Bangkok Review :)

**Posted this on an online forum so i thought i'll just put it here to share :) **

I just came back from bangkok 2 days ago. The place is as lovely for shopping but super congested, bad smoky hair that you feel like you can't breathe properly after a while outside. But still, i must say that it has been fabulous! I was at Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai for 5 days and 3 days in Bangkok.

LODGING

In BKK, i stayed at Diamond City Hotel. This small, cosy and warm hotel that has a nice lemongrass scent in the air. I love it! The people are friendly and helpful, always willing to provide tips on how to get to attractions and carrying your bags. It is located at the end of a small street and u'll have to walk all the way in (5-10mins) from Asia Hotel. The rooms are very clean, beds are comfortable, bath tubs and towels are provided. Amazingly, cos i travelled with my church group and we have 8 rooms, i realised that all the interior decor of the room and furniture are slightly different! Some rooms are bigger, some smaller, some have wardrobes some don't. Still, all the rooms are clean and nice.

The plus point abt the hotel is that because it is small, it has a warm atmosphere. They have a self service free drinks (orange juice, punch, water) and coffee, tea, hot water and biscuits counter 24hrs. There's a huge flat screen TV at the lounge too.. Breakfast is nice and there's a variety of asian and continental choices (typical breakfast has: Porridge, You Tiao, Toasts, Salad, Noodles, Rice, Veggies, sausage or ham)

It is a 20 minutes walk to MBK and Pratunam Center, but tuk tuk or taxis are about 40baht per trip. All in all, i stayed 2 nights there and i'm very happy with the service for such a price ($50 per night per room) There are abt 2-3 seven eleven within close proximity.

FOOD and SHOPPING

A walk out of the hotel will lead you to roadside stalls selling food, fruits, little knick knacks. Very flavourful atmosphere of night time bangkok. The roadside noodles stall with seats are reeeally good, i swear. Very yummy and cheap at abt 40baht or less. I realized that Thailand eateries always have 4 condiments at the table - sugar, fish maw, green chilli, chilli flakes. And i've learnt that a little bit of sugar really makes everything taste better, it's a combi of sweet and salty that i like. =)

Due to my limited time in Bangkok because its a church mission trip and we have other activities, shopping time is limited to 6-7hrs only. So i've only been to MBK, Platinum Mall and Pratunam Wholesale Mkt.

MBK (Mah Boon Kong in short)

The wholesome mall that sells everything! I love the 199baht shops selling bags and shoes. Some bags are really of poor quality so i didn't buy any except for the Le Sportsac inspired bags. I wish i bought some shoes but the reality is, they don't have my size! Grr. I'm a US 7.5, Charles n Keith 38 and they don't have it. They have limited pieces and sizes. :( In the end, the only stuff i bought at MBK are food (thai mango w glutinous rice dessert at 70baht), 2 Le Sportsac inspired bag and 4 Junkfood inspired tees. Tees are abt 150baht for ladies, 180baht for mens size. Don't go to proper shops, go to the "makeshift" stalls, they're cheaper cos proper shops quoted be 200+ baht per tee.

The only drawback? Its too BIG so make sure u get a mini directory that is available near huge escalators such as the one at L6.

PLATINUM MALL

My FAVOURITE shopping place in BKK but alas, they don't have the junkfood inspired soft tees.I thought of buying more at Platinum or Pratunam but i don't spot any.. very disappointed. Should have bought more at MBK. Instead, dresses and tunics are everywhere (EVERYTHING is embellished with fake gems :S think F21 inspired) and as this is a wholesale mall, they'll only give u a discount if u buy 2 or 3 pieces. In the end, i bought 5 dresses from 130baht to 200baht, everything less than 8bucks :) 3 pairs of shoes (nice wedges fr 230baht, sequin flats at 99baht), 1 huge luggage bag for my NYC trip next year for 1000baht (i bargained. She quoted 1600-1900 or something, and i said if she sells it for 1000 i will buy immediately, and she did).. a handful of bangles that are carved (quite ex, 160-180baht but the workmanship is good) and a few other things.

This has a better food selection than MBK i feel. Japanese set meals at S$3, meatball noodles at S$1.20 and all that, i love the food here. :)

The only drawback, it is VERY hard to bargain here. The people really insist on their wholesale prices. Buy 3 get wholesale price but buy 5 or 6..the price remains :(

PRATUNAM

I hate this place seriously. I was there in the afternoon so maybe thats why it is SO HOT, scorching sun, bad air and terrible ventilation. I saw those 3 for 150baht threadless inspired tees, but i didn't get them cos they are not really slim fitting. Everything here is quite cheap though, cheaper than Platinum but platinum is nicely aircon so i prefer it.

Didn't buy anything, some clothes have bad workmanship and in the end, after spending 30minutes, i headed back to Platinum mall.

EVERYTHING ELSE

I think Bkk airport (the new one) have yummy staff canteen food at super cheap prices!!! Can get a bowl of noodles + dessert for S$2 or less. Must buy the refundable coupons though.

Traffic is bad, worst on friday evenings or weekday evenings when ppl travel to or go home from work.

Tuk Tuks are a must try for short trip! 60baht for 2-3 ppl to seat from Platinum Mall to my hotel. Very fun, the driver was friendly and even helped us to take a pic. But be careful, there are scammers around. Always ask your hotel the av price tuk tuk will cost from the attraction cos when they first approached us, they quoted 100baht and we just walked away.

Chiang Mai have much cheaper stuff!! Bangles are cheaper, shopping is really cheaper, food cheaper too. :D

Hope this review helps, enjoy your trip!

PS: I flew to and fro via Air Asia and i love it! Took 4 flights throughout my trip and the flight attendants are always welcoming, seats are okay and is safe. Why pay more when u can spend the money for shopping? No flight entertainment so bring something to read or do. :) In flight food costs 60baht for 2 Mister Donut + 1 Ovaltine/Coffee. Quite cheap i will say, but do take your meals before u fly.