mauiguy90

There are meetings at the Buddhist Center at Bensiri Park the first two Sundays of the month. One of the meetings is more based on meditation, and the other is more focused on Buddhism. You can meet lots of people there who have similar interests and find out about other related meetings. If you are not familiar, Bensiri Park is located on the right hand side of the Emporium. (There is a meeting today.)

Check out the Sukhumvit 38 and the surrounding area. There are a number of developments there and most within a short distance from the Thonglo BTS. If you are familiar with Sukhumvit 38, there is a very good outdoor food market that opens daily, especially at night. There are also a couple of nice restaurants closeby(including Face Restaurant and a popular Issan restaurant in 36) and of course those in Thonglo as well. There's even a Christian church there! Best of all, there is limited traffic within the soi and for the time being, most of the new developments are near completion. Makes it a nice and quiet neighborhood with close access to many resources.

I quite enjoy Mutton Momo, and Nepalese Briyani is also tasty.

Suprised the potato dish wasnt much good, my favourite Nepalese dishes are the spud based ones. Every place seems to do it differently, but they're all good. I reckon most of the "mutton" in Nepal would actually be goat, as you see loads of them about but relatively few sheep.

Mind you, there's loads of cows and not much beef J

Thanks for the tip, I'm going to give Himalaya a try.

Hey LE,

Just keep your eyes open as the road begins to turn right. Himalaya is deep in the soi, on the left hand side of the road. If you aren't walking, you can easily pass it. There is a motorcycle stand close to it, so besides the sign for the guesthouse, that might be your best landmark.

I think the mutton at Himalaya was lamb, although my friend did say that they use goat in Nepal. The potato dish wasn't horrible, but it did have a pickled taste that my friend said was not characteristic of that Nepalese dish. He also in Nepal, the chicken dish is made with raw chicken mix with a bunch of citrus and herbs which cook the chicken, however, noted that the dish is fully cooked at Himalaya. It was a bit on the dry side but had a spicy flavor, if you like hot food (similar to thai). FYI, they are open on Sundays--Bon apetit!!!

Timo is a German-Thai tennis professional who speaks English fluently. He teaches tennis at Sukhumvit 38, closeby to the Santisuk tennis courts at a place called Sunshine apartments. He is one of the nicest guys you will meet and is an excellent instructor, although his hourly rates are a bit high (unless you do a group lesson). His number is 084-671-8478.

Friend of mine has a bakery on Sukhumvit 39 which has a room that's supposed to be a coffee shop but is rarely used. It is attached to the main bakery area but is partitioned off(no doors). Its about 150-200 meters from Sukhumvit road, on the left hand side of Suk 39. It probably would depend on how many students you have, although the room is fairly large. Ask for Suzy.

According to the Nation, the BMTA has cancelled its bus routes to the airport.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingne...newsid=30089456

the last buses leave before midnight, you can share taxi with somebody else

yes the last tourist airport bus leaves around midnight. I think you can take a free bus to a bus terminal a couple of kilometers away and then take another bus for about 50 baht or less -- does anyone know?

asked why not take a metered taxi above -- to save money, I have little luggage and extra time. How much would a taxi cost including airport surcharges, highway tolls, meter, tip?

thanks, question remains if there is in fact another way.

According to the Nation, the BMTA has cancelled all buses to the airport. However, the same article makes mention of the possiblity of private companies still operating routes to the airport.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingne...newsid=30089456

There is a good Health Food Store located in the Shell Service Station between Sukhumvit Soi 47 and Soi 49. The web address is <www.lemonfarm.com> They have supplements and all organic food and very reasonably priced veggies etc, cheaper than Villa.

The listed address for Lemon Farm is Sukhumvit 39. It is located in the middle of Suk 39, at the only intersection in the soi which has a traffic light. Turn right immediately after the intersection and you will see a gas station. Lemon Farm is located at the back of the property.

There is a "Green Fair" at Bensiri Park next door to the Emporium, which just began today(Thurs) and ends Sunday. The Green Fair or Organic Fair lasts until Sunday and displays a number of boths ranging from various healthy drinks (wheat grass drinks, magosteen juices, etc.), foods(low fat pad thai, organic asian noodles, fresh veggies and fruits) and exhibits for healthy living. It is a great opportunity to meet some of the producers of organic foods in Thailand and to discover what kind of efforts are being made for healthy living in Thailand. Operating hours are from 10 am-8 pm daily.

Miss Aree Jamroonsri, owner of Sani Thai Language school at Chong Nonsi, passed away at her home in Angthong on November 28th, 2009. Services were held at a local wat in Angthong last week. She is survived by her husband Jackie (Belgium), a sister and two brothers. Miss Aree, as she was best known, also instructed at Nisa Thai Language School, at Smith Thai Language School and Happyland Early School. May she rest in peace.

Friends wishing to express their condolences may contact Khun Yawwalak at Baan Phaasaa Thai.

"Anyone know the most romantic rest in BKK, not silly silly money I mean 3,000 for 2 tops any ideas anyone?"

Since the "Face" restaurant is the only one mentioned by 3 different posters as being the most romantic(assuming it costs less than 3000 baht for 2), does that mean it is the most romantic(under 3000 baht)?

Other places mentioned more than once include Eat Me(2), the Thai-Issan place on Suk 11(2), Tapas(2) and possibly the riverboat dinner cruise(2 different venues). Many other places mentioned but reportedly not within the OP's budget (and mine)...

Of course by now, the OP's girlfriend probably is very hungry. Interesting how no one asked their GF what they considered to be the most romantic restaurant--myself included of course!

About 4-5 months ago, I took a morning bus to Roi Et. It took about 7 hours to get there.

According to the bus schedule listed here, there is an aircon bus leaving Bkk to Roi Et at 8 am. and also at 3 pm. The 10 pm bus seems to be the VIP bus schedule.

http://www.sawadee.com/transfer/bus-isan.htm

Here's a phone number for a different company called Transport Limited 02-936-0657 you can try to get their departure times.

Happy travels!

Sorry to hear about your incident. Fortunately seems like your friend will recover.

Just speculating whether the perpetrators were after your friend or after his golf clubs. Four golf clubs of good quality would be worth a lot even if sold 2nd hand.

A bag of Taylor made or Ping golf clubs certainly would bring a good price to any seller.

SK Mansion has a fairly new building with WiFi, with studios ranging from 7,500 baht per month and up. It is about 150 meters from the Thonglo BTS station. There is also another apartment building right at the Thonglo BTS station, which is closeby to the 7-11 between Sukhumvit 38 and 40. It is a little older building but have some apartments in your price range.

For that price range, its hard to find newer buildings and places with pools unless you go to the Rachada, Onnut, and other outlying areas including Lad Prao. While looking for a rental for friends, I met some agents (British) who specialize in lower priced rentals. They seemed like decent guys, so if you want their number, PM me. Good luck!

The full term would be ผอมแห้ง skinny or gaunt.

My girlfriend said the same thing--gaunt or excessively skinny.

There are two 2nd hand shops that I know of on Sukhumvit. The first is at Sukhumvit 49, about 200 yards from the beginning of the soi, on the left side of the street. They sell things including used computers, furniture, refrigerators and the like. The second one that I passed by, but have not yet checked out is located by the Thonglo BTS station, at SK Mansion apartments, which are located about 1 block away from Sukhumvit 40. They have a second hand shop there as well.

There is a second hand "talaat" or thai marketplace, located close to Chinatown where you can find all sorts of appliances for sale including refrigerators, tvs and other appliances. However, unless you know how to fix things, I wouldn't recommended buying anything from there. I've had a couple of bad experiences buying there. I was forewarned by several thai friends, that many disreputable people sell items there. I found that to be true. There is also a thai website, however, you need to be able to read the ad and speak thai to the person advertising. Pawn shops also sell 2nd hand items.

If you decide to check it out, best of luck. Otherwise, stick to craiglist, thai visa classified and the website at bahtsold to get what you need. Westerners have different standards and ethics about buying and selling 2nd hand things. If you ask most thais, they will advise you to buy new stuff.

Just a very nice meal at a Nepalese restaurant called Himalaya, which is located towards the deep in the soi, at the end of Sukhumvit 31. There is no actual sign for the restaurant, just one for the guesthouse, which is labeled "Himalaya Residence", on the left side of the soi, just before it veers right and eventually connects with Sukhumvit 39. My Nepalese friend said it was about a 5 minute walk from Sukhumvit, but it actually took close to 15 minutes to walk there.

The food is actually a combination of Nepalese and Indian food, which makes sense since they are neighboring countries. They had samosas, chicken tandoori and some familiar curries but also some uniquely Nepalese dishes. My favorite was the chicken momo, which by the description sounded Chinese(dim sum), but came served with an awesome tomato sauces mixed with spices. We also had the mutton curry, which my friend said was supposed to be goat although the menu said lamb (we didn't ask). We were served a large plate of garlic naan, had a spicy chicken dish (#24?) and a potato salad dish(bit on the sour side-not so great). (Sorry I can't remember the names of the Nepalese dishes--have to go there for yourself.)

Most of the dishes, with the exception of the mutton curry were under 100 baht a serving. They also had a set meal deal for 175 baht which included a chili chicken momo, which is a spicier version what I had. Altogether it was a very good meal at a reasonable price in a simple setting that wasn't exactly exotic but makes you feel like you are in another part of Asia. Definitely worth the price for some pretty good food that you won't find elsewhere in Sukhumvit.

On the subject of Mexican food deals. Cactus bar in soi Cowboy. Every Tuesday, the owner, Cactus John makes Taco's and serves them up with refried beans and guacamole. I think I paid around 100-150 baht last time I called in. Excellent VFM, the bar also has a good range of Belgian beers. Oh! and I forgot to mention, there's nekkid girls there too

Went to Cactus this past Tuesday and had chicken tacos and chili plate for 100 baht. It was filled to the brim with 4 tacos and a healthy serving of chili. John was a good host and came around to talk to everyone for a bit. You are of course expected to buy a drink or two, but when you go out to Cowboy, that's gonna happen anyway. Its a great deal altho' I don't remember seeing nekkid girls there...it was pretty dark!

Here's a link for information on Bangna that may be useful:

http://www.bangkok.com/bangna/index.html

Just keep in mind that most of the points of interest are not that close together. There is a BTS sky train station that has been built in Bangna, however, its opening has been delayed at least until the end of 2010, and possibly much longer.

Well I've finally took the class and it works pretty weel for me.

I studied an intensive course with Aree and she is flexible with time which suit my needs.

Since I learnt how to write and read myself and she tought me conversation which is a perfect match for me

Miss Aree passed away November 18th, 2009, at her home in Angthong, Thailand. Ceremonies for her were held on December 3rd at a local temple in Angthong. She is survived by her husband, Jackie, 2 brothers and a sister. Friends and former students of hers who are interested can contact Baan Phasa Thai for details and speak to her good friend, Ajarn Jawwalak. May she rest in peace.

P.S. You can also post me for details

There is also an apartment on the opposite side of the street, closer to the BTS station which has a sign for a ladies only apartment. I don't know the details but might be worth checking out.

I don't know the specific location, but there are apartments deeper in the soi on Sukhumvit 22, which cost below 5000 baht.

Check mrroomfinder, which has a website by the same name, for other possibilities. At your price range, you will be hard pressed to find rentals in this area, but its worth a try.

Be careful. I do not think such apartments where most tenants are locals working in the night trade secure for a lone foreign girl. Especially those at the end of Sukhumvit 22. 'Else, you can include a string of them along New Petcheburi, from Makasan to Klong Ton.

Had the impression the OP's girlfriend was thai. Also never saw Sukhumvit 22 as a dangerous or area, even deeper in the soi. Although I have never lived there, I have friends who are regular massage girls who live in there. The condominium the Augustin, a new serviced apartment called the Light House and an international school are located there. However, you never know!!! If she's thai, she can easily find out.

Coincidentally there is a post called The Best Mansion (with web address by same name) written about Ratchaprop Tower Mansion, located on soi Ratchaprop 14. They quote monthly rates from 4900 baht per month. Its supposed close to the BTS station. More details in the post titled "The Best Mansion".

My recommended place is Starry Place, which has a website by the same name. Their website says they have rentals for studios from 8,500 baht per month, however, these are hard to come by. It is an excellent place, great atmosphere, located at the Ratchaprop end of Soi Rangnam. It has its own restaurant, maid service and beautiful rooms. Check them out at 02-246-4477 or look at their website.

A company called hostelbookers has a website by the same name, which you can check out for ideas. However, if you walk around Soi Rangnam you will see a lot of rentals, some of which may consider a short term rental since it appears that tenants are a bit hard to come by.

You can check MSI Tower at Sukhumvit 36. Monthly rent is 5,500 baht per month plus tv/fridge rental. Its not a bad place for the price although the rooms are smallish (<25 sq meters) and most of the balconies face each other. There is cable tv, it is secured and its conveniently located closeby to the BTS Thonglo. Their number is 02-260-4585.

There are also a couple other rentals close to the BTS station at Thonglo. The one closer to Sukhumvit 40 is called SK Mansion. They have nice rooms, also small and rent for 7500 baht and up.

There is also an apartment on the opposite side of the street, closer to the BTS station which has a sign for a ladies only apartment. I don't know the details but might be worth checking out.

I don't know the specific location, but there are apartments deeper in the soi on Sukhumvit 22, which cost below 5000 baht.

Check mrroomfinder, which has a website by the same name, for other possibilities. At your price range, you will be hard pressed to find rentals in this area, but its worth a try.

This is peak season and the most expensive part of peak season is New Year's and Christmas. Most of the nice hotels close to the beach have very expensive rates and many include mandatory "gala dinners" which can range from around 700 baht per person to several thousand baht each. Problem is that everyone wants to party during the holidays so places like Phuket will either be booked or hugely expensive. If you still want to go to Phuket, staying in Phuket town might be cheaper/easier to find a place to stay.

Hua Hin or Ko Chang are other options but still a challenge to find an available place for a reasonable price... depends on how long you wait before booking and your desired level of accommodation.