Location

Sport

Most participation sports are available in Bangkok for those fit enough to perform in the tropical conditions, and the city is particularly well endowed with golf courses. A cooler alternative is ice skating, and the Thais have shown themselves to be skilful ice hockey players. Arguably the most interesting spectator sport is Thai Boxing - Muay Thai - and a major bout can empty the city streets of taxis until it is over as drivers flock to the nearest television set. Reserved for the daring rather than the dainty, a seat in one of Bangkok's two boxing stadiums will guarantee an evening of revelations into the Thai psyche.

from www.amari.com/tta/desguide_bangkok.asp

Nightlife

Bangkok's racy nightlife has recently been hobbled by government attempts to uphold decency, and the notorious anything-goes bars are currently a shadow of their former self. This has happened many times over the years, and a return to the full formula may still be on the cards. Increasing numbers of tourists have also turned what was once rather spontaneous and charmingly amateur entertainment into something less appealing more commercialised, and less erotic. Nonetheless, Pat Pong is still worth a visit, not least for its night market. The Nana Plaza and Soi Cowboy areas are smaller clones of the same thing. Most bars don't cheat, but a few are rip-offs with hidden charges. Go with a local person, or take advice before setting out. More sedate entertainment comes in the form of a Thai dinner of bland but nonetheless enjoyable Thai dishes, with an introduction to the subtleties of Classical Dance.

from www.amari.com/tta/desguide_bangkok.asp

Shopping

Probably no other city in Asia offers such a vast choice of goods, much enhanced by the polite sales techniques, and the good-natured haggling that accompanies most transactions. Thailand is brimming with bargains, the more so since the devaluation of the Thai baht in 1997, and a simple stroll around the shops or local market may see you return with things that you never thought you wanted, but suddenly had to buy.

Provided you have sufficient time, following the standard tourists' shopping rules will help ie. a) First invest time only observing what there is to buy in various outlets (markets, shops, department stores etc.), b) Decide what you want to buy, and check prices in several different locations, bargaining where applicable, c) Make purchases when you are reasonably sure there are no better deals available.

One good starting point for this procedure is at Pratunam textiles market (next to the Amari Watergate Hotel) followed by a short walk to Naraiphand Thai Handicraft Center opposite the Central World Plaza. This is a joint venture between the government and the private sector, where local products are sold at reasonable fixed prices. A subsequent exploration of the myriad shops inside Central World Plaza will top off the first "shopseeing" impressions. The Bangkok Skytrain (see below) brings you quickly and efficiently to the many other main shopping areas.

There is a vast choice: clothing, silks, cotton, batik, lacquerware, pewter, carvings, ceramics, silver, gold, furniture, handicrafts, hill tribe articles, jewellery and Gemstones, to mention but a few. The latter should be bought from a reputable shop (ask local expats or your Embassy for recommendations) and made for pleasure rather than investment. Unless you are a qualified gemologist, forget about making a profit on your gemstone purchase in Thailand.

Which tailor? A valid question indeed. Bangkok's ubiquitous (mainly Indian Sikh) tailors now have such a high profile that many advertise in expensive glossy magazines, frequently splashing out with double-page features, and claiming to have won a variety of otherwise unlisted and unknown "awards". The high cost of such advertising coupled with the fact that they inevitably offer a 'Package Deal" where you can buy half a wardrobe for just over US$150 will tell you that something is wrong, and indeed it is. Mostly, this is a ruse to get you into the shop, and you emerge having spent a great deal more than you wanted to - these fellows are expert salesmen, and the expertise is not always reflected in what they are selling.

Quality is a key factor - some of the window displays exhibit such hideous bad taste and stitching quality (plus usually a few long-dead insects) that it is astonishing that they get any customers at all. The convenient "Made in 24 hours " offer may also see your bargain begin to unravel almost as fast. None of us will ever forget the guest at a hotel cocktail party who proudly appeared wearing his brand new just-delivered jacket, the sleeve of which slowly began to detach itself with each vertical movement of his gin-and-tonic. To our amused horror, it finally came apart in a haemorrhage of stuffing, and lay on his arm like some strange wounded animal. Housekeeping to the rescue.

Having said that, there are excellent tailoring possibilities in Bangkok, and again, recommendations from local residents or regular visitors are invaluable. For top quality fabrics and custom made articles created by craftsmen on the premises (and not by sweat shops in the bowels of the city) expect to pay a little less than you would back home, and for suits and jackets, anticipate 2-4 fittings.

from www.amari.com/tta/desguide_bangkok.asp

Eating & Drinking

The excellence of Thai cuisine needs little introduction, even though Thai restaurants overseas tend to serve blander variations of the art. One of the best ways of appreciating the subtleties is participating in a Thai cooking class where students first shop for the ingredients and herbs in the local market before learning how to blend and combine them into the simply extraordinary taste sensations they provide. Bangkok is home to some of the finest restaurants in Asia, from the simplest of servings, to the most sophisticated haute cuisine.

Alcohol consumption is high in Thailand, reflected in the wide range of beers and firewaters - the best known being the rice whisky Mekhong. Imported spirits such as Scotch cost much less than in Scotland, but imported wines are heavily taxed, and good vintages are very expensive. The locally produced Chateau de Loei brands however, are very acceptable.

from www.amari.com/tta/desguide_bangkok.asp

The Canals (Klongs)

Visitors returning to Bangkok after an absence of a few decades are stunned to discover the exotic Venice-like city they once knew is now firmly embedded in concrete. Many of the long straight roads clogged with vehicles used to be waterways filled with boats. Few klongs remain, but those that do are worth visiting, particularly on the opposite (Thonburi) side of the river. Tours exist, but a privately arranged trip exploring the smaller lesser-known and often tiny channels is much preferable. For the pioneering traveller, numerous "longtail" public boats operate in this remaining network, and using these local services can be a wonderful experience. Unless you speak enough Thai to find your way around, a local guide is recommended.

from www.amari.com/tta/desguide_bangkok.asp

The Main River

The Chao Phya river, plus the wealth of natural and man-made attractions which line its banks, provide a non-stop panoply of fascination. Numerous tour options are available, including day trips to the former Thai capital of Ayuthaya, and dinner cruises which allow you to experience the big river as a combination of darkness, reflections, and city lights. Arguably the most fun and certainly the best value is a return ride on the public river boat the Chaophya Express or Reua Duan to its Nonthaburi terminus. The round trip takes approximately three hours, costs less than US$1.00 and you can get off at any of the numerous stops where something catches your interest.

from www.amari.com/tta/desguide_bangkok.asp