Bangkok traffic is the worst traffic you will ever see and if you ever get stuck going across town at 5:30 in the afternoon on a Friday you’ll be glad to get back to New York or London or Los Angeles because these places will seem like a quick dash around the suburbs compared to what Bangkok can throw at you.

The traffic in Bangkok is the stuff that legends are made of. Imagine waking up at 4am so you can be off to the office by 5am and arrive near 6am and then wait for 2 hours because your office doesn’t open until 8am. This is commonplace in Bangkok as is the fleets of cars lining up outside schools as early as 5:30am with bleary eyed mothers watching over their seemingly still sleeping children. Anything to avoid the rush or rather the gridlock of rush hour.

Rode tid mak mak the Thai’s will tell you. It means “traffic is bad, very bad”, but that is normal for Bangkok. I once came out to Silom Road at 1:30 in the morning to see taxi’s lined up in both directions as far as the eye could see. What city has grid lock at 1:30am? And what looked like a short trip from Khao San Road to our hotel across the bridge in the Pinklao district regularly took up to an hour after 1:00am. Just a few miles and on the outer perimeter of Bangkok to be sure, but still a major undertaking at any hour of the day or night.

And yet even so Thai’s continue to buy cars because they are status symbols. The Thai government has a 100-300% tariff on auto’s which means a Toyota Corolla (or something similar) will cost up to $35,000. It hasn’t stopped car buying in the least. I can tell how important they are to Thai’s especially younger Thai’s as a status symbol by listening to Golf and her friends. Even though the public transport in Bangkok is faster and so much cheaper they all want the status that a car exudes.

Personally I would rather spend $0.25 to get across town on a bus (scary) or ferry or the Bangkok BTS or even spring a whole $3.00 for a taxi, but I think I will end up falling prey to the need to increase our status when we move back to Thailand. I may even end up driving the beast, but I don’t think I will have the same patience that the Thai’s have on the road. Maybe I need to cultivate the mai bpen rai attitude so common in Thailand. Why have a stroke over something you can’t change? Rode tid mak mak. Mai bpen rai…

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It’s true that Bangkok is often thought of as a somewhat of an amusement park for adults, with all the clubs and go-go’s available for your entertainment, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have something to offer the kids as well. I’ve written in the past about the family friendly Siam Ocean World which makes for a nice afternoon out with the family. Today I want to let you know about another family friendly destination in Bangkok called, most fittingly I think, Dream World.

It sounds so similar to that other family theme park in Orlando doesn’t it? Disney World – Dream World, yeah there’s definitely some attempt to play off the popularity of the Magic Kingdom there, but unless you have the cash to afford a week in Orlando and the cost of even cheap flights to Orlando you’ll be much better off going with this smaller and Thai flavored theme park.

Dream World is located about 75-90 minutes outside Bangkok, so most days the crowds are very manageable and you won’t have to wait long to get on the rides. You can go by car or taxi which will cost about 1200-1500 baht, by bus from either Mor Chit (take the 188) or Victory Monument (take the 538) and also by a combination of train and bus (take the train from Hualamphong to Don Muang station and then take the 538 bus). All the trains and buses are air conditioned so it’s a pretty comfortable ride.

Once there you’ll notice even more similarities to the other World in the U.S. Dream World’s entrance area, called Dream Plaza bears a striking resembalance to Main Street USA in Disney World. And the park is laid out similarly as well with Fantasy Land, Adventure Land and Dream Garden. While it may not live up to the greatest place on Earth, Dream World is a great day out for the kids, especially if they haven’t experienced other larger and more elaborate theme parks before.

Dream World includes 3 roller coasters, including Asia’s first hanging coaster as well as the usual Viking Ship and other rides for the whole family. When you get hot enough take a ride through the Super Splash and White Water Rapids (a copy of the Grand Canyon) and cool off. Speaking of cool, there is also a Snow Land in the park, featuring artificial snow.

Other cool features include a Haunted Mansion, Sleeping Beauty’s castle and the Giants House where everything is 50 times bigger than normal. Finally you can take a rest with the Hollywood Action Show where you’ll see stunt men performing as SWAT troopers storming a criminals’ lair.
Admission to the park is just 450 baht per person with children under 90cm entering free. Note that this admission price does not include Snow World. Dream World is also offering a special promotion package for just 1000 baht per person which includes entry to every attraction in the park, a buffet lunch and round trip transport to and from any hotel within Bangkok.

If you have kids or teens then I highly recommend that you take a day and enjoy the attractions of Dream World. It’s well worth it and should prove to be a great time for children of all ages.

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So you’ve been to Thailand and fell in love with the culture, the people and the easy lifestyle. You absolutely have to get back and you think you even want to live there. Sounds good to me, I have the same aspirations. The problem is, unless you have a trust fund or some very generous relatives (I have neither) you’ll need a way to make money while you’re in Thailand. Are there ways for a foreigner to make money while living in Thailand? You bet there are! Don’t expect to get rich, but you will have the pleasure of living in the land of smiles and all of the cultural benefits of living in a foreign land. Here are some ways you can go about putting some cash in the bank while you live and enjoy Thailand.

1. Teach English – This is probably the most popular method for native English speakers to make money while living in Thailand (or any other foreign country for that matter). You don’t really need anything to get started except a good command of English and to get your butt to Thailand. While it’s possible to find teaching jobs online it’s not very likely unless you are a licensed teacher already and you are applying to the top tier international schools in Bangkok. For the rest of us it’s best to just get to Thai and start knocking about looking for work. English teachers generally make around 35,000 baht a month and upward, depending on how hard you want to work. One very good resource for prospective English teachers in Bangkok and Thailand is Ajarn.com. They have been around since 1999 and have the best information about teaching in Thailand that I’ve seen. Plus they have links to many of the English schools and a fantastic job board. I could go more in depth about teaching English in Thailand as a job, but they have it all covered already. If you have a university degree you may want to try for a job at one of Thailand’s International Schools. The competition is fierce, but the pay scale is typically much better than the language schools.
2. Translator – Not many people know it, but it is quite possible to find work as a translator for Thai businesses in Bangkok. English is the international language of business and if you don’t mind presenting products then this could be right up your alley. Pay can range anywhere from 2000-6000 baht a day which isn’t too bad if you can find steady work. To get this kind of job does require some networking, but it’s not hard.The best way to get started is by getting yourself out there and networking. Dress sharp, image is very important to Thai’s. White shirt, dark pants and blazer and a tie are necessary for this work. Check the Bangkok Post for business conventions which are typically held at the Queen Sirikrit Convention Center which is on Ratchadaphisek Rd. near the Thailand Stock Market off Rama IV Rd. Once there simply mingle and talk with some of the businesses there. You’ll find that many of them will be happy to hire you on to help promote their products in English.
3. Actor/Model – Another little known job for falangs (foreigners) in Thailand is as actors or models. The pay isn’t great, but if you build a name for yourself you can get fairly consistent work. And I understand it’s a great way to meet the ladies. Again, you can find leads in the Bangkok Post or try putting together a small portfolio of photographs and mailing it to the modeling/acting agencies listed in the yellow pages. If you’re really serious you may want to get an agent as they can be invaluable in securing work and negotiating. Pay can range from 2000 baht a day and up. Not great, but the work is easy and wouldn’t it be glamorous to say you’re a model/actor?
4. Dive Instructor – If you’ve got PADI dive certification and can get or already have dive instructor certification this could be perfect for you. It’s not really up my alley so I’m not sure how easy it would be to get this job, but the Andaman sea has some of the best diving in the world and there are a whole host of dive shops and live aboards that work from the islands of Thailand. I would guess the pay isn’t great, but this isn’t really something you do for the pay, you do it for the passion and the experience.
5. Accountant, engineer, salesman, lawyer or any professional position. You won’t get a job at a Thai company for most professional positions, but if you’ve got experience you may be able to land a position with a multi-national company that has offices in Bangkok. Since you’ll be getting paid in your home countries currency and will very likely have all the benefits of an ex-pat package (retirement, housing, travel, tuition for children, medical insurance, etc) these are the sweetest jobs around. I don’t qualify, but if you do and you want to get yourself to Thailand start looking. Price Waterhouse has a lot of ex-pats in Asia as do large multi-nationals like Siemens, IBM, HP, and any petrol related business. If you really want to be here then that should be enough motivation to conduct a comprehensive search.

Well, there you go. 5 jobs or professions you can start pretty much as soon as you land in Bangkok. Give yourself enough money to last a few weeks to two months to get oriented and just go. Once you get there and start networking you’ll find many open doors and the adventure of a lifetime. It’s really not that hard all you need is the desire to be there. You’ll gain cultural experience and job related experiences that can’t be had anywhere else by working in Thailand and if you eventually choose to go back to your native country you’ll be that much more valuable to employers there thanks to your experience.

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As a bit of the party animal (in the past) I’ve signed up for newsletters from some Bangkok nightclubs and I thought that the other party animals out there might be interested in this announcement.

Unfortunately I’m not in Bangkok to check this out, but it sounds pretty interesting, and could become one of the top party spots in Bangkok. If you’re in Bangkok now I’d appreciate if you could check this new club out and report back to us and let us know what you thought of the DJ’s, atmosphere and people. I know it’s a tough assignment, but someone has to do it.

So here without further ado is the official announcement for the new Club Culture in Bangkok.

Club Culture will be open officially in July. We are now move to a new location just behind the newly opened Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall, located at Ratchadamnoen Road, near Khaosarn.

Housed in a beautiful 4 storey building, the new Club Culture will feature 4 different club rooms, catering to a wide variety of music/events, plush VIP areas, a wine bar, private parking, plus a retail space offerring fashion/design related products. Equipped with state-of-the-art sound system, audio and lighting, the new Club Culture will have a capacity to accommodate more than 500 people on each floor.

However in the mid of renovation we are opening our door every Friday and Saturday as Culture FAC, Bangkok’s Warehouse project. There are special events and parties every weekend. Please check our website for all party updates at www.club-culture-bkk.com

I’ve gotta say I love the building that they’ve chosen for the new Club Culture. Very chic and almost French looking with the balconies and arches. If the inside and more importantly the people are as stunning as the exterior of this new Bangkok club then we definitely have ourselves a winner.

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Apparently not satisfied with simply dispersing after their leaders surrendered to the Royal Thai Police, some red shirt protesters added to the destruction of Bangkok by lighting the Central World mall complex on fire. This 8 floor shopping complex, the second largest of its kind in Asia, collapsed later in the night taking with it one of the centerpieces of Bangkok’s business district.

And the aftermath…

It is so surreal what has been happening in Bangkok over the past two months and this final destruction on the cusp of a peaceful end is just like adding insult to the injury already caused by the protests in Bangkok. In addition to Central World fires have also been started at the Thailand SET (stock exchange), several banks in the area, Siam Theatre in Siam Square, Siam Paragon and several Provincial headquarters. Also reported but not confirmed are fires at the Bangkok Post building, TV channel 3 headquarters and the Bangkok Metropolitan Electricity Authority.

My prayers go out to all those who have been injured and even killed throughout this tragedy in what was once one of the most peaceful of nations. I can only hope that Bangkok returns to normality and is able to recover from this.

One wonders how long the cleanup from these protests will last and at what additional cost? Will I return to Bangkok next year to see the burned out remnants of Central World still standing in Pathum Wan at the Ratchaprasong Intersection? I sincerely hope not and would be thrilled to see construction taking place for a replacement to Central World commemorating all those who lost their lives during the worst time in Thailand over the past 2 decades.

I’m not a huge fan of shopping, but enjoyed simply walking about and people watching at Central World in the past. I also enjoyed the luxury seats at SF World Cinema. The spacious reclining leather seats were always a treat to me compared with the movie theaters here in the U.S.

The past three years have seen Central World as the home of the New Year’s celebration in Thailand and that is now at an end and more importantly Central World generated over 7 billion baht in sales last year. What a huge hit to the retail sector of the Thai economy. Combined with the drop in tourism revenues I can only imagine how long it will be until Thailand fully recovers.

As a memorial here is a video of Central World as we remember it:

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As you might imagine, along with Bangkok’s status as one of the top cities in SE Asia come some of the top hotels in the world. Below are 12 of my picks for great hotels in Bangkok, ranging in price from moderate to luxury. Golf and I like to try different places [...]

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Any of you planning on visiting Bangkok in the future will be very interested in the comment left on the post Patpong Road and Patpong Bars today. Seems that Mike Jenkins from Mikes Place Patpong 2 is offering a 50% discount on drinks if you mention reading the post when you’re there. Here’s the exact quote: [...]

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Recently I was asked to discuss retiring in Thailand and this is the first in a series of posts answering the first question I identified – “Where will you live”. I decided to break the answer up into individual posts for each city I plan on covering rather than overwhelm everyone with a 2500 word post that includes everything. I plan on writing about Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Pattaya as possible retirement destinations; I may add more once the series has begun based on reader feedback.

I think the first place that comes to mind when people consider retiring to Thailand is Bangkok. This is a logical thought since Bangkok is the capital of Thailand, the hub of it’s commerce and the largest city in Thailand by far. There are many positives and many negatives when you consider living in Bangkok full time. Ultimately it’s up to you what deciding factors you want to use as some people can overlook certain negatives and a positive for one person isn’t necessarily so for others.

Since Bangkok is such a large city with a huge population (over 10 million last time I checked) it comes with a lot of the same positives and negatives as other large cities. Of course in Bangkok the negatives are a bit amplified I think due to the comparative lack of infrastructure based on Western ideas.

The traffic in Bangkok is legendary and if you think you’ll go crazy after several years of sitting in traffic jams then you may need to seriously consider another destination. While taxi’s are plentiful and still cheap even after the recent hike in prices you will sit in traffic – a lot. Especially during morning and afternoon rush hours you can easily plan on a 1 ½ to 2 hour commute if you’re traveling across the city. Even at 2am you could experience gridlock in the popular nightlife areas and be stuck.

Along with the traffic you’ll experience a much higher degree of pollution than you’re used to. If you have any type of breathing ailment like asthma or bronchitis then you may want to reconsider Bangkok as a home or at least see how you react after an extended period of time there. On a good note however, air pollution in Bangkok has actually declined by 47% in the past decade thanks to more stringent emissions laws, the MRT and BTS rail systems and the use of natural gas to fuel cars.

Yes, there are more negatives, but I don’t believe they are restricted to Bangkok. There are just some negatives you’ll find in many Thailand locations so I won’t stress them specifically for Bangkok. With the top two negatives out of the way I’ll focus now on the positives.

The biggest positive for many Westerners is the availability of western products in Bangkok. No they won’t always be easy to find, but if you’re looking for specific foods or larger sized shoes and clothing you’ll have a much easier time getting them in Bangkok than you would in Phitsaulok for example. There is a large number of expats based in Bangkok and there are places that cater to their needs.

The fact the there are a large number of Western expats in Bangkok is another positive for many potential retirees. Finding friends and acquaintances in Bangkok isn’t all that difficult even for the least social people. In addition, there are many expat clubs and programs (art, cooking and language type) geared towards the Western expat.

If you still love going out then the nightlife in Bangkok is legendary and unrivaled and you won’t have any problems there. Even if it’s just for a nice dinner with your family and friends you’ll be able to find a host of upscale restaurants and clubs in Bangkok to ‘discover’ for the first time.

You may or may not be interested in learning the local language (I would definitely recommend it), but I can assure you it won’t be quick or easy. In Bangkok you’ll have less trouble with the language barrier as there are many more Thai’s speaking English in Bangkok than in other areas of the country. No, it’s still not even close to perfect, but it sure beats what you’ll find in more remote areas and even at some of the tourist beach areas.

One big plus for retirees are the top notch international hospitals to be found in Bangkok. Naturally as we get older healthcare becomes more important. Bangkok has some really good hospitals catering to international patients. The doctors and staff are all highly trained and the costs are inexpensive (compared to the west). You’ll be hard pressed to find comparable healthcare outside of Bangkok.

Overall, Bangkok is a great place to retire if you like the hustle of a big city. As you might expect it has the greatest amount of convenience and infrastructure combined with the normal big city frustrations. Personally I think that a few years there would be great, but I don’t know if I could stay longer than that as I’m not really a big city guy. Nice to visit in my opinion, but not to live. Really, if you need Western conveniences and healthcare occasionally it might be better to live outside Bangkok and visit from time to time.

You can find all of the articles in the Retirement in Thailand series here

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If you love a party then take a look at what’s on tap at some of the hottest nightspots in Bangkok for this weekend.  Everything from the best DJ’s in SE Asia to pool parties, tequila and cabarets.  Bangkok‘s nightlife is world renown and there is a very good reason why.  If you’re looking to let loose here’s where to go this weekend.

Thursday March 27^th, 2008

Arcadia Pool Party – Live bands as usual in the main room, with our Arcadia DJ set to finish the night at 2am. Punk – Rock Karaoke, Guitar Hero Competition, Live Bands, Arcadia DJ Set. This month for part of the evening, you can sign up to sing your favourite indie song from our set list. We have all the lyrics to the best songs. Here’s your chance to sing with a live band! Meanwhile, upstairs on the roof terrace, we have a “Guitar Hero” competition throughout the night. Winner stays on, the person with the highest rank at the end of the night wins a prize.

Also, if you would like to get wet for us, feel free to use the new swimming pool! If you would like to come early, from 8pm we will be showing the new Joy Division movie on the roof. Food is available from the restaurant, with cheap drinks all night. Entrance 150 Baht with one free beer. 20 + I.D. Required.  Arcadia Bay Ta Ra – Kao San Road

Friday March 28^th, 2008

Soul Central at Club Culture – Soul Central began their production career in 2000, putting out a number of releases on labels such as Soundmen On Wax, Henry Street Records and Kenlou as well and their own Clean Cut imprint.  In addition to their world-beating production, Soul Central is continuing to travel the world as one of the world’s most dynamic DJ teams. Never afraid to drop peak-time anthems or soulful vocals, Soul Central are unique in their understanding of how to combine a true, underground house sound with a big room party vibe. With an adventurous sound that can be both tough and dynamic and smooth and soulful, they purvey a diversity that puts them in a league of their own. 20 + I.D. Required.  Club Culture – Sri Ayudthaya Rd. (Phaya Thai BTS)

Friday March 28^th, 2008

Olmeca Gold Tequila Party – GLOW AND OLMECA GOLD TEQUILA PRESENT Olmeca Gold Tequila Party “Tequila Gals are Back!!!” with DJ Gaz Mel, Sexy Drinks! Sexy Girls! Sexy Music! Come prepared for a night of great music and good times and a whole lotta TEQUILA!! Come and join OLMECA GOLD and GLOW NIGHTCLUB along side Canadian DJ GazMel presents as they present to you “Tequila Girls are Back!!”. What to expect aside from a club full of sexy people: Music: Minimal, Electro and Tech House courtesy of DJ GazMel. Live Performances: Professional Dancers for your viewing pleasure. SPECIAL GAME: A CHANCE TO WIN A BOTTLE OF OLMECA.

SPECIAL PROMOTIONS:

Tequila Promotion : Olmeca Gold only 1,800 baht/ a bottle (normally 2,300 baht)
Tequila shot : 160 baht / a shot (normally 200 baht)
Tequila cocktails : 180/ a drink (normally 220 baht)
Magarita, Tequila sunrise, Tequila sunset, Maxican surfer, Tequila slammer girl (Glow’s special cocktail)
Entrance 200 baht and 1 drink (Tequila shot or Tequila cocktails only). Start 9pm till late. 20 + I.D. Required.  Glow – Sukhumvit Soi 23

Saturday, 29 March 2008

Magic of Minimal at Glow – “MAGIC OF MINIMAL” with DJ E.K., DJ MAGIC MUFFIN AND DJ PLAN B. Music is minimal elecro and more electronic beats. Dancers on stage. Entrance: 200 baht + 1 drink. Start 9pm-late. 20 + I.D. Required.  Glow – Sukhumvit Soi 23

Saturday, 29th March 2008

Deeper, Speed and Rome at Luminous – Luminous presents DEEPER, SPEED & ROME “TURN BACK TIME” with DJ B (hip-hop, reggae, old school on the 1st floor), DJ Night (from Rome with a ladyboy cabaret show)

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Tawanna Square is a smaller, less accessible and yet still chic, trendy and well worth visiting version of Suan Lum Night Bazaar. With Bangkok boasting one of the largest concentrations of markets, malls and shopping areas in the world [...]

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For those of you that love Suan Lum Night Bazaar like I do take note. Looks like they are finally going to enforce the closing that was supposed to take effect last April. [...]

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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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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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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 Bangkok hoping to find fantastic shopping, great food and nightlife. The Suan Lum Night Bazaar has it all in once place! The Lumphini Night Market (as it is sometimes known) was the first place I visited on my inaugural trip to Thailand and therefore has always had a special appeal for me.

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 Thailand. If you get sore feet with all the shopping there are a number of massage stalls throughout the market.

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 Lumphini Park which is described as Bangkok‘s green lung. In the evening Vertigo at the Banyan Tree Hotel is an amazing roof top restaurant / bar, a short walk or tuk-tuk ride away on the South Sathorn Road. The food is expensive and Western European in style, but it is well worth a cocktail at the bar to soak up the atmosphere and views of the Bangkok skyline. The Lumphini Thai Kick Boxing Stadium is also close by if you wish to take in a match.

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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