Kid In Bangkok

[FarangYaayYaaw]

Hi,

My son, wife, and I will be visiting Thailand in early August for 3 weeks. He will just turn 13 while there. We will probably spend most of our time in Bangkok, but might take a 3 or 4 day trip - maybe 2 trips.

Any suggestions on 1 - where to stay in Bangkok either a hotel with a great pool, lots of western families, or a great deal - or maybe a serviced apartment.

2 - where to go during the rainy season. How about Luang Prabang - anything there a kid might find interesting?

Or any other suggestions anybody might have would be greatly appreciated.

BTW, my wife is Thai and I am American, but I lived in Thailand for over 6 years, and still speak enough Thai to get around. My kid hasn't been there since he was very young, and we're going to re-introduce him to the relatives. He's not really looking forward to village life so we're going to make day trips from BKK.

[splitlid]

wheres the village?

i would have thought that bangkok for a 13 yr old is a bit to much.isnt there a smaller town near the village?

i can imagine his fears of village life!!

outside squat toilet!!

no hot water

no englit tv

no electricity

no cars

still living in caves...

ok the last 3 were jokes.

[NedKelly]

Pathumwan princess Hotel could be an option.........it is right at Mahboonkrong Shopping Centre which would be a great place for a young takka to hang out......it has ten pin bowling, movies, McDonalds, KFC, internet places......not sure about games though.......and all sorts of other things to look at. The hotel has a good pool and gym........

it is also right across from Siam Square and Siam centre.......which has the Discovery centre .......but i dont think there is anything there for kids.......between it and Siam centre there is another movie cinema .....up the lift, which has stuff aimed at the younger generation.

Around the corner from the MBK is the national stadium.......it has a pool and soccer field and usually people hanging out kicking soccer balls around or takraw..........gees theres loads to look at and even to participate it.

The skytrain is at your door at MBK.........can take a run up to World Trade Centre ...now called somethings else like Central World Tarde Centre...not sure.....it has Ice Skating, movies etc........You canalso get to the weekend market easily on the skytrain as yo uwould know.

If he is 13 he is old enough to do a day tour on his own.......send him off to the tiger zoo, a bike riding tour, safari world.....etc etc.......maybe you could hire a young guide from the Tourism Authority to hang out with him for a few dasy here and there........I am sure that would be great if yo ugive them a free agenda and a hand ful of cash.

I reckon the options are endless......but then again I dont know him.

[possom]

my sister came over last year with 13 year old son from england . he loved the street life ,lots to see ,lots of people (including young girls)he enjoyed the beach (swimming in warm water )its not so far for a day or 2 . agree with ned about the shopping . he loved shopping for cheap cds ,clothes etc . of course this all depends on interests . pantip can be a great place for a kid whos into that sort of thing . enjoyed chatuchak ,bts ,availability of fast food. didnt enjoy ,seeing a cock fight ,50 percent of thai food ,too long away from air conditioning . as for luang prabang ,have been there a couple of times and i love it ,but i would not take a young lad , scenically beautiful , but quiet , more a place for couples to enjoy together . good luck !!!

[Padkapow Guy]

He could get the education of a life time at the Nana. Tell him to bring a camera because his friends back home won't believe him.

but seriously there are alot of sights to see in Bangkok. I would recommend taking him to Krabi, Ao nang bay. Pretty laid back area with little island all around. My step son love it there. He was a little older at 17. I am sure he will be happy doing anything as long as he is hanging out with his Dad.

good luck

[FarangYaayYaaw]

Thanks for all the thoughtful replies!

My son is a real happy innocent kid. There's know way I'd let him wander around Bangkok alone (or any other city for that matter.) But I love spending time with him so that's no problem. Panthip is good - he can load up on computer games. He's just discovering girls so he'll get an eyeful everywhere.

I also think I will look into staying in the Siam Square area. (I'll look for deals at the Pathumwan princess after I post this.) I was thinking of staying near the river, but MBK is more convenient. Plus there's a lot of cheap places to eat there.

He's decided he wants to learn Thai so he can understand when his mother and I speak Thai behind his back. I think I'll get him a tutor for a couple of hours in the morning (for a couple of weeks, he's extending his stay to 4 weeks - mine to 6), then I'll take him and a cousin or two (who speak very little English) pay thiaw in the afternoon - maybe he's still young enough to pick up some language quickly.

My wife wants to take a bunch of her family in a couple of cars and tour Isaan for a week as well. It's the only part of Thailand she's not been to. I still want to go to Laos (I'll need to make a visa run anyway, never been there, and it will be country #40 in the passport!) So... maybe I can escape the mob for a couple of days by crossing the border with my son. We'll take the night train back to Bangkok.

Thanks again. BTW, I just checked Pathumwan princess and room rates for 3 peopls seem to be over US $100/night - probably more than I want to spend. Anybody know of a serviced apartment with a nice pool anywhere nearby?

[NedKelly]

Novotel Siam Square might be cheaper........not sure about service apartments. Although up near Soi Aree on Phonyothin there are serviced apartments which I think would be more in the range you require....and its right near the bts.......so yo ucan easily get to Mahboonkrong etc by that....

[SeaVisionBurma]

Centrepoint Serviced Apartments is very well priced. I stay in the Petchburi 15 residence when I am in Bangkok - perfect for a 13 year old lad as it is directly opposite Panthip Plaza (the IT mall). It has a pool on the fourth floor. It is very close to the BTS, one stop from Siam Centre and MBK in fact.

It costs 2,000 baht a night for a studio, you could enquire directly to them for prices on 2 brms.

Plus free broadband in the room!

Centrepoint

good luck

[Roger13]

Few suggestions:

Crocodile Farms (Crocodile wrestling)

- one at Samut Prakan

(just south of Bangkok past Samrong)

Bangkok Buses go there.

- second one at

Samphran Elephant Ground & Zoo

near Rose Garden Country Resort

west of Bangkok near

Puthamonthon where there is a huge

"Walking" Buddha statue midst beautiful

gardens.

Weekend at Khao Yai National Park

Seacon Square Shopping Mall

and nearby Seri Centre

Both have IT malls

On Srinakharin Road.

Roger

[FarangYaayYaaw]

Thanks again, youi guys are great! I wouldn't have thought of the crocodile farm seing I've spent many years avoiding it - but I wasn't with a kid before. I got a private mail suggesting I take my son to a Thai orphanage "so he can see how good he has it", don't know about that.

Thanks for the tip on CentrePoint apartments - I'll be working 1/2 time when I'm in Bangkok so an always-on in-room fast internet connection is really cool. I decided to wait until I get to Bangkok to check out these apartments and find the most convienient.

In the meantime I used www.priceline.com and booked 5 star hotels in both Hong Kong and Bangkok for under $50/night!

[john b good]

Thanks again, youi guys are great! I wouldn't have thought of the crocodile farm seing I've spent many years avoiding it - but I wasn't with a kid before. I got a private mail suggesting I take my son to a Thai orphanage "so he can see how good he has it", don't know about that.

Thanks for the tip on CentrePoint apartments - I'll be working 1/2 time when I'm in Bangkok so an always-on in-room fast internet connection is really cool. I decided to wait until I get to Bangkok to check out these apartments and find the most convienient.

In the meantime I used www.priceline.com and booked 5 star hotels in both Hong Kong and Bangkok for under $50/night!

The Thai orphanage might really not be all that bad an option.

Here's your kid who's doing OK. He probably does not want for much (relatively speaking)

Visiting a home or orphanage could perhaps be the highlight of his vist to Thailand.

There is a place in Klong Toey where I would think that he (read, you all) would have the most humbling experience)

These places are all over Thailand and if you are ever feeling good about what life has dealt you I recommend a visit. It's a very levelling experience indeed.

And apart from anything else your kid when he returns home (where ever that is) could be one of the best ambassadors for Thailand when he talks with all his friends.

The potential here is enormous.

And for once I am 110% serious. (most other times too)

[Debaryman101]

You should let him see how thailand is really like Don't bring him places that will scare him That's my opinion. Sounds like you want to keep him comfortable just like he is in the US.

Chok dee

[FarangYaayYaaw]

advice!

[FarangYaayYaaw]

well we've been in Thailand for over a month now and we're all having a great time. Ended up staying at the Conrad serviced apartments. It's mega expensive even with the steep discount - but it's been great. My kid loves it. He's been on 3 trips out of Bangkok to see his relatives in Rayong and Lop Buri. He's been on a visa run to Cambodia with me.

THanks again for all the advice