Thailand - Best of BKK outside of Farang-land?

Many threads include posts advocating the value of getting away from Farang-land.

I'm game. Where should I go? What should I do? Assume I am staying at the Royal Orchid Sheraton in January.

Eats?

Sites?

Temples?

Everyday Thai living?

Great, non-special massage?

Thanks in advance.

Why would you want a non-special massage? :)

Why would you want a non-special massage? :)

Or indeed what makes a Great non- special massage ?

Or indeed what makes a non- special massage ?

Generally: short chubby middle-aged women. :eek:;):D

There's a street a block away from Tesco On-Nut (north west) that is full of massage places. It was something like 100 baht per hour or maybe 150. Go for the two hour.

Restaurants? They're everywhere!

The temples around Bangkok are full of tourists from everywhere (including Thai tourists).

Really though, with many posters "advocating the value of getting away from Farang-land.", I believe they mean getting away from Bangkok. Bangkok is quite different than the rest of the country.


EDIT : Sorry just Googled your hotel. It's quite far from my On Nut recommendation for a massage. Maybe try taking the skytrain over to Thonburi and just walking around. I got off at the last stop and walked to the King Taksin monument. I was the only farang around, people were looking and pointing at me, but there was not much to see during the walk (except for a local food market).

Lotsa stuff happening up by Thonglor & Ekamai. Mostly younger Thai middle & upper class crowds with a modern cross cultural or westernized view. Good food, cool shops, & fun bars. Authentic Thai - not hardly, but it's a glimpse of the young modern Bangkok. A million miles from the ROS & the river though (in more ways than one). Here's a map for ya: http://thonglor-ekamai.com/

Wat Po Massage:
http://www.watpomassage.com/2009/
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g293916-d496987-Reviews-Wat_Pho_Thai_Traditional_Massage_School-Bangkok.html

Your hotel is adjacent to Chinatown, which is a large area, and you can walk around, as there is always something interesting to see, to capture on camera or to eat. To visit another part of Chinatown, take a tuk tuk or a taxi and go to Sempheng.

All tourists do it, mostly in groups, but you should not miss it: take a private long tail boat and visit the canals. The hotel can arrange this for you.
You can also use the public boat system (2 stops next the hotel) as it is a nice and inexpensive way to see a part of town from the river.

The Chatuchak market on weekends. BTS: Mo Chit station or MRT: Chatuchak Park station.

The Saturday night Antique Market. MRT station: Ladphrao.

The MBK Shopping Center: impressive.

If you want to have a taste of India, while you are in Bangkok, go to Pahurat.

One of our hidden pleasures is grabbing a couple of cafe lattes and heading over Lumpini Park just before dawn... it's nice and cool for a relaxing and shockingly quiet (for Bangkok) walk around the lake. Stop and watch the locals going through their tai chi moves (or join in)... so peaceful.

Trust me. You won't see many farang in that area at that hour. :D

One of our hidden pleasures is grabbing a couple of cafe lattes and heading over Lumpini Park just before dawn... it's nice and cool for a relaxing and shockingly quiet (for Bangkok) walk around the lake. Stop and watch the locals going through their tai chi moves (or join in)... so peaceful.

Trust me. You won't see many farang in that area at that hour. :D

But will you see the monitor lizards at that hour? :D

But will you see the monitor lizards at that hour? :DROFL... naw... no farang to eat... :p

One of our hidden pleasures is grabbing a couple of cafe lattes and heading over Lumpini Park just before dawn... it's nice and cool for a relaxing and shockingly quiet (for Bangkok) walk around the lake. Stop and watch the locals going through their tai chi moves (or join in)... so peaceful.

Trust me. You won't see many farang in that area at that hour. :D

Agree with this tip....though for me it is a visit for my daily run. I cannot do it with the cafe latte...it keeps spilling. :D

In my experience, there were numerous farang in the park during the early morning with the same mission as I; getting a run in before the heat of the day builds up. But overall it was very quiet and peaceful. Numerous tai chi groups and a rather fun looking aerobic "jazzersize-type" class in one corner, complete with music on the loudspeaker and spandex-clad instructors.

Food stalls set up at the park entrance for the post exercise nourishment. Thai coffee after a run is the perfect pick-me-up.

It is thoroughly farang, being a tourist activity, but not your usual glimpse of Bangkok - one of the half-day bicycle tours, beginning in Chinatown and crossing the river to the Wat Po side (assuming the waters recede by the time you plan to travel). If you are American, the one founded by a Dutch guy is fun - the Dutch tourists outnumber Americans, in our experience.

I am shocked that this thread has not taken off. With the number of expats we have here. Why are the best of Non-Farangland being shared.

Here's a good, easy one. Great for people that like to stay close to the SkyTrain.

BanRei Cafe, a few meters from the Ekkamai skytrain station, open 24 hours.

Try the ancient coffee (boran style)... my favorite

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1118445,00.html

http://bkkpost.9destinations.com/food/restaurants/dessert/listing/banrie-coffee-sukhumvit-63/13952/photoDetail/44994/?xPage=1

That's my tidbit, now I dare posters to each post one great non-touristy spot to this thread

This is more for expats: The Wine Pub at the Pullman. Good deals on wine (FOR THAILAND) and different deals every night. Being owned by King Power might have something to do with it. Unbelievable array of salumi and stinky runny cheeses on Thurs for cheap. They throw in a bottle of quaff-able Chilean Cab too. Been many times but can't remember how much, thinking 800 or so. Last Mon of the month they have a 5 wine and 5 cheese class for 99B too. LINK: www.pullmanbangkokkingpower.com/special-offers/restaurant-promotions/#wp-wine-pub wj

Many threads include posts advocating the value of getting away from Farang-land.

Not to be too picky, but the OP is from NY. By definition any place you go IS Farang-land. :D <--Thai size smile.

I am shocked that this thread has not taken off. With the number of expats we have here. Why are the best of Non-Farangland being shared.



Because sharing is the quickest way of changing that places farang status?

Because sharing is the quickest way of changing that places farang status?

Filabuster. Gimmmie a break...

The quantity of info we have, collectively, can be useful without risking your best secrets. I dare you, and all other BMs to post a good idea out of Farangland.

Here's an example that blows your theory.

Going to a movie, tired of Siam/MBK

Try
MAJOR RATCHAYOTIN

or on a smaller scale
Central RAMA 11
Central RAMA 111

As for shopping malls: (all these malls have movie theatres too)

across the river, but not far away
Central Pinklao

take the canal boat to
THE MALL, Bang Kapi

Another Huge mall, but a bit far away
Seacon Square

Away from Farangland does not have to mean a 'hole in the wall'

Most of my favorite non-farangland dining was years ago, when friends would take me out but I would be happy to share some of them if the thread grows.

Because sharing is the quickest way of changing that places farang status?

I'm sorry but I find that reply quite conceited. Long gone are the days that anyone who has spent a while in Bangkok is looked upon as a latter day Jim Thompson. Especially those that initially relied upon a Lonely Planet book. :rolleyes:
Afterall what is this forum for if not to exchange the wealth of accumalated knowledge between us. I fail to grasp why anyone would want to be part of a forum, if they are going to take that attitude. :confused:
Perhaps I should direct the OP to a forum I use that is, shall we say, 'for want of a better word, less hostile.
http://teakdoor.com/bangkok-forum/62333-lam-phaya-floating-market-boat-trip.html
http://teakdoor.com/bangkok-forum/75800-another-walk-through-old-bangkok.html

Filabuster. Gimmmie a break...

I'm sorry but I find that reply quite conceited.

Wow, some uptight people.

Lighten up Francis (Franci?). It was tongue in cheek. :rolleyes: ;) :D

Wow, some uptight people.

Lighten up Francis (Franci?). It was tongue in cheek. :rolleyes: ;) :D

Pouvez-vous expliquer cela, s'il vous plait. ;)

Pouvez-vous expliquer cela, s'il vous plait. ;)

"Lighten up Francis" is from the movie Stripes.

I don't think the rest needs explanation.

"Lighten up Francis" is from the movie Stripes.

I don't think the rest needs explanation.
I shall endeavour to watch it sometime.

Was in Bangkok from Sept 13 to Oct 12. Aside from side trips to Cambodia , Singapore, and Krabi, the majority of the time was spent west of the city, namely Bang Waek, Bank Khae (The Mall), and Thon Buri. I didn't see too many other Farang (if any) around these areas. We did venture across the river a couple of times (MBK, Paragon).

When we went to the Floating Market (Damnoen Saduak) that's where I saw the largest concentration of Farang.

Had some great massages at Baan Suan on Thanon Charoen Nakhon before Soi 55, 250B / 2 hours.