Tourist Attractions That We Know Are

[DJ Pat]

Floating market: Not really a real market anymore but a total scam. Don't be suprised to see pushy vendors talking into mobile phones.

Grand Palace: Come on, be honest, absolutely no disrespect here, but once you've seen the inside of one temple, you've seen them all.

Patpong / Silom: Who in their right mind thinks Patpong is a pleasant experience? A long sweaty stretch of clothes stalls, porno hustlers, "you want lady" / massage hustlers, tuk tuks and cheating taxi drivers sums up this dull area.

The hill tribe outfitted vendors that hassle you to buy useless bracelets and other crap. You don't really believe they go home to the hills on the weekend do you?

Bangkok's canals 'The Venice of the east' is an ageing phrase that does not reflect Bangkok today. My arse in fact. These greying green slime pits are full of bottles, bodies, garbage, and eight inch poisonous worms. Taking the boat to Bangkapi is a health risk, but sadly the quickest way there.

Jim Thompson museum Is a pile of nonsense from a man who vanished into thin air. Ok he restored the silk trade after WW2, but why Thai people kid themselves that tourists come here for silk is absurd to say the least.

Bangkok's street food "a plethora of fine dishes at fractional prices", yeah right as if tourists' stomachs are conditioned to take such an assault from the crap that we know they throw in the wok.

Rare stone museum The museum features thousands of queer stones found in Thailand and various countries as well as displays collections of ashtrays and cigarette labels....just what is a queer stone?Ashtrays? Cigarette labels?

The State Railway Hall of Fame Not sure about the "hall of fame" bit but this is a train museum where steam engines, train models, and miniature trains are exhibited along with the story of world railway systems. Now thats an attraction I'd say.

Benchasiri Park This compact park on Sukhumvit Road near Soi 24 was built to commemorate the 60th birthday of HM Queen Sirikit in 1992.

If you wanna be approached by freelance hookers, watch coronary-challenged Japanese men jog or watch a load of wobbly arsed women in their 40s attempt aerobics then this is the place for you. You are forbidden to smoke in this park.

Lumpini Park This was a huge open space once belonging to King Rama VI, who issued a royal command to turn the area into a public park as a gift to Bangkok residents. See above but add to that schoolkids trying their first cigarette behind a tree and the park 'police'.

Dusit Zoo Located beside the Royal Plaza, Bangkok’s oldest zoo contains a collection of popular African and Asian mammals and birds in terrible condition. Highlights are an eccentric tapir and otters that can drink Fanta through a straw. The civets, sloths, wolves and meercats are always asleep. Great lakeside cafe to eat and get pissed at mind you.

[Richard W]

Grand Palace: Come on, be honest, absolutely no disrespect here, but once you've seen the inside of one temple, you've seen them all.

There's more to the Grand Palace than Wat Phra Khaew (the part housing the Emreald Buddha). They ought to make more fuss about the Ramakhien mural, and have more explanation of it. Wat Phra Khaew is far too cluttered for my taste, and is far from typical. At the very least, as a contrast one should try a spacious 'chapel' (my vocabulary fails me here) dominated by a single statue of the buddha serving as a meditation aid. The wat in Phayao by the lake (Wat Si Khom Kham) comes to mind.

I haven't seen much like Wat Khaek on Silom either, but I feel a little uneasy using active places of worship merely as tourist attractions.

Patpong / Silom: Who in their right mind thinks Patpong is a pleasant experience? A long sweaty stretch of clothes stalls, porno hustlers, "you want lady" / massage hustlers, tuk tuks and cheating taxi drivers sums up this dull area.

Patpong is exotic, rather than pleasant. It is, though, rather a dismal place in the morning.

Bangkok's canals 'The Venice of the east' is an ageing phrase that does not reflect Bangkok today. My arse in fact. These greying green slime pits are full of bottles, bodies, garbage, and eight inch poisonous worms. Taking the boat to Bangkapi is a health risk, but sadly the quickest way there.

Actually, I'd recommend a trip along the San Saep (sp?) over a trip round the canals of Bangkok (on the West bank) for a very quick look at contrasting lifestyles.

Lumpini Park This was a huge open space ...

More a place to escape to (e.g. from Silom) than a tourist attraction. It's got a nice adventure playground for toddlers - not sure what the upper age limit is.

Dusit Zoo Located beside the Royal Plaza, Bangkok’s oldest zoo contains a collection of popular African and Asian mammals and birds in terrible condition.

The crocodiles are in better condition than the ones at the Samutprakan crocodile farm. More variety, as well. The reptile house isn't bad either, even if it isn't spectacular.

[britmaveric]

River Kwai Bridge - utter waste of time. I was expecting a big bamboo bridge across the Kwai- ok I realize it was blown up but still... what you have is a 14ft section of bridge maybe 1/2 mile from the new river kwai bridge (iron) For the time/effort it takes to get there- pretty disappointing.

[MaiSonJai]

River Kwai Bridge - utter waste of time. I was expecting a big bamboo bridge across the Kwai- ok I realize it was blown up but still... what you have is a 14ft section of bridge maybe 1/2 mile from the new river kwai bridge (iron) For the time/effort it takes to get there- pretty disappointing.

Agree.

Do not go there for the bridge.

Nothing interesting left.

Go there for the "nature", quite a few good hotels that make you forget about Bangkok, the traffic and the pollution.

If you live in Bangkok, of course...

[taxexile]

Floating market: Not really a real market anymore but a total scam. Don't be suprised to see pushy vendors talking into mobile phones.

go early enough (5.30am) to one of the floating markets and you may be surprised at the beauty you find there. i have taken visitors to thailand there at that time and all bar none have been blown away by the experience.

leave by 7am to avoid the crowds.

Grand Palace: Come on, be honest, absolutely no disrespect here, but once you've seen the inside of one temple, you've seen them all.

an amazing collection of gaudily decorated spires, roofs and doorways that never fail to amaze. the temple interiors are spectacular.

Patpong / Silom: Who in their right mind thinks Patpong is a pleasant experience? A long sweaty stretch of clothes stalls, porno hustlers, "you want lady" / massage hustlers, tuk tuks and cheating taxi drivers sums up this dull area.

for the first time visitor to asia, an evening trip to this street should not be missed.

The hill tribe outfitted vendors that hassle you to buy useless bracelets and other crap. You don't really believe they go home to the hills on the weekend do you?

who cares where they go in the evenings , the bracelets are unusual and attractive to newcomers to thailand.

Bangkok's canals 'The Venice of the east' is an ageing phrase that does not reflect Bangkok today. My arse in fact. These greying green slime pits are full of bottles, bodies, garbage, and eight inch poisonous worms. Taking the boat to Bangkapi is a health risk, but sadly the quickest way there.

a fascinating excursion , highly recommended. canal life is unique , and a trip through the klongs allows you to see into a way of life that you cannot see from the roads or anywhere else.

the wise and adventurous will do these trips more than once and enjoy great meals at the local canalside eating places. speak to a boatman and have him arrange a good trip for you.

Bangkok's street food "a plethora of fine dishes at fractional prices", yeah right as if tourists' stomachs are conditioned to take such an assault from the crap that we know they throw in the wok.

you are obviously happier to eat in macdonalds or chesters grill , but if you go to a decent night market then you would find yourself belching with delight at the great variety of things on offer there.

stomach problems ? only from reading your jaded negativity.

Benchasiri Park This compact park on Sukhumvit Road near Soi 24 was built to commemorate the 60th birthday of HM Queen Sirikit in 1992.

If you wanna be approached by freelance hookers, watch coronary-challenged Japanese men jog or watch a load of wobbly arsed women in their 40s attempt aerobics then this is the place for you. You are forbidden to smoke in this park.

this, thankfully,smoke free oasis in the middle of sukhumvit is a great place to relax in the early evening , you can do aerobics for free , swim in the 25m pool for 15 baht, or just sit and watch the world wander by. and you might even see a few japanese men trying to improve their cardio fitness , more power to them.

Lumpini Park This was a huge open space once belonging to King Rama VI, who issued a royal command to turn the area into a public park as a gift to Bangkok residents. See above but add to that schoolkids trying their first cigarette behind a tree and the park 'police'.

see above.

stay home dj pits

[Totster]

River Kwai Bridge - utter waste of time. I was expecting a big bamboo bridge across the Kwai- ok I realize it was blown up but still... what you have is a 14ft section of bridge maybe 1/2 mile from the new river kwai bridge (iron) For the time/effort it takes to get there- pretty disappointing.

A friend of mine went there a couple of years ago... she said it was the biggest anti-climax she had ever had (and you haven't seen her ex husband )... so I've never been based on that... I should really go and see for myself, but I don't want to waste my time..

Bangkok's street food "a plethora of fine dishes at fractional prices", yeah right as if tourists' stomachs are conditioned to take such an assault from the crap that we know they throw in the wok.

I happen to like that "crap"... but I don't see this as a tourist attraction, most "two week" holiday makers will eat in hotels where there is good clean food... won't they..?

totster

[britmaveric]

Street Food is quite good- my opinion, but some of the best grub I've had in Thailand came from said vendors.

[Totster]

Street Food is quite good- my oppinion, but some of the best grub I've had in Thailand came from said vendors.

I Agree with your opinion...

totster

[Spee]

Disagree on the Thompson House. Not something I'd want to visit once a week, but definitely interesting for the stories and artifacts. I would recommend it on a must see list for people going to Bkk for a week vacation.

Agree on the canals, as well as the river boat rides. This was definitely a disappointment, although perhaps my expectations were too high (my fault). What was I expecting to see?

Agree on the street food. Nothing like walking through neighborhoods on a 100-degree day, and buying ice cold melon and pineapple to snack on and cool off with.

Don't know if I have any other real major disappointments because I haven't had much time to play tourist.

[DJ Pat]

you are obviously happier to eat in macdonalds or chesters grill , but if you go to a decent night market then you would find yourself belching with delight at the great variety of things on offer there.

stomach problems ? only from reading your jaded negativity.

this, thankfully,smoke free oasis in the middle of sukhumvit is a great place to relax in the early evening , you can do aerobics for free , swim in the 25m pool for 15 baht, or just sit and watch the world wander by. and you might even see a few japanese men trying to improve their cardio fitness , more power to them.

stay home dj pits

Not saying I have gut problems from street food, I love it. Just that the giude books always bang on about it but it takes getting used to unless you buy from a really decent place. And no, apart from the occasional Big Mac, I never venture into McTossers or Chesters.

As far as I know you cannot swim in that park unless you want to wade into a pigeon shit-infested lake.