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Making a trip up to Bangkok


ChiFlyer

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Well I remember when a message topic such as this would have prompted different questions from myself other than the ones I am about to ask. Getting older is a bitch, but also a blessing at times. Who knows. Anyway ->

In early May the Mrs and myself are making a few days trip up to Bangkok from the overall Bang Lamung area. The purpose of the trip is for her to have an interview at the US Embassy to obtain a visa so that she can accompany me on a trip to the US in September. On paper she is a lock, but visas at the US Embassy are a mystery box. That topic belongs in a different thread than this one.

What I am asking about is that come hell or high water what are some suggestions for some side trips and restaurants. It has been decades since I spent much time in Bangkok.

  • We are staying at the Chatrium Riverside, which is on the Chao Phraya near the Spahan Taksin Sky Train stop. The hotel has river boat ferries that will take one to various locations and connections. I have stayed there several time before and it is a very good moderately priced hotel with a good buffet breakfast option. I opted for a suite with a river view (not all that much more expensive) to set a positive mood for the Mrs and her interview.
  • https://www.chatrium.com/chatriumriversidebangkok?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=gmb-chatriumhotelriversidebangkok
  • The Mrs has never seen Wat Po or the Royal Palace. These are relatively close together and I figure this will be a good day trip.
  • I have never been to Asiatique, which is not that far from the hotel. I am thinking we can go there one night to sample the food stalls. Anyone been there?
  • I  am also looking for some restaurant suggestions in the general area. Isan Thai food suggestions would be most appreciated, but some decent Farang places would be good as well. I checked for the places that I liked a decade of so back and most have gone out of business, or Google is blocking them from searches. I am really becoming suspicious of Google.

 

Edited by ChiFlyer
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Grand Palace is spectacular, go early to avoid the heat.

If you are able to visit G.P. and only have a few days I'd give Wat Pho a miss. Depends how much time you have.

Study and learn the BTS/MRT routes. Utilizing that system can save you mountains of agony.

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We went to Asiatique a few years ago,don't remember any food stalls,just restaurants alongside the river which were not cheap.There was a big Irish pub somewhere in the centre.Not a place I was in a hurry to get back to.

Probably changed since we were there.

The Tawandang German Brewery on Rama 3 is a good evenings entertainment,food & beer are excellent with a non stop cabaret.

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13 minutes ago, coxyhog said:

We went to Asiatique a few years ago,don't remember any food stalls,just restaurants alongside the river which were not cheap.There was a big Irish pub somewhere in the centre.Not a place I was in a hurry to get back to.

Probably changed since we were there.

The Tawandang German Brewery on Rama 3 is a good evenings entertainment,food & beer are excellent with a non stop cabaret.

 

German ladyboys ?         lol

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Wifey and I and 2 friends from USA hit Asiatique, July 2016 was nice, fairly new place if I remember correctly. Tons of restaurants, nice walk around by the water and such. 

Then took them over to the rooftop bar at Lebua Hotel over on Silom...quite nice.

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22 hours ago, lazarus said:

There's a great Isaan Gai Yang lunch spot a short walk from the Chong Nonsi BTS station.  I ate there a lot when I lived in the neighborhood. Excellent chicken, nam tok moo, som tum, etc...

The owner, Khun So...holds court right out front making som tum.

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Go early...11am'ish...it gets busy with the business lunch crowd.

. . . .

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I ate there so much they used to make me cook my own chicken... 🙂

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My Baby Mama aka Isaan Princess -- liked it a lot...

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Great Food...

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Thanks. That is some excellent looking Som Tom (the Mrs favorite). We will try for sure.

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14 hours ago, Glasseye said:

Grand Palace is spectacular, go early to avoid the heat.

If you are able to visit G.P. and only have a few days I'd give Wat Pho a miss. Depends how much time you have.

Study and learn the BTS/MRT routes. Utilizing that system can save you mountains of agony.

I am actually pretty decent with the BTS routes. Rusty for sure, but they do not seem to have changed all that much.

I am thinking that the Mrs would enjoy Wat Po (I have been twice), as she is a practicing Buddhist. My understanding is that the Royal Palace is not that far from Wat Po and we could probably grab a taxi and see both the same day. 

My understanding is not always correct. 🙂 

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38 minutes ago, ChiFlyer said:

Thanks. That is some excellent looking Som Tom (the Mrs favorite). We will try for sure.

Welcome.

I bet your Mrs. will like their som tum Isaan style too...(too spicy for me). 🙂

. . .

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13 minutes ago, lazarus said:

Welcome.

I bet your Mrs. will like their som tum Isaan style too...(too spicy for me). 🙂

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Myself as well with regard to the heat, but I do enjoy picking off a piece or two just to sample.

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32 minutes ago, ChiFlyer said:

the Mrs would enjoy Wat Po (I have been twice), as she is a practicing Buddhist. My understanding is that the Royal Palace is not that far from Wat Po and we could probably grab a taxi and see both the same day. 

You can walk from Wat Po to the Grand Palace...right next door. Both are worth a visit imho.

Grand Palace

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I'd also recommend Wat Arun,...on the other side of the river. It was recently renovated...

https://www.wat-arun.com

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My little Sisaket sweetie Nat...

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One other spot on the river that I enjoy is Wat Rakhang

https://www.tour-bangkok-legacies.com/wat-rakhang.html

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13 hours ago, ChiFlyer said:

I am actually pretty decent with the BTS routes. Rusty for sure, but they do not seem to have changed all that much.

I am thinking that the Mrs would enjoy Wat Po (I have been twice), as she is a practicing Buddhist. My understanding is that the Royal Palace is not that far from Wat Po and we could probably grab a taxi and see both the same day. 

My understanding is not always correct. 🙂 

 

if you can fit it in, go for it.

 

As Laz metioned, I want to check out Wat Arun. I haven't been there yet.

 

Maybe I'll take his Ex with me.       55555555555 !

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15 hours ago, lazarus said:

You can walk from Wat Po to the Grand Palace...right next door. Both are worth a visit imho.

Grand Palace

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I'd also recommend Wat Arun,...on the other side of the river. It was recently renovated...

https://www.wat-arun.com

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5110426879_3722bd03c4_o.jpg

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My little Sisaket sweetie Nat...

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One other spot on the river that I enjoy is Wat Rakhang

https://www.tour-bangkok-legacies.com/wat-rakhang.html

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Great recommendations, I visited these 3 on my first visit to Bkk, as well as the long boat river ride.

Coincidently, my guide was a young hottie from Sisaket too. Lol.

Edited by boydeste
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3 minutes ago, Glasseye said:

^^^^ Dog damn. I was just about to post some negative shit in another thread. But that just changed my attitude. Fcuk it.

 

:default_air_kiss:

Better to 'live and love'...

We'll all have longer lives that way. 😘

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Another Bangkok suggestion for the OP...

My late mother stayed at Chatrium Suites when she visited Bangkok on her 80th birthday.  One of the highlights was a longtail boat tour of the Thornburi District.

So much of Bangkok's traditional life is centered on the river. With all the flash and dash of modern times it was refreshing to 'step back in time' and see the remains of an earlier society (that is still active).

. . .

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10 minutes ago, lazarus said:

Another Bangkok suggestion for the OP...

My late mother stayed at Chatrium Suites when she visited Bangkok on her 80th birthday.  One of the highlights was a longtail boat tour of the Thornburi District.

So much of Bangkok's traditional life is centered on the river. With all the flash and dash of modern times it was refreshing to 'step back in time' and see the remains of an earlier society (that is still active).

. . .

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i enjoyed that.

 

I think you used the descriptor "refreshing" appropriately.

 

 

555555555555 !

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  • 1 month later...

Well, we start our trip next Sunday. Given the lovely temps in Thailand at this time, we may well skip trekking around Wat Po and the Royal Palace. Really the first two days of our trip will be taken up by final prep for the visa interview and the interview itself.

I plan on hitting the @lazarus restaurant recommendation and probably Asiatique one night. Other than that breakfast, pool time, and air conditioning sound appealing. 🙂 

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4 hours ago, ChiFlyer said:

Well, we start our trip next Sunday. Given the lovely temps in Thailand at this time, we may well skip trekking around Wat Po and the Royal Palace. Really the first two days of our trip will be taken up by final prep for the visa interview and the interview itself.

I plan on hitting the @lazarus restaurant recommendation and probably Asiatique one night. Other than that breakfast, pool time, and air conditioning sound appealing. 🙂 

The nice thing about Bkk is that it is so easy to get around via the BTS which has aircon or taxis and Tuk Tuks, obviously no aircon in the latter.

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11 hours ago, boydeste said:

The nice thing about Bkk is that it is so easy to get around via the BTS which has aircon or taxis and Tuk Tuks, obviously no aircon in the latter.

Hard to wrap my head around how many people still want to drive when mass transit is so readily available. Even allowing for the last km to get to their destination, easy enough to hail a cab.

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