Thursday, September 22

Bangkok trip preparations (will keep editing this post)

 9-12 night  - Indra Regent Hotel
http://www.indrahotel.com/accom_Packages.html

13-15 night - Amari Atrium Bangkok
  • Free shuttle bus service
  • Clark Hatch Fitness Centre
  • Swimming pool and Jacuzzi

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Things to watch out for in BKK:

Transport:
http://www.bangkokmetro.co.th/index.aspx?Lang=En


Places I want to go shopping...


1. MBK Center (Mahboonkrong)

2. Siam Discovery Center and Siam Paragon

Siam Ocean World which can be found at Siam Paragon.

3. Pratunam

You could take a tuktuk from Siam Center to Pratunam Area or you could walk your way and pass through numerous malls such as Central World, Big C and Gaysorn for more shopping. One you arrive in Pratunam you'll see Platinum Fashion Mall and other smaller shopping malls. These malls are specializing in trendy clothes for the modern fashion enthusiasts. Across the street, make your way to the road that leads to Baiyoke and you'll see more stores selling clothes, shoes and accessories in wholesale price.

4. Bo Bey Market and Chinatown

A short walk from Hua Lampong station will lead you to Chinatown where you could buy textiles, garments and gold. Enter the small alleys and you'll find a lot of wholesalers selling toys, bags, shoes and women's accessories. A short tuktuk ride or a 20-30 minute ride will take you to Bo Bey Market which is another big wholesale market for garments.

5. Chatuchak Weekend Market

From clothes, shoes, bags, handicrafts, food, travel souvenirs and even pets.

The World's Biggest Weekend Market - the Chatuchak Weekend Market, Bangkok, Thailand.The market is open on Saturdays and Sundays. From your hotel take either the skytrain (BTS) to Mo Chit station or the metro (MRT) to Suan Chatuchak station.(Source: http://bangkok.sawadee.com/chatuchak.htm)

Chatuchak Market is adjacent to the Kamphaengpecth Station (MRT) about 5 minute walk from Mochit Skytrain (BTS) Station and Suan Chatuchak (Chatuchak Park) Station (MRT)
How to get to Chatuchak Market
SkyTrain BTS get off at Sapan Khwai Station or Mochit Station MRT get off at Kamphaenpetch Station
Bus No. 3,826,27,28,29,34,38,39,44,52,59,63,77,90,96,104,408,112,122, 134,136,138,153,159
Aircondition Bus No. 2,3,9,18,19,28,34,39,44,134,145,153,510,512,513

Source: http://chatuchak.org/map.html

Food I want to try..
Thai food would probably be one of the most famous cuisines in this world. The food is just awesome. For some cheap but delicious Pad Thai, go to Khao San road. It will only cost you maybe around 15-20 baht. And, don’t forget to try the Chocolate Banana Crepe which cost around 10-20 baht maybe. (http://flipnomad.com/2009/12/things-youll-love-about-bangkok/)

1. Gaeng som pla
Called "gaeng leung" in Bangkok, gaeng som is the ultimate bigwig of southern Thai comfort, a soup with such potent delicious flavor it's a culinary wake up call -- like a bowl of orange juice set on fire.
In Thai, it means "sour curry," though it covers a much larger range of tastes. The soup is usually made with a liquid fish base combined with curry paste and turmeric, which turns it into a yellowish orange color.
Gaeng som is commonly cooked with bamboo shoots, green papaya or slices of pineapple.

2. Gaeng tai pla
It's a thick fish soup, more like a multidimensional stew with layers of complex flavor. The ingredients are a combination of fish viscera, grilled fish, fermented shrimp paste, eggplant, pumpkin, string beans and bamboo shoots.
Just like in a lot of southern Thai food, it's the dried chilies, garlic, red onions, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal and turmeric that give gaeng tai pla that invigorating push.

3. Kua kling
Kua kling is a southern Thai dry curry that is commonly made with pork, beef or chicken. Lacking the liquid coconut sweet curry (like many other Thai curries), the dry meat is like a sponge that absorbs a high concentration of spice.
The meat is injected with curry paste, chilies, garlic and shaved lemongrass before being sprinkled with a handful of thinly sliced kaffir lime leaves, and sometimes full pepper corns. Each bite is a piquant powerhouse that begins with a spicy kick and ends with a trace of lime.  

4. Tom som pla krabok
 not quite as fiery as gaeng som, but it just might be one of the sourest soups that Thailand has to offer.
Every spoonful is a tongue smack of acidity that results in an outward frown, but internal delight.
Along with the delightful sourness, the soup is a fusion of turmeric root, shredded ginger and tamarind juice.

5. Khao yam
Khao yam is a fragrant rice salad where grated coconut, dry shredded shrimp and a host of herbs are the dominating ingredients.

6. Nam prik goong siap
Nam prik goong siap is one of the more popular nam prik (spicy sauce) variations that originate from the lower portion of Thailand. 
The intricate paste is a pestle pounded mixture composed of dried shrimp, fermented shrimp paste, fiery chilies, garlic, lime juice, fish sauce and a sprinkle of brown sugar to level things off.
Made correctly, all ingredients should even each other out in a harmonious sauce that is not too shrimpy, just sour enough, and perfectly balanced. Nam prik goong siap is served as a dip along with a garden of freshly cut vegetables. 

Note: Any dish with Sataw, means there are "stink beans"!!

Areas near Siriraj Hospital and across the street from Ramkamhaeng University are hotspots for Bangkok's southern food scene. Here are two of Mark Weins' favorite restaurants:
1.
Lan Ahan Puk Tai Dao Tai
: 508/26 Phran Nok Road, Bahng Koug Noy, Bangkok. +66 (0)2 412 2385. Open 7 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
In Thai: ร้านอาหารปักษ์ใต้ ดาวใต้ 508/26 ถ.พรานนก บางกอกน้อย กทม
2.
Lan Khao Gaeng Bak Tai Loong Kaun: Ramkamhaeng Soi 29, opposite 7/11, Bangkok. +66 (0)84 660 3278. Across the street from Ramkamhaeng University.
ร้านข้าวแกงปักษ์ใต้ลุงคอนเข้าซอยรามคำแหง 29 ตรงข้่าม 7 Eleven

- good Southern Thai place with excellent khau kling moo, kaeng tai bpla and panaeng in the covered market next to True Tower on Ratchada.

- If in Krabi town, eat at Ruan Mai restaurant in Maharat Road about 1 km out of town.
- Chawang, near Siriraj Hospital, and Panya Seafood in Phrachanivet area.
- Kua Kling Paksod in Sukhumvit 53 (BTS Thonglor) ( https://www.facebook.com/KhuaK... ) between Thong Lor 5 & 9

98/1 Soi Thonglor 5 Sukhumvit 55, Bangkok, Thailand 10110

- http://www.exotissimo.com/infographic/thai-food-roadmap

Bangkok: Rib Room and Bar


With the Thais' love of flavours, it's no surprise that The Rib Room and Bar serves meat with an emphasis on strong seasoning and taste. A venue favourite is the Australian grain-fed beef, aged for 400 days. Some of their other specialties include rib-eye steak on the bone, Matsusaka beefsteak, and the beef Wellington.

With ambiance that can keep up with the steak, The Rib Room and Bar has contemporary decor and views of the Bangkok skyline from its 31st floor location. (Source: http://sg.travel.yahoo.com/inspirations/358-best-steakhouses-in-asia)

10 of Bangkok's best street food stalls from: http://www.cnngo.com/bangkok/eat/10-incredible-bangkok-street-food-stalls-280519

The central Bangkok food court experience from:  http://sg.travel.yahoo.com/inspirations/347-the-central-bangkok-food-court-experience

Bangkok markets: 5 of Ratchawat's best eats from: http://www.cnngo.com/bangkok/eat/ratchawat-bangkok-neighborhood-442674

Places I want to visit...

Bangkok’s top tourist spots -- the Grand Palace, Wat Arun and Wat Pho

Source: http://flipnomad.com/2009/12/things-youll-love-about-bangkok/
Temple Hopping
Must see:
Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) is where you will find the Emerald Buddha, which is actually not emerald but jade. But they still call it emerald though.
Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) is not a movie title but a temple located at the west bank of the Chao Phraya River.
Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha) is where you’ll find a beautiful golden reclining Buddha (one of the thousands Buddha figures). The figure measures 46 meters long and it’s covered in gold leaf. The Buddha’s feet is 3 meters and decorated in mother of pearl illustrations. It’s a sight to behold.
Wat Mahathat is the headquarters of Thailand’s largest monastic order and it’s also a Vipassana Meditation center. If you wanna learn some meditation practices, this is a must place to visit.

 24 hours in Bangkok: Off the beaten track must-sees from: http://sg.travel.yahoo.com/inspirations/362-24-hours-in-bangkok-off-the-beaten-track-must-sees

24 hours in Bangkok: Must-see spots from: http://sg.travel.yahoo.com/inspirations/361-24-hours-in-bangkok-must-see-spots

 Bangkok’s majestic Chao Phraya River

5 Bangkok streets you have to hit to really get a feel for the city from: http://sg.travel.yahoo.com/inspirations/188-5-bangkok-streets-you-have-to-hit-to-really-get-a-feel-for-the-city


Luxurious manicures: i.sawan Residential Spa & Club, Grand Hyatt, Erawan, Bangkok

Never underestimate the psychological power of a bit of nail grooming. Add in Vitamin E Collection products by Jo Malone -- famous for her lime basil and mandarin fragrance -- and i.sawan has hit the extremity jackpot. Soaking, cleansing, scrubbing, a mind-meltingly hot paraffin wax treatment and finally a massage for hard working hands, what’s not to fall in love with? Basic treatments: Jo Malone Manicure, 1,200 baht for 75 mins. http://www.bangkok.grand.hyatt.com/

Gay Bangkok: The essential bar and club guide from: http://sg.travel.yahoo.com/inspirations/45-gay-bangkok-the-essential-bar-and-club-guide



6. Khao San Road

Aside from bars, guesthouses and drunk tourists, you'll also find Khao San as a nice place to shop. There's a variety of items being sold here that appeals a lot to young travellers. T-shirts, novelty items, travel souvenirs and handmade leather bags and shoes abound. Walk toward Soi Rambuttri and you'll find local craftsmen making leather bags, wallets and miniature tuktuks made from beer cans.

Source: http://sg.travel.yahoo.com/inspirations/380-where-to-shop-in-bangkok---bangkoks-best-shopping-places?cid=today

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