We will be in Bangkok from Dec 25 - Dec28. We are looking for recommendations for good "Thai" restaurants as well as places (malls) for bargin shopping.


Thanks,

IMO, all shopping in BKK is a bargain. ;) However, many swear by MBK since that's where a lot of the knock-offs are. Close by are Gaysorn (high end boutique) and the King Power duty free store.

Do a search on BKK restaurants and you'll dig up a lot of threads.

IMO, all shopping in BKK is a bargain. ;) However, many swear by MBK since that's where a lot of the knock-offs are. Close by are Gaysorn (high end boutique) and the King Power duty free store.

Do a search on BKK restaurants and you'll dig up a lot of threads.

Hey, I don't think shopping at Siam Paragon is a bargain :p
Asia, do you want authentic Thai food or little bit westernized Thai food?

we are looking for authentic Thai food with a contemporary decor. would you also know where I can go to get good shark fin soup (chinese)? my wife loves it. any suggestion you may have for good shopping will also be appreciated.

much thanks,

we are looking for authentic Thai food with a contemporary decor. would you also know where I can go to get good shark fin soup (chinese)? my wife loves it. any suggestion you may have for good shopping will also be appreciated.

much thanks,


For sharks fin soup, I recommend Scala in either China Town or Siam Square.
I don't have the address for Siam Square on, but for China Town one, it's 483-5 Yaowarat Rd., Corner Chalermburi.

we are looking for authentic Thai food with a contemporary decor. would you also know where I can go to get good shark fin soup (chinese)? my wife loves it. any suggestion you may have for good shopping will also be appreciated.

much thanks,

Thon Krueng
Thong Lor at Soi 13

2 levels plus an outside garden area. You rarely see any tourists in this restaurant.^

FYI some of the best Thai food is found at the sidewalk stalls and hole-in-the-wall places. Don't be scared to try the food.

Thon Krueng
Thong Lor at Soi 13

2 levels plus an outside garden area. You rarely see any tourists in this restaurant.^

FYI some of the best Thai food is found at the sidewalk stalls and hole-in-the-wall places. Don't be scared to try the food.

I agree. It's quite funny that I often see Mercs and Bimmers parked outside hole-in-the-wall places whenever I visit those places. You need to speak basic Thai, though.

Also Platinum Mall as an alternative to MBK for cheap, trendy clothes targeted towards the women.

Does one need to worry about the quality of water/ice in Bangkok? Especially at the food stalls? Thanks!

public water system for hotels and restaurants is pretty good, but stalls and carts - sealed bottles only!
When in doubt, be safe.

I second Christian's advice, avoid ice at any open air table/food stall. And ask for unopened bottled water (which will usually be served anyway) at such sidewalk eating places.

Feel free to ask hotels or airconditioned restaurants about ice and water, but most of them will use filtered water and ice cubes also. But always pays to ask.

In the bars, I would shy away from mixed drinks for the same reason, the purity of ice in the drinks. Unless the bartender shows you packaged ice cubes in the coolers. Meaning, sticking to bottled beer would probably be the best bet, or draught beer, and even wine coolers if the establishment serves same.

I agree. It's quite funny that I often see Mercs and Bimmers parked outside hole-in-the-wall places whenever I visit those places.

More often than not these would be drivers grabbing a quick bite to eat while their employer(s) are having dinner (elsewhere), conducting business or entertaining.

What kind of things are you shopping for? Someone mentioned the Platinum Mall, on Petchaburi Road (nearly adjacent to Panthip Plaza, across the street from the Amari Watergate hotel), for clothing, and it is nice because it is air-conditioned, and huge ( 6 ~ 7 floors with a hundred shops on each floor). However, for even better bargains on clothing, and a unique experience, cross the street and shop at the Pratunam Market. Thousands of tiny shops, essentially surrounding the Amari, enclosed overhead but no aircon, where it is easy to get lost. There are also a few multi-story clothing malls opposite Platinum (called "City Complex").

For restaurants the choices are endless but you should probably try one that serves "Royal Thai" (or Royal Court) cuisine. Bussaracum (http://www.bussaracum.com/) comes highly recommended by some FTers.

Regarding ice and water I'd say that ice everywhere is generally safe as it is made at central plants with filtered water and delivered everywhere (nearly every street stall will have or share an insulated box with delivered ice). Like all Thais, I stick to bottled ("Naam Pow") or filtered water, the city water supply is variable. Sometimes it smells very, very bad (sulfur/rotten eggs) where I live, most times it's OK. I use it to shower, wash dishes & clothes, brush teeth and that's about it.

Street stalls would use filtered water, from machines, for cooking but tap water for cleaning. They use 3 or 4 step cleaning process (in tubs on the sidewalk), one of which involves some sort of bluish colored additive, presumably for sterialization. Eating utensils can be challenging, sometimes there is a pot of boiling water nearby (in coupon food courts) where you can dip the spoon, fork, chopsticks, etc. to sterilize. At a street stall you just wing it or carry your own?

Regarding ice and water I'd say that ice everywhere is generally safe as it is made at central plants with filtered water and delivered everywhere (nearly every street stall will have or share an insulated box with delivered ice).

I second that. Water and ice served to drink should be fine, even at food stalls. Ice making is big money.

Thai's look at the cost of drinking water as just another part of business. Many will offer you a bottle. But if you just want a glass of water, it's usually available.

As for shopping. Brand names tend to be higher in Thailand. Perfume and makeup, designer clothes and accesories, even automobiles are more expensive here. It's just accepted. Doesn't make shopping any less fun.

Wages and material are cheaper here. So, locally made clothes, or clothes made for the Thai market are usually of great value. Lightweight slacks and shirts, swimwear, shoes... especially for women are everywhere of varying quality and price.

I buy eye glasses 1/2 dozen pairs at a time (really). Many people have had great sucess finding a tailor, but my style of clothes hasn't had me buy from them too much.

Good luck and report back with some of your findings!