My Bangkok Ten

[sepia007]

I'm half thai. I was born there, and am fortunate enough to be able to bounce back and forth from Zoo York. This is not really a backpackers list, but geared for people that are ready to damage the credit card.

1. Metropolitan Hotel

Airport wireless net hotel, white rooms with wood panelling, brand new.

http://metropolitan.como.bz/bangkok/default.asp

2. The BTS Bangkok Skytrain.

Anybody that traveled to Bangkok ten years ago or more, knows that traffic was a nightmare, and still is in some respects. Classic case of two many cars, and ridiculous traffic control. Well, all that has changed forever. Now you can get anywhere in Bangkok in less than an hour, with the new public transit system. As of April this year there will be a Subway also. Trains above ground, and below. Subways are a real feat for a country that is below sea level....think mud.

http://www.bts.co.th/e-tourist.html

http://www.bts.co.th/img_tourist/map1.gif

3. Chatuchak Market aka JJ Market/ Mochit

This is the most incredible shopping market I have ever seen. You can buy literally anything, from Goats to Kitchen Sinks to 1960's Thai Pornos. If you feel like haggling and are willing to fight for your price, Thais will respect you. Remember one thing when planning your trip....this market is Saturday/Sunday only.

http://www.asiatraveltips.com/PicturesofChatuchakMarket/PicturesofChatuchaka8.jpg

http://www.asiatraveltips.com/PicturesofChatuchakMarket/PicturesofChatuchakb1.jpg

http://www.asiatraveltips.com/PicturesofChatuchakMarket/PicturesofChatuchakc7.jpg

4. Q Bar

Think of Blade Runner meets The Korova Milk Bar in Clockwork Orange. The first real "design" bar in Bangkok. Superb. It's a little over 3 years old now, but still is a nice change of pace from the usual Bar Girl Pubs that litter the rest of the city. Great DJ's also. Nice dark corners to get your mack on. The owner also ran Q Bar in Vietnam. Nicely hidden in the back of Sukumvit Soi 12. After a few drinks here you can head over to Ministry of Sound (The Bangkok branch of the London Club) which is down the street, if you feel like hanging out with drunk rich thai college kids. Thai's can drink whiskey and bourbon like water.

http://www.qbarbangkok.com/whatsnext.html

5. Wat Po Massage School

Don't think Thai soapy "body" massage. Think pain. This is the real deal. For hundreds of years this was the original place where Kings/Queens/Princesses of Thailand went to sooth their aches and pains. They use an aromatherapy concoction made up of flowers to start, and then the backbreaking begins. It's real physical massage, using all the principles of yoga. Pressure points and limbs. You will feel like a million dollars, all for the price of a little under $10. Incredible. Remember as this is one block from the Royal Palace and is inside a real working Wat/Temple...no shorts, and women must have pants on.

http://www.bu.ac.th/thailand/thai_gif/b-watpo.gif

6. Bed Supper Club

After Q Bar, this is the next spot. When they say Beds they really mean beds. All white, from the floors to the celings. Verner Panton would be proud. You can snuggle up next to someone or mingle. Very sexy spot either way. You won't be sorry. It's one Soi over from Q bar and Ministry of Sound.

<a hr

[bam93270]

spent some time at Chulalongkorn studying how Kraft relaunched its frozen pizza brand into the health conscious LA market...just love the city of angels...

agree with most of your top 10, especially JJ market, MBK (got my european Ericsson cracked there so i could use it in Bgk), Qbar (yep, went to the one in HCMC next to the church downtown) and yes, the skytrain changed my life there !

i would add the following:

1. Propaganda shop in Emporium, Thai designers sold across the world at x10 the price in Bangkok....they also have one in Discovery Center, top floor. A must stop. think smart, useful and looks good design (didnt mention cheap its Bgk).

2. Fai Kor Sam, in Discovery center also. Siam meets Conran. Thai-made home accessories that you didnt have the time to buy at Chatuchak coz your flight was on saturday....(w/e market only)...bought my whole living room there. they also ship overseas.

3. Kuppa, soi 19 i think..full of expats & family on w/e but food is fresh and fantastic with their cool own coffee brewery inside...window glass and rich wood.

4. Soi 4, Patpong....dont ask me why but no i dont like Hedi Slimane Dior Homme collection..hey he could do a show there....

5. since cash is no issue, Banyan Tree Spa on 55th is on top of the world...restaurant on rooftop worth the climb but avoid the bar...unless you're doing a school project on 'Coltrane never went to Asia'...

6. shall we talk about the Peninsula hotel on Chao Phraya ? wireless earphones in the room to watch that Bruce lee movie and not waking up that girl's who's still asleep (did i mention superbed ?)...the so-called NY-style restaurant is worth it for college students on a graduation party but a no-no if you're beyond 18...

..also what i usually avoid to do in Bgk..

1. MOS Ministry of Sound: close at 2am (or is it 3 now?), except when Sir Paul Van Dyk & friends are playing...not that i dont like the place but i dont know, i dont like it..doesnt sound like Bgk to me.

2. take a taxi on sukhumvit. can't do u-turns like before since they opened the skytrain. didnt mention the elephants.

[to be continued]

[footkings]

any decent sneaker shop in bangkok?