Information wanted

lettie · 15-10-2003, 21:52

;D  Hiya folks,  Have any of you got any travel books or info about things to do in Bangkok, or advice from personal experience if you have been there.  Have a street map and a list of tourist attractions, but was looking for something off the beaten track.

Please can I have sensible suggestions only, as I am there for 4 days and on my own, so am not interested in the Patpong district at night or any other seedy areas.

Thanks [smiley=foryou.gif]

If anyone can lend me a good book, I'll make sure you get it back in good nick. :-*

Tealeaf · 16-10-2003, 09:47

Hi Lettie,

Don't mention my name there, whatever you do.

Have a nice trip!

Roy · 17-10-2003, 18:20

I went to bangkok earlier this year,  I can give you one bit of good advice.  Do not trust the taxi drivers!!  They lie about things that are going on and try to take you places they get commission from. Even if you do go into Patpong, make sure you go to the right place, Patpong 1 with the night market, this is good to see even if your not interested in ping pong balls - taxi drivers really try to rip you off getting here and tell you its not open yet and try to take you to somewhere else.
I found the tuk-tuk drivers far better even if it does get a bit worrying. The one thing I can definately recommend is the Wat Pra Kaeo temple (The Grand Palace/Temple of Emerald Buddha) which is a pretty amazing site.  I haven't got a book but I always use the lonely planet guides as they are excellent - and the website is pretty good:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinat..._asia/bangkok/

I've attached a picture I took of the demon gate protectors at wat pra which I thought where pretty smart!

lettie · 18-10-2003, 08:38

Thanks Roy,  Grand Palace is on my to do list. Will check out the lonely planet guide. I have the AA City Pack, with street map, and my hotel is quite near the skytrain, so was hoping to get around on that as well. The City Pack lists so many sights, that I doubt I'll be able to see them all in 4 days but would like to cram in as much as possible. My hotel also do nights out, and for a couple of quid a guide will show you the sights at night apparrently. Thanks for the info and the picture. ( My friend is laughing here, I don't have a good history with taxi drivers, and have made several complaints in the past, although they have normally been Blackburn cabs) :

Cheers [smiley=foryou.gif]