I get a lot of questions here via email about Thai girls and dating. What is the proper way to approach a Thai girl, how can I tell if she’s a “good” girl vs a bar girl, how to avoid internet scams and that sort of thing. [...]
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I don't normally blog about political events in Thailand because I'm really not that interested in the day to day goings on. However today is a bit different as the deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has returned to Thailand after a 17 month long exile.
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As you can see from the video Thaksin still has many many supporters in his native Thailand. He has said that the reason for his return is simply to clear his name of the allegations made and he will not be participating in Thai politics. Thaksin has said that Thailand is the only place he and his family can truly be happy and he wants to come back and live just like any normal Thai citizen. He also said that he will likely get involved as a philanthropist helping out in the areas of sports and education.
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Pattaya is often thought of as the place to go for cheap booze, cheap sex and to meet ladyboys, but there is another side to Pattaya that is not often mentioned. I'm talking about the music scene that continues to grow each year. One driving force to this is the Pattaya Music Festival which is the largest festival in
Pattaya is actually a perfect venue thanks to the beach location, large number of hotels, proximity to
This year is planned to be bigger than ever and in addition to the music there are plans for a swimwear fashion show, live dancers, firedancers and the great water park slides and pools to enjoy. The party starts at 17:00 with music and visuals being provided by Graham Gold, Chris Samba, Darren Mac, Billy V, Tony Hughes, Live Percussions by Num T-Bone and Visuals by Que VJ.
If you're in the area why not head down and enjoy some great food and music, chill out by the pool and take in the festivities.
If you are wondering where to stay why not check out some of the packages that Agoda.com has to offer right here .
Want FREE tickets? BangkokRecorder is sponsoring a contest where they are giving away 6 pairs of tickets to the Dance Anthems Summer Splash. Simply send them an email to rec at bangkokrecorder.com with your name and mobile number to be entered.
Popularity: 9% [?]
Here's a new advertising twist. Put large LCD screens and electronic boards on top of small trucks and then park them at major intersections. Plus you have the bonus of being able to move them throughout the day based on traffic patterns.
That's exactly what the Hello Bangkok agency has been doing in Bangkok since December and people are now complaining about the new advertising saying that it is distracting to drivers and causes traffic jams.
If it is effective advertising of course it is distracting, that's the point. As far as creating traffic jams I can't imagine how much worse things can be in a city that regularly sees gridlock everyday. Have you ever tried to get through Chinatown, Khao San Road or Sukhumvit between the hours of 5pm and 8pm? The roads are so clogged already that it's almost better to walk.
The CEO of Hello Bangkok claims ''Mobile outdoor advertising is a new development in Thailand's ad industry. They could help overcome the BMA's possible ban on oversized billboards, which can be fatally dangerous during heavy storms,'' Mr Kitichai said.
Yes, but what about distracting motorists with these new billboards that can be fatally dangerous at any time Khun Kitichai? Last week, a man claimed that he was hit by a mobile unit of Hello Bangkok, further complicating the difficulties already faced by the company.
Wannee Ruttanaphon, chairman of the media buying agency Initiative, said she found the new medium ''interesting'' and might introduce it to her clients.
''It's quite flexible and can reach a target group easily since it is movable. The advertisers can choose locations that are right for their target groups,'' Ms Wannee said.
Currently Hello Bangkok has 700 of the mobile units, but can you imagine if this takes off in a big way? Thousands of small trucks with glittering neon all vying for your attention while you're trying to drive does not sound like a safe scenario to me.
I know America has Times Square and Las Vegas and similar areas, but at least these glitzy areas are stationary. I can only imaging what traffic would like in Manhattan with these distractions. Of course if you've been to Bangkok you know that Thai's love the neon lights. Simply look at the clubs, pubs and restaurants to see that. Or take a look at a Thai website like TeeNee, all flash and glitz galore.
Has anyone seen these mobile ad units in Bangkok? What do you think about them? Will they take off and turn Bangkok's streets into parking lots during rush hour or will Bangkok clamp down on this type of advertising and remove it from the streets?
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Today I have another entry from Richard of richardelliots blogspot and it is in my opinion the best he's written yet. If you like clubbing in the west you will love clubbing in Bangkok. Listen to what Richard has to say because he is right, these clubs have great music, atmosphere and tons of beautiful people.
Bangkok has some of the best nightclubs in the world, fantastic music, stylish interiors and lots and lots of very beautiful boys and girls. As if the locals weren't beautiful enough, they offer free drinks to models on certain nights of the week to make sure the ultra-glamorous are there. It is my favourite place to go clubbing of anywhere I have visited across the globe! Bangkok 's clubs can easily rival those from London and New York .
Lets be clear at the start, I'm not talking about any of the venues where you can pick up a bargirl in Nana Plaza or Patpong. These are also not the back packer tourist traps of the Khoa San Road . We're talking about the Bangkok Super Clubs where middle and upper class Thais hang out. The music scene is mainly hip-hop. There is also almost always a stage or separate room where a live band will play some more rocky numbers during the night.
You actually see comparatively few farrangs in the clubs and I think this is because to unlock their full potential you need to understand a little bit about Thai culture. Lots of travelers arrive with a Western attitude and completely the wrong approach. Let's be honest, most of us go to nightclubs to have a good time and meet and dance with gorgeous members of the opposite sex. So how do you succeed? Steve has a number of good pieces on the blog about Thai dating and Thai culture. Hopefully this article below will also give you some advice and the inspiration to visit one of the exceptional nightclubs.
Make sure you go with at least one other friend and take some ID even if you look well over the legal drinking age. (If you don't want to carry your passport around, a colour photocopy will be accepted almost everywhere.) Entry is usually free. When you arrive don't just buy a drink from the bar, ask for a table. Where you get your table can make or break your night. It is important to get the choice right! Pick a table with a good view over the stage and the rest of the club, more importantly make sure it is near other tables containing hot boys / girls depending on your persuasion. Make sure they are not ladyboys as there will certainly be a couple of tables of katoeys in the club (check the size of their hands
).
At your table the norm is to order a whole bottle of whiskey or vodka and some mixers depending on what you like. If you haven't finished it by the end of the evening you can hand it back to your waiter and they will give you a ticket identifying your bottle. Next time you go to the club you can drink the remainder for free.
You are at your table and surrounded by beautiful people, now for the flirting! Pale skin is seen as attractive in Thailand and you will be one of the few Westerners in the club so you will stand out. Both good starts. Thai men don't seem to dance much, so even if you have two left feet, but are prepared to give it a go, you will be one of the best male dancers in the club. Sadly ladies, Thai girls are excellent dancers in my experience.
If you see someone you like, make eye contact and smile. If they make eye contact back and return a smile it is a good sign. The tables are always pretty tightly packed, so start talking to your neighbours. If you didn't get the position of your table quite right and are making reciprocal eye contact with someone a little further away, ask your waiter to take them a note asking for their phone number. Might sound a bit forward, but it is quite common. If you don't believe me just watch the waiters and waitresses for a bit! Your waiter will happily do it for a small tip. If they give you their number go over and say hello.
A key piece of advice is don't overcook it. The worst thing that can happen, is if you are called Choa Shoo or Butterfly. In a country where face is important no one wants to be seen with someone who is choa shoo. If one person calls you chao shoo others will be thinking it and you should change your focus to enjoying the music and club atmosphere for the rest of the night.
What can result in you being called Chao Shoo? Too much physical contact, being obviously drunk or being seen to talk / dance with lots of people who obviously aren't the friends that you came to the club with. Your flirting needs to be discreet or concentrated on just one person.
So you have met your perfect boy / girl, what do you do next? Public displays of affection are not at all common in Thailand . Kissing in clubs is virtually unheard of. You'll know if they like you from how closely they dance with you. There may also be a discreet peck on the cheek when they think no one is looking. Ask for their phone number and if they call you the next day they definitely like you, so make sure you ask for a second date when they call!
The clubs are full most nights of the week, being busier at the weekend. The craziest time of all is Songkran when you need to go armed with a water pistol and expecting to get soaked to the skin.
Finally, where are these places? Try four of my personal favourites: SLIM and Route 66 at RCA or Santika and Bed Supperclub (the only club to charge an entry fee) in Sukhumvit.
P.S. The concept that drink driving is a bad idea clearly hasn't reached Thailand yet and lots of people drive home from the clubs. Be careful on the roads as you jump in a taxi!
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Today while out teaching Golf how to drive she made a comment about how she can't wait to see what it will be like when I have to deal with the culture shock of moving to Thailand. Certainly as a Thai girl in America she has done a great job adjusting to the differences in culture, food and weather and she wants to see how I will adjust when the shoe is on the other foot.
Of course that made her think too about the things SHE will need to adjust back to when we move to Thailand. It will be reverse culture shock for her and I can relate, because I know several weeks away from the U.S. will have me questioning what should be normal daily events.
So, what is it about Thailand that a Thai girl doesn't look forward to going back to?
Huh, look at that. Seems it is pretty much the same things a lot of westerners complain about when they move to or visit Thailand. Of course Golf may not be completely representative of the average Thai, after all she did marry a farang and move away from Thailand. I think it's fair to say that her opinion matches with many of the younger educated Thai's though.
What is it about Thailand that makes you crazy, angry or just downright frustrated?
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I started Thailand Musings a little less than 6 months ago as something of a hobby site. I just wanted to share my own love and passion for a country that I have been visiting for 10 years and have come to think of as a second home. I know that the Kingdom has so many different things to offer people and I wanted to share my thoughts and experiences.
Since then I am seeing the blog growing and I want to devote more of my time to not only growing the blog, but also fostering a sense of community among the readers. I have seen my subscribers growing and I want to thank all of you that have already subscribed, you are my loyal readers.
As I focus more on this blog I'm planning some big things in 2008. First off we'll be changing our look here. I am shopping for a new theme that I hope will make the blog more presentable and easier to read. Soon you'll be able to find Thailand videos here as I expand the blog. There is a contest on the way next month and I am also developing another Thailand themed site at Golf's request. If you've been thinking about subscribing why not subscribe now either by feed or by email.
Today I created accounts at all of the major social networking sites (Facebook, Hi5, MySpace, Friendster and Tagged) and I would love to see you there as my friends. You can find the links on out contact page, but please excuse the beginner profiles. I am in the process of fleshing them out. There is even a Thailand Musings Group now on Hi5. Don't be a stranger, come join us.
I'm also planning a weekly roundup starting next week so you'll be able to find links to some great Thailand stories and content outside the blog. If you're a fan of Thailand like I am this will make it easier for you to find new and interesting stories, blogs and websites. I'm also open to new ideas, so if there's something you'd like to see here let me know one way or another, either through our contact form or at one of the social sites.
I just wanted to let you all know how committed I am to Thailand Musings and to take this opportunity to join me. I can do all the writing (or you can write too), but it is the community that will make Thailand Musing most successful. So help us out and subscribe to the blog, leave your comments, let us know if you have ideas and join us at the social site of your choice.
Thanks again to all the current and future subscribers. I'm looking forward to the rest of 2008 and with your help Thailand Musings will shine and become a great resource for everyone interested in the Kingdom of Thailand.
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Here's another wonderful post from Richard of Richard Elliot's blog about tailors in Bangkok. It's great that Richard wrote this for us because it's not a subject I would have touched on since I'm not really a suit and tie kinda guy. Thanks again Richard and all my readers drop by his blog and say hi won't you?
Bangkok's Tailors - Where to Go and Where to Avoid
There is no comparison between wearing a beautifully tailored suit that fits you like a glove and a lumpy ill fitting off the peg suit that still seems to cost a small fortune back home. Wearing a perfectly fitted suit makes you feel special, more confident and helps you to walk taller. It can also be very exciting having a suit made while on holiday. Being measured up, describing exactly what you want, choosing the right fabric and attending fittings can be fantastic fun. The tailor is likely to treat you like a king. That might be because he wants your money, but it still makes me feel a bit special! Lucky for us that Bangkok has some great tailors where we can get clothes made for a fraction of the price back home!
Over half of my work / formal wardrobe is from tailors in Asia. I've got suits, dinner jackets, trousers and shirts. I've also got some tailored casual clothes too.
However, if you have never been into a tailors before it can be a bit daunting, especially in a strange city. How do I get want I want? Will I choose the right tailors? How do I make sure I am not ripped off? Hopefully the below will give you a few pointers to set you off in the right direction.
Most of the tailors in Bangkok are actually just fabric sellers. They sell you some fabric, take your measurements and pass them onto a workshop where you suit is actually made. Your suit will almost certainly been machine sown was well. What you are actually getting is a made-to-measure suit and not the bespoke one advertised in the window. Don't let this put you off, a made-to-measure suit can still look and feel great and some nice detailed finishes can add a lot of style and distinction to the finished article.
Make sure you choose a good fabric. You will only be able to make a good-looking suit out of 100% high quality wool. Thailand is famous for its silk and cotton, but not wool. The best quality wool's come from Europe and Japan, I usually buy English wool and that is not just because I am British! In virtually every shop you go to, cheaper fabrics and some mid range ones too will be polyester or wool and polyester mixes, even if the band sown onto the edge of the fabric says "100% Wool, Made in England". The tailor I visit is open enough to admit what is real wool and what isn't. If you are not sure ask for a small sample. If it rips easily and melts like plastic with a horrible smell, when you hold a match to it, then it is probably a man made fibre. If it is difficult to tear and burns more slowly with an organic smell, it is probably wool.
Make sure you specify exactly what want. Single breasted? Double breasted? Side vents? Button hole? How many pockets? Real buttons on the sleeve? The list is almost endless. If you are not confident at doing this and have an existing suit that you like, take it along and most tailors will be able to copy it for you. Otherwise get on the internet and do some research or take along a picture of that Hugo Boss suit you want copied.
Next you need to avoid Bangkok Shoulders, as my Australian friend calls them. The Thais seem to love large should pads. Unless you are going for a retro 80's style jacket, make sure you ask for small shoulder pads.
It takes time to make a decent suit. You will need to find a tailor you are happy with, choose the fabric and have all of your measurements taken. You will then need several fittings. If you are only in Bangkok for 2/3 days then it is probably not worth it, you should allow at least a week.
I hope that all of the above hasn't put you off! You can still get some great clothes made for you in Bangkok, with a little of bit of care and effort, that will cost you a fraction of what you would pay on Saville Row. The main area in Bangkok is on Sukhumvit road around Nana and Asok Sky Train stations. You'll need to do a bit of research to find the right place. Don't be afraid to go in and ask to see some examples of their work, speak to the owner and any other customers in the shop. You get what you pay for, and should budget on spending $300 - $400 USD, after any discounts, for a good suit. In my experience you would expect to get a 30 – 50% discount on the price first quoted to you.
I use Royal Tailors near Nana BTS, opposite the Nana Shopping Centre. I have heard good things about Narin Couture as well.
At completely the other end of the spectrum, if I want the fake jeans I have just bought altered I use the denim shop in the basement of Central shopping centre in Lad Prao. Or for minor repairs you see girls sitting at the side of the road with a sewing machine all over the city.
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My latest entry to the blogroll is a fairly new Thailand site called This is Thailand (I love the url) and authored by an American who is splitting his time between the U.S. and Thailand. Go ahead over and say "hi" if you don't mind registering first. I must admit I haven't commented there yet (are you reading this Bruce?) because of the need to register before you can comment. Yes I admit it I'm lazy that way.
I was found by him rather than the other way around and I'm glad he did find me because I've been enjoying reading his almost daily posts detailing his experiences in Bangkok. The tone is light and friendly and the posts are an easy read and (for me at least) a short getaway from life here in the U.S.
Recent posts have talked about cabbies in Bangkok, a night in Pattaya (no bargirls), and several posts about the service levels in Thailand. You can tell that he loves living in bangkok and even when frustrated is able to maintain a degree of patience and understanding for the Thai culture.
One thing that is noticeably absent from This is Thailand is any mention of prostitutes, bargirls or katoeys and for that I applaud. Lord knows there is plenty of that type of thing already available and I don't think another blog about sex tourism in Thailand will help anyone, least of all the Thai's.
The site is obviously growing and his blogroll has grown in the past few weeks from 4 sites to the current 50+ sites. You've been a busy guy trading links! What I really like about the blogroll he has is that it is divided into subject areas. I rarely see that and I think it is a huge help to the readers. In fact, maybe I should take a hint 
So, if you love Thailand and need a daily fix of expat news and opinions head on over to This is Thailand and say Steve from Thailand Musing sent you.
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In my last post I wrote that I think that Thai girls look so sexy when they wai, but many of you might ask what is a wai?
The wai (pronounced 'why') is the traditional Thai greeting. It is done by pressing your hands together in front of your chest or face and bowing slightly. The wai came to Thailand via the Hindu culture of India and is still widely practiced in Thailand today as both a greeting and a sign of respect.
In Thailand there are very strict rules of hierarchy governing the wai, who does the wai'ing and where to position your hands when you wai. To most foreigners there is little noticable difference, but if you train yourself you can see how Thai's will wai differently to different people. In general here are the rules for wai'ing:
As a foreigner you are not expected to know the rules for wai'ing and most business people will shake your hand. However, if someone wai's you it is polite to wai back and you'll want to know how to do so properly so you don't look silly.
Thai's will also wai when passing temples and spirit houses, even if they are driving! Many times I have been in the car when we pass a temple and see my father-in-law take his hands off the wheel to wai the temple no matter what the road conditions are. Just take it in stride and realize this is a sign of respect and very important to the Thai people.
I really love the wai. I think if westerners put more emphasis on the respect due to others we might have less problems. Plus like I said it looks really great when the girls do it. Maybe it is just the submissive look of the wai. I'm not sure, but I think it looks great. I'm often sorry to be here in the States because I don't get the chance to see Golf wai at all.
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On this cold and snowy winter day here in the U.S. I thought I would share with you 10 things I miss about Thailand. Typically a few of these things will enter my head at any time, but when the weather is like this they seem to be a constant in my thoughts. This list is by no means comprehensive and I'd love to hear about the things all of you miss from Thailand.
1. Obviously the heat and humidity. Call me crazy, but I love it
2. Being able to get a great cheap meal from a street vendor within minutes no matter where I am
3. Thai women wai'ing. Just something so sexy about them when they do that.
4. The crazy cabs that have that kinda incense smell and the white dots all over the ceilings.
5. The beaches and crystal clear water.
6. Thai smiles. They don't call it the Land of Smiles for nothing.
7. Outdoor beer bars.
8. Black Canyon coffee and Roti Boy
9. Songkran Festival. I know it's just once a year, but it is the best holiday celebration I've ever experienced anywhere.
10. Bargaining when I buy something.
So, those are 10 things I miss right now from Thailand. What about all of you, what do you miss from Thailand? Or if you're living in Thailand what do you miss from your home countries? Please don't tell me snow
Popularity: 4% [?]
One of Thailand Musings readers was kind enough to take me up on my offer to publish your stories, so today we have a guest writer.
Richard Elliot gives us his take on the Suan Lum Night Market in Bangkok. I love this post because Suan Lum is just 2 blocks from Golf's old apartment in Bangkok so as you can imagine we spent quite a few nights there. Thank you Richard!
Richard comes to us from jolly old England and his blog is a personal style blog with his own musings as well as travel and food related postings. Give his blog a visit and let him know you got there from Thailand Musings
Many people visit
The night market is open every day and is easy to get to, located less than two minutes walk from the Lumphini MRT / Underground station. If you prefer to get a metered taxi, it is on Rama IV road and every taxi driver will know how to get there.
I have always found the market very friendly and approachable for a (first time) tourist. It has an excellent range of shops, but is smaller and more manageable than its more famous bigger brother Chatachuk Market. It also has the advantage of being open every day unlike Chatachuk market, which is only open at weekends. Despite being tourist friendly, there are lots of locals at the market and prices aren't too expensive either.
As with every Thai market there is almost everything you can imagine for sale. My favorite items are the excellent range of silk scarves and clothing, handmade crafts (including a great card shop), t-shirts, bags and CDs. An excellent place to buy presents for friends and family back home as well stores for your onward trip through
There is a large food court at the market which has an excellent range of street food favorites, mine being the Som Tum papaya salad. Most evenings you will find a live band playing on the large stage within the food court. On the other side of the market there are a number of beer gardens and restaurants, serving German Wheat beer and showing Premiership Football (soccer) matches for home sick European travelers.
If you have more time to spend in the area and arrive early, try relaxing in
Being so close to the main business district of Bangkok, the market seems to be under constant threat of closure with developers seeking to build on the site. Thankfully it is still open, visit before it is too late!
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There has been a lot of talk recently in Thailand related forums about possible visa rule changes. What is being said is that airlines and passport control in Thailand are now requiring visitors to have onward tickets out of Thailand to countries other than those immediately surrounding Thailand (Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Singapore). Without an onward ticket some people are claiming that visa's will not be issued. The initial report for this came from the Thai consulate in Penang as of Feb. 1st, 2008, and follow-up reports are confirming for some, but others are having no problems. Obviously something has changed, but at this point there seems to be no rhyme or reason.
I have taken a look at the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the Kingdom of Thailand and here is what I can see:
There is a list of 40 countries whose passport holders are permitted to enter Thailand without a tourist visa for up to 30 days. The list can be found here and includes the U.S., U.K., Australia, Canada and other European and Asian countries. Foreigners entering Thailand under the Tourist Visa Exemption category must possess adequate finances for the duration of stay in Thailand (i.e., cash 10,000 Baht per person and 20,000 Baht per family).
Note that the 30 day Tourist Visa Exemption can only be used for a total of 90 days every 6 months. This change was made last year to decrease the number of people staying in Thailand longterm on the Tourist Visa Exemption by making monthly visa runs outside Thailand's borders.
There is a list of an additional 20 countries who can apply for a 15 day visa upon arrival to Thailand. That list can be found here. This type of visa requires the same financial stipulation and also requires the applicant to present full paid ticket which is usable within 15 days since the date of entry.
So as you can see there is nothing here that indicates visitors from the U.S, England, Australia, etc should need an onward air ticket when coming to Thailand as a tourist. I'm not sure where the confusion lies or what change may have been made. It is obvious that if a change to the visa regulations in Thailand have been made then it has not yet been made public knowledge.
I am continuing to monitor and investigate this situation and will provide updates as I find more information. I will also be putting together a guide for those interested in staying longterm in Thailand. What is required in the way of visa's and work permits if you want to make Thailand your home for longer than 90 days. Stay tuned.
Popularity: 14% [?]
Recently a reader suggested I do a series of posts with short tourist itineraries for various Thailand locations. I thought that this was a great idea...Thanks Richard...and will now have a new series called "3 Days in...". Basically it will give you itineraries for short stays in a variety of Thailand destinations. Some will be single posts and some, like Bangkok obviously, will be a series of posts with each one focusing on a single activity. Mix and match as you like.
You'll see a new category from now on called "3 Days In..." reflecting this change and I suggest you subscribe so you don't miss any of these information filled posts or at the very least visit often to check out this new category. Let's start now with 3 Days in Bangkok - Wats and Temples.
Bangkok is home to hundreds of Wats or temples some as large as the Wat Phra Chetuphon or Wat Pho which is the largest and oldest of Bangkoks temples and some as small as a corner shop, tucked away in small side soi's. If you're interested in the temples of Thailand you can easily spend 3 days taking in all of the rich and beautiful temples in Bangkok.
Before you head out for your three day Thai temple tour please remember the following:
Thai temples are sacred places and you should dress and behave accordingly. Do not come to the temple in shorts, sleeveless shirts or other revealing clothing. Think of it the same way as if you were visiting a church in the west and use your best judgment.
Also for you ladies…Monks are not permitted to touch or be touched by women. So if you want to give something to a monk you can either hand it to a male to give to them or you can place a cloth on the ground and then place the item on the cloth for the monk to pick up.
Day 1: Hopefully you've chosen a hotel in Chinatown as that will put you closest to the major temples in Bangkok. Most of the hotels include a breakfast buffet with your stay so fill up before you head out so you'll have plenty of energy for the day. The Shanghai Inn is a nice boutique hotel choice in the area or check out the Grand China Princess Hotel which has great service and reasonable prices too.
Once you've fueled up head outside and grab a taxi to Wat Phra Chetuphon or Wat Pho. I'm making this the first stop because in addition to the temple the Wat also features the oldest and possibly the best massage school in Thailand. A massage is always a good choice when you first arrive in Bangkok to shake off the jet lag. Wat Pho is very impressive with gold everywhere and huge colorful spires that you'll find under closer inspection are covered with thousands of small pieces of colored glass. Thanks to a recent remodel everything inside Wat Pho is in excellent shape. The reclining Buddha is the largest of it's kind and is completely covered in gold leaf. So impressive! In addition, the feet of the statue are layered with mother of pearl showing amazingly detailed murals.
Take your time looking around the grounds of the Wat and then head to the backyard area of the Wat where you'll find the massage school. The massages are 120 baht for a ½ hour and 200 baht for an hour which may be a bit expensive for Thailand, but still not expensive at all by western standards. And it’s a great way to both invigorate and relax at the same time! Total time for Wat Pho = 2 - 2 1/2 hours
From Wat Pho you can head out to the main road of Thanon Sanam Chai and turn left towards the Grand Palace. Once you get close to the Grand Palace you'll see loads of little shops and restaurants across the road. Take some time to browse and get a snack if you're hungry, I recommend the roti which are like crepes and they are delicious! It shouldn't be too hard for you to find a street vendor making them.
Next you'll head off to the Grand Palace and the National Museum which will be a good place to spend part of the afternoon since it is air conditioned! The Grand Palace is open until 3:30pm and you'll be here for the rest of the afternoon as it takes about 3 hours to see the Grand Palace and National Museum together. Did you take my advice to have some roti?
The Grand Palace encompasses several acres and contains many buildings. It is located next to the Chao Praya River and is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Bangkok. It is easily characterized by its gleaming golden temples, hundreds of spires, and brightly colored tile roofs - most of which are a prominent orange color. Tickets to enter are 200 baht and you will be inspected for proper attire before being allowed to enter. At the main gate you'll find brochures available in several languages. This brochure provides a map inside and also describes in detail the history of the buildings and the palace.
Some of the highlights of the Royal Palace include the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the Royal Throne Hall (Chakri Maha Prasat) and Coronation Room. There are also some very cool weapons museum rooms to see before leaving the Grand Palace and going into the National Museum.
It's likely been a very busy and tiring day, so head back to your hotel for a nap or a refreshing dip in the pool and get ready for the night. If you've got the energy head out to Khao San Road for dinner and some drinks. Keep in mind you'll be up early the next morning though.
Day 2: Day 2 will start out close to home base in Chinatown at Wat Saket or the Golden Mount. It is easily recognized in Banglampoo by the golden spire of the chedi and also by the fact that it rises some 80 meters above the city. During late October/early November there is a temple fair here with a carnival atmosphere erupting around the temple. The Wat has great views of the surrounding city. Time to visit is just 30 minutes.
Next we'll jump in a taxi to Wat Benchamabophit or the Marble Temple. It is a bit out of the way, but is one of the more beautiful of the Wats in Bangkok. It is not a traditional Wat as it was built in the late 19th century and is made entirely of marble (hence the name), but it is not to be missed. There is a huge collection of Buddha statues and both the Wat and the grounds surrounding it are wonderful. Don't forget your camera! Time to visit 60-90 minutes, but plan on an additional 60 minutes travel time.
Take a break for lunch. The Thai restaurant Saewana is nearby. Dishes are around the THB50-100 mark, and include favorites such as Pla Kung (spicy shrimp salad) and Tom Kha Gai (chicken and coconut soup). 348/3 Soi Rachawithee 34, Rachawithee Road
You may want to head back to your hotel at this point to rest and freshen up. Bangkok is really no fun in the heat of the afternoon and a nap and shower or a swim is always a good choice.
After resting it's time to go to Wat Arun which is the Temple of the Dawn, but is actually just as nice and much less crowded at sunset. The Wat closes at 5:30 so you should leave your hotel earlier enough to get there and have 30-45 minutes to explore.
From there it's off to something a bit different. Go see the show Siam Niramit, it's a huge spectacle type show with over 150 performers, special effects and costumes that is sure to amaze you. The show starts at 8:00pm and there are a variety of restaurants on the grounds so you can get something to eat before the show. It is recommended that you book tickets at least 5 business days before the show so go online and book your tickets here before you leave for Bangkok.
Day 3: Now that you've seen the "must see" temples take some time to visit some of the smaller and less well known, but no less beautiful temples of Bangkok. Since this post has now gone over 1500 words I am not going to highlight them myself, but direct you instead to this page which contains descriptions of 10 lesser known Thai wats, all in the old town or Rattanakosin area of Bangkok.
One suggestion I will make is that if you go to visit Wat Chanasongkhram in Banglampoo you should stop at the Indian Spice restaurant for lunch or dinner. It is located in the small soi located behind the Wat and the food here is outstanding. Golf and I eat here at least once every time we're in Bangkok. If you're interested in tandoori get there early as they only make so much and it sells out quickly.
So there you have it. 3 days of wats in Bangkok. Needless to say there are many more temples not just in Bangkok, but throughout Thailand for you to visit. I've read estimates as high as 31,200 wats in Thailand. If you're interested in learning more about the wats of Thailand this site http://www.chimburi.com/ has pictures and descriptions of 769 different temples in Thailand.
See other stops on the 3 Days in... Series
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