JMR

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.

swampfox1001

Why would you want a non-special massage?

Mont-Fleuri

Or indeed what makes a non- special massage ?

dsquared37

Generally: short chubby middle-aged women.

CrazyInteg

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).

whackyjacky

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/

UASPG

Wat Po Massage:
http://www.watpomassage.com/2009/
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...l-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.

aBroadAbroad

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.

dsquared37

But will you see the monitor lizards at that hour?

aBroadAbroad

ROFL... naw... no farang to eat...

goodeats21

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.

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.

lskohn

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.

seanthepilot

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/ar...118445,00.html

http://bkkpost.9destinations.com/foo...44994/?xPage=1

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

whackyjacky

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: http://www.pullmanbangkokkingpower.c...s/#wp-wine-pub wj

Flaflyer

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