rukawa, that floating market you are talking about is probably called "Taling Chan". It's about 30 minutes drive by taxi from the city. Although it officially qualifies as a floating market, it isn't the original, authentic one.

The real floating market is situated in another province called "Ratchaburi" or "Ratburi", as the locals call it. It's 1.5 hours drive out of Bangkok. Far, but at least you'll see the real thing.

You can rent a car. No problem about that. If you are Citibank Gold card member, you can get up to 50% discounts on Avis Rent-a-car.

But the main question is: Are you confident in driving around in Thailand? I did experience driving out of Bangkok, and lucky I had my honey with me to navigate around. It can be very confusing, especially when most signs are in Thai. Even though I'm able to read some amount of Thai confidently, it is hard when you are actually driving and trying to read the signs.

Do prepare yourself with a proper map if you intent to do so.

The rates for car rental can range from THB1,800 per day for a decent Toyota Vios. Of course, there are other surcharges, which you have to pay (such as insurance and other stuff).

Check out the following sites if you are interested:

http://avisthailand.com/home/index.php

http://www.budget.co.th/

For those of you who are planning to spend Christmas season here in Bangkok, do check out their X'mas decorations. You'll find the city pretty nicely lit up with lights all over the place.

Don't confuse yourselves though. With 90+% Buddhist, X'mas isn't exacly an auspicious event here. The reason why the month of December is fully lighted isn't because of Christmas, but more due to the fact that it's the King's birthday (5th December), which is known as "Father's Day" here.

Also, the first few weeks in the month of December will usually come with cool weather (winter winds blowing south from China). So the nights can be very romantic and soothing. Take a walk at night and you'll definitely enjoy it.

The cool period is usually in the begining of December. Towards the New Year, the weather starts to heat up again. But it really depends though. This year for example, we did experience an unexpected cool weather in February.

At the moment (as I'm typing), the weather in Bangkok is EXTREMELY HOT! El Nino is at it's nasty deeds once again

The new government has been established, and martial law is no longer in active enforcement anymore. Even though so, during the military rule few months ago, life was completely normal, with the exclussion of a few army tanks on the streets.

As for traffic jams, there are plenty of alternative forms of transportation. The mass transit system (BTS Skytrain, MRT Underground) covers most of the strategic locations in the city. In addition to that, you can always use the motorcycle taxi for a cheap price

Language may be a problem. Although not many can speak English, they will try to understand as much as they can. When communicating with them, make sure you speak English slowly and clearly.

For two weeks, I would say RM2,000 equivalent is enough (THB20,000). In case you forsee a need for more, most ATM machines here are able to accept ATM cards with Plus system. Maybank has this facility, so if you're a Maybank account holder, make sure you inform the bank that you wish to make overseas withdrawal. There might be a transaction charge attached to it.

RM1,000 - That would depend on how big a spender you are. Since you friend is taking care of accommodation, I will assume he/she will take care of most of your transporation / food problems too (at least that's what I do when my friends / family come over to Bangkok).

When my sis came over, she spent an average of RM500 per day (actually, she was spending my money). I also had a Singaporean friend who spent RM3,000 per day. So, what kind of spender are you?

Remember to save at least RM100 (THB1,000) for the last day, cause airport tax is THB500, and taxi to airport might be near THB300.

Bring RM2,000 then. RM100 for airport tax (2 persons)

See lot's of places, that would probably mean lots of shopping too. Believe me, I seen people loose control of spending (especially girls) when they "take a leisurely stroll" along the night bazaars (Suan Lum Night Bazaar, Silom Rd) or weekend market (Chatuchak)

And if she steps into Siam Paragon, then you're in for some huge swipes. Credit Card would come in handy here.

Oh, and if you plan to commute anywhere by cab, make sure you have enough small change. Showing then THB500 or THB1,000 will only get you in a little inconvenience.

And, tipping waiters at restaurants may not be necessary, but if you feel the service is good, do so at your own appreciation.

THB1,000 is outrageously expensive. My guess is that you took the airport taxi rather than the normal public taxi.

Alright here's the situation. When you arrive at the airport, you have a few choices to get to your hotel:

1 - Hotel Transfer

If you arrange with the hotel via bookings, they could send someone to pick you up from the airport using the hotel limo. Might be free, but if it isn't, you can expect a heavy bill. Pros: No need to wait for queues

2 - Airport Taxi

When you exit the airport and about to head outside, you're most likely to be approached by well dressed men / women in blazers asking if you like a "taxi". This ain't any normal taxi, but your high class airport limo. Depending on your destination, it would cost anywhere between THB600 - THB1,000. Pros: You get to sit in real comfortable Toyota Camrys

3 - Public Taxi

The cheapest form of taxi to get to your hotel. Head downstairs to the ground floor (not the arrival floor) and head outside. The new Suvarnabhumi airport hasn't properly prepared proper booths for public taxis, so you'll see a bunch of tables by the sidewalk. Walk to anyone of them and tell them your destination. They will give you a receipt and show you to your public taxi. The journey shouldn't cost more than THB400 if you want to get to town center.

There is an extra surcharge of THB50 if you take the public taxi from the airport, in addition to the metered fare. Also, if you decide to take the tollways, you have to pay the toll fare yourself.

Pros: Cheap. Cons: You might end up sitting in a 1990 Toyota Corolla or an old junk rusted relic of Bangkok transportation antiques


Some Tips:

Most public taxi drivers will take the Bang-Na route to get to the city. It's further, which allows them to earn slightly more milleage from you. So, if you are daring enough, tell the taxi driver to take the "Motorway" route. This route is shorter distance, and more direct to the city. "Motorway" is the name the Thai's use for that particular stretch of highway, which leads you to the Rama 9 Rd, and from there you can get to the city with ease.

The Bang-Na route shares the same trunk to and from the port. With this, you will have to bear slow traffic from hundreds of container trailers. If you're unlucky, you might experience some traffic congestion, and that can be really frustrating.

Asking the driver to take the shorter route is like bargaining prices at China Town. You need to have the arrogance and guts to make your stand. Definitely, they will say all kinds of excuses or reasons to take their favourite route, so you have to be firm and persistent in your choice.

Ask for the language barrier, it is seldom I come across taxi driver who are capable of speaking good English. They may not speak, but they can understand a little English. Always speak slowly when communicating with them.

RM2,000 sounds pretty steep, but you have to see what the tour iternary covers. Does it include air fare too? If yes, what airlines?

Concerning the question of places of interest for children, I have to be honest and say I don't have much of a clue. Playground for adults, I can quote you many, but for kids, you might want to ask native Bangkok citizens like maximsilentfoot.

Personally, Bangkok would be a great holiday destination for grown ups. Be it the night life, shopping, cultural heritage, ancient relics, historical architecture, people, food... adults would find it more worth it to experience all of these.

Pardon my ignorance at this question, but what do kids nowadays like to do when they go travelling?

Sincerely, the red light district area of Patpong isn't something extermely worth seeing. One time there and you'll probably get sick of it (unless you're a s3x maniac).

Anyway, if you are really interested to see Patpong (just for the experience), sneak out at night and give me a call. Patpong doesn't sleep as early as our parents do, so it should be fine.

The Dreamworld is quite a distance from Bangkok city. You might need to arrange special transportation if you wish to get there.

http://www.dreamworld-th.com/english/index.php

If your siblings are interested in Ocean stuff, check out the Siam Ocean World at the new Siam Paragon shopping complex

http://www.siamoceanworld.co.th/

Some correction there, bob:

Sorry - khor twat
Thank You - khrob koon
Toilet - hong nam (which actually means "water room")

As part of language lessons here, to make any sentence more polite, always add a suffix to any statement:

Girls will say - "ka"
Guys will say - "krub" (pronounced with the aaaa sound, as in kr-aaab)

Example:

Girl: How much is this - "Un ni tao rai ka?"
Salesman: This is 200 baht - "Un ni 200 baht krub"
Girl: Can you discount a little - "lot noi dai mai ka?"
Salesman: I'm sorry, I cannot discount - "khor twat krub. Lot mai dai krub"
Girl: Nevermind then - "Mai ben rai ka"

So, in general, when a guy says Thank You, it would be "Khop koon krub", and girls will say "khop koon ka"

Get the feel of it?

I definitely won't mind showing you guys around. And don't worry about treating or stuff like that. Leave money matters aside for now.

The usual thing most tourist would do after dinner would be to take a walk at the Suan Lum night bazaar. Benefits: you get to trim down your wallet size by shopping, and at the same time, exercise a little to digest your food.

As for the alcazar show, I have never been to one myself, so I've no comments.

If time permits and if you are interested, perhaps the older gals can check out the clubbing scene at RCA. Pretty happening, if compared to KL ones.

Hi supatza:

I did some survey and found out there is a this children's discovery center, directly opposite the Jatuchak weekend market. The adults can roam about shopping while kids have fun in that center.

http://www.bkkchildrenmuseum.com/english/index.html

Also, my colleague took some snapshots of a little "teddy bear park" somewhere in Ratchayothin area. Maybe your little sibblings might like to roam about there...

I've got the perfect suggestion for you: Try out the Chong Nonsi Fish Head Soup at Rama 3 Road (refer to attached map). It's non-halal though



Here's how you pronounce it:

"huo phla chong-nonsi"

Go via Narathiwat Rd until the T-junction with Rama 3 Rd. Turn right at the junction and make a U-turn when you see it. Immediately after the U-turn, keep left and lookout for the restaurant.

Recommendations:

- Tom Yam Fish Soup ("tom yam phla")
- Grill seafood platter (assortment of river prawns, mussels, scallops, and all sorts)
- Crab meat role
- Glass noodles cooked with prawns ("goong woon shen")
- Pork satay

Price is fairly reasonable too

For something really authentic, try the "Tha Siam Boat Noodles" (pronounced as tha-sa-yam kuey teow rue-ah). It is a franchised restaurant, and usually found in major shopping centers such as MBK (basement floor I think)

Look out for the sign of an angry looking pig. The interior deco is usually dark brown, and there is usually a metaphor of a boat


Note: Photo above courtesy of http://realthai.blogspot.com/2006/09/tha-siam.html

Servings are extremely small (as most Thai food are), and price is fairly reasonable. You might find one bowl of noodles is not enough.

Food served in this chain of restaurants are NON-HALAL

Here's a list of Tha-Siam food that I usually enjoy:

1. Kuey teow moo dwoon (braised pork with noodles)
2. Yen Ta Four (fish assortment noodles in red sauce, which I think it's something like tau ju)
3. Look chin ruam (mixed boat of fish / meat balls)

Now when ordering noodles in Thailand, there is a special lingo to it. While kuey teow in Malaysia refers to the fat, flat noodles, keuy teow is a generic term for "noodles". So how do I tell the right kind of noodles? Here's some help:

a) Fat, flat white noodles (known as kuey teow in M'sia) - Shen Yai
b) Bee Hoon - Shen mee
c) Glass noodles (dong fen) - woon shen
d) Yellow noodles that is usually used for Wan Tan Mee - Bak Mee
e) Yellow, fat noodles usually used for fried hokkien mee - Soba
f) Magi mee - Mama mee

Hope this helps!

This post has been edited by sunbeams: Dec 9 2006, 11:40 PM

You've got a very nicely located hotel there, pal. Here's why:

1. Very near the Skytrain station, which can take you anywhere

2. Shoppers Galore. If you are a walking person, you can walk all the way to Siam Square, passing by:
- Central Chidlom
- Central World Plaza
- Geysorn Plaza (but you'll probably not buy anything there. Ladies singlet cost THB40,000)
- Siam Paragon
- Siam Center / Siam Discovery
- Siam Square (my favourite)
- MBK

3. Sight-seeing
- Famous Erawan Shrine (4 face Buddha)
- Siam area (watch university girls in tight fitting uniforms)
- Burmrungrad Hospital - Extremely high class hospital that looks like a 5-star hotel

4. Chill out and relax
- Haggen Dass in front of Chidlom BTS Station. Friday nights they will have live jazz music performances
- Take a jog at Lumpini park

5. Night Shopping
- Suan Lum Night Bazaar, directly opposite Lumpini Park

6. Hot, Naughty Nites
- Check out the pubs and bars along Sarasin Rd
- Silom (Patpong)
- Nana (another red light zone)


Note: Photo courtesy of http://www.bangkok.com/centrewirelessroad/

Anusawari = Victory Monument right? Are you referring to those open air hawker food under the skywalk, in front of the giant LCD screen TV? I love the kuay zhup. Superb

More Thai food lingo list to add on:

1) Add chilli(s) - sai peet
2) Don't want chilli(s) - mai aow peet
3) Not spicy, please - mai phet
4) A little spicy, please - phet nit noi

5) Plain water - naam blao
6) Ice - naam kheng

[Sunbeams] Since you'll be here for 2 weeks, make sure you check out the Chatuchak weekend market, open only on Saturdays and Sundays. Loads of stuff to see there. Getting there is easy by Skytrain - just buy a ticket to the Mochit station, and you'll see the weekend market there