September 2014 | Dave's Notes

Photo Advice

General Advice | Photos in Remote Areas | Islands Photos | Street Photography

General advice

You will not find the exotic things near large cities. It will be necessary to account for a day of travel to reach anywhere of interest. I encourage you to consider journeys like:

Yangon->Bagan->Kalaw->Inle Lake

Bangkok->Kanchanaburi->Sangkhlaburi

There are also worthwhile treks in Laos and Northern Thailand. If you’re going to Chiang Mai, you are probably aware of tours in the hilltribe areas.

“Unknown” Villages, Mountains and Landscape Photos

– Kalaw to Inle Lake trek with Rambo Singh, Myanmar. This trek is a delight. If you’re going, you should stay at the Golden Lily. If you are traveling there by bus from Bagan, I recommend sitting on top of the bus as inside the bus is crazy cramped. Go ahead, void your travel insurance. Did this trip unaccompanied, January 2012.

View Burma trip in a larger map

Sangkhlaburi is a smal town on a beautiful lake with a thin suspended walking bridge that monks walk across to the monastery. Picturesque. This area is very close to the Thai/Myanmar border west of Bangkok. You can travel onwards to to Three Pagoda Pass and spend a day in Myanmar. Hard to get to, so you need to bus/train to Kanchanaburi and hire bikes to ride the 212 km. Many places to stop along the way – don’t rush and you can easily spend 3-4 days on this trip. Did this trip for Xmas, 2007. Beautiful ride, scenic, rarely perilous on the roads and pure serenity at every stop. Worth doing on a bike for the flexibility.

View Kanchanaburi to Sangkhlaburi in a larger map

Beach Photos

If you are interested in beaches with dramatic backdrops, Krabi is a must. Three days is plenty. I’ve been three times. You can summit one of the karsts overlooking Railay Beach and view the vista from high above. Kayaking, Rock Climbing, Slacklining, Sunbaking – there are plenty of things to do here. Photo opportunities galore.

Street photography

To offer some kind of indication, elephants no longer roam the main streets of Bangkok for tourist opportunities since 2008. Bangkok is rapidly undergoing gentrification and moving commerce from the street to the shopping centres. So, to find photo opportunities requires some hunting in the early mornings and late at night.

In Bangkok, Chinatown area towards the river provides the most rich environment for exploring.

Mornings: The mornings are good times to venture into the parks where people start the day with their exercise routines.

Nights: If you are in Bangkok during Halloween, maybe Silom Soi 4 is hosting a costume extravaganza like I saw in 2008.

If you venture to Nana Plaza, or Soi Cowboy after sunset, you’ll see something, I guarantee it.

Bangkok General Travel Advisory

This is a step-by-step guide to get you from Suvarnabhumi Airport to your arbitrary Bangkok hotel.

Visas | Exiting the Airport | Money | In Bangkok | Getting Around

Visas

Tourists arriving in Thailand from Australia are eligible for a free 30 day visa-on-arrival.

The common practice of getting several 30 day visas-on-arrival back-to-back is getting gradually squeezed out by more stringent enforcement.

Exiting Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK).

Declaring Goods: Ignore the impulse to declare goods or anything else, ever. You are not smuggling powdered rhinos horn. Be gone with you.

The moment you see a free BTS/MRT train map, take 3 copies.

Leaving the airport, there are several options.

Bus: Don’t do it. Just don’t, unless you’re backpacking on Khao San Road.

Train: The train is accessible from the bottom floor of the airport. Take it if you are staying at Phaya Thai area, otherwise…

Taxi: There is now a strict process for taxis at the airport 2nd floor. Once upon a time, you could just jump into an dropping-off taxi on third floor and scoot. Less common now days.

The taxi procedure: Queue for a taxi on the 2nd Floor. Tell the booking agent your destination. There’s a small booking fee to be paid to your taxi driver. The taxi driver will collect you (or just wave at you vigorously) and take you to your hotel.

Money

Change money at the airport on arrival. The currency exchange rate is much better in Bangkok for AUD, USD, EUR. International-card-accepting ATMs are also abundant, using the Visa or Mastercard network cards. Do not change money at a bank in Australia.

The maximum amount of cash that can be taken out of an ATM at one time is typically 20,000 THB, ~ 660AUD.

The exchange rate is currently about 28THB to 1 AUD. This works out to roughly 100THB = ~3AUD.

Budget for roughly $50AUD/day just for eating and travel. This is splashing out money That’s fancy meals and a couple cocktail and taxis.

Consider the following:
If I was stuck in the middle of Sydney with only 5 dollars, I cannot afford to buy a meal, NOR a pack of cigarettes NOR a taxi ride across town. In Bangkok, I can buy a meal AND get cigarettes AND get a taxi ride across town.

In Bangkok

Khun phut phasaa angrit, dai mai?

English is more common in Bangkok and other Thai tourist destinations more than ever. * Let’s say 1 in 3 taxi drivers speak English. Chai!

The areas of interest, besides the fantastic array of shopping malls are the night time tourist areas. During the day, shopping malls are the safest bet. Not that Bangkok is Dangerous. No, I’m saying that Heatstroke is Dangerous.

Remember the train station map you picked up at the airport/hotel front counter? This is your new best friend.

Getting Around

Avoid taxis during home-time peak hour AT ALL COSTS. Evening peak hour is between the hours of 5pm til 8pm. Peak hour is far worse during rain, and taxis are conspicuously hard to hail down during downfalls.

Taxi passenger protocols: Always insist that the driver turns on his taxi-meter within 10 seconds of traveling. The driver may refuse to take you or try to negotiate a fee up front. Depending on your budget and patience and most importantly – the scarcity of taxis – refuse the first offer. Negotiate, but if the barter is not in your favour, get out of the cab, hail another cab. As a rule, taxi drivers do not make much money, so the incentive to squeeze you a little is strong.

As a tourist, you’ll be relying heavily on the mass transit rail systems, the BTS and MRT. This also confines your journeys to the skytrain/underground routes, but it’s much simpler too.

Metro train tickets: Line up at the window and ask for a 1 day or a multi-day pass. It’s affordable and convenient. The BTS Skytrain and the MRT Underground use separate non-compatible ticketing system.

For the ambitious: Getting to destinations typically requires several parts. a) a train ride b) a taxi or motorcycle ride to get from the train station to the actual destination. Sometimes there is an intermediate step involving c) a canal boat ride (khlong boat).

Motorcycle rides: To travel up and down long sois with expedience, you will need to ride the back of a motocy-taxi. You need to communicate to the guy where you need to go. Then you need to know that whatever happens, the driver is going to charge you triple for being a tourist. 2km long sois still charge 20THB for the full distance ride, and that’s on high end Soi Thonglor. Half way travel works out to half the fee, 10THB. So, do not part with more than 30THB for a bike ride, as a matter of principal. Negotiate the fee up-front, then jump on the back of the damn bike.

Motorcycle-riding etiquette. If you are new to this, by all means hold the sissy bar at the back of the scooter. If you are female, side-saddle is the urbane fashion. Women straddling the bike are fine too, but those women are to be considered as back-road country bumpkins. It’s okay to gently lean on the driver, but essentially, when the driver leans to turn, you match his lean angle. Keep your shoulders relaxed and your core muscles firm. Resist the urge to talk on your mobile phone whilst in motion until you are familiar with the terrain.

Tuk Tuks: Similar to motorcycles but with more room for the ample gentleman. The fee is negotiated up front.

Getting Around

How do I get there, riaw fast.

Traveling within Bangkok.

Planes | Trains | Automobiles | Boats | Walking

The first rule of Bangkok is DON’T GET STUCK IN PEAK HOUR TRAFFIC. The second rule of Bangkok is DON’T GET STUCK IN PEAK HOUR TRAFFIC.

Here are the other rules.

Planes

P1030376 Airlines:

Thai Airways – the premium international carrier. They go to major Thai destinations also.

Bangkok Airways / Air Lao – Thai regional airline.

Thailand: Chiang Mai (CNX), Chiang Rai (CEI), Krabi (KBV), Samui (USM), Sukhotai (THS), Trat>Koh Chang (TDX), Udon Thani (UTH), Phuket (HKT)

International: SIN, HKG, KUL, Luang Prabang (LPQ), Mandalay(MDL), Yangon (RGN), Vientiane(VTE), Mumbai(BOM), Phnom Penh(PNH), Siem Reap (REP)

Air Asia – Asian’s massive international discount carrier. Note! Bangkok flights all go via the old Don Mueang airport.

Thailand: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Hat Yai, Khon Kaen, Krabi, Phuket and others.

Other countries: Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, China, HK, India, Indonesia, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Vietnam.

Nok Air – Thailand based discount regional carrier.

flies to: most Thai cities.

Airports:

Airport: Suvarnabhumi (BKK) – international full-fat carriers
Getting into the city centre:

Train to/from BTS Phaya Thai:
The train is affordable for 1-2 people. More than 2 people it is vastly cheaper to take a taxi. Only consider the train if your hotel is close to a BTS station. From the arrival gate, descend to the bottom floor of the airport.

Taxi-meter:
From the arrival gate, go to the 2nd floor taxi terminal.

Tourist Bus:
Take this only if you are backpacking to Khao San Road or going west of the Chao Praya river.

If you are staying near Sukhumvit Road or Silom Road areas: Take the taxi.

Airport: Don Mueang (BGK) –
The old airport, Don Mueang is now the terminal for discount airlines (Air Asia, Nok Air).

Getting into the city centre:
Taxi is the only option into the city.

Trains

Metropolitan Train Stations

BTS – Skytrain.

Services: Sukhumvit Road area, Silom Road area, Phahon Yothin area.

MRT – Subway.

Services: Khlong Toei Area, Hua Lumpong intercity train station, Ratchadaphisek area.

Intercity Train Stations:

Hualumphong Train Station

-> South towards Islands
-> North towards Chiang Mai.
-> East towards Cambodia (TH: Aranya Pratet, CB: Poipet) >

Reminder: write about the Poipet bus scam and The scary private car option to Siam Reap / Angkor Wat.

Automobiles (Taxis)

Rule: If you don’t see the driver turn on the meter turned on within 50 metres, insist (politely) or get out of the taxi. Take note of the driver’s identification card and number if things get awkward.

Attention Australians! It is customary to sit in the back seat of the taxi. It is also expected that the seatbelts are absent.

Minibuses:

Trat>Ko Chang, Ko Samet, Other destintions.

Inter-regional Government-Run Buses.

Terminals are found near BTS Ekkamai. Available for trips to Koh Chang or Koh Samet or Cambodian border (Aranya Prathet/Poipet) destinations.

Less than 3 wheels:

Tuk Tuks:

Fares negotiated up-front. Short trips are less than ~30 THB. Seats 1-6 people in inversely proportionate comfort.

Motorcycle Taxis:

Look for the guys on bikes in coloured vests (Orange or Purple). Fares are often assumed but may be declared up-front. The less fuss you make when declaring your destination, the better.

Motorcycle taxi fares are dependent on the route. Standard routes on specific sois do not exceed 20THB. eg. 2km journey from BTS Thong Lor to Phra Ram 9 road is 20THB. Deviations from standard routes incur return trip charges.

No wheels

Khlong Boat:

Canal travel is often more expedient than on-road travel as they avoid traffic jams. During peak hour they become essential. This form of transport is ideal for traveling between Banglamphu (Khao San area) to city centre and east towards Phra Ram 9/Sukhumvit area. Fares are typically under 20THB.

Note: Beware, the canals (khlongs) are filled with fetid water. The squeamish will find this experience challenging.

Ferry

Operating on the river, the Chao Praya. Easiest access from the BTS system is from Sathorn Pier. Ideal for destinations such as Wat Po, Arun Residence sunset drinks overlooking Wat Arun, Khao San area.

On Foot

Tips: Bangkok people walk very slowly. This method is not without reason. Cobble stones are often loose underfoot, but mainly it’s because of the heat and humidity. Walking in a calm, sonambulant manner ensures that you do not expose yourself to over-exertion and likely heatstroke.

Out of Bangkok

A List of Thailand tourist destinations

Chiang Mai | Hua Hin | Thai Islands and Beaches | Inland Adventures

Booking Rooms:

I’ve had good experiences with Agoda, but you can book directly off most hotel websites.

Chiang Mai

Things to do:

Markets

1) The every-night night-market. Pretty standard really. Things to eat and buy and browse.
2) The star attraction within the city – the very charming Weekend night markets in the old fortified city with an atmosphere akin to a carnival. A mix of markets, food, souvenirs, handcrafts and sideshows. Ensure you visit Chiang Mai on a weekend.

The Hills beyond Chiang Mai

Doi Suthep. Doi Kham. ( Doi mean “Hill”)
Tour the green hills on motorbike.

Elephants that Paint and Tigers and Stuff.
Places: Tiger Kingdom, Mae Sa Elephant Camp. Everyone loves tigers and elephants. So, what’s the moral dilemma?

We stayed at Seven Senses Guesthouse.

The room was ok, simple, quaint. Short bike-ride to the markets. The owner/manager was especially helpful in planning out our day-trips into the hills. She was super helpful (and patient).

Hua Hin

Hua Hin is the summer palace of His Majesty. It’s also the seaside resort for many Bangkokians.

Hotel: Let’s Sea Hua Hin Al Fresco Resort. Sooo chill and romantic. Long salt-water pool with bar at the end. Nice rooms. Intimate.

In the cooler months /tourist season, the lovely night-time art and craft Cicada Markets are in full flight. Recommended. Let’s Sea is just a walk down the alley to Cicada. Fun times.

Thai Islands/ Beaches.

East Gulf of Thailand:

Ko Samet – Small island, closest island/beach to Bangkok. Travel: 4 hours minibus + ferry, speedboat. Thais and foreigners working in Bangkok sling to this island on the weekend. Gets messy on the weekend. Actually pleasant during the week. Samet is known for it’s relatively dry weather during the wet season.

Ko Chang – largest island. Taxi/Bus or Scooter hire required. Some nice beaches. Some vigourous levels of hotel development in recent years.

Ko Kut – remote island south of Ko Chang.

Pattaya (Never been, Don’t want to.)

West Gulf of Thailand

Ko Samui – Only Gulf island with an airport, essentially monopolized by Bangkok Air. Popular with foreign tourists. Similar to Bali’s Kuta and Seminyak, although lacking some of the wow of Seminyak. Looking at you, Potatohead.

Ko Phangan – The FULL MOON PARTY island. Specifically Hat Rin beach. Get there via a 1hr ferry from Ko Samui, or via the mainland ferry. Bike hire required to get around.

Ko Tao – Popular with French tourists and a jump off point for scuba divers.

Andaman Sea

Phuket – Again, a similar foreign contingency comparable to Bali’s Kuta. I have not had a good time there.

Renown Taxi mafia enforce price controls. People coming from Bangkok will be shocked. Typical taxi ride in Bangkok is 50-100 Baht. Expect to pay at least 500? Bt to leave the airport, last I heard.

Krabi – The natural beauty of the limestone karst surrounded beaches is not to be underestimated. Typical jaunt necessitates a long-boat tour of the various little sand-islands a few miles off Ao Nang Beach/ Railay Beach. Those are: Chicken Island, Monkey Island, and a couple other islands. It’s a fun day out. Stay for cheap on the quiet Ao Nang Beach side, and venture for party at night to Railay. Bring a head-torch.

Krabi Advice: The little ventured cave-pocked ocean-side beach on the otherside of Monkey island is the stuff of dreams. Baby fish dance in the shallows. Secluded beach with many high caves to climb in and around. Hunt for a boatman who will take you there. Heck, avoid the common tour guys and hire your personal boatman to get to that island. We did. It was awesome. For some reason, the muesli they serve in Ao Nang is supernaturally tasty.

Ko Lanta: A less well known island. Quieter than other islands. Less to do, but charming for it’s relative remoteness. South of Phuket, and with slightly more muslim/malay influence, most clearly demonstrated by the food (more beef, less pork). Actually appears to have an airport now, according to the Nok Air website. We stayed at a resort in a beachfront bungalow. Relaxing time.

Ko Phi Phi. Never been, but this island was especially popular with Europeans after the movie, The Beach. The island also suffered large tourist casualties during the tsunami.

Phi Phi can be reached via ferry from Krabi or Phuket. Erm, 2hrs from shore? Expect night time fire-twirlers.

Other In-land adventures.

Sis-Sa-Ket: Wonderful organic farm tours with Bryan and Tui.

Kanchanaburi
> Erawan Waterfalls
> Bridge over River Kwai
> The eyrie WW2 Thai-Burma Railway
> Tiger Temple
> Strange Karaoke on the Riverboat.

Kanchanaburi -> Sangkhlaburi via motorcycle.
Covered in more depth here.

Sangkhlaburi – Serene border town astride a lake.

Khao Yai National Forest. Trekking and day tours can be found.

Chiang Rai. Only flew there once to bus it over to Northern Laos.

Laos: Luang Prabang, Vientiane, The Gibbon Experience, Mekong River by Boat ( 2 full days of sitting in stress positions )

Cambodia: Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Phnom Penh.
(todo: Write about the poipet bus scam, Angkor Wat tips, Siem Reap tips, the casinos in no-mans-land at the Thai Cambodia border)

Things to do in Bangkok

What to do during the daytime.

List of activities to try while in the City of Angels.

Passive Activities

Traditional Thai Massage: Need to relax? Try a 1-2 hour traditional massage. Be vocal if you are in pain. If done well, you will literally be bouncing down the street with renewed energy.

Movies > 4D movies at Siam Paragon or Central World Plaza. I went with Mum to see the Hobbit movie in 4D. Was not disappointed. The experience was surreal.

BK Magazine: The english language what’s-on FREE street magazine. Pick one up in any cafe.

Organic Farmer’s Markets ( Raithong ) – Friends Bryan and Tui operate a fabulous organic food business. Their latest product is brewed ginger beer. Say hello if you are attending a farmer’s market.

Tours

Bike tours: try Bike Tours Bangkok or Grasshopper Adventures bike tour companies. This is a great thing to experience the back streets away from the traffic jams and bustle of central BKK.

Photo Opportunities

Benjasiri Park at Sunset, next to BTS Phrom Phong. See the local people in their interesting exercise habits. Worth the visit.

Erawan temple after work hours. Of interest: this shrine is popular with the office-ladies. Prayers are a visual feast of colour and smoke. Near BTS Chit Lom.

Cooking Schools

Baipai Thai Cooking School – I have attended one of their classes. The experience was fun, the teacher repartee – a delight.

Maykaidee Cooking Classes – I have wanted to attend the famous cooking school, but never gotten around to it. Her vegetarian food is a delight. Her restaurants are found in the Khao San area.

Dancing

Argentine Tango.

A passionate community of dancers will welcome you to the tango experience.

Monday: Tango Class and practica. Nice Step Studio.

Wednesday: Milonga @ Flava Bar Dream Hotel

Thursday: Jueves Tango de Soi 4″ at Spanish On 4 restaurant, Silom

Saturday: Lynn’s on Saturdays at Red Pepper

Sunday: Milonga. Dream Hotel at Flava Bar

Todo:
– Salsa
-Swing
-Nightclubs

Music

– Adhere the 13th, if you like blues music it’s MANDATORY, and on Fridays, barbeque.

– WTF Gallery and Bar, great pizzas.

– Brown Sugar. Jazz bar.

– Tawangdang. Beer. spicy food, incredible stage performances.

Art:

bangkok art and culture centre (BACC) BTS National Stadium

Soi Ekkamai.

Chez Charlies, Suk 17? Sample the Best Croissant in Bangkok. A photo opportunity awaits inside.

Outside Grounds of the Central World Plaza often host a large art exhibition.

Shopping (Shop Ping):

See a 5 star supermarket! Siam Paragon.
See an amazing AND tacky Airport themed shopping centre: Terminal 21, Asoke BTS.
Weekend Markets at Chatuchak (a.k.a. JJ’s, Jatujak).
Friday Flora Markets at Chatuchak.
Antique Night Markets – Ratchada , great atmosphere at this market. Lots of interesting things to see.

No visit to BKK is complete without a lunch meet at Shabu-shi Sushi + Suki train one price 1h 20min buffet. Where: Central World Plaza, MBK (Mahboonkrong)

Wat Arun from Aree Residence @ Sunset, Wat Pho > Pier = Tha Tien
BTS Sathorn > Sathorn Pier > Ferry > Tha Tien
Long-tail Boat Tours of Canals West of the ChaoPhraya

Hire a bicycle and ride around on a cycle tour.

[It’s Raining! What do I do?]

Shopping: there are five upper-end shopping centres interconnected in central BKK. You can conceivably using the skytrain’s skywalk to weave through > Gaysorn – Central World Plaza – Siam Paragon – Siam Centre – MBK.

Not Shopping? Then you’re Eating. Drinking. Thai massage.

Cinemas are at the top of Paragon, Central World, Terminal 21 and MBK shopping centres.

Graveyard Shift Jaunts:

There are things to do in the early hours of the morning.

– Thawet Late night flower markets.

– Fresh Produce scramble at Khlong Toei Markets, Road: Rama IV.

– After hour Night Clubs – officially not suppose to exist, but a well established way to keep partying after the watershed hour.

– 24 Hour Diner – Foodland’s Tuk Lae Dee diners are dependable places to get an all hours meal after being out all day.

Trouble:

– Hospitals:
– Tourist Police:
– Normal Police:

[It’s Too Hot! What to do?]

Quick Glossary:

Thanon: Road
Soi: Alley
BTS: Sky Train
MRT: Subway

Vegetarian: Aharn Jehr.
A little bit: Nit Noi.
Delicious: Arrrroy.
Thank You. (f) Korp Kun Ka / (m) Korp Kun Krup.

Eating in Bangkok

Soo much fooood.

Watch what you eat.

General Notes | Regular Food | Gelato Bars | Breakfast | Fancy Food

General Notes:

Perhaps you didn’t know, but fruit in Australia tastes like watered down mush.
The fruit in Thailand is fantastic. Your mission is to taste every weird fruit you see, even just once. Mangos, watermelon, rambutans, pomegranate, mangosteens, durian, jackfruit. And the unrecognisable ones. Yes, even the snake skin fruit.
Drinks: lemon grass in a drink, insane!
Street stalls, they’re still doing great work and you should try their food.

Ok, so specific places to eat:

Regular Eating

Nobu, Thonglor 14 – Nasi Dengaku, to die for, a must. Don’t bother too much with the menu. Ask head chef to plan out your meal. $10-$20 AUD. Open late.

Seven Spoons, $15-30 + Drinks. Renown head chef is Jok. The food coming out of his kitchen is out of this world.

Din Tai Fung, Central World Plaza, great experience had with their noodles and duck pancakes. Watch the dumpling chefs ply their craft while you sit on the bench outside glassed off kitchen. Just mesmerizing. $20

Sukhumvit Soi 38, Soi-Food (Street food) $3

— Sit any where and just order anything from any vendor. The food comes to you.

Recommendations:
The skewers of barbequed pork is delicious and served with a little salad vinaigrette. The noodles at the noodle cart are commendable. The pad-thai guy on the corner frying pad-thai has been doing nothing else for a very long time. There’s a tasty fried bread treat called Bat Thong Guo at the far end, served with condensed milk flavoured with pandan. Must have: thai ice desserts and the Mango Sticky Rice from this soi is particularly good.

Ka-nom : Fine Jok (rice porridge, served with excellent fried chewy bread), the Famous egg-tarts are perfecto. $7

Pladib, Ari Sampan Soi 7. $20
The 2008 menu included Ox tongue, frogs legs, tasty soft-shelled crab salad. They also have a pizza oven.
Shabushi, MBK Floor 3. $10

No visit to Bangkok is complete without a visit to this funny concept restaurant. Sushi train with no sushi, instead, raw ingredients parade past you to cook in your personal steamboat. 1 hour 20min on the clock for your timed all-you-can-eat Shabu buffet. Oh my.

Crepes and Co. 2 locations in Sukhumvit area. French Moroccan. Their Harissa is the shit.

Roti Mataba – Reknown roti for those that need a fix, Phra Sumen Rd in the Khao San area, $5
( Include a nice walk around the Rambutri Area, Khao San area, Banglamphu.)

(The Famous) Mai Kay Dee Vegetarian Restaurant. Khao San area. Three restaurant locations. ~$7.

Thong Lor Soi 17 Street Vendor: Duck Noodles (Bhah Mi Phet), Awesome street noodles here, remember to add all the roast peanuts and chilli in vinegar that you can get your hands on.
Location: Thong Lor Soi 17 therebouts, outside the FamilyMart convenience store . 40 baht

Gelato Bars:

iBerry franchise – Asian flavours smashed with gelato. Green Tea, Red Bean, Black Bean, Chilli, Corn, Durian flavoured Gelato, and more!

Melt Me franchise- gelato and chocolatier. Red Bull flavoured gelato.

Other Ice-cream

Breakfast

Kuppa, Sukhumvit 16, fine place, good coffee, western prices, international menu, prepare to jostle with the ex-pat mothers groups if sitting inside.

Gastro, RMA institute >Soi Nam Thip 2 (alley) — an offshoot by Bo and Dylan of Bo.lan fame. A cute little cafe, in the back sois between Sukhumvit Road and Phra Ram 9, so hard to get to.

Fancy Eating

Bo.lan, Sukhumvit Soi 53, near BTS Thong Lor. I know the owners Bo and Dylan. They care dearly about organic produce and sticking to their guns in terms of the quantity of chilli in their food. Thai cuisine, fine dining.

Red Sky, Centara Grand at Central World.

Sirocco Restaurant rooftop at State Tower. Nice venue, reputedly about 200USD pp.

Drinking in Bangkok

Where to go for making party.

Bangkok is changing rapidly. Around 14 million tourists stay in the city every year. The makeup of the nationalities have changed over time, and that is demonstrated clearly in the city’s party areas.

Amazing Open Air/Rooftop bars:

Long Table at Column Hotel. If you see thunderstorms rolling in from the east, dash towards this bar for the perfect vantage point.
Sky Bar/The Dome @ Sirocco @ Lebua, State Tower, No rain today? Plan to get to Sky Bar for sunset drinks, then venture to the Sky Bar on the other side of the dome for a night time view of the city.
Vertigo, Banyan Tree Hotel. Great view, but get in early to avoid the seats near the loud exhaust towers.

Also high altitude up:
Quiet High Altitude Drinks Okura Prestige

The Thong Lor Ashley Sutton Triumvirate:

Iron Fairies – Clouds – Fat Gutz. If you’re near by, go visit in that order. Iron Fairies has been so extraordinarily popular the place has started falling apart at the seams, last I checked in 2012.

Where: Soi Thong Lor > BTS Thonglor > Sukhumvit 55, motorcycle taxi to near J-Av (J-Avenue).

Old Haunts: Tuba – this place doubles as an Ex-pat furniture shop. Mandatory visit for antique lovers for sure. Also in the same vein, Shades Of Retro.
Late night eating > Soi 38 street food. > Nobu, Thonglor 14.

Sukhumvit Road

BTS Asoke / Sukhumvit Soi 16/ Asoke Montri Rd.

Sukhumvit Soi 11:

BTS Nana > Sukhumvit Soi 3
Late night eats: Bamboo Restaurant Russian/Arabic
Arabic Quarter ( food )

Tawangdang Beer Hall

BTS Sala Daeng / Silom Rd / Sathorn / Patpong

Silom Soi 4 / Thaniya Rd. (Japanese Food)

Khaosan Area > Adhere the 13th Blues Bar

Party Areas

Soi Ekkamai > Sukhumvit 63

Royal City Avenue (RCA)

Silom Area.

Sukhumvit Soi 11.

Khao San Road Area.

Rambuttri Area.

Beyond Khao San: Cafe Democ, Adhere the 13th Blues Bar.

Thong Lor/Ekkamai