A night in Bangkok at the Asia Airport Hotel (our favorite airport hotel!) and then to Phuket by Thai Airlines, then by minivan to the ferry pier at the southern tip of Phuket and then a ferry to Koh Phi Phi Don (Big Phi Phi Island) where we stayed at the the Andaman Beach Resort a quiet, and secluded complex of bungalows away from the noise and bars of the village. Outside our hotel in Bangkok is the local Iron Chef competition - all possible types of Thai yummies
A city that combines ancient traditions with modern cultural diversities. No other city in Asia weaves a daily mosiac as colourful and exciting as Bangkok. The modernization of Bangkok has turned the "City of Angels" into a busting merropolis without losing of where it all began. It is not surprising to turn a corner on a busy street in the central business district only to encounter the tranquility of a centuries old Buddhist Temple.
Khaosan road
Centre of the Backpacking Universe
The popular book 'The Beach' famously described Khao San Road as "the centre of the backpacking universe". Judging by the truth-seeking travellers from across the globe who converge here to shop, exchange tales and prepare for their next stint on the backpacker trail, it's a phrase that sums it up pretty much perfectly. For over twenty years now, this has been the base camp of choice for backpackers exploring Thailand and South East Asia.
Its little wonder then that everything they could need or want can be found here. Packed into a straight 1km long strip that spans only a couple of blocks are countless budget g
uesthouses and hotels, internet cafes, restaurants, massage parlours, travel agents, clubs, bars, bookshops, tailors, chemists, market stalls, tattoo shops and much, much more. So much in fact, that shops, the people and the party spirit have spilled over into nearby Soi Rambuttri.
With its carefree, anything-goes vibe it's quite unlike anywhere else in Bangkok and, probably, the world. In recent years there's been a subtle makeover, an influx of fast-food outlets, swanky bars and mid-range hotels helping the area to shed its shabby image. Only slightly though - it's still got an in-your-face energy that is all its own, and is still the stage for a cast of bizarre, multiethnic characters. Today, so infectious is the atmosphere of this famous backpacker barrio that it's also popular with locals, especially artisans and art students. Stay too long though and it may all wear a little thin.
Its little wonder then that everything they could need or want can be found here. Packed into a straight 1km long strip that spans only a couple of blocks are countless budget g
uesthouses and hotels, internet cafes, restaurants, massage parlours, travel agents, clubs, bars, bookshops, tailors, chemists, market stalls, tattoo shops and much, much more. So much in fact, that shops, the people and the party spirit have spilled over into nearby Soi Rambuttri.With its carefree, anything-goes vibe it's quite unlike anywhere else in Bangkok and, probably, the world. In recent years there's been a subtle makeover, an influx of fast-food outlets, swanky bars and mid-range hotels helping the area to shed its shabby image. Only slightly though - it's still got an in-your-face energy that is all its own, and is still the stage for a cast of bizarre, multiethnic characters. Today, so infectious is the atmosphere of this famous backpacker barrio that it's also popular with locals, especially artisans and art students. Stay too long though and it may all wear a little thin.
PatpongOne of the world's most (in)famous red-light districts, Patpong is where it all started (Thailand's Go-Go culture) and has even been immortalised in a James Bond chase-sequence. Its two parallel side-streets, found between Silom and Surawongse Roads, house around 100 neon-lit strip bars offering risque sex shows, purchasable pole-dancers and post-op ladyboys. But while for men Patpong is likely to mean 'adult', for women, families and the kids Patpong definitely means 'market'. At night this teems with hawkers and humble stalls selling what is mostly tourist tat.
For the serious flesh-seekers, Patpong has long since been usurped as the 'king of the scene' by its counterparts around Sukhumvit. However, its reputation means it's still a huge attraction, mainly for sightseers more interested in ogling at - rather than indulging in - the carnal delights (and horrors) on offer.
For the serious flesh-seekers, Patpong has long since been usurped as the 'king of the scene' by its counterparts around Sukhumvit. However, its reputation means it's still a huge attraction, mainly for sightseers more interested in ogling at - rather than indulging in - the carnal delights (and horrors) on offer.
Go-Go shopping after dark
In fact, because of the Patpong Night Market the area's seedy edge has been softened considerably. At night the area teems with tourists and backpackers shopping for that illusive bargain. Some pretend to look interested in the fake Gucci handbags before temptation gets the better of them and they venture inside to witness one of the famous shows they've heard so much about. If you go for this it pays to be careful; while now rare, there have been reports of tourists being ripped off (especially when buying a drink for one of the 'hostesses') and clobbered with hefty bills after heading upstairs into one of the bars.
Also, if you plan to hijack one of the girls for a raunchy rendevous, it's advisable too to take good care of personal belongings once you've paid the 'bar fine'. However, whatever your take is on the Go-Go Bar scene, there's no denying that Patpong is still far safer than your average Western city centre. It's very well policed - there's a tourist police office at the end of the road, and CCTV cameras - and you'll find entire families nonchalantly walking around during market hours
Royal City Avenue (RCA) BangkokRoyal City Avenue (or just RCA as it is known by locals) is one of the biggest entertainment areas in Bangkok, but as visitors are concerned, probably the least know. RCA is a long road hosting a multitude of different types of bar and clubs. Very much a Thai scene, RCA is frequented by Bangkok’s young scene, mainly university students letting off steam. Lots of variety of music depending on the bar you visit. Multi-million watt sound systems blast out Thai disco, house, R&B, and the usual American / Brit pop.
What’s great about RCA is the wide range of places to eat and drink and the variety of themes in the clubs and restaurants. Catering for the local youth, it’s not an overpriced venue. The new MRT connections have made RCA more accessible and so it is more often finding itself on the tourist map. Be warned though, if you are over 30 you’ll feel old! Great place to visit if you are young and in Bangkok for an extended period, otherwise it’s probably not going to be a high priority against some of the more central entertainment areas.
Others like Club Time Out, JazzIt and Club Astra push other genres of dance music than just hip-hop, regularly playing host to top-notch international DJ'ing talent. There's also Zeta, a girls-only bar catering to the city's blossoming after-dark lesbian scene.
With RCA notorious in its previous incarnations as a magnet for underage teens, bringing ID is a must. All of the clubs will ask you for it as a matter of course - whether you look 17 or 27. Also, with the music volumes set ear-splittingly high, clubbing in RCA is not for you if you want to chat all night long with friends, not unless you're especially good at lip-reading.
If the party spirit doesn't infect you, RCA's House Cinema is another good option. Screening films from all the corners of the world it's the place to catch the Korean, Japanese or Indie flick the bigger cinema complexes wouldn't touch.
Thong LorThong Lo (or Thong Lor or Thonglor, Thai: ทองหล่อ) Sukhumvit Soi 55, is a road in Watthana district, Bangkok, Thailand. It is becoming famous for varieties of multi-national restaurants as well as trendy shopping malls, international shops, bars and night spots. From the small dead end road of the upscale residential area wit
h canals on both sides in the 1960s, development and road enlargement to six lanes occurred in the early '80s, and attracted residences for expatriates. The road became a popular international gourmet area in the 1990s, with mainly Italian, Japanese and upscale Thai restaurants. There also many Japanese bars as well as local pubs and karaoke bars.
h canals on both sides in the 1960s, development and road enlargement to six lanes occurred in the early '80s, and attracted residences for expatriates. The road became a popular international gourmet area in the 1990s, with mainly Italian, Japanese and upscale Thai restaurants. There also many Japanese bars as well as local pubs and karaoke bars.
Yaowarat China TownLying south of Dusit and Banglamphu, the Chinatown (เยาวราช) district is one of the oldest areas of Bangkok as Chinese merchants were originally moved to this area in the early 1780's when Bangkok was founded. One of the main streets of this area, Charoen Krung (translating as 'Prosperous city'), was actually Bangkok's first paved road, so it's English name, New Road, couldn't really be more inappropriate nowadays. The area has got a somewhat seedy historical reputation for large numbers of opium dens, brothels (which hung green lanterns outside, giving it the name of the Green Light district), pawnshops and a fondness for gambling. Today, gold shops and pawnshops are still very popular in Chinatown and can be found almost anywhere. Drug dealing, prostitution and gambling (all now illegal in Thailand) are also still thought to be widespread in this area, though they are not likely to be very 
Details
Entrance to Wat Traimit is 20B, it's open from 9.00am to 5.00pm everyday. The markets in general are open until the late evening. Chinatown is not far from the Ko Rattanakosin area, including the attractions there such as Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Pho. Banglamphu is also just a short distance north of Chinatown.
Ordinary buses 1, 7, 8, 37, 49 and 75 will take you into Chinatown, some stopping on Charoen Krung, others on Worachak road (near the Thieves Market) though the river is normally a better bet due to the consistent traffic jams round here. The Tha Ratchawong pier is just a few hundred meters from Yaowarat road and Sampeng Lane.
Entrance to Wat Traimit is 20B, it's open from 9.00am to 5.00pm everyday. The markets in general are open until the late evening. Chinatown is not far from the Ko Rattanakosin area, including the attractions there such as Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Pho. Banglamphu is also just a short distance north of Chinatown.
Ordinary buses 1, 7, 8, 37, 49 and 75 will take you into Chinatown, some stopping on Charoen Krung, others on Worachak road (near the Thieves Market) though the river is normally a better bet due to the consistent traffic jams round here. The Tha Ratchawong pier is just a few hundred meters from Yaowarat road and Sampeng Lane.
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