If you'll be in town for business around that district, great choice you've got. But if you will be over the weekend, especially during the king's birthday, recommend you to stay near the real centre of the city.

If the money is not big matter for you, FS, GH or Intercon should be your great choice. If you don't want to spend to much for the hotel, try Holiday Inn Bangkok, Arnoma, Novotel Siam or Princess Patumwan. These hotel are located in the walking distance to the skytrain and the main shopping centre of Bangkok. Skytrain is the most convenient and reliable way of transportation in BKK. Don't have to bargain the price, and the most important concern is safe.

Please do not stay at Conrad during the weekend, so quiet, nothing to do in the walking distance.

Yeah, who would want to stay at a nice hotel that is quiet, out of the way and as such might be more relaxing? No constant drone of traffic, a restful sleep, who needs that?

The Conrad is a lovely property, located in a complex of buildings called All Seasons Place (shopping, restaurants, food court, supermarket, banks, Starbucks, etc.). It is no more than 500 meters from the Conrad to the Ploen Chit BTS (Skytrain) station. (I measured it on my MapMagic software map, 471 m to be exact.) Just walk up Wireless (aka Wittayu Road). What is that, a 10 minute walk at most? There is also a complimentary shuttle mini-bus that cycles past the Conrad and can take you to the BTS station. Taxis are plentiful and inexpensive, and motorbike taxis (not for the faint of heart or safety-concious) would be 60 seconds and 10 baht between the Conrad and the BTS station.

Note that the BTS stops running ~ 12 midnight, and resumes service ~ 06:00.

BTW, the weather here in Bangkok has been incredibly beautiful. Below average temps., no rain, low relative humidity, clear, crisp blue skies, nice breeze. Most Thais are saying it is too cold, and they are wearing sweaters! (Today is overcast.) Temps: 84 F high, 70 F low, relative humidty ~ 65%.

Have a great trip.

Its hard to think of forgoing the Conrad after being on the exec/club floor last time I was there!

Is the Skytrain an option from the airport, or stick to taxi/limo?

I've been tracking the weather and can't wait. I'm sure it will be nice after a few nights in Beijing @ 30F or so.

Actually just checked and its 48F. Not as bad I as I thought.

The BTS does not run to the airport, just take a taxi. Bangkok taxi threads are quite popular here, there are dozens, have a search and read for the complete details.

Thanks for the the info on the Paragon. Was going to stop in next week maybe.

We will be in BK for 3 nights 17-19 Dec staying at the shangrila and on to Koh Samui staying in Central samui beach resort for 14 nights . This is a very special holiday for a 50 & 49 Birhtday celebration. Any hints on what to do or where to eat would really be appreciated. Could anyone reccommend where to bring in the New year.? Is it possible to get an upgrade on flights or hotel accom. as we booked through a travel agent in Nothern Ireland it was just to pricey for us. We are not business passengers and are not frequent flyers. Can anyone tell us what type of plane TG use from london Heathrow to BKW.
Thank you for helping an amatuer like myself.

Is it best to eat in the bar or restaurant at the Supperclub?

Psst -- the Holiday Inn Ploenchit (not same as the HI Silom) is the best deal in town right now. Right next to the Intercont and you even get to use their gym and pool, it's brand new so it's actually more stylish and in better shape than the IC (IMHO), and best of all, it's half the price!

It was briefly mentioned before, but a 2-3 hour private river boat ride on the Chao Phraya is not to be missed...true insight into the days of past in Bangkok when the river was the center of trade and transportation for the city and the country for that matter.

Head down to the pier near the Oriental and bargain for a long-tail boat ride through the klongs. Forget about all the hawkers on the street before you get to the pier selling boat tours - just go straight to the nice man on the pier and bargain depending on how much time you want to spend / what route you want to take.

Make sure you tell him you want a slow boat ride - otherwise they'll just speed you through the course as fast as possible...you'll have to pay a bit more, but you'll enjoy it much more.

I always forego the "tourist trap stops" such as the snake farm / etc, because I've seen them all before. My preference is simply a nice leisurely ride through the canals as slow as possible - plenty of photo opps, plenty of chances to stop along the way for some beer / ice / snacks, and a great time all around!

Even having lived in BKK for almost 5 years, I still enjoy this trip every now and then, and it's top of my list when friends visit me...

The map you are referring to is by Nancy Chandler.

The cruise sounds like a nice thing for next weekend.

About how much should it cost for a 2 hour cruise?

2 hour cruise shouldn't cost you more than 800 baht, plus a nice tip to the boat driver afterwards if he goes slow and treats you well is always a good idea.

Got in late last night and had a "free" drink at 87plus.

It was certainly interesting as I'd suspect the number of "pros" were by far the majority. Of course it was "ladies" night but I certainly felt that female attention was way to easy to attract.

Maybe now I know what it feels like to be an attractive female in a room full of men

So what's the deal - was I imaging things?

Is this your first visit to Bangkok? I doubt that you were imagining things; that bar/club in the Conrad is a popular place for locals to meet foreigners.

Did you arrive Thursday night, or Friday night? I only ask as we might have been on the same flight? I returned yesterday, Friday, 2 Dec ~ 23:20 on UA 881 from NRT.

Well its my first time in BKK for more than 24 hours

Actually on the flight I was in Beijing for 2 nights first, via NRT. Heading out via HKG later next week. So I'm here for a few more days.

As an FYI one of the bartenders at 87plus told me Mystique is closed.

She recommend Q Club which we stopped by after the Bed Supper club (which was certainly an interesting experience)

Are you at the Conrad, or do you have a residence here?