Staying in Sukhumvit

[samh004]

I’ve been to Thailand/Bangkok many times before but generally with my family and when I was younger. We always stayed at the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, which is a great hotel as I know you all know, but today I’m asking a question on behalf of a friend visiting Thailand for the first time.

He’ll be staying at The Royal Ivory Nana 4 on good advice of a friend that a hotel room is for where you sleep, not where you live, especially if exploring a new country! It’s not me by the way, I just found out.

Anyway, he’s seeking advice on places to go and things to see and do in Bangkok. He’s there for 2 weeks and will also be visiting KL so advice for stuff to do there would be applicable too.

He might register here to give better details in the future, but he’s off on Thursday (17th Feb), so if anyone could provide advice and experiences sooner rather than later that’d be awesome!

Cheers!

 

[JohnK]

I am a firm believer a hotel room is a place to sleep and not a place to live. Also I feel the more I spend on a room the more money I have wasted.

As for things to do in Bangkok, how long is a piece of string?

Floating market, Chatuchak markets (something diferent), Victory monument, MBK shopping centre, Ploenchit shopping district (lots of designer shops), Patpong markets (I wouldn't bother but some do), Flower markets (at night and the place is buzzing Thais buying Roses and other flower to make their garlands), Ayutthaya, Palace, wats and various temples, River Kwai (Kanchanaburi) if there is time etc.

If interested in adult nightlife then obviously Soi Cowboy, Sukhumvit 33, Nana and Patpong.

 

[moa999]

JohnK good summary.

For bars - have to do the open-air ones on 50th+ flr, one at banyan tree, one at state tower and a few more I understand

For high-end shopping - now at siam paragon, opposite mbk

 

[samh004]

Oh yes, I forgot, he’s also looking for clubs to go to, as he’s 22 and the guy he got most of his advice from is a bit older so he didn’t think the same sort of clubs would apply to him.

Thanks so far though. I understand he has around 12k budgeted (after hotels and flights).

 

[Andyzx]

SMH had a pretty good 24 hr travel summary for Bangkok recently. Should still be available online in their travel section.

 

[samh004]

SMH had a pretty good 24 hr travel summary for Bangkok recently. Should still be available online in their travel section.

I found it and a few others, and am bookmarking it in my own thread.

Bangkok - Travel - smh.com.au

 

[RB]

Oh yes, I forgot, he’s also looking for clubs to go to, as he’s 22 and the guy he got most of his advice from is a bit older so he didn’t think the same sort of clubs would apply to him.

Thanks so far though. I understand he has around 12k budgeted (after hotels and flights).

I must have got old quickly & Bangkok & KL must have got much dearer if that is the sort of budget required to have a good time in Thailand & Malaysia

 

[ric_melb]

Moa999 and John K have made some very good recommendations.
A word of caution. If your friend is going to Bangkok with 12K available to spend in 14 days he should be cautious. Novices are very easily parted from their money in Bangkok, by people of both sexes and all races.

 

[simonpenny408]

Lebua State Tower is definitely the pick of the sky bars. Spendy coughtails but perfect riverside setting for twilight.

I'd definitely take a long tail boat trip from near the Shangri-la hotel even if you decide not to do floating markets.

Bed Suppperclub at 26 Suk Soi 11 is still a good club and recommended

 

[bjm76]

Siam @ Siam Design Hotel also had a good rooftop bar... it is near MBK and Siam Paragon, so it is a good place to go after a hard days shopping....

12K is a lot of money for that sort of trip, particularly after paying for the flights and hotel.... your friend would only need half that and he will live like a king...

 

[wandering_fred]

With a free budget and a willing spouse after air fares I'd be very VERY :shock: happy in Bangkok on $200/day plus $1K for the tailor :mrgreen: So 12K should last almost two months.

And yes I have been staying in Suhkumvit (mostly 3 star) off and on for 30 years. Alas mostly infrequently for the last 20.

Happy wandering

Fred

 

[Alanslegal]

On my yearly trips to Bangkok, I always visit the rooftop bars previously mentioned. Head there close to sunset for pre-dinner drinks, one night at Vertigo at Banyan Tree and another night at Sirrocco at Lebua Tower. Sirrocco is much more tourist-y so if you a slightly more intimate evening, Vertigo is better.

On another night, I always recommend Bed Supper Club. It's an avantgarde type restaurant and club. Good to go with at least a few as you share a 'mattress' where you relax, dine, drink whilst watching an artistic show. Later in the evening it turns into a full blown nightclub. It's also very close to Sukhumvit

Another favourite place of mine, is Hollywood Night Club; its more a place where groups of girls (I hope anyway) perform to choreographed dance acts. Good fun. Also RCA is a decent place for a street full of nightclubs and outdoor areas. Last time I was there, they imposed strict 2am closures though.

Otherwise, some Hilton loyalist will recommend heading to the 360 Bar with a panoramic view of the city skyline. I've never been but first hand reports indicates the views are awesome.

 

[JohnK]

12K is a lot of money for that sort of trip, particularly after paying for the flights and hotel.... your friend would only need half that and he will live like a king...

I struggle to spend $2,500 in 2 weeks and that includes accommodation.

But then I don't go out every night running up 5,000-10,000 baht bar tabs. A fool and his money....

 

[Lawlass]

Chatachuk Market - doesn't matter whether you're into markets or not, it has to be seen to be believed.

Muay Thai Boxing - real Muay Thai matches are held at Lumphini and Rongopini stadiums (a lot of other advertised matches are fakes, like wrestlemania). It is pretty violent, but the atmosphere is incredible. Foreigners usually opt for the ringside seats, but if you're brave you can join the screaming, gambling locals at the back.

Take a motorcycle taxi, just to say you have. A ride on the main roads is not for the faint hearted, but you can catch one from one end of a soi to the other for about 10 bht, and it is a cruisy ride.

Take the BTS Skytrain and just get off wherever something looks interesting.