FWIW, I've been away for a week but I did see an ad on TV last night here in Bangkok for Siam Paragon and it said they are opening 9 December 2005! I assume it will be what is locally referred to as a "soft opening" (aka "face saving")? (Note that Emporium, World Trade/Central, Siam Center are all undergoing rennovations/face-lifts, and are in various states of completion.)

It was in all the newspapers and everywhere on TV this weekend. Thais are up in arms though about the high ticket price for the "largest aquarium in Asia" within the mall. I hear it was originally going to be 600B, but now is officially 480B.

I was trying to find out if I could use the IC pool if I stayed at the HI. I read another post that said the HI pool is ground level, not rooftop like the IC, so by early afternoon the buildings block the sun. Was the HI pool open when you stayed there and could use the IC pool?

I went to the new Siam Paragon mall yesterday and have to say that, even in its partially finished state, it is very, very impessive. I know that many, many people worked around the clock to make the 9 Dec opening. Yesterday was a sort of Monday-holiday (10 Dec being Constitution Day) so it was quite crowded. The line to the Aquarium reminded me of some of the ride lines at Disney World!

The Food Court is huge, the largest I've ever seen in a mall.

You can enter the Siam Paragon mall directly from the SIAM BTS (Skytrain) station.

I think most stores, and the cineplex will be open by 1 March, if not earlier. I think a hotel is planned but construction may not have even started yet as completion dates mentioned are 2008.


There are a lot of photos in the following locations for those interested:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=290813
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=292403

I spent 16 hours in Bankgkok 3 weeks ago with the following itinerary and would recommend it to anyone:

1. Arrived and took Thai Airlines limo from arrivals area for $15 USD after showing Star Alliance Gold card for discount

2. Checked in to Sheraton Grande on Sukhumvit ($110/night) expensive for short stay, but I needed to decompress and got free broadband and breakfast at one of the best buffets in Asia!

3. Walked to a favorite barber shop for cut, shave, 30 minute scalp/neck massage -- $10

4. Satay chicken and chili sauce and Singha beer at small restaurant for appetizer, $1.50

5. Back to Sheraton Grande Hotel Spa for wonderful massage -- over priced but convenient and well situated for me to return to room in robe

6a. 10pm dinner reservation at Sirocco Restaurant (www.thedomebkk.com/sirocco/sirocco_home.htm) overpriced by Thai standards, but luxury dining that is one of a kind from my experience. Sixty floors above Bangkok street level and dining on the roof of a building with live jazz, great views, great meal, and fun bar atmosphere

6b. Ate foie gras, Ostrich filet, dessert, two Singha beers, and finished the evening at the bar at 1am with a Mojito!

7. Hopped to Hyatt bar for late night music amid the expat scene

8. Back to Sheraton at 3am for another shower, emails

9. Brunch at 5am in lobby of hotel -- left for airport at 530am

10. Check-in at 550am for 7am UA BKK-NRT flight

The 16 hours was costly by Bangkok standards, but I could do that loop over and over again in my sleep. Extraordinary night and confirmation that Thailand is one of the greatest places on earth. Bangkok gets better with every visit, although others might argue it's starting to lose it's charm.

Happy travels!
Seattle1K

That last part there rings a bell -- did they also put your mojito in a blender, so it comes out looking like a glass of spinach soup? :eek: