My uP & cOmiNg....... pLaN...

Both ShaRon anD tRaV hAvE BeEn veRy hELpfUL iN pLannIng tO hV mE iN tHeIr nExT tRiP tO BKK..... in thE coMinG NoVemBeR...

HeRe'S a ShOrt wRitEoUt aBt BKK, On sTuff aNd PlAces i wIsh tO gO in tHis tRip, wHiCh nOw mE sTiLL hV yEt tO cHecK iF i CaN....

FirSt & Top Priority oN mY LiSt wOuLd Be.....

A great way to soothe the aches and pains and relieve the stress of a busy day hitting the pavements in Bangkok. It’s surprisingly cheap and during a one or two hour session you will be gently kneaded, stretched, contorted and ‘re-aligned’, leaving you a relaxed and rejuvenated.

Thai massage: which involves vigorously treating more than 100 areas of the body, using hand pressure and the masseuse’s own body to apply forces that aim to work pressure points, and re-align energy lines in the body. Ideally, this process takes at least two hours and can be a little uncomfortable at times, but leaves you feeling very relaxed. ** HeArt meLts *

2nd on mY LiSt.....

Situated at Damnoen Saduak, the Floating Market (of Bangkok) is made up of a number of small canals which are patrolled by small boats piloted by crafty ladies always ready to sell their wares and jockey for position with their competitors. The market is hot, sticky and busy; but an amazing amount of fun! You also have to get up really early to experience it at its best.

3Rd oN mY LiSt....

Shopping in Bangkok is far easier and cooler by night. As well as the much appreciated drop in temperature, the sights, sounds, colours and smells always seem somehow more vivid once the sun has set. The range of markets is quite large and each one has their own various specialities and unique features.

Night Bazaar -->

1) Suan Luam Night Bazaar
2) Pratunam Market Complex - The inside market is open 24 hours a day.
3) Patpong Night Market - a place of sex shows and go-go bars
4) Banglamphu area of Bangkok - Khao San Road is a great place to pick up some bargains. Books, CD’s, movies, trainers, flip-flops, bags and traditional Thai goods can all be found here. Stalls here tend to close around 1:30am.

LaSt bUt NoT LeAsT.....

Bangkok --> a shopper’s paradise, and part of your trip to Thailand should certainly include a day or two for browsing the shops and malls of the city. The range is impressive and the prices unbeatable.

In Bangkok’s incredibly urbanised cityscape there are shopping malls and department stores everywhere. When out shopping in Bangkok you can discover ultra-chic and trendy malls such as the Emporium or Central Chitlom where the store guides read like a who’s-who of designer labels.

Then there are the all-encompassing mega-malls such as MBK or Seacon Square in which seemingly every product you can think of is available. You can also break up your shopping trip by catching a movie in the multiplex cinema, go ten pin bowling, take a Thai massage or dine at any one of the many excellent on-site restaurants.

Chatuchak weekend market is immense, and it’s an experience in itself just to witness the scale of the place and it’s labyrinth of shops and stalls. But some very good Thai produce can be found here too, at rock bottom prices.

The prices of the goods on sale here are extremely low, and you will often be cursing yourself for paying double the Chatuchak price for something elsewhere in Bangkok.

But even the first price quoted to you can be lowered by haggling with the shop’s proprietor: usually the ‘real’ price will be about ½ to 2/3 of the price first given. Be careful not to be too stubborn with your haggling though. It’s not worth being picky over 10 or 20 baht, it just causes friction and both buyer and seller lose face – not a situation anyone wants.

Directions --> take a BTS Skytrain to Mo Chit station
Operating --> only open on Saturday and Sunday. Opening hours are 8:00 until around 18:00
Perhaps instead of Chatuchak, Consider this --> Wholesale Shopping
For designer goods and fashionable items like jeans, T-Shirts, bags and shoes, a visit to Pratunam market is essential.

This 24 hour, air-conditioned market is bursting at the seams with small stalls and larger shops, many of which advertise their ability to fulfil your wholesale needs. You should be especially aware that some of the goods with designer labels such as Levi, Armani and Louis Vitton are probably NOT the real thing.

In saying that, a large percentage of the goods on offer are of a high quality.

With waT i hv jUst puT uP aBove, hOpe iT's UsEfUL aNd aBLe tO tEmpT mE tO GO GO GO.... *blink blink*