I Love Bangkok
9aM
Buy a Smart Pass at the nearest BTS Skytrain station. A refundable THB30 (THB1 = PHP1.31/USD0.32) service charge is deposit then purchase as little as THB100 in credit and avoid the notorious Bangkok traffic all day.
9:30aM
For an affordable Western breakfast go to La Boulange Restaurant (2-2/1 Convent Road, Silom, Bangrak, tel +66 (0) 2631 0354) near the BTS Sala Daeng station which offers different sets from THB135-375.
10:30aM
Head to the BTS National Stadium station for MBK (www.mbk-center.com), the bargain shopper’s paradise. Expect to be overwhelmed by clothing, glittering gold jewelry, shoes, belts, sunglasses, electrical gadgets at a fraction of the price in most countries. If the shopping gets too heavy, hide in one of the many foot massage parlors for a mani or a pedi, both THB300.
12pM
Returning to Sala Daeng BTS, the area has come alive. Except for Sundays and Mondays, the sidewalks on Convent Road are jam-packed with stalls of every imaginable Thai snack or dish (approximately THB20-35). Sample a Pad Thai at the only stall that’s got a flaming wok. Somtam Convent Isaan Restaurant, just a few doors down from La Boulange.
1:30pM
Hop onto the BTS to Siam station. This is the shopper’s epicenter that’ll take a good part of the afternoon to explore. Start with Siam Paragon (991/1 Rama 1 Road, Pathumwan, tel +66 (0) 2690 1000), one of the sleekest malls in the city. Siam Center has local and international labels catering to the hip where you can find anything from hair accessories (THB20 to cocktail dresses (THB1,000).
4:30pM
Next head towards the Silom MRT station. At the entrance you’ll see Lumpini Park. While waiting for the sunset, go to the lake, rent a paddle-boat (THB40 refundable deposit + THB40 per half hour) and tour the park. Feeding the fish is allowed and the gatekeeper might offer you a bag for only THB10. Occasionally there are free open-air concerts on the lawn.
7:30pM
At Nana station, explore Sukhumvit Soi 3/1, known as Soi Arab, that runs parallel to Sukhumvit Soi 3. Nighttime is most atmospheric. Find Schiller’s Inn (77/1-3 Sukhumvit Soi 3/, tel +66 (0) 2 255 8200-3) with its large outdoor seating and order hummus, baba ganouj, a freshly baked flat bread and a skewer for around THB350. Afterwards, step up to Nefertiti Restaurant (4/8 Soi North Nana 3/1 Sukhumvit Rd, tel +66 (0) 2655 3043-4) just down the street to puff on a shisha pipe (THB150) as you people watch.
9pM
Suan Lum Night Bazaar is the perfect way to end the night. Take the BTS back to Sala Daeng station and walk to take the MRT to Lumpini Station. Enter a labyrinth of narrow alleys filled with local fashions from clothing to furniture and choose from hip to traditional. This is the place that locals and tourists shop. If you find yourself getting hunger pangs, go to the food court. Purchase THB100 booklets of coupons to get food on one side and drinks on the other. Whatever you don’t use can be refunded and there might be a band singing a lullaby.
11pM
When it’s time to rest your weary head, after a hard day of sightseeing and shopping, @Home Silom (166/2-3 near Silom 12, Silom, tel +66 (0) 2 234 4995-6, www.athomesilom.com) is a perfect place to stay for its close proximity to the Sala Daeng BTS station with one of the highest concentrations of restaurants and shops. Choose a Single Standard 2 at THB1,650 a night.
By Nana Chen
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