Bangkok Info

Bangkok info

Bangkok which is locally called "Krung Thep" which means the City of Angels established in 1782 by King Rama I as the capital of Siam at that time. Bangkok has retained its traditional charm with a mixture of old cultural heritage and new modern skyscrapers, luxurious hotels, shopping centers, street shoppings, famous Thai food, restaurants, sports, entertainment, etc. Bangkok has dominated Thailand's urban hierarchy as well as its political, commercial and cultural life since the late 18th century.

Although you can shop in air-conditioned comfort in its Western-style malls, the city is a long way from being tamed by commercial homogeneity. Bangkok proper seethes on the east side of the Chao Phraya River, drawing rural Thai folk into its cluttered fold daily. The city is reportedly sinking at a rate of 5cm (2in) every year, but there's too much sanùk (a peculiarly Thai concept of fun) going on for that to get anyone down.

It's worth putting up with the coronary-inducing traffic jams, pollution, annual floods and sticky weather to experience the contrasts of the city: glass and steel buildings shaped like cartoon robots standing next to glittering temple spires; wreaths of jasmine flowers dangling from the rear-view mirrors of buses and taxis; shaven-headed, orange-robed monks walking barefoot along the street beneath a bank of giant Sony screens blasting MTV Asia. Just like any good Buddhist you may have to struggle a bit to reach enlightenment in Bangkok but when it hits you'll understand that famous Thai smile.

Metropolitan Bangkok covers 1569sq km of southern Thailand (Population: 7.6 million), sitting smack in the middle of the most fertile rice-producing delta in the world.

A network of natural and artificial canals crisscross the city, feeding to and from Thailand's hydrological lifeline - the broad Chao Phraya River - which snakes through the city providing transport for passengers and cargo. Bangkok is divided in two by the main north-south train line. Old Bangkok, where a large proportion of the city's temples and palaces and its Chinese and Indian districts are found, lies between the river and the railway.

East of the railway, comprising the main business, tourist and sprawling residential districts, is 'new' Bangkok. Of course, outside of these general classifications, Bangkok sprawls in all directions with a mixture of commercial, industrial and residential areas.

Tourist Police: 1699

Time Zone: GMT/UTC +7 (Bangkok Standard Time)

Telephone Area Code: 02

Tipping is not customary in Thailand(although around 10% is often added in hotel restaurants and more sophisticated establishments).

Bargaining is common practice in markets and tourist shops. Treat it as a form of social discourse rather than a matter of life and death.

In restaurants (not noodle shops or local cafes) 10% service charge AND 7% VAT is added to the bill.

SPA - Body Relax Spa

note that their price is before 17%

RESTAURANTS WITH MORE DETAILS

Calderazzo

59, Lang Suan, Ploenchit, Bangkok

Calderazzo seems to be joining the extended list of understated Bangkok new wave restaurants. Almost stark in appearance with white tablecloths, cream interior and very little fussy decoration, it's clean and refreshing airy with an emphasis on well cooked Italian food. A ceiling to floor glass wall gives a great view over Lang Suan, giving a feeling of being outside on the street, rather than air-conditioned comfort.

As well as the usual fare of pastas and pizzas, Calderazzo also has some house specialities which are well worth the visit. Try the Salsiccia - fantastic home made pork sausages served with rocket and a balsamic dressing or Tuna Carpaccio (Tonno) served with a lovely drizzly mustard dressing. Vegetarians won't miss out either. A home strozzapreti with the classic ingredients of north Italian cooking - white beans, ricotta, tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese makes a real treat.

Most of the food is based on classic Italian principles - combining the best ingredients with simple and expert cooking methods to produce dishes like steamed sea bass with mushrooms, pine nuts and olives, or veal served with risotto (just the right consistency - not too soggy)

For dessert, classics like Panna cotta and Tiramisu still delight. Calderazzo offers good service with staff who do know about their food, and a wine list with a varied slemake this a definite place to check out.

Le Banyan

This lovely restaurant, set in a Thai style house surrounded by tropical gardens is one of the most relaxing and elegant in Bangkok. Located in Sukhumvit Soi 8, Le Banyan serves delectable French cuisine including a selection of foie gras and distinctive seafood main courses like snapper fillet with fresh apples and apple brandy. Succlement meat courses like grilled pressed duck are among the house specialities. Sumptuous desserts, top notch sevice, very classy. Set weekly specials available. A restaurant to impress.

59 Soi 8 Sukhumvit Road

Tel: (02) 253 5556. Fax: (02) 253 4560.

Price: B2,500 for two. Wine: B1100++.

Baan Khanitha

This award winning restaurant serves signature dishes from all over Thailand, beautifully presented on distinctive Celadon tableware. Dishes can be toned down for visitors so ask for local style if you really prefer very spicy. Dishes like spicy river prawn soup with glass noodles and prawns with tamarind sauce are beautifully done. Located off Sukhumvit Road the restaurant has a very soothing ambiance with Thai style decor, polished floors and artwork. An outdoor seating area is also available.

Around B 800 - B1600. (Without wine)

Baan Kanitha, 36/1 Soi 23 Sukhumvit Road. Bangkok Tel: (02) 258 4181

La Dalat Indochine

A charming Vietnamese restaurant, located on busy Soi 23, a short walk from Sukhumvit Road and Soi Cowboy, Le Dalat Indochine ranks among the best Vietnamese restaurants in the city.

Housed in an imaginatively converted 1950's villa packed with plants and works of art and memorabilia. A huge window overlooks a beautifully kept garden. Le Dalat Indochine captivates customers even before they enter the building. As you would expect, the food reflects the strong French and Chinese influence on Vietnamese cuisine - elegant to look at and delightful to eat. Tempting appetisers include Hue Flute, similar to spring rolls, but with a delicious mixture of crab meat and herbs, delicately fried. Goi Sen, a salad of chicken or prawns and julienned lotus root tossed with a port based dressing is definitely worth a taste.

If you're fond of seafood, the spectacular Cua Rang Me - a whole pan-fried crab coated with tamarind paste, spring onions and pounded garlic is just to die for. Not easy to eat if you're wearing your best outfit - you just have to dig in, wear a bib and enjoy this unforgettably tasty dish!

The French influence is very apparent in the "bouillabaisse" of baby clams, prawns, crabmeat, crab roe and anchovy paste, one of the most popular dishes at the restaurant. The style is French, but the flavour Vietnamese and uniquely delicious. If you enjoy duck, try Cari Vit. Served with either a baguette or pilao rice, it's a recipe from the French enclave in India and blends French, Indian and Vietnamese flavorus in a unique way. Wine is expensive in Thailand and the restaurant wisely includes less expensive New World wines as well as French. A Chilean Chardonnay costs around THB1,100. Instead of coffee try the unique, artichoke-smoked tea.

Le Dalat

The sister restaurant of Le Dalat Indochine, located across the street. Similar food but less of a French influence.

Both Restaurants can be reached by Skytrain to Asok station and walk across busy Soi Asoke (Soi 19) to Soi 23.

Le Dalat Indochine

14 Sukhumvit Soi 23, Sukhumvit Rd.

Tel: 02 261-7967-8 or 02 260-1849 or 02 258-4192.

Auberge Dab

Conveniently located across from Central Chitlom Department Store, this elegant yet friendly restaurant has a Parisian flavour with its, dark wood-panelled walls, starched white tablecloths hidden nooks and comfy seats.

Auberge has a reputation for fresh Atlantic seafood, which translates into sumptuous seafood platters (oysters, langoustines and sea snails included) and local Thai jumbo prawns and grouper beautifully cooked with a French flair. Gorgeous creations from imported goat cheese, truffles and great combinations like Maine lobster with sautéed girolle mushrooms, make Auberge a restaurant worth seeking out. Good-value three-course set lunch is also available for around B350.

Ground Floor, Mercury Tower, 540 Ploenchit Road

Tel: (02) 658 6222/3. Fax: (02) 658 7892.

Dinner : Varies with how extravagant you want to be. Exquisite and satisfying dining for around 2,000 Baht for two without wine.

Pho Restaurant

Pho Vietnamese Restaurant, Alma Building, Ploenchit

Vastly under-rated, Vietnamese food offers an incredibly subtle combination of textures and tastes, taking the best of Thai, Chinese and in Pho's case, a hint of Japanese. Old established dishes take on a new look with exquisite and imaginative presentation.

Like many of Bangkok restaurants Pho has gone for the no frills, 'understated' look - and it works. From the alternating dark and blond wood, terra cotta floor tiles, marble table tops, white orchid planter and chandeliers giving just a hint of frivolity - it's pretty stylish.

And the food? Even the simplest of dishes get the treatment. Stainless steel containers arrive like a welcoming bouquet, brimming with a salad of local herbs and varied lettuce The lemongrass juice (only 30 Baht) has fine stemo of lemongrass as a swizzle stick, gently reminding this is fresh and it isn't coke.

But it's not just the presentation, the food is extremely good. Traditional dishes like bi cuon (bite sized wrapped rolls of shredded pork and shrimp served alongside an unusual carrot and dalkion relish with a hint of sweet chilli. Put the two together and wow!

It's partly the secret of Vietnamese food. it's the combination of dipping sauces, relishes, ingredients, textures and tastes which make it such an unusual and delightful cuisine. (So there's no point in ordering simply one dish!)

Recommended dishes: Beef in lime - Wonderfully soft tiny morsels of beef are marinated in a blend of sweet chilli and lime - piquant rather than sweet and sour, it melts in the mouth. Marinated salmon, colorfully presented with a twist of orange, gets a similar treatment.

Finish with a fine dessert like fried banana - ever so lightly fried and dusted with icing sugar served with a ice cream gently placed in an edible crispy basket. At only 60 baht you can eat more than one!

Unobtrusive service with well trained and attentive staff, make Pho a place to return to. Main dishes range from 70-180 Baht. Verdict Excellent value.

OTHER RESTAURANTS

Conrad Hotel- Cafe@2 (~690B before 17%!): Int'l food with very good Indian food

Pennisula Hotel (free boat at Oriental Hotel and Shangri-la Hotel)

Oishi Japanese Buffet at the Siam Discovery Center -it's around 400BT

Sharks fin at Erawan Hotel

Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel, opposite to 4 faces Buddha, Lobby Dining Room: Dinner

Riverside Bangkok - On Thonburi side by Krungthon Bridge: 17:00-02:00 daily, Dinner Cruises (B80) 20:00-22:00 Sun-Thu, 20:30-23:00 Fri-Sat, (434-0090-4)

Club at the Novotel in Siam Square, with a great band

Pubs around Siam Square

Cafe de Laos (off Silom) a lot of mosquitoes, not really recommended

TRY NOT TO EAT AT: Baiyoke Sky Hotel's buffet, very very bad!!