Thailand - Bangkok - off-the-beaten-path ideas?

Anyone has interesting ideas for someone who's visited Bangkok many times? Shows, short side trips (already been to Ayuthaya), etc.? This will be for mid Nov.

Why must you stay in Bangkok? Try Chiang Mai for a change of pace.

Ever visited the Forensic Sciences Museum at Siriraj Hospital? Excellent collection of human remains.

Failing that, I recommend walking tours of some of the more distant suburban neighborhoods -- most people do very little in Thonburi, for example, apart from Wat Arun, but it has some lovely temples, good restaurants, and quiet sidestreets that are worth a look.

I also recommend taking one of the river taxis, or one of the skytrain lines, all the way to one end or the other, just to have a look at a neighborhood.

If you'd like to get out of town, Lopburi's not much farther than Ayutthaya, and is a very pleasant little town with great historical sites (and ferocious urban monkeys).

Side trips: Hua Hin, Kanchanaburi/Erwan National Park & Falls, Ko Samed. All of these can be done in a day, although they are better enjoyed with at least one overnight.

One thing you could do is take the little old-fashioned train from Thonburi's Wong Wian Yai station to Mahachai (aka Samut Sakhon) on the Mae Nam Tha Chin River. The station is little known; it's just off the traffic circle with an equestrian statue of King Taksin which is a major intersection in Thonburi (across the river from central Bangkok).

The train costs the princely sum of 10 Baht and leaves about once an hour. It takes about an hour to get to Mahachai, rattling through the urban sprawl, then rice fields, patches of rain forest and tiny villages, farms with old teak houses.

Coming in to Mahachai, the station is literally right in the market and the vendors actually have to move their stuff off the tracks to let train through. You can continue the trip further by crossing the river estuary on a 5 Baht ferry, then waiting for another train from Ban Laem to Maeklong. Or you can explore Mahachai, which is a lively fishing port and eat lunch at the fabulous fish restaurant above the port.


Anyone has interesting ideas for someone who's visited Bangkok many times? Shows, short side trips (already been to Ayuthaya), etc.? This will be for mid Nov.

You could drop in for a visit to Bang Klang Prison (http://www.phaseloop.com/foreignprisoners/pris-bangkwang.html), also known as the Bangkok Hilton.

I have not, but back in the day, there used to be lists of names posted on the traveler bulletin boards in Khao San Road. Now there's the internet.

although not so off-the-beaten-track now, one of my favorite nearby side-trips is to Luang Prabang in Laos (a UNESCO World Heritage City)... a wonderful place :)

a very short plane trip from Bangkok..... it has a great historical feeling, and always gives me the impression of
what Thailand must have been like decades ago....the Songkran water festival is so quaint (not like the unpleasant water cannon fights in Bangkok).....the small boutique hotels like Villa Santi are very relaxing....the river just lazes along by the city....the pace of life is such a nice break from frantic Bangkok, the temples and museums are great....the little Thai/Laos and French restaurants and bakeries are intimate....

also the line of monks at dawn collecting alms is a wonderful sight for me :cool: so peaceful and spiritual...

the natural surroundings, fresh air and historical sights are well worth the side trip ^

Here's a description and photos of a trip on the Maeklong Commuter (http://www.thai-blogs.com/index.php?blog=5&p=1136&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1).

Try Huai Kwang night market. It opens at about 10:30pm and really doesn't get going until after midnight. Still strong at 3-4am, stalls, food, drink, sanook mahk mahk!

You might be the only westerner there.

one of my favorite nearby side-trips is to Luang Prabang in Laos

a very short plane trip from Bangkok


Would you mind indicating what flight/airline you took to do this? I have not been able to find direct flights to LPQ from BKK ...

Planning a trip to Luang Prabang and Angkor Wat for next year.

Thanks
SEA2BA

Try Huai Kwang night market. It opens at about 10:30pm and really doesn't get going until after midnight. Still strong at 3-4am, stalls, food, drink, sanook mahk mahk!

You might be the only westerner there.


Where is this??????

Would you mind indicating what flight/airline you took to do this? I have not been able to find direct flights to LPQ from BKK ...

Planning a trip to Luang Prabang and Angkor Wat for next year.

Thanks
SEA2BA

Bangkokg Airways flys between the two. And if you're looking to add Siem Reap, you should look into the Discovery Pass. It makes for pretty cheap flights and, while it's a low-cost carrier, I found it to be very adequate. http://www.bangkokair.com/

Bangkokg Airways flys between the two. And if you're looking to add Siem Reap, you should look into the Discovery Pass. It makes for pretty cheap flights and, while it's a low-cost carrier, I found it to be very adequate. http://www.bangkokair.com/

I've previously read about this Discovery Pass. In the presumably heavy travel time of mid/late Dec, should any concern be given to "availability" of seats? I was trying to remain flexible with my cities/stays and by default would go with walk-up fares instead.

Dumb question: is it 55usd each way for domestic Thailand?

Thanks.

Here's a description and photos of a trip on the Maeklong Commuter (http://www.thai-blogs.com/index.php?blog=5&p=1136&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1).

and another one here (http://www.the-spiceislands.com/Thailand/mahachai.htm)

I've previously read about this Discovery Pass. In the presumably heavy travel time of mid/late Dec, should any concern be given to "availability" of seats? I was trying to remain flexible with my cities/stays and by default would go with walk-up fares instead.

Dumb question: is it 55usd each way for domestic Thailand?

Thanks.

I can't answer your first question since I booked my flights in advance, but yes it's US$55 each way for domestic plus fees and taxes.

Try Huai Kwang night market.Where is this??????If you want an authentic night market experience in Bangkok, let me offer a suggestion, a better alternative to Huai Kwang.
But first, a warming on the topic of "off-the-beaten path," after dark:
Bangkok streets change dramatically between 9:00 PM and 10:00 PM.
Before 9, it is quite comfortable walking about.
All sorts of people are out and doing shopping or going to eat.
But everything changes in that hour between 9 and 10.
After 10 it's different, very different.
The casual shoppers disappear.
The families with children disappear.
The tourists scurry back into their hotels.
The skytrain and subway have a different sort of passenger.
And, on the streets, the "night people" appear; some of them quite odd.
I make an effort to avoid walking around after 10 PM.
That market at Huey Kwang may be just fine, but you'll still have to get there and back at a very late hour of the night.

If you want a more pleasant, yet still authentic, night market experience, it would be easier, more convenient and more comfortable to visit Klong-Toei market.
Never heard of that market?
Right.
That's exactly the point.
It's not in the popular guide books, so tourists don't go there.
But if you do, you will find thousands of stalls and vendors and food shops -- all 100% authentic.
You won't find any tourist junk.
You will see the sort of things that ordinary Thais buy.
At prices that appeal to ordinary Thais.

At Klong-Toei market, the signs won't be in English, nor will the menus, if you can even find a food stall that has a menu.
Don't expect anybody to speak English.
There is no "Groovy Map", either.
You are on your own.
It will be the sort of sightseeing you never experience from the windows of a tour bus.

There is something going on at Klong-Toei market every hour of the day and night, but the most comfortable and coolest time is early evening.
Plan to arrive about 6:00 PM when crowds of local people on their way home from work are eating and doing their shopping.
By 9:00 PM, you'll likely have had all you want of the sights (and the smells).
That will leave you plenty of time to get back to your hotel.

Getting there and away is simple and safe:
Take the subway and get off at the station for Queen Sirikit Convention Center.
Don't go to the convention center, but simply walk over to the South side of Rama IV Road , then turn East and you'll be right at the start of the market area.

Do not get get off at the subway station named "Klong-Toei".
That is farther from the market.
Be sure to use the station named, Queen Sirikit Convention Center.

Notes:
In any market in Thailand, always watch your head -- umbrellas and awnings are Thai height.
Aisles are very narrow -- fat people will not be able to squeeze thru.
Don't expect a public toilet -- and any toilet you might be able to find there, you probably would not wish to approach.

Finally, Klong-Toei is a local market in a local district of a huge city.
It is not far off the tourist track, but it is definitely off the track.
So all the usual cautions apply:
Do not accept any offers of food or drink from strangers.
Do not accept friendly offers to go anywhere else with any local people.
Do not get into any car that is not a taxi already moving along the main street.
Walk away quickly from any hint of drugs or prostitution.
You may not face any of these problems, but you will be in "their" territory, so please do stay alert.

-- Peter
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Very good advice, Peter, all the way around. And you could add for the truly adventurous after 9 or 10 PM, they can saunter on over to the sailor bars in Klong Toey catering to the seamen in port while their ships load/unload cargo! Even stricter caveats apply, if those bars are still anything like they were a few years ago!

http://www.tigertemple.org/Eng/index.php

...for the truly adventurous after 9 or 10 PM, they can saunter on over to the sailor bars in Klong Toey catering to the seamen in port while their ships load/unload cargo! Even stricter caveats apply, if those bars are still anything like they were a few years ago! Son -

How about a report from you on that topic?

It certainly would be on the topic of off-the-beaten path.

Plus, for many of us, your report will be the closest we'll ever get to any of those bars. _ :D

-- Peter

Bangkokg Airways flys between the two. And if you're looking to add Siem Reap, you should look into the Discovery Pass. It makes for pretty cheap flights and, while it's a low-cost carrier, I found it to be very adequate. http://www.bangkokair.com/

Thanks, I-680 corridor neighbor. I will take a look at the Discovery Pass. Right now intending SFO-BKK on UA or TG, jump up to Luang Prabang, then jump up over to Angkor Wat.

It sounds like the main value provided by the Discovery Pass is flexibility to book as you go, which is not something I need to worry about for my trip (10 days overall, so a fixed/planned scheduled will be required). So for me it will boil down to whether these $55/flat segment fares are better than what I could get booking them as 2 RTs (BKK-LPQ and BKK-REP).

Thanks!
SEA2BA

Dear Peter, Thanks for the request. I can only talk from memory of fairly quick walk throughs of a few of the bars on the main corner in Klong Toey way back in the late 90s.

Not for the faint of heart or the quiet drinker. Girls there used to be even more forward than in the most aggressive Nana Plaza and Soi Cowboy bars, and with English language vocabulary learned from a steady stream of foul mouthed merchant seamen.

Shades of the great bar scenes in the cult movie classic Airplane, combined with Star Wars. (Also think Wanchai in Hong Kong as in William Holden and Suzie Wong.) The Mosquito Bar is the name of the main bar on the street, as I recall. (Actually there used to be a well-managed and clean Mariners' Club close by for senior ranks in port, where the dining room was a pleasant place to have lunch many years ago. Excellent mixed grill, for what it's worth.)

Obviously a changing clientele nightly of shiphands from any number of countries. Many cultures cross-pollinating courtesy of Singha and stronger libations.

Will update next time I am in country and taking your suggestion to stop by the night market!

Dear Peter and others, Also, here is a good account of the Klong Toey "entertainment scene" circa the middle 1960s.

http://www.bangkokeyes.com/klongtoeyhistory.html

Thoroughly off the beaten path but within easy daytrip distance of Bangers:

http://wikitravel.org/en/Ko_Kret
http://wikitravel.org/en/Rangsit (specifically, Wat Dhammakaya)

Also, if your "etc" didn't cover Bang Pa-In (http://wikitravel.org/en/Bang_Pa-In), it's certainly worth a visit.

Why must you stay in Bangkok? Try Chiang Mai for a change of pace.

Definitely DIFFERENT than Bangkok, and the southern beach resorts for that matter.
If you are stuck for time, Hua Hin is nice, but I'd fly up to Chiang Mai for sure if you have the time...

Try whitewater adventure in the jungle with http://www.siamrivers.com/home/default.asp - Very well run outfitter, and decent prices too!

Bangkokg Airways flys between the two. And if you're looking to add Siem Reap, you should look into the Discovery Pass. It makes for pretty cheap flights and, while it's a low-cost carrier, I found it to be very adequate. http://www.bangkokair.com/

I agree with all of the above, but want to point out that Bangkok Airways is not an LCC - it's a regional airline, and has fares that are competitive with, say, Thai Airways, but it's nowhere near as cheap as the LCCs. That said, it also has great service, up-to-date equipment, good food, and free airport lounges in many places.

- Michael

Anyone has interesting ideas for someone who's visited Bangkok many times? Shows, short side trips (already been to Ayuthaya), etc.? This will be for mid Nov.
Mid-Nov has come and gone, but it's still a very worthwhile topic for visitors to Thailand.

I suggest Farm Chokchai near Korat.

A working cattle ranch -- Thai style -- with horses and cowboys, too.

They have a "camp" -- luxe tents where you can stay overnight and eat breakfast on the farm the next morning.

It is also also a dairy farm, and visitors can see milking in process.

One of the attractions is an ice cream workshop, where visitors can make their own ice cream.
I've tasted their commercial ice cream sold here in Bangkok.
It's fresh, dense, premium, ice cream.

I haven't yet visited the farm, but my Thai girlfriend recently went with her friends and brought back fascinating photos.

Farm Chokchai has a very nice steakhouse restaurant in Bangkok (Sukhumvit Soi 23).
I've eaten there four times so far.
The food and service quality at the restaurant are 4-star, while the prices are only 2-star.
If the farm is anything like their restaurant, it will be a prime attraction.

Here's the web site: http://www.farmchokchai.com/en/chokchai_main.asp

-- Peter
.

Incorporate a ride on the canal boats that ply the Khlong San Saeb into your itinerary. Used mostly by commuters these boats make for an easy and quick trip provided there are piers near your destination. These boats are not recommended for the faint of heart; sit in the middle to avoid getting splashed with water, also makes it easier as piers are on both the left and right sides. There is a transfer point at Pratunam pier (#7) so follow the mad scramble from one boat to the other! The terminal at Phan Fah Leelart is near the Golden Mount ( Phu Kao Thong/Wat Saket ) so a good place to start or end your journey. The view from the top of the Golden Mount is impressive.


Notes on Boat Service in Saen Saeb Canal
Piers: 27 Piers
Tickets: 5-15 baht by distance

1) Phan Fah Leelart (terminal, a bridge to Bangkok City Center)
2) Bo Bae (Garment market - second only Pratoo Nam and Pahurat [Bangkok Little India])
3) Wat Phraya Yang - (a temple near Yotse)
4) Saphan Charoen Phon (to Charoen Phon neighborhood)
5) Ban Krua (a Muslim community - the backbone of Jim Thomson's silk business)
6) Saphan Hua Chang (with connection to National Stadium Skytrain Station)
7) Pratoonam (major BKK Garment Market, not far from Panthip and WTC, an interchange for Saensaeb Boat, used to have a water gate in the time of King Mongkut to feed the Royal lotus pond (the root of Pathumwan District), hence got the namesake from that thing)
8) Saphan Chidlom - near Central Chidlom, Siam City Bank HQ, Siam Commercial Bank (Phetburi Office)
9) Saphan Witthayu - near Vanich Building, in Wireless Road
10) Nana Nua - near Bumrungrat Hospital
11) International School - near Rueanruedee International School
12. Saphan Asok - near Japanese Embassy and Phetburi Station of Subway
13) Prasarn Mitr - in Sri Nakahrintharawiroj University (Prasarn Mitr Campus)
14) Watmai Chonglok - in New Phetburi Rad
15) Phrom pak - a lane to Phrom Phong Station of Skytrain, and not far from Italian Thai-Italian Thai Pier can be a substitute
16) Thon Lor - a road to Thong Lor Station - not far from RCA
17) Charn Issara - Charn Issara 2 Building
18) Saphn Klong Tan - near Klong Tan Intersection - used to be an interchange for Lad Phrao boat until 2000 (the year Boat service in Krung Kasem city moat and Lad Phrao canal went out of business)
19) The Mall 3 - (ram Khamhaeng Branch) near New Rama 9 intersection
20) Ram Khamhaeng 29 - near the defunct Welco
21) Wat Thep Leela - the main road from Ram Khamhaeng to Thai Cultural Center
22) Ramkhamhaeng University - the biggest open university in Thailand
23) Saphan Mit Mahardthai - near Huamark Stadium - and can connect to Lad Phrao Road
24) Wat Klang
25) The Mall - the shopping center rival to Central (the main branch in Bang Kapi)
26) Bang Kapi - near bang Kapi district office, and Bang Kapi Market
27) Wat Sri Boonruean - terminal near NIDA



http://www.2bangkok.com/ferries.shtml <--scroll down for other ferry schedules and maps.

How about Ayutthaya, the former capital of Thailand? Oreck and I took a 1.5 hour bus ride (50 Bhat from the Northern Bus Terminal) there a few days ago and had a blast. We rented bicycles (50 bhat) and rode around town for a few hours. There are several wats, including Wat Phra Si Sanphet, which is NOT to be missed!

How about Ayutthaya ... There are several wats, including Wat Phra Si Sanphet, which is NOT to be missed!

This post is part bump and part question.

Bump because information about conventional tours is easy to find, while off-the-beaten-path ideas are somewhat rare.
So, this topic can be valuable for many travelers coming to Bangkok.

My question is for Condition One, or anyone who is familiar with wats.
Specifically, what is it about that Wat Phra Si Sanphet which makes it worthwhile to visit?

Frankly, I am skeptical about the attractions of wats.
I consider them like chocolate bars: one is delicious.
Two might be enjoyable for someone who craves chocolate.
But I have no interest in four or five or more.
Wats have similar effect on me.
After Wat Pho, Wat Arun and Wat Prakeaw, why bother with any others?
The local wats I have seen, have been, well, like a fourth chocolate bar.
The ancient ones all look ancient.
And the contemporary ones all look pretty much alike.

Maybe I am missing something about the wats.
I am certainly willing to read contrary opinions.
Are there some wats off-the-beaten-path that are, really, "NOT to be missed".
And, if so, why?

Thanks for any insights about this.

-- Peter

There is one that looks like a spaceship from Close Encounters.
One made out of bottles.
One made out of marble.
One has a chedi atop a man-made hill.
One that cares for tigers.
One on top of an ancient volcano.
Others are where famous monks reside.

Why read more than one book? They are all just bound pieces of paper with print.:p

I sense a new thread brewing, "The temple mystery...Thailand has many mysteries. I'm trying to figure out one of them: Why are there so many temples? I don't understand it. Can anyone explain?":D

Seriously, I did stumble across this Bangkok Off the Beaten Path Tips (http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Asia/Thailand/Central_Eastern_Thailand/Bangkok-1445238/Off_the_Beaten_Path-Bangkok-TG-C-1.html) which might have some ideas not presented so far.