Archive for the ‘Travel to Thailand’ Category

Bangkok’s Best Night Market – Sukhumvit Soi 38

Thursday, February 10th, 2011

Sukhumvit Soi 38 doesn’t rank as Bangkok’s best because of its size or variety of vendors.  You won’t find row after row of knock-off factory souvenirs here.  This market ranks because of its downhome neighborhood vibe and friendly food vendors.  This is a local’s market.  A short row of food stalls with options ranging from traditional Thai to Chinese, and, did I mention, the best  mango with sticky rice in the city.

Here’s how to navigate.  Board the Sky Train and head toward On Nut and exit Thong Lor.  Follow signs downstairs to find Soi 38.  Two stalls down on the right side you’ll find a small, dimly lit dining area served by three food vendors who all work in tandem to service the area.  Order the fried pork cutlets with ramen noodle soup (while not a Thai dish, with several million of Chinese citizens living in the city this food is definitely a staple of the community) and sit back and watch the neighborhood hum.  After your meal, walk directly across the street to find the best mango with sticky rice in the city.
Have any other contenders for best night market?



Visiting Thailand’s Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo

Saturday, January 29th, 2011

If you’re planning a trip to Thailand, undoubtedly on your list of must-do’s is a visit to Wat Phra Kaeo and the Grand Palace.  I absolutely agree.  And there are many guide books out there that can tell you about the magnificent history, stunning architecture and cultural significance of the site (one I highly recommend is National Geographic’s Traveler Thailand) so I won’t go into that here.  But not many of them discuss the nitty gritty logistics of visiting, because as you’ll see if you venture to the site outside of an organized tour group, it’s easy to get lost in Bangkok’s chaotic shuffle.  So here are a few tips I wish someone had given me before visiting:

1. Avoid taking advice from helpful strangers. If you walk to Rattanakosin and its surrounds, you’ll undoubtedly be approached by numerous strangers offeringadvice.  Oh, the temple is closed today for a special ceremony or the area is closed to foreigners in the mornings they’ll tell you. None of this is true.  The site is open nearly every day of the year from 8:30am to 3:30pm except on rare occasions when it closes for an official functions.   The advice you’re getting is from wily Tuk Tuk drivers who are trying to make a buck by diverting you towards other attractions across town, so they can drive you and make a fee.

2. Make sure you wear the appropriate clothing. For girls this means skirts or pants at least knee length, and covered shoulders.  For guys, this means long pants and covered shoulders.  Neither sex should wear overly revealing, tight, or ripped clothing.  Despite what you may hear on the street, sandals are ok, but avoid heels and wedges.  If you’re dressed inappropriately  you can borrow clothes in the area for free, but expect to leave 100 THB as a deposit for each piece of clothing borrowed.

3. Come early to avoid the crowds and the heat. Especially during Thailand’s busy season from December through March the Grand Palace gets packed.  If you can visit early in the morning you have a better chance of having the place to yourself (relatively speaking).

Anything other tips that come to mind?  Let us know!