What's your perfect day and night in Bangkok?

[AlexThompson]

i am coming for the first time next week could not be more excited!  However, I have no idea what neighborhood to stay in or how to spend my days (and nights).  Of course, I have read all your posts voraciously over the years but I have never seen a true FAQ about your experiences.

 

Where do you stay?

Where do you shop?

Where do you go after you check-in?

 

Also, I need to stock up on pharmaceuticals.  Any recommendations for pharmacies and can I get these items easily?

 

Citalopram

Xanax

Viagra

Propecia

 

(You know you're getting old when that's your shopping list.)

[paulsf]

Unfortunately your going to get 50 different answers. No two forum members are alike. Every one has different wants and needs.

[reader]

 

Also, I need to stock up on pharmaceuticals.  Any recommendations for pharmacies and can I get these items easily?

 

Citalopram

Xanax

Viagra

Propecia

 

 

At home, before you leave.

[AlexThompson]

Unfortunately your going to get 50 different answers. No two forum members are alike. Every one has different wants and needs.

 

Oh that's the idea.  A healthy conversation to pick and choose from.  

[DivineMadman]

Others may correct me, but I share the view that Thailand is not the place to stock up on prescription drugs.  

 

FYI The local equivalent of Viagra is Sidegra, which I think is supposed to be quite a bit cheaper (I don't know).  And I have no clue whatsoever if you need a prescription for it.  You might find a pharmacy that might sell it to you.  You do see sidewalk vendors selling some sorts of drugs like Viagra Cialis and maybe others, but I think it's most likely that the drugs are as legit as the Gucci purses being sold by the vendor next door.  

 

If you're visiting Bangkok, the inherited wisdom is to stay in the Silom area.  You could safely expand that to someplace with easy access to the BTS.  If you're looking for something entirely different, I usually direct friends to Loy La Long Hotel right on the river.  It's not practical for sexpat-ing, but it's a gem.

 

I'm a part-year resident, so my perfect day/nights will most definitely not suit you.  For me, a lot depends on whether it's a budget recovery day or not.  A lot of the time I seem to particularly enjoy a morning getting lost somewhere in Bangkok while "exploring", a late afternoon or early evening massage and then dinner with friends and then home to sleep alone.  Blessed quiet solitary sleep.  Other times it's fun drunken evening at "Dancing Isan."  Because I have a few regular "friends", sometimes its just an evening in with street food and watching a bad Thai/Cambodian/Burmese movie (as the case may be), invariably without subtitles, but he  -- whichever "he" it is that evening --  seems to enjoy just staying in.  

 

When out-of-town friends visit BKK I always bring them to a sky bar.  And favorite man-of-the-month gets that treat as well.  

 

For a new visitor I definitely suggest a night or two relaxing at Maxi's for dinner or a drink (or two)  on Soi Twilight and then taking in a show and taking off a guy (or two)  And then other nights head to Soi 4 and most evenings you will be pretty much guaranteed to meet young entrepreneurial gents happy to meet you, ike a cute friend of mine from Cambodia who goes there with other similarly motivated guys to make friends and go dancing at DJ Station - with you!.  A lot lot lot of people seem to like the German restaurant on Soi 4.  Personally I think the "scene" aspect of Balcony or Telephone is more fun.  

 

Stranger Bar has a drag show Thursday evening that I enjoy because it's more like an old NYC East Village show from Pyramid Club than fancy fancy Tiffany Show.  Mixed crowd in a small venue very crowded. 

 

Chatuchak Market should be experienced and then you can decide if you like it or hate it.  You can get anything there.  (Except Xanax, Propecia, etc.    )  THere's JJ Green that's nearby in the evening after the market closes, but probably not for your first trip.  An evening at the Train Market Rachada is less overwhelming and seems to be much more predominantly locals and lots more food.  There's even a gay bar there, although I never see many customers and it is so loud I have never stayed more than  a few minutes. (BTW- It's an open/ooutdoor bar like most of the others there.  It's just gay.)

[Boy69]

Hi Alex

You didn't tell us how long is your vacation at Thailand?

[Jasper]

 

 

THere's JJ Green that's nearby in the evening after the market closes, but probably not for your first trip.

I heard JJ Green night market has been closed from 12 August this year.

[ggobkk]

Sideagra is available at the pharmacy across from Twilight....its in 100 milligram form, definitely less expensive than Viagra.

 

Consider this an addendum to DivineMadman's post which I agree with - I'll be in Bangkok for a week starting next Wednesday and I'll pretty much adhere to his suggested ways to spend my days.  I also stop at Excelsior and have some shirts/slacks made while I'm in Bangkok.

 

This trip, I'll spend the weekend in Pattaya between stays in the capital city.

 

Enjoy your visit.  I'm usually at Maxi's for at least one drink a night.

[vinapu]

 

Where do you stay?

Where do you shop?

Where do you go after you check-in?

 

Also, I need to stock up on pharmaceuticals.  Any recommendations for pharmacies and can I get these items easily?

 

Citalopram

Xanax

Viagra

Propecia

 

 

stay - various hotels walking distance from  Silom area bars , sometimes Malaysia Hotel in soi Ngham Duplee

 

shop - at home , if I need  to buy something it's Family Mart or 7/11, Patpong night market for souvenirs and if something fancy is desired - Silom Complex mall ( I even bought once down filled winter jacket there , still have it)

 

after check -in - if I arrive mid day it's usually Lumpini Park and then walk around sois with bars to see what's new, than Arena for massage

if arriving at night - still walk through deserted Patpong and soi Twilight just to soak in atmosphere and stretch my muscles before retiring to the bed

 

pharmacy - Chula on the stretch of Rama between Suriwong and Silom is often recommended

 

Have fun and please report back how your trip went

[AlexThompson]

Thank you gentlemen, for your extremely thoughtful and wise advice.  I will only be in Beijing for a few days and then off to Koh Samui for a month at a fitness camp!  Very excited to say the least.  I look forward to reporting on my experiences!

[TMax]

I usually arrive at swampy airport mid afternoon and at hotel between 5 - 6:30pm depending on immigration queue and traffic.

 

Where do you stay? Last couple of trips I stayed at The Raya Surawong, previous to that was Tarntawan, both quite reasonable hotels but my preference now is the Raya. Mostly stay in that area because I like it around there more than the Sukhumvit area.

 

Where do you shop? Hmmm different places for different things, MBK mall for clothes etc (also go to the movies there), Siam Paragon (Kinokuniya book store) and Dasa book cafe for books (yes I am a book worm), Foodland to stock up on toiletries, snacks and drinks for the room. Also like to shop at Chatuchak on the weekends

 

Where do you go after you check-in? After check in my new routine is to head out for a massage and some play time with a hot Thai stud, last trip was at Senso and could well become a regular on first day in, if not Senso then Arena can be a good start. After massage and play it's off for a good meal and a few beers (G's Bangkok was the place last trip), then off to Foodland for a quick spot of shopping for those necessities for the room. After that I like to find a quiet place to have a few beers and plan out the next days activities.

 

For medical supplies I go to a pharmacy around the corner on Rama IV, can't think of the name sorry, only need to get blood pressure medication so can't say on any other meds.

[DivineMadman]

I heard JJ Green night market has been closed from 12 August this year.

sad to hear.  it was a fun place to visit.  Where did you hear it was closing?  Such a famous place I would have expected to read about it more.  The sort of thing Coconuts would have made a big deal about.  Not that we should ever rely on the internet, but their website doesn't mention closing.  https://jjgreen.org

[Jasper]

Apparently this newspaper article informs JJ Green market closure although I cannot read Thai.

[farangyai]

My advice to first timers is to stay at hotel in immediate Silom area, such as Tarntawan.  Given you are a newbie and only in BKK for a few days (assuming Bejing is a typo), I would focus on easy access and minimize travel time. 

 

If you arrive late evening, visit Screwboys for intro to the scene. Then get a map of gay bars and try the most talked about ones here on your first full evening.

 

During the first full day have breakfast at hotel, then take BTS to CentralWorld and nearby SiamParagon.  Both also have great movie theaters which are a good place to hang out during the heat of the day and have lunch. If they are too upscale, head to MBK and check out the night market for shopping later near your hotel in Patpong. 

 

Afternoon is good time for a massage. Try out one of the massage places nearby such as Senso in Saladaeng or ones near Tawan or on Silom. All should be within walking distance of your hotel.

 

Late afternoon is a good time to walk at Lumpini.

 

Early evening is a good time to have dinner near the bars on Soi Twilight and relax to watch the guys come to work or have dinner in one of the places on Soi 4.

 

Go to the bars as they open and choose your preference(s) for a visit back at hotel.

 

I would bring your own meds.

 

When out, smile and be friendly, stay cool and relaxed, be upfront and candid about what you want and what you will pay and tip is possible if you are happy. Have fun and enjoy the ride

[DivineMadman]

Apparently this newspaper article informs JJ Green market closure although I cannot read Thai.

I can't read the whole article, and the newspaper fonts make my already sketchy Thai reading skills even more tortured.  But the headlines do look scary.  "D-Day...."  I also checked Pantip and couldn't find anything about JJ Green closing, and I find it simply hard to believe that it's not a more newsworthy event.  Oh well, in any event, the idea of Bangkok losing JJ Green is so sad I am just going to pretend everything is fine.  

 

But advice not to recommend it to others is duly noted.

[Jasper]

Oh well, in any event, the idea of Bangkok losing JJ Green is so sad I am just going to pretend everything is fine.

.

Haha, I wouldn’t worry too much.

Probably those 800 shops would move to nearby vacant land & continue to prosper like nothing changed.

 

Or like everything else in Thailand, these project might get delayed or modified.

Saphan Taksin BTS station expansion work supposed to start in February this year but we still don’t know when.

[reader]

I also checked Pantip and couldn't find anything about JJ Green closing, and I find it simply hard to believe that it's not a more newsworthy event. 

 

As a news fanatic, in total agreement. This certainly qualifies as news. I did a cursory search and came up with zip about closing.

 

So for those unfamiliar with the market, here's a 10-minute POV video that persuades me that something that made Bangkok uniquely Bangkok is no more.

 

[traveller123]

There was a review on Trip Advisor three days ago for JJ Green Night Market (along with other recent reviews)

 

Sorry I don't seem able to paste the link

[AlexThompson]

JJ Green posted today on Facebook.  It seems to be business as usual.

 

https://www.facebook.com/jjgreen59/

[PeterRS]

Oh that's the idea.  A healthy conversation to pick and choose from.  

 

Surely it also depends on your budget? With no limits, I would hop over to the Sukhothai hotel on Sathorn for the best and most extensive breakfast buffet you can find in the city. A little shopping or cruising and then a simple light street stall lunch. By mid afternoon you will be peckish again, so head down to the Mandarin Oriental for its splendid afternoon tea in the Authors Lounge. A light nap followed by cocktails at the Bamboo Chic Bar on the 4th floor of Le Meridien Hotel. then an excellent Thai dinner at Ruen Urai in the Thai-style house at the next door Rose Hotel. After that you will be all set for an evening of revelry in Silom Soi 4, Soi Twilight or wherever takes your fancy. That presumes you have some cash left, though 

[bucky13]

Surely it also depends on your budget? With no limits, I would hop over to the Sukhothai hotel on Sathorn for the best and most extensive breakfast buffet you can find in the city. A little shopping or cruising and then a simple light street stall lunch. By mid afternoon you will be peckish again, so head down to the Mandarin Oriental for its splendid afternoon tea in the Authors Lounge. A light nap followed by cocktails at the Bamboo Chic Bar on the 4th floor of Le Meridien Hotel. then an excellent Thai dinner at Ruen Urai in the Thai-style house at the next door Rose Hotel. After that you will be all set for an evening of revelry in Silom Soi 4, Soi Twilight or wherever takes your fancy. That presumes you have some cash left, though 

What's still amazing, however, is that all this "luxury" still costs a fraction of the same delights in the West !!

[sglad]

Surely it also depends on your budget? With no limits, I would hop over to the Sukhothai hotel on Sathorn for the best and most extensive breakfast buffet you can find in the city. A little shopping or cruising and then a simple light street stall lunch. By mid afternoon you will be peckish again, so head down to the Mandarin Oriental for its splendid afternoon tea in the Authors Lounge. A light nap followed by cocktails at the Bamboo Chic Bar on the 4th floor of Le Meridien Hotel. then an excellent Thai dinner at Ruen Urai in the Thai-style house at the next door Rose Hotel. After that you will be all set for an evening of revelry in Silom Soi 4, Soi Twilight or wherever takes your fancy. That presumes you have some cash left, though 

 

Yikes!  A grand buffet, street food, a rich afternoon tea, cocktails and a full Thai meal in twelve hours, all while having a leisurely, barely-calorie-burning day in hot and humid Bangkok?  The OP asked for a perfect day, not a pig-out day.  I'm surprised you didn't suggest he finish the day off with a dozen freshly-baked croissants and a large jar of French marmalade! Why do people eat so much when they're not going to need the energy and knowing full well that the bit of sex at the end of the day is going to burn more Baht than calories.

[PeterRS]

 I'm surprised you didn't suggest he finish the day off with a dozen freshly-baked croissants and a large jar of French marmalade!

 

Ghastly idea! Sounds like a hideous hamburger eating contest.

[AlexThompson]

In the Buddhist spirit of this country we all adore, consider asking yourself these questions before posting in the forum...

 

1. Is it kind?

2. Is it true?

3. Is it useful?

[jason1975]

My perfect day and night.

 

Wake up in morning. Breakfast at Foodland Patpong.

 

Take BTS to Central. Watch a movie at Siam Paragon. Lunch and shopping.

 

Take BTS to Chong Nonsi to go to Baan Tewa for massage.

 

Back to hotel room for afternoon nap.

 

Dinner at Maxis and boy watching at Soi Twilight.

 

Watch a show at one of the bars. Pick up a boy to go back to hotel room.

 

If no suitable boy at bar, go to another to find one.