Nahm Restaurant in Bangkok
Address: Metropolitan Hotel, 27 South Sathorn Road, Tungmahamek, Sathorn, Bangkok 10120, Thailand
Phone: +662 625 3388
Hours: Lunch 12:00 to 14:00 Monday to Friday. Dinner 19:00 to 22:00 daily.

Nahm is one of the best restaurants in Bangkok. Located in the Metropolitan hotel in the city’s Sathorn neighborhood, Nahm is close to many of the city’s top visitor attractions as well as its business districts.

Executive chef David Thompson hails from London, where Nahm’s sister restaurant of the same name was the first Thai restaurant in Europe to be given a Michelin star. The kitchen’s focus on high quality produce and traditional meals with balanced flavors has won it accolades all over the world.

Meals at Nahm restaurant in Bangkok can be eaten a la carte or in the customary Thai style. The latter involves a set of starters followed by a number of dishes being served at the same time. These include a soup, salad, relish, curry, and grilled dish. Menu highlights include coconut and tumeric curry of blue swimmer crab with southern lime, minced prawn and cucumber salad, and durian with white sticky rice.

Nahm is open for both lunch and dinner, and offers a great value lunch menu that is slightly smaller than the larger Thai-style dinner menu. If you go for dinner, don’t miss the chance to have cocktails in the hotel’s chic Met Bar afterwards.

If you want to have lunch or dinner at Nahm Restaurant in Bangkok, it is advisable to make a reservation in advance. The restaurant is popular and fills up quickly, especially on the weekends.

Bangkok airport taxis are a good way to get from Suvarnabhumi Airport to your hotel or other final destination in the city center when you are visiting Thailand.

Taxis from the airport can be found outside of the arrivals halls on Level 1, which is the ground level of the airport. There is a taxi rank there, and there is also a taxi counter near entrances 3, 4, 7, and 8.

Bankgkok airport taxis take anywhere from 30 minutes to over an hour to get to the city center. The timing depends on traffic and where the taxi drops you off. Bangkok is known for having heavy traffic at most times of day, so make sure to leave yourself plenty of time to get from the airport to your destination in the city.

Taxis are generally in good condition, and have ample space in the trunk for bags. Drivers do not often speak English, so make sure to have a map with you and try to get the name of your hotel written down in Thai before you get into the taxi.

There is also a problem with drivers taking passengers on a circuitous route in order to charge more. If you can follow your progress on a map and make your driver aware of it, that will help cut down on them taking a non-direct route.

Bankgkok airport taxis vary in price. Make sure the driver uses the meter, as the fare should be based on the metered rate. In addition, there is a 50 THB airport surcharge and you will have to pay any road tolls you encounter along the way. In general, airport taxi fares range from 300 THB to 500 THB.

The Metropolitan Hotel, Bangkok
Address: 27 South Sathorn Road, Tungmahamek, Sathorn, Bangkok 10120, Thailand
Phone: +66 (0)2 625 3333

The Metropolitan is one of the top luxury hotels in Bangkok. With a focus on style and service, the hotel is a great choice for people visiting Thailand on either business or leisure.

Set back from the main road in Sathorn, the Metropolitan offers guests a great getaway from the urban bustle of the city. Its location near sightseeing attractions, business hubs, and public transport links like the Lumphini MRT station make it an ideal place to stay in Bangkok.

Guest rooms at the hotel are spacious, and combine contemporary style with traditional Asian elements. Beds are large and covered with starched white linen duvets, and rooms feature sofas, chairs, desks, and ensuite bathrooms with separate tubs and showers. Many rooms have views over the gardens outside.

The Metropolitan hotel also has a wealth of offerings in addition to the guest rooms. There is a large outdoor swimming pool, a gym, and a spa for those that are interested in health and wellness. For foodie travelers, the hotel has an excellent Thai restaurant called Nahm and a healthy eating restaurant called Glow that serves light meals. For those that love nightlife, the famous Met Bar in Bangkok is the perfect place for cocktails.

Rates at the Metropolitan hotel in Bangkok start at 4,500 THB per night for a City Room (exclusive of tax & service). There are also regular offers and promotions, so make sure to check for special deals before you make a booking.

Trains from Bangkok airport to the city center are one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways of traveling in the capital when you are visiting Thailand.

There are two airport trains in Bangkok. One goes to Makkasan, and the other to Phaya Thai. The former offers connections to the MRT Blue Line, while the latter allows passengers to connect to the BTS Sukhumvit Line.

Airport trains in Bangkok depart from the train station on the lower ground levels of Suvarnabhumi Airport. Before going down the escalators to the platforms, you must purchase a ticket from the booth next to them. Tickets cost 90 THB one-way, and 150 THB round-trip.

The journey time from the airport to the Bangkok city center is 15 minutes, making the trip fast and convenient. If you transfer to the MRT or BTS to get to your hotel or other final destination, you will need to purchase a new ticket before entering the turnstiles.

Trains from Bangkok Airport to the city center run daily from 6am until midnight. If you need to travel outside of those hours, you can take a taxi, shuttle, rental car, or bus.

It’s not easy to come up with a list of the top places to visit in Thailand. The country’s geographical diversity and rich cultural heritage make many areas of Thailand great for visiting.

Still, there are some places in Thailand that are a cut above the rest. As such, here is a list of five of the top places to visit in Thailand.

1. Bangkok – Many people visiting Thailand only spend a day in Bangkok, or even skip it altogether. But the Thai capital is bursting with activity, from bustling markets to beautiful palaces and other sightseeing spots. The food scene, from the famous Thai street food to the high end restaurants and fine dining in Bangkok, is also top notch.

2. Chiang Mai – Chiang Mai is the biggest and culturally most important city in all of northern Thailand. It is located in the mountains, and is home to over 300 Buddhist temples. It is a must on any list of the top places to visit in Thailand.

3. Koh Samui – Koh Samui is one of the largest islands in Thailand. It is known for its pristine white beaches, temples, waterfalls, and nightlife. While the island can get very touristy in the high season, there are parts of Koh Samui that are more secluded and still offer the privacy and isolation of a private island retreat.

4. Phuket – Another beach destination worth mentioning on any list of the top places to visit in Thailand is Phuket. Phuket is one of the most popular beach vacation spots in all of Asia. It is also known for golf, diving, adventure tourism, and the nightlife scene that centers around Patong Beach.

5. Koh Panghan – Koh Panghan is another of Thailand’s beautiful islands. It is most famous for its monthly Full Moon Party, but is also known for its beautiful beaches and resorts. Like the other islands in Thailand, it can get crowded. However, there are secluded areas to get away, and it is worth placing on any top places to visit in Thailand list.

The Westin Siray Bay Resort & Spa, Phuket
Address: 21 / 4 Moo 1 T.Rasada A.Muang, Phuket, 83000 Thailand
Phone: (66)(76) 335 600

The Westin Hotel and Resort in Phuket, Thailand is a stunning luxury resort in Phuket’s Sirary Bay.

The Westin Siray Bay Resort offers ocean views from every guest room and a private white sand beach for guests to enjoy in seclusion.

Rooms at the Westin hotel and resort in Phuket are decorated in soft pastels and white, complimenting the tropical ambiance of the bay.

The hotel offers six restaurants and bars that serve a variety of international cuisines.

There is also a gym, a spa and a kids’ club at the Westin Siray Bay Resort.

Room rates at the Westin hotel and resort in Phuket start at 2,010 THB per night.

IMG_2046

The best luxury resorts in Koh Kood Thailand are also some of the top resorts in the country.

The area is home to some of the most beautiful natural scenery and a number of the top beaches in Thailand in addition to its resorts.

Koh Kood on the Gulf of Siam is fast becoming a top luxury travel destination in Thailand.

New hotels and resorts in Koh Kood are opening all the time, and the island is sure to be a hot spot for luxury travel in Thailand for a long time to come.

Below are my picks for the best luxury resorts in Koh Kood Thailand.

Soneva Kiri Hotel by Six Senses

X2 Koh Kood Design Resort

X2 Koh Kood Resort and Villa Rental
Address: 442 Moo 2 Baan Klongchao, Koh kood, Trat, Thailand

X2 Koh Kood resort is the latest luxury resort designed by the X2 luxury brand.

With some of the best beaches in Thailand and unsurpassed beauty of the natural surroundings, Koh Kood on the Gulf of Siam is one of the best luxury travel destinations in Thailand.

Opening in 2013, X2 will be a a designer eco-resort featuring 14 villas that will be sold as private residences.

Those not wanting to buy a villa in Koh Kood can rent one for a holiday in Koh Kood.

X2 Koh Kood villas starting at 150,000.00 Baht for an apartment if you wish to purchase one.

36 Hours in Chiang Mai, Thailand
By JOSHUA KURLANTZICK

BLESSED with a cooler climate than Bangkok and buffered by lush mountains, Chiang Mai has long served as a backpacker’s gateway to Thailand’s northern reaches. But an influx of Thai artists and Western expatriates has turned this quiet city into a vibrant destination in its own right. Design studios have sprung up in town, fusing traditional Thai with modern twists. Age-old curries are now paired with Australian red wines and croissants. The area around Nimanhaemin Road now looks like South Beach, packed with BMWs and Art Deco homes, alongside contemporary art galleries run by young Thais with purple hair and nose rings. But traditional Chiang Mai is still there. Walk away from Nimanhaemin into the old city and you’ll see shaved monks meditating and backpackers chowing down on banana pancakes.

Continued on nytimes.com

Google maps offers free maps of Thailand that are interactive and allow users to pinpoint and save favorite destinations.

Google maps of Thailand also include road and street maps of major cities like Bangkok.

Check out Google maps of Thailand below.

View Larger Map

Link to Google Maps

The Full Moon Party in Koh Panghan is one of Thailand’s most famous (and most fun!) repeating festivals.

Every month there is a Full Moon Party in Koh Panghan on Had Rin Nok beach, and thousands of people visiting Koh Panghan take part.

As the name implies, the Full Moon Party in Koh Panghan takes place on the night of the full moon, which changes monthly.

Music and dancing are all part of the Full Moon Party, and the party lasts all night.

Koh Samui, Thailand, is a popular destination for sun worshippers and beach lovers.

Located in southern Thailand, Koh Samui is the third largest island in Thailand.

Koh Samui is best known for its beautiful white sand beaches.

There are plenty of other Koh Samui activities to be enjoyed as well.

People visiting Koh Samui can take part in cultural activities like visiting the Leam Suwanaram Temple.

There are also amazing natural phenomena like Koh Samui’s stunning Namuang Falls.

Visitors can take part in adventure sports in Koh Samui as well.

Many people go ATV riding in Koh Samui or ride zip lines through the trees in Koh Samui’s jungle.

There is also a lot of good sport fishing to be done off the coast of the island.

The most famous beach in Phuket is Patong Beach.

With its beautiful blue water and white sand, Patong Beach is a breathtaking sight.

That said, Patong Beach also has its darker side.

The areas around Patong Beach are heavily built-up with a myriad of gritty souvenir shops, crowded restaurants, and loud nightlife.

If you’re looking for seclusion, Patong Beach is probably not for you.

If you’re looking for a lively party, Patong Beach might be just what you want.

In general, the best time of year to visit Thailand is November to February.

During this time the weather is cooler and there is less precipitation.

There are regional variations in seasons and temperatures in Thailand.

Central, eastern, and northern Thailand weather tends to be cooler.

November to February is still the best time of year to visit Thailand in these areas, but farther north it will be colder.

The best time of year to visit Thailand’s southern areas is slightly different, and depends on your destination.

The best time of year to visit Thailand’s southwestern areas like Phuket, Phang Nga, and Krabi is November to April.

The best time of year to visit Thailand’s southeastern areas like Koh Samui and Hat Yai is May to October.

There are airlines that fly to Thailand from all over the world.

The following are airlines that fly to Thailand.

Airlines that fly to Thailand from the US:

Northwest Airlines
Thai Airways

Airlines that fly to Thailand from Australia:

British Airway
Emirates
Jetstar
Qantas
Thai Airways
Tiger Airways

Airlines that fly to Thailand from Hong Kong:

Bangkok Airways
Cathay Pacific
China Airlines
Emirates
Finnair
Gulf Air
Kenya Airways
Thai Airways

Airlines that fly to Thailand from Singapore:

Air Asia
Bangkok Airways

Cathay Pacific
Finnair
Jetstar
SilkAir
Singapore Airlines
snowflake
SWISS Airlines
Thai Airways
Tiger Airways
Transaero Airlines
Turkish Airlines
Valuair

The island of Phuket, Thailand is one of Asia’s most popular beach destinations.

With the azure water of the Andaman Sea and its white sand beaches, Phuket attracts visitors from all over the world.

People visiting Phuket can enjoy a range of activities.

Phuket diving and snorkeling are popular, as well as Phuket’s golf courses, eco-tourism in Phuket, and boat tours in Phang Nga Bay.

Phuket nightlife centers on the famous Patong Beach, where people visiting Phuket can party the night away.

There are thousands of pictures of Thailand on Flickr!

Looking at pictures of Thailand on Flickr can help you get an idea of what part of Thailand you would like to visit.

If you already know were you are going to travel to in Thailand, you can look at pictures of Thailand on Flickr to find specific places you want to go, or to get inspiration for your own travel photography in Thailand.

Cabbages and Condoms Restaurant, Bangkok
Address: 6 Soi 12, Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok, Thailand

Cabbages and Condoms Restaurant in Bangkok is one of the most famous restaurants in Bangkok.

Cabbages and Condoms Restaurant is run by Thailand’s Population and Community Development Association.

The association believes that contraceptives should be as inexpensive as vegetables.

Cabbages and Condoms Restaurant in Bangkok offers traditional Thai food and, of course, condoms.

There is no shortage of Bangkok food from street vendors in Thailand.

At any time of day or night, people visiting Bangkok can find a large variety of Thai food sold by street vendors.

The most common types of food found in Bangkok’s vendor stalls include pastry foods, dumplings, fried meats on skewers, and fried vegetables.

If you plan to buy food from a Bangkok street vendor, make sure that it is thoroughly cooked.

Also make sure that the food has not been sitting out for too long.

If you have a sensitive stomach, think twice before eating food sold by street vendors in Bangkok.

The Thai currency is the Bhat (THB).

Thai bhat are divided further into satang. One Thai bhat is equal to 100 satang.

Thai bhat coins come in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50.

Visitors are unlikely to use them, as they are worth very little.

Thai bhat notes come in denominations of 10 (very rare), 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000.

Visitors are most likely to use Thai currency notes.

You can get Thai currency at ATMs in the country, or at money exchange booths in your home country or in Thailand.

There is plenty of sightseeing in Bangkok, Thailand.

From palaces to temples, markets to houses, Bangkok’s sightseeing can keep visitors busy for days.

Below is my list of the top 5 sightseeing in Bangkok:

1. Jim Thompson’s House, Bangkok

2. Wat Arun, Temple of the Dawn, Bangkok

3. Golden Buddha, Wat Traimit, Bangkok

4. Giant Reclining Buddha, Wat Pho, Bangkok

5. Grand Palace, Bangkok

The best Bangkok hotels are scattered throughout the city in various neighborhoods.

The hotels come in a range of styles and sizes, and they cater for all clienteles from business travelers to family holidaymakers and independent visitors.

The top hotels in the Thai capital vary from large international luxury hotels to smaller, more intimate boutique hotels. Most of them are located either close to the main sightseeing attractions in the city or in the business districts.

Below is a list of what we consider to be the best Bangkok hotels, large and small:

Four Seasons Hotel, Bangkok - The Four Seasons in Bangkok is a grand hotel with an opulent lobby, beautiful rooms, and a large swimming pool. The hotel is synonymous with the company’s reputation for high quality and luxury.

Metropolitan Hotel, Bangkok - The Metropolitan in Bangkok is a sleek, chic hotel that offers guests comfort in contemporary style. Guest rooms are large and spacious, and the hotel is home to a great outdoor pool, the top-notch Nahm restaurant, and the famous Met Bar.

The Eugenia, Bangkok - Intimate and elegant, The Eugenia is one of the best boutique hotels in Bangkok. Located in the upscale Sukhumvit district, The Eugenia has understated guest rooms, a sumptuous library, and a limo service that includes classic cars.

Jim Thompson House, Bangkok

Address: 6 Soi Kasemsan 2, Rama 1 Road, Bangkok, Thailand
Hours: 9:00am to 5:00pm daily
Admission: 100 THB (50 THB for students)
BTS Skytrain: National Stadium

The Jim Thompson House in Bangkok is a great destination for visitors to Thailand, particularly those that love history, art, and antiquities.

The museum is a well-preserved traditional Thai house in Bangkok. The beautiful building, which is made of teak wood, belonged to Jim Thompson, an American living in Thailand who revived the silk industry in Bangkok after World War II. He collected many works of art, from paintings and sculptures to furniture and decorative pieces, all of which can be seen in the museum.

People visiting Bangkok can tour the Jim Thompson House to see the antiques and art from all over Thailand. Guided tours are available throughout the day in English, French, and Japanese. Tours are included in the price of admission.

The Jim Thompson House museum also has a restaurant, cafe, bar, and gift shop that sells luxurious silk products and other souvenirs. Upstairs from the gift shop is an art center that has rotating special exhibitions throughout the year. Entry to the exhibitions is free with your ticket to the museum.

The floating market in Bangkok is a cultural adventure that requires an early start.

The floating market in Bangkok, Thailand is one of the highlights of visiting Bangkok.

The floating market is a produce and general market that is mostly done from small boats.

Visiting the floating market is best done by taking a bus from Bangkok.

The floating market in Bangkok closes in mid-day, so people visiting Bangkok are advised to wake up early to get to the market.

When you get to the floating market, take a small boat through the market and browse through the fruits, vegetables, noodles, souvenirs, handicrafts, and spices while honing your bargaining skills.

Wat Arun Temple of the Dawn in Bangkok is a spectacular sight on the banks of the Chao Praya River.

The first thing visitors to Wat Arun see is the stunning 79m Phra Prang pagoda.

The pagoda is covered in ceramic and porcelain tiles.

Although there are a lot of kitschy tourist shops around, Wat Arun in Bangkok is worth a visit.

To get to Wat Arun, take Arun Amarin Road or take a ferry from Tha Tien Pier.

Wat Arun Opening Hours: 8.30am – 5.30pm

Wat Arun Entrance Fee: 30 Bhat

The Golden Buddha in Bangkok, Thailand is one of the top sights to see in Bangkok.

The buddha is smaller and less opulent than either the giant reclining buddha or the Grand Palace in Bangkok.

However, Bangkok’s Golden Buddha still has its own charm.

Made of solid gold and weighing over 5.5 tons, Bangkok’s Golden Buddha is quite impressive.

The Golden Buddha in Bangkok is located in the upper level of the small Wat Traimit temple in Bangkok’s Chinatown.

The Golden Buddha is open to visitors for an entry fee of 20 Bhat.

Visitors must remove shoes before entering the room, and photographs are allowed.

Wat Traimit and the Golden Buddha in Bangkok are located on Yaowarat Road near Hualamphong Train Station.

The Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand is one of Bangkok’s most visited destinations.

The palace is situated on the river in Bangkok.

It is surrounded by several acres of grounds and is easy to spot from the street.

The sprawling grounds, beautiful architecture, gold statues, and long history all attract visitors to Bangkok’s Grand Palace.

Visitors to Bangkok’s Grand Palace can walk around the grounds and through some of the buildings.

Make sure to check out the Temple of the Emerald Buddha while you’re there.

The giant reclining Buddha in Bangkok is one of the most visited destinations in Bangkok.

The buddha is 46m long and 15m high, filling up an entire room.

The buddha is plated in gold.

The Giant Reclining Buddha is situated in Wat Pho, a large temple in central Bangkok.

The Buddha is worth a visit, if for no other reason than to prove to yourself that such a large statue actually exists!

People visiting Bangkok can see the Buddha and walk around the Wat Pho grounds to admire the other buildings and statues.

Wat Pho and the Giant Reclining Buddha are located Chetuphon Road, an easy walk from the Grand Palace.

Giant Reclining Buddha Opening Hours: 8am-5pm (closed 12pm-1pm)

Giant Reclining Buddha Entrance Fee: 20 Baht

The Four Seasons Hotel, Bangkok
Address: 155 Rajadamri Road, Bangkok, Thailand
Phone: 66 (0) 2 126-8866

The Four Seasons Hotel in Bangkok is one of the best luxury hotels in Bangkok.

The hotel welcomes guests with its brightly-colored high ceilings in the lobby.

The huge outdoor pools help people relax after spending time at the busy Bangkok sights or in business meetings in Bangkok.

The plush decor in the guest rooms of the Four Seasons Bangkok make guests feel comfortable and relaxed, as does the friendly and attentive service.

Standard rooms at the Four Seasons Hotel in Bangkok run from around US$250-400, depending on the season.

The Eugenia Hotel, Bangkok
Address: 267, Soi Sukhumvit 31, North Klongtan, Wattana, Bangkok, Thailand 10110
Phone:+66 2 259 9011 7

The Eugenia is one of the most unique boutique hotels in Bangkok.

Located in Bangkok’s beautiful Sukhumvit neighborhood, the Eugenia is ideally located in a desirable part of the city. It is close to great restaurants, shopping, and sightseeing opportunities in the Thai capital.

The Eugenia’s motto, “It’s not a hotel, it’s a home!,” is a fitting description of the understated accommodation. Staying there feels less like staying in a hotel than it does like being a guest in someone’s house.

The Eugenia hotel has only a small number of rooms, each of which is furnished with antique furniture and beautiful white linens. Downstairs is a small restaurant, a sumptuous library, and an outdoor patio with a swimming pool.

Rooms at The Eugenia start at 6,118 THB per night, exclusive of 7% VAT and a 10% service charge. Discounts and special rates are available if you book online.

You can buy a bit of food from their handlers for 10-20 baht to feed them for a bit.

Unfortunately, many of the elephants in Bangkok suffer from the wear and tear on their feet, which are meant for walking on soft dirt and not city pavement.

Below is a list of Thailand do’s and don’t's to help you navigate the cultural differences between Thailand and the West.

It is easy to have good manners in Thailand with a few simple steps. Try the do’s and don’t's below to ensure success in your trip.

• Avoid conflict. Thais appreciate a soft tone of voice and are very averse to conflict. Find a deferential way out of tense situations.
• Avoid pointing or other confrontational behavior
• Don’t point at anything with your foot
• Treat images of Buddha like you would a respected person
• If you’re sitting not on a chair, sit so your feet are not in front of you
• Do not stare at people.
• When greeted with a wai, the traditional greeting, do not lower your head to acknowledge the wai
• If you pass an older person, dip your head slightly to appear more like their height
• Do not speak ill of the king, discuss politics or mention that the King was born in America
• At 8 AM and 6 PM in public, stand quietly for the national anthem.

Thailand banned smoking publically a few years ago.

Thailand, as of Dec 29, 2006, banned smoking in all public places in the country.

Be warned, if you’re a smoker, you’re going to be confined to treatment like you’ll receive if you try to smoke in New York City!

Thailand is quite the trendsetter for Southeast Asia in the matter of smoking publically, as most countries haven’t done so.

In very few countries in Asia are there such stringent anti-smoking policies as there are in Thailand.

Bangkok is a large, sprawling city of course. It is technically split up into 50 different districts but these are rarely used in practice. The six major ones are noted here. This is helpful in finding hotels and making travel arrangements.

1. Sukhumvit — The long Sukhumvit Rd road, changing name to Ploenchit Rd and Rama I Rd going west, is Bangkok’s modern commercial core, full of glitzy malls and hotels. The Skytrain intersection at Siam Square is the closest thing Bangkok has to a center. This makes a good meeting point as well for travellers. Most of the western-style hotels are around here as is good shopping.

2. Silom — To the south of Sukhumvit, the area around Silom Rd and Sathorn Rd is Thailand’s sober financial center by day, but Bangkok’s primary party district by night when quarters like the infamous Patpong come alive. Watch out for the lady-boys.

3. Rattanakosin — Between the river and Sukhumvit lies the densely packed “Old Bangkok”, home to Bangkok’s best-known wats (temples). Yaowarat (Chinatown) and sights around the Chao Phraya River are also included here. Bangkok’s backpacker mecca Khao San Road and the surrounding district of Banglamphu are located on the northern part of this area.

4. Thonburi — The quieter west bank of the Chao Phraya River, with many small canals and some offbeat attractions. Not much around here unless you have a lot of time to spend wandering.

5. Phahonyothin — The area around Phahonyothin Road and Viphavadi Rangsit Road is best known for the Chatuchak Weekend Market and the old airport. There are some ratty hotels here – best to avoid them!

6. Ratchadaphisek — The district north of Sukhumvit centered around Ratchadaphisek Rd (aka Asoke) and reaching from Phetchaburi Rd to Lat Phrao. This area has really opened up recently as the new metro line follows Ratchadaphisek road.

Source: wikitravel.org – Used under Creative Commons License

What does Bespoke mean on signs in Thailand?

It took me a while to figure this out.

Bespoke means made-to-order or custom rather than off-the-rack.

Bespoke is a common word in British English, but was dropped from the American English vocabulary long ago.

Countries that are non-English speaking generally use the British English vernacular, and so Thailand has adopted the word bespoke as opposed to the American “custom” or “tailor made.”

Bespoke often refers to clothing, and is used for signs for tailors in Bangkok and other cities in Thailand.

You’ll see references to “bespoke suits” or “bespoke tailors” all over Bangkok.

Signs like this one in the photo are common throughout the cities.

You’ll see lots of advice on the Internet about the best tailors and suits in Bangkok.

First, while you’re there, you definitely SHOULD get a suit or shirts made in Bangkok.

Man or woman, you’ll find excellent quality fabrics, fashionable cuts and high quality tailoring in Bangkok.

DON’T get taken by poor quality tailors though.

There are lots of bad tailors that do substandard work that you could get back home for the same price.

From the major sites like FlyerTalk and others, there are a few recommended choices for good quality tailoring in Bangkok.

Enlever ses Vetements Tailor in Bangkok

Enlever ses Vetements is run by a Thai-American named Louis.

He does EXCELLENT quality work and is quite fashionable in his cuts.

While his prices are a bit high ($500 for a high quality suit with a shirt) you’ll find no more stylish tailor in BKK.

Tramps Tailor in Bangkok

Tramps in OP Place behind The Oriental is known for high quality materials.

Crown Tailor in Bangkok

Crown Tailor in Sukhumvit Road Soi 8 is also known for very high quality suits in Bangkok.

Georges Tailor in Bangkok

Georges on Soi 13 off Sukhumit has good feedback for durable shirts.

Some lesser choices:

Mr Bobby Tailor in Bangkok

Mr Bobby at Raja’s is known for just average work. He caters to foreign tourists, but his prices are lower than the higher-quality tailors.

ANY of the tailors the tuk-tuk drivers take you to are probably poor quality.

They give kickbacks to the tuktuk drivers, so naturally the drivers could care less about quality.

Like the old Bangkok Airport, taxis from Bangkok’s Don Muang Airport are the best option for getting from the airport to Bangkok’s city center.

The estimated driving time in a taxi from Don Muang Airport is around 45 minutes to Sukhumvit.

Driving time in a taxi will take longer if it is rush hour, and could be faster late at night if there is no traffic.

If you have flown through Bangkok airport before, prepare to add 25% to previous estimates for both elapsed time and cost.

Without traffic (late at night, early morning) taxis take around 30 minutes to get to and from Sukhumvit or Asoke (the area around Soi 21 or Ratchadapisek) via the Bang Na-Trat Road.

The meter has been reading around 280 baht, plus 40 for tolls.

For taxis from Don Muang Airport, the travel time in late afternoon (4-ish) to Sukhumvit or Ploenchit hotels (Hyatt, Sheraton, IC) takes anywhere from 45-75 minutes.

The Thailand coup on September 19, 2006 left many people confused about whether it is safe to visit Thailand after the coup.

Since that time, protests in Bangkok have made the city less appealing to visitors as well.

Here is some information about safety while visiting Thailand.

For more recent updates, click here.

1) This coup was bloodless and almost a bureaucratic affair. There was no violence and no civil unrest. Except for the holiday granted the day after the coup, nothing really changed that much.

Protests have become frequent and sometimes violent in recent years, so make sure to take precautions when visiting Bangkok.

2) Flights are unaffected. Flights are all operating on the same schedules.

A new airport opened in Bangkok the week of 28 September 2006. See this link for more info.

3) Things might be even cheaper!

Due to some kneejerk reactions (especially in the Australian press) there have been a lot of holidays in Thailand cancelled, including those to Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai. As such, things are less expensive for those that do visit Thailand.

Check out the usuals like Kayak, Expedia, Priceline, Orbitz, and others to see whether rates have dropped.

The old Don Muang airport (BKK) was recently retired and there is an entirely new, modern airport that has taken its place.

This took place ahead of schedule and caused some confusion, but things are now operating smoothly.

Here are the things you need to know before taking a flight to Bangkok:

1) The new airport is called Suvarnabhumi. This is pronounced really differently – say “sue-wah-na-poom” to the taxi driver (and leave off the last ‘i’ which is silent).

2) The switchover date was 28 Sept 2006: all flights moved to the new airport no later than 28 Sept 2006. However some international and domestic flights moved ahead of time.

3) After the 28th, NO airlines used the old Don Muang airport. It may turn into a large market.

4) Getting a taxi is a pain! The new airport requires a shuttle to go almost 6 kilometers (4 miles) to the taxi stands. This is a major hassle – you’re better off hanging out in the departures and flagging down a taxi driver who just dropped someone off. This way you avoid the airport fees as well as saving the shuttle time.

5) There were some disruptions on the 28th, but the airport is now operating smoothly.

6) Lounges were initially in disarray, but are now organized. Some Bangkok airport lounges were closed, some were operating under different rules.

Good luck! Enjoy the new Bangkok airport and enjoy visiting Thailand!

Currently Thailand is a relatively safe place to visit. If you plan to visit Thailand, make sure to keep informed about the political situation and environmental hazards.

Check your country’s Thai embassy website for full updates on travel advisory warnings for visiting Thailand before you travel.