Filed Under (Bangkok) by Farang on 27-01-2011
Longtable is another ‘sky bar‘ in Bangkok and is a great place for a drink or dinner thanks mainly to its great views.
Longtable is located on Sukhumvit soi 16 which isn’t actually on Sukhumvit but runs parallel to it but is still easy enough to find. The bar is pretty snazzy as you’d expect and while most of it is inside the end wall has been cut away to reveal a stunning view of the city. There is standard seating inside and then there is the more relaxed terrace where get you the great views. It feels more like a bar you’d actually go to for a drink unlike the Banyan Tree and State Tower where, although the bars are nice, its all about the view. You could easily spend a night here drinking and not see the view and still have a good time!
As the name suggests there is a long table at Longtable and it is reportedly 25 metres long!
There is also a swimming pool out on the terrace but when we went it wasn’t being used by anyone. I’m not sure how keen they’d be on your stripping off and having a swim.
For reservations call 02 302 2557-9
Filed Under (Bangkok) by Farang on 27-01-2011
Thailand’s first and only branch of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts might’ve opened in Bangkok over 4 months ago but the queues to get one of their doughnuts are still pretty sizeable. I do quite like a doughnut but not enough to queue for one, especially when there are Dunkin’ Donuts and loads of other shops right next to Krispy Kreme and scattered all over Bangkok without any queues at all.
But today, walking out side Paragon I noticed a few street sellers hawking doughnuts with Krispy Kreme signs. Upon closer inspection they even had menu cards with all the names of the doughnuts on in English and Thai. At first I thought they must be fake doughnuts cashing in an the craze for the Krispy Kreme’s but actually they are people who have queued up, bought a few trays of doughnuts and set up stall outside the official store.
I bought one to test them out and although it was nice the fact it had been sitting out in the sun for a while by the side of a busy road in Bangkok might have reduced its potential a bit. To me it didn’t seem any different to a Dunkin Doughnut and no where near as nice as a Greg’s ring or jam doughnut. But as Greg’s have yet to expand into Bangkok I will have to make do.
These black market Krispy Kreme doughnuts cost 50 baht for one and 130 baht for 3. I’m not sure how it compares to in store. Anyone done the queue and know how much they cost?
Image ‘borrowed’ from: http://everythinghapa.com/archives/2246
Filed Under (Bangkok) by Farang on 20-01-2011
I’m not really sure what to make of this: a Michael Jackson Kids Contest. Whilst shopping at Central Rama III I saw a poster for this event being held there. From what I could make out kids will be dressing up as the King of Pop in some kind of pageant. Whether they will be singing and performing I could not tell. Is this in bad taste or am I being too politically correct? Either way I won’t be there to find out!
Central Plaza Rama 3:
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Filed Under (Bangkok) by Farang on 19-01-2011
Whenever we have guests visiting from out of town, particularly if they are a bit older and want to see a bit more of Bangkok than the inside of a bar we usually take them on a canal boat tour of Bangkok.
The tours start from Central Pier which is under the Saphan Taksin bridge, next to the BTS stop of the same name. You can chose from three tours of different lengths and each of which set off down the Chao Praya river before heading into the canals that are still in use on the other side of the river known as old Bangkok or Thonburi.
The tour gives you a good insight into what Bangkok was like before they paved over most of the Klongs, or canals, and replaced them with roads. Most of the canals are lined with houses built on the water and depending on the tour you chose you get the chance to visit a floating market selling a wide array of seafood cooked in front of you eyes on small boats.
Getting one of these tours is also good way to get to Wat Arun, AKA the Temple of Dawn which is a must see on the tourist trail in Bangkok. You also get your own long tail boat with driver which is a much more fun way to see the river than the standard tourist boat.
Prices aren’t cheap but are well worth it for something a bit different. Four people cost 2000 baht but I’m sure you could knock them down a bit if you try.
Central Pier:
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Filed Under (Bangkok) by Farang on 17-01-2011
Ban Chiang is a great Thai restaraunt in Sathorn that is set in an old Thai style house. The decor is really nice and there is seating inside and out. The menu is mainly Thai with all the usual suspects. Ban Chiang is more popular with Westerners than Thais and the dishes do reflect this a bit. This does make it good for visitors wanting authentic Thai dishes that won’t blow your head off! Prices are pretty good for a Western targeted restaruant but obviously not as cheap as a Thai-Thai eatery. The service was very good and the waiting staff are very attentive without going over baord and seem happy doing their jobs.
It’s not that easy to find but if you head for Jamieson’s bar at the Holiday Inn you will find a sign for Ban Chiang Restaurant that will point you in the right direction. The nearest BTS to Ban Chiang is Surasak on the Silom line.
Ban Chiang, Bangkok: 14 Soi Sriviang, Surasak Road, Bangkok 10500
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Filed Under (Bangkok) by Farang on 16-01-2011
The V9 Bar at the Sofitel hotel on Silom Road in Bangkok is one of a few bars with a great view in Bangkok. The two most well known ‘sky bars’ in Bangkok are the Sirocco Sky Bar at the State Tower and Moon
Bar at the Banyan Tree hotels.
Where as the bars at the State Tower and the Banyan Tree are open air the V9 Bar at the Sofitel is enclosed with floor to celling windows. This does diminish the wow factor compared to the open air bars but is better for those with an aversion to heights! The views are as good as the other two main sky bars in Bangkok but the decor and atmosphere do not compete. One of the benefits of not being an open air bar is that it can be air conditioned and with Bangkok, even in the late evening, being very humid this is a definate plus point.
The prices of drinks were a little bit cheaper that the top two sky bars but still a lot more than a regular bar. There was a good wine list with lots of bottles available in the lobby so if you are looking for a good bottle of wine for home then it might be worth popping in and having a look.
If its raining or the thought of an open air bar with not much enclosure puts you off then the Sofitel V9 bar is definately worth a visit but if you want to wow guests then head to the Banyan Tree or the State Tower.
The dress code for all three of these bars is smart casual which can be read as long trousers and closed shoes for men and no flip flops for women.
Opening hours : 17:00 – 02:00
Address: 188 Silom Road, Bangkok, Thailand
Photo by: Toby Simkin
Filed Under (Bangkok) by Farang on 13-01-2011
When I first came to Bangkok and Thailand I wasn’t ever tempted to get a motorcy or motorcycle taxi. I saw the orange vested drivers sitting at the end of my road playing draughts and drinking beer waiting for a fare but I never felt the urge to find out how fast they could get me from A to B. Not only did it look dangerous but it also seemed a bit confusing; what do the different coloured vest of the drivers mean? do I need a helmet? how much do they charge?
One day, after a few months of being in Bangkok, sitting in traffic for the umpteenth minute I decided enough was enough and got out the taxi and got on a nearby motorcy taxi. That first journey was a white knuckle ride. Weaving in and out of the gridlocked traffic on Sukhumvit was bad enough but when we hit the open road and the driver had a chance to pull away I thought I was going to fall off the back!
I got to my destination in one piece if not a little shell shocked but had saved many minutes I would’ve been stuck in traffic in the taxi.
Now, nearly a year on I get a motorbike taxi nearly everyday. Mainly for short distances to work or the nearest BTS station but sometimes for longer journeys when traffic is especially bad like a Friday afternoon/evening.
Apparently five people die every hour on the roads of Bangkok but in my time out here I’ve probably seen about three crashes involving a motorbike and considering I must see 1000s or motorbikes on the road each day that seems like a very low number of crashes.
Motorcy taxis really open up Bangkok and give you a freedom cars, taxis and the BTS and MRT cannot compete with. If you are thinking of giving them a try or have had enough or being stuck in traffic then I definitely recommend you give them a try. Here are some Bangkok Motorcy Taxi tips:
- Raise your arm as you approach the group of drivers and they will usher you to the driver at the front of the queue.
- Agree on the price before getting on the motorcy taxi. They have fixed fares but its best to agree beforehand so they don’t try and rip you off on arrival.
- It doesn’t matter what colour vest your motor taxi driver had on. They just indicate what areas they can work in, not which gang or political party they are affiliated with!
- Wear a helmet! I don’t always and sometimes the driver doesn’t even had a spare but it is the law to wear one, not that you’d realise as the police don’t seem to enforce it very often.
- Don’t hold on to the driver. Use the handle at the back of the seat (if there is one) but don’t wrap your legs around the driver or put your arms around their waist. They don’t like it!
Filed Under (Bangkok) by Farang on 13-01-2011
They say riding a motorbike in Bangkok is dangerous but it is a pretty cool way to get around. Realising this Honda have adopted this as their slogan to promote the new Click i bike in Thailand (and perhaps elsewhere).
I had to have a chuckle when I saw the new advert for the Honda Click at a BTS station which featured the ‘Dangerous Cool‘ tagline. I’m sure they were trying to create the imagery of the 125 cc scooter being a bit edgy rather than dangerous but we can only guess.
You can see for yourself here: http://www.techaumporn.com/index.php?lay=show&ac=article&Ntype=22 or at your local BTS station, just look out for the scooter in the plastic case.
Dangerous Cool? You decide.
Filed Under (Bangkok) by Farang on 06-12-2010
Even though there are so many great places to eat in Bangkok and most of them do delivery via ChefsXP or Food by Phone I still keep eating McDonald’s whether home or away.
The McDonald’s Bangkok delivery service runs 24 hours a day is only ever a phone call away. McDonald’s in Thailand also has a few extra items on their menu I don’t get at home so there is even more options to temp you. Add the low prices, the home delivery and the bigger menu and you have a recipe for disaster!
My favourite at the moment is the double Big Mac set with large french fries but I make sure it is the healthy version that comes with Coke Zero and I am good as I don’t get the cheesy french fries they do out here.
The home delivery number for McDonald’s in Thailand is 1711 or sip-et sit-jet in Thai.
Filed Under (Bangkok) by Farang on 06-12-2010
It looks like Chang have launched some flavoured versions of their popular bottled soda water. Today I was in my local 7 and I spotted a Chang soda water with a green label which after a closer look I saw it was apple mint flavour! There was also another flavour available which I will check out next time.
I had the Chang apple mint soda water on its own but I think it would go great with vodka so will be stocking up soon for the next time we have drinks at the flat.
What do you think of the new flavours?
