November eh?

[luckystrike]

Thank you all for your answers!  We�re travelling with another couple, and can�t wait to go now.

Bangkok � you�re quite right, we are staying in the Shangri-La.  We�ve also booked places on their Saturday trip to Ayutthaya and a dinner cruise back to the city.

Despite the username, I don�t smoke, but we�ll certainly hold back on buying anything until we arrive.

I excited by the name, but what on earth are Mai Tai's??  I�m a bit disappointed about the local beer, but all tips are so welcome.

Also, can you recommend any particular bars in Nana EP or Patpong where we can see a good fun erotic Thai show � ping pong balls, bananas, and the works (!) � but which the two girls will enjoy too?  What is the best time of day or night to go to these places?

Any other tips for what we could get up to in Koh Samui?

Finally, what should we say to waiters to have our food cooked �very well done� � i.e., no blood whatsoever!!

Thanks folks.

[Pinotage]

Already said Kings Castle/Queens Castle. Can't guarantee women will enjoy the show. Most women don't get the same buzz out of looking at another woman's private parts that men do. And the shows are not really erotic - especially when you have a female friend next to you tut tutting.

I differ from Bangkok on the beer front. My philosophy is - when drinking beer - always to have the local product. I can't see the point of having a Japanese beer in Thailand. I usually drink the local Singha beer. Also has the advantage it is cheaper, but thats not the main reason.

[Bangkok]

The local beer issue is because of the preservatives they put in - it's hot and the beer is cheap.  Gives some people a serious headache, doesn't affect others. Oh, and local beer is sweeter than European tastes.  Each to their own, try Singha and maybe Chang (sponsor Everton as a political move in Thailand, a whole story of its own)

I'll check with a (single) colleague on bars, it's been a while and to be honest, once you've seen it, it stays seen.  Good fun first time though (but as pinotage says, erotic it ain't!)

Mrs Bangkok is out tonight, will check on the well done bit.  In practice, meat in Thai food is well done, and if foreign food the server will often ask, don't worry.

Mai Tai's are the local cocktail, potent and delicious.  On Samui, theycome in hollowed out pineapples and will creep up on you on a warm afternoon.

I tried waterskiing in Samui for the first time, and knackered my hamstring as the boat driver was an eijit. There are a couple of really good spas, and a reggae pub (called, wait for it, the Reggae Pub) which usually is good laugh. 

Wine is expensive (sobs into his Shiraz), particularly with meals.  Beer is the best value. 

[Bangkok]

Ok, well done is 'souk' very well done is 'souk souk'. 

Patpong, do you remeber the Honor Blackman character in Goldfinger.  That'lll be the one.  Nana, the bars on the diagonal front right of horsshoe shape as you walk into the Plaza.  Storey 2 and 3.  If me mum's reading this, it was a recommendation from a colleague.

There are loads of local variations, but one receipe off the net for a Mai Tai:

1 1/2 oz. Dark Rum
1/2 oz. each: Orange Curacao & creme de noyaux, lime juice
Dash of Grenadine if desired
Shake with ice & serve in a Hurricane or decorative glass
Or add extra juice & blend with crushed ice for a frozen variation,
Garnish with a flag (an orange slice and cherry skewered

[luckystrike]

Again, thanks to everyone for all the brilliant tips and advice - it's the local information which will hopefully make our holiday so much more enjoyable.

Bangkok - a sincere 'thank you' for taking the time to ask my questions to your family and friends, and for coming back to this thread so frequently.  We can't wait to visit your city!