Petert

OK, let me get this straight, Peter; you want WAY off the beaten track? (A little-known forensic museum with pickled murderers isn't offbeat enough? Hmmm.)

What kind of experiences are you looking for your friends/visitors to have? Cultural? Bizarre? Exotic? People-to-People contacts? Architectural wonders? Little special out-of-the way soi eateries? Places where they can buy unusual souvenirs?

OK, let me give it another try:

I just spent a day last week touring the King's agricultural/experimental projects on the grounds of the Chitlada Royal Palace in Bangkok. I also hooked up with a university class touring the inner workings of Thailand's most well-known English newspaper, rubbing shoulders with editors and news journalists who told what it was uniquely like to be a journalist in Thailand. Am I getting closer?

I feel like I need a little more to go on, here...

Sorry for my bad typing a little earlier: I meant to say even ONE idea is better than trying to come up with a whole days worth of activity (I typed ON before, instead of ONE).

Any idea is gratfully considered....a place to see can be cultural or architectural or exotic, etc...OR it could be something that could be experienced (such as the kind person who mentioned the 'Thai Experience at Samut Prakan ).

...even the concept of Soi Cowboy was not really that bad [though the one time I actually had Cowboy pointed out to me as we drove past one day - left me with an overwhelming desire not to ever bother making a personal visit )....but then again, maybe some of our visitors would get a kick out of seeing both the cultural and the 'culturally void'

Some world examples of places 'off the beaten track' that I had been told about or discovered, have been:

- a small street in the old east Berlin, which has been abandoned since the end of World War II...so it still has the bullet holes and blast damage and architecture of the last days of the war...you can feel the fear and despair - and this was all just around the corner from the entrance to a nearby hugh museum with incredible displays - however that street has left me with a lasting memory that never leaves me - I could go on about Berlin for a long time...as there are just so many things to experince there...but enough for now;

- then there is a temple in Greece near Sparta (just on the edge of Athens) that has probably the worlds earliest version of the modern insanity of graffitti....where the poet Lord Byron carved his name in a block in the base stone of the temple;

- In Wellington, New Zealand, one of the best ways to learn ALL about (and maybe even understand) that lovely country, is to goto the modern museum called Te Papa;

- dotted around Malta is many many examples in the different towns of so many cultures, that it is hard to pinpoint the most wonderful things to do...but a couple stuck in my mind: such as a solid silver church altar in Valetta which was painted grey before the the war - so that the invaders would think it cheap metal and not steal it .....and the church at a town just outside Valetta, at which a hugh bomb (on display at the church) that came through the roof of the church during a bombing raid that occured during a sunday service...all the other nearby bombs exploded except this one...which rolled to a stop near the altar. You can even see the repaired hole in the roof where the bomb came through.

The above is the kind of 'discovery' that I mean - it ends up leaving such a profound impression that it helps us to try and make sense of who and what we are as humans and as peoples of different and fascinating cultures.

In Bangkok for example, I was taken one night by some Thai friends down a mangle of Soi's off Ratchadapisek (near Huay Kwang MRT) that has a night market along the roads without the press of people who inhabit BKK markets - but apart from the small crowds, it was the stalls of so many insects for sales as food, the spice stalls and the home made amulates and trinket stalls that fascinated me.

....so any ideas may be the perfect idea ...it could even be what you find as, in your opinion, the most perfect place to get great Thai food (but this could be anywhere from the riverside at the Oriental OR a place run by a lovely grandmother in a Soi hiding behind the Emporium)...or it could be a monument or temple or building or experience (as a few people have already kindly offered)or a Soi visit? or? or? or? or?

.....really nothing is out of the scope....as we all have opinions and ideas that may or may'nt suit everyone - but that is why I wanted to open this question 'What is there to see in Bangkok?'

thanks again for all the ideas

Peter

....by the way, if there is anyone who visits and can suggest even on new idea for a visit, please do so!

I dont expect you to plan out a whole day or two!

I am sure everyone would be interested in any out of the way...off the tourist map places (and yes smartalecs....I am aware that such a place may become 'on' the tourist maps if many people find out about it! so this comment should save you having to waste your time and mine and everyone else's time through you having to make some more smarta__e response!)

...please help with any suggestions on any interesting places to visit in or around Bangkok

Peter

OK, OK! I went back and added a smiley face. Geez!

P.S. And I advertised your services in a footnote!

apprently you 2 are good pals!

I would suggest only showing them "1 temple only".. After the first it becomes such a bore

.. I am a devout buddist, and even I, am so tired of going to 10 temples during my stay in LOS.. My family is famous for taking me to temples for site seeing. They keep saying "sabai jai dee na " , and I keep saying "nha bue nha bue".

so far thanks folks and thanks for taking it seriously - as I genuinely would like to help out not only the people we have coming here - but I am sure that lots of others who encounter similar problems ie: 'how do you let people see the real Thailand within the limits of Bangkok?' (ok...yes i know this is the eternal question and probably an impossible task....so no, we dont need more smartalec responses!)

Thanks for the suggestions - and of course they are on the list - but I guess to further define the question 'I guess I am looking for those unique 'off the beaten track' or 'road less travelled' sites to visit'! I am sure with all the people that spend time on this site that there is millions of ideas available? so dont worry about issues of travel....I really want to find those places that are not in the brochures! ( if they exist of course???)

I know from living overseas before and even in my home country, that most people gravitate to the usual 'sites to see'.....but to the greater extent these sites are either full of people doing the same thing or hahhah, boring the pants off the poor residents who have to go to them every time a new visitor hits town!

...of course if I come across some of my own discoveries - I will be sure to put them here too!

take care and thanks again

Send 'em to soi cowboy... that'll clinch the deal !!

totster

Good grief

Hi everyone,

My work has many international visitors coming to Bangkok throughout the year....but when they ask what they should do on the weekend, I am at a loss (apart from suggesting that they check out the usual sites shown in the brochures at Hotels, etc.).

Since I too am only new here - I am wondering what else there may be to Bangkok? What and where do you recommend I and our visitors go look at? and how to get there?

Thanks for your help

Peter

An odd question yet 2 minutes later and The Moogs on the case, and you have this man on a final warning admin?  

If only he could set up his Chess account quicker.

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1. Thanks 'Moogs' for your prompt reply -

2. 'bkkmadness' - I am not sure what you are talking about - is this some kind of long running humour that I am missing?

Peter

Hi Everyone,

A friend has asked me if I know of any courses available in Bangkok to train a person in bartending (pouring/pulling beer, mixing cocktails, serving wine, etc.)?

I have no idea where to start - but thought that maybe someone online here will know - thanks for your help

regards

peter

There's a place in Bangkok called 'Bang Pho' where the factories/shops are that build furniture - We had our whole house done for about 600,000.

Many of the shops have built (but unfinished) chairs, tables, beds etc - you can buy them & choose what kind of finish you want.

To put price into perspective - on a recent shopping trip there, I got a king-size teak bed for 16,000 Baht. Teak Bedside drawer units for 3,800 Baht, Teak coffee table for 6,000 Baht. These prices are no more than Index & this stuff will last much longer. No MDF, no self assembly, no falling apart after 5 years.

Personally, I'd recommend a shop there called 'Tai Seng' their stuff is top notch.

i would second that recommendation , there is some good stuff to be had there , and the staff in all the shops were knowledgeable about wood and very helpful.

the tai seng shop was one of the best in that area.

there are some good flooring suppliers there , parquet and teak flooring for a song.

the emporium shopping centre has some good modern furniture and kitchen stores , ultra modern designs but pricey.

you can find well designed furniture at home pro? and/or homeworks? , their superstore out at bang khuntien has some good stuff and its priced well.

rough draw what you want in the way of fitted cupboards and wardrobes and ask a competent carpenter to design and construct them for you. there are some very skilled craftsmen around.

and as for ikea ..... lets hope that they never come here ....... bland boring stuff sold by a company with little regard for its customers.

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You mentioned good flooring suppliers in Bang Poo - do you have a road name or soi there? I left a message in Wanted to Buy and Sell in Thai Visa for a few places to buy second hand floor boards (teak favoured) - as the only one supplier I found in Bang Phli was very expensive for teh second hand floor boards.

So if anyone knows a good second hand supplier of old floor boards and doors in teak (ie: old old well seasoned timber flooring) OR new teak flooring (not too new as I believe that teak does shrink if not seasoned for a few years).

I looked at a lot of the 'kit' flooring - but most of it is laminate with a wood thickness of sometimes as much as single ply tissue paper (sorry thats a bit sarcastic).

...please help

all the best and thanks for your help

Peter

Hi Celeste

I am fairly sure that the english service is at 10am. You can have the frontdesk at Oriental find out for you for sure.

I would let you know for sure - but I am in Singapore and Malaysia this week

I know the other Church mentioned - the Redeemer definitely has the 10am English service.

all the best - enjoy your trip

Peter

Hi,

I'm going to be in Bangkok for this weekend, and would like to attend a Catholic Sunday mass in English.

Was pleased to find this very helpful forum.

Was wondering if anyone could tell me what time the English masses are at Assumption Cathedral?

And I assume its quite near Oriental Hotel, and quite well know, so that it should not be any trouble to find?

I know this post might be a bit late notice... but do appreciate your advice!

many thanks!

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Thank you all so much for the information. I found the Catheral thank you - and when I went to BTS Nana, I could not find any chuch there at all?

...BUT I did goto the Landmark Hotel and they gave me a brochure for the Holy Redeemer Church....I then decided to walk there and found that Soi Raumrudee starts right below BTS Ploen Chit (so please take note anyone wanting to goto this church

...however the Church must be a longway from the BTS station? I walked and walked and walked and didnt get there! Though I probably wasnt far from getting to it - but I had a mobile call which meant that I had to goto an urgent meeting with someone who had just arrived in BKK)....so I ASSUME that the Church must be almost at the end of the Soi? (A tip for any older person or somebody who struggles in the heat - I suggest that you do as suggested in an earlier message and take a taxi

Actually I hope that a few others will see this request and continue to add more descriptions and how to get to other catholic churches in Bangkok - as information is hard to get - even the website of the catholic church here in Thailand only tells you the history of the church in Thailand - but not where they are

Take care everyone and thanks for you kind help

Peter

Dear Bangkok Catholics - I saw all the helpful suggestions for another....can you help me too?

I am now a resident here in Bangkok...and I would like to attend mass each Sunday - can anyone give me instructions on getting to a catholic church which is near to an MRT Station (that is: the underground rail)?

Also is the Assumption Cathedral basically opposite the Oriental Hotel? or is that a misunderstanding?

Kindest regards

Peter