Best Time To Visit Thailand

Posted on June 14, 2014 by koomatzu

Thailand Seasons

The most comfortable time to visit Thailand is between October and March time. At this time of year, Thailand is at it’s coolest temperature with the least rainfall and humidity. During this time, temperatures tend to stay in the low 30 degrees.

Conversely, April and May are the hottest months to visit, with temperatures often hitting almost 40 degrees. However, tourist prices and hotel costs can be cheaper because it is low season. For some, the hot temperatures can be unbearable in the middle of the day and make it very difficult to do any kind of strenuous sporty activities such as bike tours.

From June to August is the rainy season in Thailand. It’s cooler than the hot season but still warmer than Christmas season. Most days, there is not actually that much rain and it’s quite consistent, usually either rainy storms during the night or heavy rain for an hour during the daytime. However, if you are unlucky, you might experience a fortnight long storm of miserable weather; it’s a bit of a gamble.

Cool Festivals In Thailand

Here is a small list of some of the most fun and interesting festivals and events held throughout Thailand. Most festival dates differ year by year – you may want to check exact dates if you are planning a trip specially around a Thai festival!

Chinese New Year – Late January/ February
Silver Lake Music Fest – Early March
Wat Bang Phra Tattoo Festival – March
Songkran Water Festival – Mid April (13th – 15th)
Hua Hin Jazz Festival – June
Vegetarian Festival – October
Loy Krathong – November (Full Moon)
Big Mountain Music Festival – Early December
Thai Father’s Day (King’s Birthday) – 5th December

Big Mountain Music Festival

Top 5 Markets In Bangkok

Posted on May 10, 2014 by koomatzu

One of the most popular reasons that people come to Bangkok, is for the shopping! Bangkok has some amazing markets, famous for their variety of Street food, cheap knockoffs and pretty ethnic souvenirs.

My best markets in Bangkok offer a great variety of shopping and different atmospheres. If you only have limited time in Bangkok, check out my list:

Best Markets In Bangkok

1: Chatuchak Weekend Market – Bangkok’s Biggest Outdoor Market

Chatuchak Market is by far Bangkok’s most popular market with both tourists and locals – the huge crowds you’ll find flocking to the market on weekends is the perfect proof of it’s greatness as the best market in Bangkok! The market is huge and offers something for everybody: from puppy dog pets and authentic Thai furniture, to the newest Asian trends and bohemian clothes.

The market is made up of both indoor and outdoor sections and it’s easy to get lost for hours within the labyrinth of street stalls – not a popular market with expat men in Bangkok! Despite its popularity with tourists though, the market still manages to keep fair and cheap prices, making it a great place to pick up some fantastic bargains. Be warned though, this crowded, sun-trapped market gets super hot!

2 Asiatique – Riverfront Shopping Village

Reachable via free shuttle boat along the Chao Phraya River, Asiatique is a lovely riverfront market to enjoy an evening of fine dining, boutique shopping and cabaret entertainment. Designed in a modern shopping village layout, this beautiful Bangkok market is strewn with quirky decorations, fairy lights and unique little shops selling handmade jewellery and cheap clothing. You can also enjoy a Ferris wheel ride which gives you a great opportunity to see the Chao Phraya river and the rest of Bangkok city from above.

3 Talad Rod Fai – Vintage ‘Train Market’

Talad Rod Fai is one of Bangkok’s lesser-known markets, mainly popular with young Thais and hipsters of Bangkok. The market has a prominent vintage theme throughout with a nice dose of camper van boot bars and old skool Beetle cocktail hangouts. Shopping is cheap at Talad Rod Fai, however the market also makes a great simple hangout without having to buy anything at all.

Merely enjoying the music at one of the bars, or taking in the antique sights is entertainment enough. This is by far one of Bangkok’s best, most interesting and laid-back markets to check out.

4 Khlong Lat Mayom – Weekend Floating Market

In my opinion, Khlong Lat Mayom is the best market to visit in Bangkok if you are looking to sample all the local delicacies and treats of Thailand. One of the quieter floating markets located on the outskirts of Bangkok, Khlong Lat Mayom offers peaceful boat rides along the canal, charming little trinket shops and, best of all, an abundance of fresh seafood and authentic Thai dishes.

This floating market has a much more subdued and mellow atmosphere compared to other ones, and because of its lack of tourist visitors, items tends to be price tagged and more fairly priced. You can buy anything here from embroidered cushions and handmade crafts, to girly accessories and cheap clothing.

5 On Nut Night Market – Bangkok Beer Garden

One of Bangkok’s smaller night markets, On Nut Market makes for a much more relaxed shopping experience. It even has a little beer garden area where you can enjoy a beer and some cheap food while listening to one of the Thai cover bands. By Bangkok standards, there aren’t many stalls in the market overall, however there is still a great selection of super cheap T-shirts, accessories and knockoff items.

If you’d rather shop at a more quiet market in Bangkok, On-Nut is the best market for you – there is a great choice of food to snack on as well, Thai and international alike!

Where’s your best market in Bangkok? Share your thoughts and drop us a line.

Top 5 Rooftop Bars In Bangkok

Posted on April 26, 2014 by koomatzu

One of my favourite things about Bangkok is that I can actually afford to hang out at cool rooftop bars! And, not to mention, there are a great deal to choose from as well – cheap ones, wow-factor ones, quirky ones… The list goes on!

Of course, if you’re only on holiday in Bangkok for a short amount of time, you can only visit so many rooftop bars during your stay. So here are some of my best rooftop bars in Bangkok for you to choose from…

Top Rooftop Bars In Bangkok

1: Sky Bar – Bangkok’s most famous rooftop bar

I’m sure you’ve probably seen the rooftop bar scene in Hangover 2 – where they meet with an undercover cop at the posh restaurant with unbelievably amazing views over Bangkok city… Well, that’s the Sky Bar! If you are looking for impressive rooftop views, then I highly recommend the Sky Bar, it is the best rooftop bar in Bangkok for the best view.

The Sky Bar isn’t cheap, and it’s not really a place to chill out with a couple of laid-back drinks. I would categorise the Sky Bar more as an attraction, just to admire the amazing view and atmosphere of the second tallest building in Bangkok. It’s a little bit of a rip-off by Bangkok standards, but well worth a visit!

2 The Nest Rooftop Bar – Sophisticated quirkiness with cityscape views

The Sky Bar is a cosy and chilled out rooftop bar, best for couples and groups of friends. My favourite aspect of it has to be the comfortable bed chairs and sandpit floors (much more sophisticated than I am making it sound right now!). With the dark, ambiently lit atmosphere, you could easily spend a romantic date there, cosying up on the pillows in your own private dome chair.

Alternatively, there are also normal tables and chairs with live music and pumping chillout tunes throughout the night – great for enjoying some affordable food, cocktails and beers with friends. The music can be a little too loud to chat, but it still makes for a cool and trendy hangout in Bangkok – although the view is one of the least impressive of all the rooftop bars.

3 Above Eleven – Relaxed & Affordable Rooftop Bar

With it’s quirky interior furnishings of grass patches and tree-shaped pillars, Above Eleven reminds me a little bit of The Nest rooftop bar. It has the creative finishing touches but, in comparison to The Nest, it boasts more impressive cityscape views and an even more casual atmosphere. The background music is a little less disruptive for chatting, so it makes for a more relaxed hangout among friends. And best of all, this sleek Bangkok rooftop bar is highly affordable for both food and drink.

4 Balco Bar – Cheap & Cheerful Riverside Views

The Balco Bar is probably the least tall rooftop bar in Bangkok on my top 5 list here. However it is located right on the Chao Praya River, so you can easily entertain yourself watching the boats go by throughout the night.

The Balco Bar offers the most casual atmosphere of all the rooftop bars and it’s cheap prices attract many local Thais. If you want to experience an authentic Thai evening out, be sure to try the popular Thai style barbecue. The waiter will set up your very own barbecue grill and you will be able to fry your own meat and vegetables – Thai style!

5 The Speakeasy At Hotel Muse – Jazz and vintage goodness

For all vintage lovers and jazz fans, the Speakeasy combines spectacular urban rooftop views with a unique 1920s theme. The great range and quality of cocktails is where this rooftop bar shines though – the expert staff can mix you all kinds of cocktails from old school mixings to custom combinations. The outer rooftop bar itself is set out like a vintage lawn, complete with fake grass, cosy floor lamps and comfortable sofas. Jamjar cocktail glasses and jazz tunes in the background add all the finishing touches to make this a unique and special rooftop bar.

Which is your best rooftop bar in Bangkok? We’d love to hear – drop a comment below to let us know your top rooftop bar!

Live Music In Bangkok

Posted on April 5, 2014 by koomatzu

After living in Thailand for a while, you might discover that live music in Bangkok is slightly lacking in variety. There’s plenty of Thai pop music and mediocre cover bands to see, but it takes a little extra effort to search out other live music genres in Bangkok. Don’t get me wrong, a bit of chilled out Thai pop music can be quite nice, but sometimes you just want to mix it up a bit with other varieties of live music.

Here are a couple of the best live music venues I’ve found in Bangkok – I’ve tried to cover a range of different music genres for different tastes.

Best Live Music In Bangkok

1: The Rock Pub – Rock tunes and alternative music

You can find some really good live bands at the Rock Pub. Furnished in the style of a rock-style Castle, this Bangkok venue has some great resident bands such as the Green Day cover band St Jimmy. The best bands that play at the Rock Pub seem to be the most under-appreciated in Bangkok though, and it’s the not-so-rockin’ bands that seem to draw in the bigger Thai crowds. Sometimes I wonder if the pumped up crowds headbanging to some of the soppy so-called rock bands are actually taking the piss or not. The pub is still definitely worth a visit for fans of punk, grunge and heavy metal… most of the time anyway.

2 The Saxophone Pub – Laid-back jazz

The casual Saxophone Pub is a highly popular live music jazz pub frequented by both expats and Thai locals of all ages. This buzzing live music venue is nearly always busy, with lively atmosphere. The Saxophone Pub tends to play primarily energetic swing jazz and blues, and has a cozy, traditional pub atmosphere – a casual pub to simply enjoy good music.

3 The Iron Fairies – Jazz wine bar

Another jazz bar in Bangkok, the Iron Fairies is a less casual and more dressed up alternative to the Saxophone Pub. It’s a little more expensive compared to the Saxophone Pub and has a more quirky, unique atmosphere. Again, you’ll find cover bands of swing jazz playing at the Iron Fairies on an interesting stage which is separated on it’s own floor; singers energetically perform from the gothic-industrial spiral staircase that connects it to the bar floor. If you’d prefer a jazz bar with a younger crowd and more sophisticated ‘wine bar’-edge, then check out the Iron Fairies live music venue in Bangkok.

4 The Raintree – Authentic Thai folk music

The Raintree is a lesser-known Bangkok live music venue, popular with Thai locals of all ages. If you are keen to listen to some authentic Thai folk and country music then this is the place to go. The Raintree Pub has a rustic atmosphere reflective of its country style, complete with buffalo horns and driftwood furnishings. Not to mention that it has cheap beer on tap…

5 Tawandeng German Brewery – Popular Thai pop performances

Tawandeng is another lesser-known Bangkok live music venue, highly popular with both local Thais and expats in the know. In fact, despite it’s huge size, Tawandeng Brewery is so popular that you often need to book ahead for a table. With a massive stage and gigantic seating area, this music venue seems to be a place for special nights out and celebrations. A visit to Tawandeng Brewery provides an authentic insight into modern Thai entertainment of cabaret style shows, magic acts and pop performances.

6 The Overtone – Live Indie music for the younger crowd

Apparently the Overtone has recently been renamed to Mello Yello and has taken on a main jazz theme since my last visit. However whenever I have been to watch live music in the past, the Overtone has mainly played live popular acoustic Indie music and modern spins on classic hit cover songs. The venue is situated along the RCA, a popular nightlife road among young Thais and students, so the bar is ideal for those looking for a younger atmosphere. It may be worth checking out the Mello Yello Facebook page to see exactly what bands are playing, as I think they cover a wide range of live music genres.

Best Beaches In Thailand

Posted on March 29, 2014 by koomatzu

Which beach in Thailand?

Whether you’re hoping for postcard-perfect famous movie beaches, backpacker party islands, family-friendly beach resorts, laid back island getaways or simply Thai beaches that are easy to get to, there are beach resorts in Thailand to suit everybody’s preferences. I’m not a seasoned beach expert from Thailand, but I think I’ve at least been to enough beaches in Thailand to give my own rough guide on which beach is best for who.

Thailand Beach Guide

Beaches near Bangkok

Hua Hin

Okay, it’s important to know that Hua Hin does not have the best beaches in Thailand. If you’re looking for paradisal, soft white sand beaches like in all the holiday brochures, then I don’t recommend Hua Hin for you. The skyscraper backdrop and brownish sands of the main Hua Hin beach in particular makes it far from one of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand (but hey, it does have some tough competition). But! I’d say that Hua Hin is by far the one of the easiest of beach resorts to get to from Bangkok. It’s located on the mainland about a two hour drive from Bangkok – no annoying ferry transfers and no expensive flights necessary.

Because of it’s mainland location, Hua Hin has plenty of excursions available and is within easy access to popular places like Kanchanaburi and Bangkok, plus a nice variety of waterfalls, temples and attractions. The beaches are still ok too, with plenty of sports and things to do available. Perhaps one of Hua Hin’s best attributes, is it’s more relaxed and honest atmosphere in comparison to the heavily tourist trap vibe that is so prevalent in most of the other Thai beach resorts. Hua Hin is relatively free from the sleazy bars and sex tourism of Thailand – this makes it a lot more pleasant for families and couples etc.

Koh Samet

Just a 2 or 3 hour journey away from Bangkok, the hugely underrated island of Koh Samet is perfect for purely sitting back, relaxing and doing nothing! It’s a tiny little island so there isn’t much to do in the way of attractions and activities, but there are still plenty of bars, restaurants and beaches – great as a getaway for Thai expats, or as a break from sightseeing for tourists.

Popular with Bangkok locals, Koh Samet – similarly to Hua Hin – boasts much less of a tourist trap atmosphere and is super laid back. In fact, Koh Samet is my personal favourite beach resort in Thailand. Not only is it easy to get to and chilled out, but it also has some really beautiful, soft white sand beaches – skyscraper free too.

Pattaya

I’ve never been to Pattaya, it doesn’t really appeal to me. Pattaya is mainly famed for it’s attraction of sexpats as it has a crap load of gogo bars and stuff like that. But it’s by the beach too! A sexpat paradise! However, I really don’t think Pattaya would be an ideal beach resort for couples, families or groups of friends looking for cool parties. Super close to Bangkok though – just a 90 minute drive away.

Koh Chang

Koh Chang is the second biggest island in Thailand and still reasonably close to Bangkok. It takes about 4 or 5 hours to get there via bus and ferry, or you can fly direct from Bangkok. Again, Koh Chang doesn’t seem overly touristy so you’re not as prone to getting ripped off or feeling like a walking money sign. This also has the added bonus of making it easy to get around, despite it’s large size, because of the cheapness of songtaew taxis.

There are plenty of activities and attractions such as waterfalls and zip wires, and the white sandy beaches to the western side are very pretty. Koh Chang has something for everyone – backpacker beaches and clubs; gogo bars in the ‘Little Pattaya’ area (but easily avoided); quiet little fishing village hideaways to escape the crowds; and family-friendly restaurants on the main beachfront.

Eastern Coast

Located on the eastern side of southern Thailand, these islands take a really long time to get to if you’re not flying. You can catch a coach or train to the islands, however this takes between 8 and 12 hours and is not a comfortable journey. Coaches there are usually only frequented by backpackers and hardened travelers on a budget. These three islands are pretty good for a bit of Thailand island hopping.

Koh Samui

Koh Samui is one of the more famous islands in Thailand and hence a little spoilt by tourism for some. Taking a coach from Bangkok to these islands, I can’t help but feel like some kind of dopey farm animal being herded around by shouty Thais – it just seems to have a slightly fake and money driven vibe. It’s not that bad though, and you can still easily escape this if you stay away from the main strip.

There is plenty to do on Koh Samui for holiday makers of all backgrounds – walking streets, water sports and day tours – plus it has some lovely beaches. The island is relatively big and the roads in good condition, so it’s very easy to rent a scooter to get around yourself. It’s also big enough to avoid the sleazy areas. Good all-rounder island.

Koh Phangnan

Koh Phangnan is a slightly more adventurous alternative to Koh Samui. Much smaller and with more wild, jungle landscapes, it’s ideal for both nature lovers and backpackers. Koh Phangnan is mostly renowned for it’s famous full moon parties and crazy backpacker parties so it tends to attract mostly younger travelers with a mission to get totally off their faces.

It’s good fun to explore the winding, overgrown roads on a moped though, or search around for hidden secluded beaches. Koh Phangnan has some of the most beautiful beaches and is perfect for a care free holiday for groups of friends, solo travelers or couples.

Koh Tao

Koh Tao – the diver’s island. People mainly go to Koh Tao either to join a diving school, or to get drunk and party. It’s a little more laid back than Koh Phangnan and with less under-20 year old backpackers and more drunken divers of all ages. Again, it’s quite a care free island to hang out with a group of friends or meet people as a solo traveler. Despite it’s small size there is still loads of fun nightlife.

Despite it’s reputation as an unspoilt Thai island though, I think Koh Tao is still quite touristy – it even has a bit of a tuk tuk cartel going on. I was always under the impression that Koh Tao had the best beaches in Thailand too, but it’s no better than Koh Samui or Koh Phangnan in this respect. In particular, the main beach is very disappointing and completely littered with rubbish. You can still find very beautiful beaches in Koh Tao though, don’t get me wrong.

I think it’s important to know that Koh Tao does not have the most beautiful, clear water conditions for diving either. This is a misconception. Apparently it is the best island for diving simply because of it’s abundance of diving schools – not the conditions.

Western Coast

Phuket

Phuket is a huge island, home to some of the best beaches in Thailand. Phuket boasts the famous Phang Nga bay, known as James Bond island, a highly popular excursion among tourists. Here, you will find picture perfect scenes right out of the brochure; however this has also made it very touristy and it’s hard to escape the crowds and the tack from the resorts.

If you don’t mind the crowds and tack – go for it; if you hate crowds and tack – track down the quieter areas of Phuket like Kata, you might still enjoy the powder white sand beaches. It’s a big island with decent roads, so it’s still possible to explore lesser known places by moped. You might have to sacrifice seclusion in Phuket, but you’ll get to see some of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand.

Phi Phi

I’m not going to lie: I haven’t been to Koh Phi Phi yet. But Koh Phi Phi is reputed to have the most beautiful beaches in Thailand. You don’t need to go there to recognize it’s famous scenes from movies like The Beach. So I hear, it’s recent fame in Hollywood movies has attracted heavy tourism which often spoils people’s experiences. I personally reckon that it would still be less touristy than Phuket but it’s best not to expect completely secluded and unspoilt beaches to avoid disappointment.

Of course there are loads more beaches and islands in Thailand that I’ve not included in this guide. But for all the main Thai beaches and islands, I hope this helps in deciding which beach is right for you.

Bangkok Nightlife Area Guide

Posted on October 5, 2013 by koomatzu

Where to find the nightlife spots of Bangkok? Here is a breakdown of all the main nightlife areas of Bangkok:

Khaosan Road Nightlife Bangkok

Good for: Letting loose, hooking up with backpackers

Budget: $ – e.g. 280 baht for a bottle of Sangsom

There are tonnes of bars on Khaosan Road, mainly more geared towards tourists and foreigners. This can be both a good and a bad thing – it’s a place that will make most people feel overdressed, where you can let go and party to your heart’s content; music genres are a little more suited to western tastes but it can also be a little too touristy and crazy for some.

Among foreigners, Khao San Road is the most renowned nightlife area in Bangkok and it is a must visit at least once. It can be a bit douchebaggy at times, but it can still be a really good laugh, and the bars are reasonably priced because they’re used to dealing with young travellers and hippies.

Khaosan Road Bars

It’s pretty easy to just head to Khaosan Road or it’s adjacent road Rambuttri road and randomly tackle the crazy amount of bars. Bombay Blues is an interesting Indian restaurant with an underground bar and rooftop terrace serving shisha. Downstairs on Saturdays, there is a DJ who plays bollywood tunes.

The Brick Bar (look for Buddy Lodge and McDonalds) is one of the few bars on Khaosan Road which is popular with local Thais as well. The atmosphere is upbeat and they play live ska music complete with patrons skanking on the tables. Check out Brown Sugar,

Music and nightclubs on Khaosan Road

The Club is the most popular underground nightclub on Khaosan road and you can find it by looking it for a neon blue sign with a red octopus on it. Prices are super cheap, entry is free, it’s flip flop friendly and the atmosphere is full of pumped, backpackers dancing to techno, trance and house music.

RCA Nightlife Bangkok

Good for: An authentically cool, Thai night out

Budget: $$$ – e.g. 150 baht for a cocktail

RCA, short for Royal City Avenue, is a long road devoted to clubs, bars and live music for young Thai students and hipsters of Bangkok. You could describe the RCA as a chilled out, cool Thai equivalent of Khaosan Road, without so much of the craziness and loutishness of the drunken tourists. Clubs and bars at RCA are typically Thai style and different to the western standard, with open fronts and half the seating stretching outside onto the streets.

The nearest MRT is Petchaburi but it is a little too far to walk from here. The best way is to get a taxi – most drivers will know when you say RCA (and if you are farang, they will probably giggle). Just make sure to bring ID, no matter how old you are, you may get turned away at the door of some clubs otherwise. Also, don’t get to the RCA before 9pm at the earliest, the action and the live music don’t start until late there.

RCA Bars

When tackling Bangkok’s RCA, the best way to start is to just head there and pick a bar that suits you – there are so many of them after all. Some particularly cool bars at RCA though, are Cosmic Cafe, Taksura and Overtone. Cosmic Cafe and Taksura play host to some great indie live music and cover bands. The Overtone is a grungey, alternative style bar with live bands and a younger crowd of black-adorned music fans.

Nightclubs at RCA

Slim & Flix has a great mixture of music going on. The building is divided into separate parts: one area dedicated to R&B and hip hop, another section playing trance and drum n bass, and another lounge with live music performances. Route 66 is another renowned club at RCA worth checking out. Route 66 is equally huge, with half of the club stretching outside and young Thai clubbers dancing around the tables to dance and hip hop genres.

Nana, Soi 11 Nightlife Bangkok

Good for: Affordable rooftop bars and the big clubs of Bangkok

Budget: $$$ – e.g. Between 60 baht for a bottle of beer to 300 baht for a cocktail

Bangkok’s famous Nana Soi 11 is a peculiar combination of trendy, touristy and sleazy… You’ll get hassled by Tuk Tuk drivers, find yourself mobbed by prostitutes on the side streets of Nana Plaza (on the opposite side of Sukhumvit Road to Nana Soi 11) or be turned away from the mammoth nightclubs for being underdressed…

Nana Soi 11 has a bit of everything for everyone though: Laid back, cheap bars; pop-up streetwalk bars serving customers out of vans; sophisticated rooftop bars; chilled out live music and blues venues; and crazy, VIP nightclubs. All the bars and clubs are conveniently clustered together and the clientele of Nana Soi 11 are mainly Bangkok expats and tourists. You can get to Soi 11 by taking the BTS to Nana, it is only a couple of hundred metres from the station.

Nana Soi 11 Rooftop Bars

The rooftop bars in Nana Soi 11 are definitely worth checking out. Nest Rooftop Bar is a cool, dimly lit bar with cosy bed-chairs, sandy beach floors and live music during the later hours. Above 11 is a little quieter that Nest Rooftop Bar making it more suited for chatting with friends. Both rooftop bars are very showy with quirky decorations and creative finishing touches. They have great views and are a reasonable price for rooftop bars in Bangkok.

Bars on Nana Soi 11

Cheap Charlies is a laid back, quirky outdoor pub hidden down one of the side streets of Nana Soi 11. It’s very popular among expats who head there for some cheap pre-drinks before hitting the nightclubs later on. The bar is kitted out with old American-Western style decor and is a unique place to sit outside and watch the lively street from.

The Alchemist Bar is also worth a visit for those looking for a little more sophistication in their evening. Drink prices are a little higher – maybe around 200 baht per drink – but it plays some a good selection of live music in cool surroundings that aren’t too pretentious. You can find the Alchemist Bar just past Cheap Charlies down the side street on the left hand side of Soi 11.

If you walk all the way down Nana Soi 11 and follow the road to the left hand side, you’ll find a great selection of trendy bars, expat pubs and live music being played.

Nightclubs on Nana Soi 11 Road

Nana Soi 11 probably has the largest selection of nightclubs in Bangkok. Levels, next to the Angel Diner on Soi 11’s left hand side, is one of the most popular and mainstream of the clubs among expats on Soi 11. Insanity is perhaps the seediest of the Nana clubs. Located on Soi 12 and attached to a dingy American diner, it is mostly suited to expat and tourist men who are on the prowl for Thai freelance prostitutes. Insanity is your typical, kind of tacky, nightclub with lots of lasers and loud House and Techno music.

Bash tends to be the Bangkok nightclub that people visit in the later hours of the night. With no official closing time, Bash stays open when everywhere else has closed. Still relatively new, it plays a good mix of R&B and hip hop tunes. You’ll find Bash on the left hand side of Soi 11 next door to an Australian pub – it’s best to go later in the night after midnight at the earliest.

Q Bar is more of a VIP nightclub on Nana Soi 11, it’s located at the quieter end of the main road opposite Le Fenix and Nest. The music at Q Bar is a little lighter and easier to dance too, music genres are different depending on the DJ but House and Hip Hop are commonly played. Q Bar is a nightclub to dress to impress and is reported to attract a lot of celebrities who visit Bangkok. Entry costs 600 baht, however this high price creates an ambient, chic and mature atmosphere due to it’s selective crowd of people. From another point of view, some people describe Q Bar as a kind of arrogant, ‘fake VIP’ club of Bangkok.

Perhaps two of the most hailed nightclubs of all in Bangkok are Narz and Glow. Located some distance away from Nana Soi 11 near Cowboy Road on Soi 23, these two nightclubs are all about the music. With bass-heavy beats, dim lighting and a laid back attitude, these are the clubs for some serious dancing and bass appreciation in Bangkok.

Thonglor Nightlife Bangkok

Good for: Sophisticated bars, wine & dining

Budget: $$$$ – e.g. 280 baht for a cocktail

Thonglor soi 55 is the place for the trendy, the sophisticated and the wealthy. Nightlife is a little more spread out around Thonglor in comparison to the other nightlife areas of Bangkok. Choc-full of elegant restaurants, stylish bars and contemporary complexes, Thonglor is not for people looking for nightlife on a budget in Bangkok.

For a sleek and upscale night out in Bangkok, fashionably dressed to the nines and a mature glass of wine with friends, Thonglor is a perfect choice. People in Thonglor tend to be wealthy and refined, both Thai and local expats.

Bars in Thonglor

Notable bars in Thonglor include the unconventional, vintage bars such as Iron Fairies, an ominous, dimly lit bar furnished in the style of a fairy-filled, olden day blacksmith, and Shades Of Retro, a cool hipster bar/ antique furniture shop. Witches Tavern is another quirky, interesting bar & Italian restaurant offering free all-you-can-eat pizzas on Fridays.

For some more fashionable and contemporary wining and dining, make sure to check out Seen Space Thonglor, a small and slick complex with many sophisticated bars and restaurants. Some of the bars and eateries inside include Mr Jones’ Teddy Bear Orphanage, Roast Coffee Bar & Restaurant, Brew Beer & Ciders and Fatr Gut’z. Wine Republic, found around soi 10, is a simple, airy and spacious bar with modern background music and a laid back atmosphere. Club Nove, situated on Soi 9, is a very classy wine & tapas bar.

Live music & Nightclubs in Thonglor

Soi 10 is perhaps the best road to find Thonglor’s nightlife, these nightclubs attract a predominantly Thai crowd of people so make a good area to explore some of the real Bangkok nightlife. In keeping with Thonglor’s ‘hi-so’ vibe, the clubbers here tend to be all the beautiful, upper class folk – you can even spot a couple of Thai celebrities if your lucky.

So, for some standard house and dance music, head to Demo nightclub on Thonglor Soi 10, a New York graffiti filled, loft style club with a warehouse mood. Demo tends to attract a cool and sophisticated crowd of people, more mature and chilled out than the younger students who party next door at Funky Villa. It has a very cool interior, however it does charge a ‘farang fee’ – Thais go free but foreigners must pay 400 baht entry… Screw you Demo!

Muse, also on Soi 10, attracts a younger clientele and primarily hosts live music performances and gigs. It gets super crowded on Saturdays, so much so that you can barely move let alone dance. The good news though, is that entry is free to everyone! Racism free at Muse – Yay!

On Nut Nightlife Bangkok

Good for: Casual, Thai style beers

Budget: $ – e.g. 100 baht for a pint of Chang

On nut is not one of the key nightlife areas of Bangkok, it is not lined with fancy bars, expat pubs and pumping nightclubs like some of the other more popular and busy nightlife areas of Bangkok. However, there is an awesome night market in On nut which is well worth a visit for both shopping and chilled out socialising after work.

Bars in On Nut

On nut night market has a cosy area (very small by Bangkok’s market standards) of some very cheap clothing stalls (mainly for girls). However half of the market consists of a bar and food area with a live music stage and some very cheap beer. The bar area is under the protective cover of a tent like structure with plenty of food stalls perched around the outside with a choice of Japanese, Thai food, desserts and pancakes.

Despite worryingly coming from what appears to be an unrefridgerated cart, the sushi is very good and reasonably priced at only 120 baht per set. Beers cost from 40 baht per bottle to 100 baht per pint and they also sell beer towers. The atmosphere is very casual, a bit grimy, with Thai bands playing later in the evening. Head along to On Nut BTS after dark and simply follow the lights and the music.

Ekamai Nightlife Bangkok

Good for: Cool Thai atmosphere, chilled out bars

Budget: $$$ e.g. Cocktails at 160 baht

As with Thonglor, bars and clubs of Ekamai are rather spread out so you need to know where to go in advance before spontaneously turning up for drinks. Ekamai road (soi 63) provides a real, authentic experience of modern Thai nightlife. Foreigners don’t tend to frequent so many of the bars in Ekamai but it instead attracts mostly cool, young Thais.

Typical atmospheres at the bars in Ekamai lean towards the chilled out side with Thai acoustic music and cozy settings. Many of the hangouts in Ekamai offer a unique charm and quirkiness, it provides a nice break from the overly touristy, louder areas of Bangkok such as Nana and Khaosan Road.

Bars in Ekamai

Banrie Coffee is a very popular beer garden just off BTS Ekamai, on the corner of Sukhumvit 63. Drinks are cheap, food is great and there is live music throughout the night. Open 24 hours a day, the setting of Banrie coffee is relaxed and cosy with plenty of fairy lights illuminating the garden surroundings.

There is a particularly interesting and laid back cluster of bars around the soi 21 area of Ekamai Road Bangkok. Moose bar and the Tuba bar are located right next to each other on soi 21. Tuba bar is a quirky and casual hangout and part-time vintage furniture shop, it has some cool memorabilia decorations.

Moose bar is a slightly trendier and sleeker place but still with personality and a cool, chilled atmosphere. Just down the main road from the Moose Bar and the Tuba, you can find the Owl School pub, another quirky and cool hangout with live music and a cosy, small bar.

Live music & nightclubs in Ekamai

Nung len is a live music bar between soi 5 and soi 7 of Ekamai Road and is a popular hangout for all the trendy Thai locals of Bangkok. Booze Club (Ekamai soi 7) is reasonably priced, plays mainly hip hop music and has live DJs every night. Y50 Pub on Ekamai soi 21 is a chilled out bar come vintage furniture shop which has it’s own house jazz band and a DJ on Wednesdays.

We-Za, between soi 21 and soi 23, is a casual, small Thai style nightclub with loud music and cheap beer. Sonic, on the main road near soi 10, is one of the bigger, more well known clubs of Ekamai. It attracts a mixture of foreigners and local hipsters. It plays a variety of indie music, dance music and live music with different rooms and an outdoor terrace for different genres and DJs. Escobar is another popular club with trance, house and hip hop on the weekends.

Sonic, near Ekamai soi 10

Bangkok Shoe Shopping Guide

Posted on September 27, 2013 by koomatzu

If you want to buy some specific kind of shoes in Bangkok – cheap shoes, sexy shoes, designer shoes or sports sneakers – look no further than my Bangkok shoe shopping guide.

I also have guides for clothes shopping, souvenir & gadget shopping, and a general guide on the malls and markets of Bangkok.

Where to buy cheap shoes in Bangkok

If you’re looking to buy dirt cheap shoes in Bangkok, then look no further than the stalls on the Bangkok streets. The street walks and markets in most of the busier areas of Bangkok will sell some really cheap shoes, flip flops starting at around 30 baht a pair and office shoes, ballet pumps or high heel shoes costing from 199 baht.

The busy streets of Bangkok areas such as Silom, Saphan Taksin, Victory Monument, Siam and Pratunam will have some of the best selections. Many of these super cheap shoes on the Bangkok streets aren’t particularly stylish or cool though, and comfort may be a problem as well – particularly if you have wider feet. If you just need a quick, cheap pair of shoes for a costume or interview though, these places definitely serve this purpose.

In Silom, search along the main streetwalks around Sala Deng BTS on an evening. At Saphan Taksin, check out Charoen Krung Road around the BTS and central pier area – there is a small, particularly good shop for cheap flip flops right next to the BTS station, just across the road from the songtaews. Head to Siam after around 7pm and you’ll find street stalls opposite Siam Paragon and many more up Ratchadamri Road next to Central World.

For some better quality, good value shoes in Bangkok, I highly recommend the shops Footin and Bata. You can find these shops in many of the more local Bangkok shopping complexes as well as The Mall Thapra in Talat Phlu, and the MBK at National Stadium. Bata in particular sells some comfortable, decent sports trainers for between 500 and 1000 baht while Footin sells a great range of cute, sturdy and comfortable sandals and flip flops from 199 baht per pair.

Another cheap place to try for better quality shoes in Bangkok is Siam Square. Siam Square have a variety of shoe shops selling high heels, pretty sandals and cool sneakers. You can buy colourful, handmade leather heels for 750 baht, fashionable Thai ladies shoes from 250 baht, and second hand, big brand shoes for around 200 baht a pair.

Where to buy cool high heel shoes in Bangkok

As above, for some cheaper high heel shoes in Bangkok, head yourself down to MBK or The Mall Thapra where you can buy some decent heels from Footin and Bata. For those looking for something a little more expensive, fashionable and with more of a WOW factor, the designer shops at Siam Center stock some really awesome designs.

You’ll find the bold designs of Villain SF on the first floor, Havaianas, Steve Madden and the slightly more affordable VNC on the second floor. In my opinion, Siam Center is by far the coolest place to shop in Bangkok for ladies shoes. Shoe prices vary from around 1000 baht to 20000 baht per pair, maybe less if you’re lucky enough to catch a good sale.

Where to buy cool trainers/ sneakers in Bangkok

Siam Square in central Bangkok is home to many indie boutiques and Thai fashion shops. You can find some cool, alternative sneaker/ trainers from both international and Thai brands costing anything up to 10000 baht per pair. Check out Sneaka Villa in Soi 2 Trendy Zone – you can find the stairs inside a small shop called London Brown, Sneaka Villa is just on the 2nd floor.

Also nearby Sneaka Villa is Humankind Factor on the second floor of the Lido Theatre near Soi 2, and INFRD (also on Soi 2). On the next main road, Soi 1, you can find the Outcast Store, and the king of all sneaker shops, Vii Athletic Club. As well as some really unique and awesome Thai brand sneakers, you’ll find a good range of Vans, Adidas, Nike, Converse and Reebok in most of these shops.

In particular, Bangkok’s Vii Athletic Club has a huge choice of cool, pimpin’ design sneakers for both men and women, plus a few t-shirts, hats and accessories. It sells New Balance, Supra, Vans, Converse, Adidas, Nike, Nike 6.0, Mad Foot, Victim of Vanity plus a whole second floor dedicated purely to sports shoes. This is my favourite sneaker shop in Bangkok – hands down. Sneaker prices range from 2000 baht up to nearly 10000 baht.

I’ve not visited myself, but Superrzaaap!! just on Soi 9 apparently has a decent stock of sneakers in Bangkok as well.

Humankind Factor

MBK shopping mall is another useful place to shop in Bangkok for big brand trainer and sneaker shops, with various sneaker shops scattered throughout. Keep your eyes peeled for Genesis which sells some awesome designs. For sports shoes on a budget at the MBK, Bata sells decent, basic sports trainers for less than 1000 baht.

For those who don’t mind the concept of second hand shoes, there are few markets with large sections dedicated to used trainers such as Converse, Vans and Nike. Chatuchak weekend market in Bangkok has a particularly huge section selling second hand sneakers, or you might like to try the Train Market and street stalls of Siam (try around the Pratunam area where the river meets the Ratchadamri Road – Petchaburi road intersection). Again, Siam Square has a few small shops scattered around that sell small selections of cool, second hand sneakers.

Bangkok Clothes Shopping Guide

Posted on September 18, 2013 by koomatzu

Looking for cheap clothes, bargain designer brands, knock offs like Armani and Hollister fashions, or plus size clothing in Bangkok? For specific shopping needs in Bangkok, check out my shopping guide below.

Alternatively, click here for a guide on typical Thailand shopping prices or learn more about particular areas mentioned below in Bangkok Markets or Bangkok shopping malls.

Clothes Shopping In Bangkok

Where to buy cheap, affordable clothing in Bangkok…

For shopping on a budget in Bangkok, one of the cheapest markets to go clothes shopping is Pratunam, a wholesale clothes market. Most of the sellers in Bangkok buy their stock from Pratunam market so you can at least be sure that you’re getting a bargain, although it is much cheaper to buy in bulk at Pratunam market.

You can find Pratunam market near Baiyoke tower on Petchaburi Road, prices typically range from 100 – 250 baht for clothing such as cardigans, leggings, printed t-shirts, colourful dresses, harem trousers, vest tops and shirts. It’s mainly better for women, there aren’t so many men’s clothes around Pratunam.

Pratunam Market

Another very popular market for cheap clothes shopping in Bangkok is Chatuchak, just off of Mo Chit BTS station. Chatuchak has pretty much everything including Bohemian, indie and Thai fashion styles of clothing, accessories and shoes; prices range from just 150 baht to 250 baht per item of clothing.

You know it’s a cheap place to shop in Bangkok when all the locals shop there. To shop where all the young Thai locals shop (sorry chaps, mainly just ladies clothes), be sure to check out the street markets of Siam and On nut. These are both night markets so the best time to visit is sometime after 6pm in the evening. They have everything from hair accessories, shoes for 200 baht, cute Thai fasions, handbags and a few knockoff brands such as Superdry and Hollister.

You can find these cheap bangkok shopping markets at Siam opposite Siam paragon just off Siam BTS and along Petchaburi Road just off Chit Lom BTS. On nut is also easy to find just off of BTS On Nut opposite Tesco Lotus. Prices start from just 30 baht for a muscle vest to 150 baht for a cute, Thai vintage dress.

Thailand is pretty notorious for it’s knockoff clothes, bags, sunglasses, watches and… well, knockoff everything really. Perhaps the best place to go for knockoff brands in Bangkok is the MBK centre. MBK has absolutely loads of knockoff clothing such as Superdry, Billabong, Diesel and Lacoste.

Patpong night market also sells a particularly large selection of knockoffs, however this market can be a little overpriced and a ripoff. You’ll find knock off Raydan and Oakley sunglasses in pretty much all the markets such as Chatuchak and Patpong.

Where to buy mid range clothing in Bangkok…

For some slightly better quality clothes shopping in Bangkok but not too expensive, try out the shopping mall Terminal 21. Ignoring the designer shops on the bottom floor, the upper floors tend to all be small, boutique, indie designer shops and a good majority of them are decent quality, unique and reasonably priced. Terminal 21 is located right at BTS Asoke station complete with signposts to guide you.

Prices range from 250 baht for an individually designed, printed t-shirt to 3000 baht for evening dresses. Terminal 21 is ideal for lovely cocktail dresses, casual indie clothing, cool shoes and accessories. It even has a whole floor for men’s clothing and is laid out with a different country theme on each floor.

Siam Square, directly opposite Siam Paragon at Siam BTS, is a market complex with shops both indoors and outdoors. There are some pretty dress shops, cool sneakers shops, a wealth of shoe shops and some cute indie boutique shops. Prices range from 200 baht to 1000 baht for dresses and other items of clothing. The fancier shoe shops and skater style sneaker shops move up to about 2500 baht but offer some unique and funky buys.

Plenty loads of individual boutique shops to be found in Siam Square

You may also like to check out my post on the shop Warehouse Export, which sells bargain import brands and good quality clothing for between 150 and 450 baht per piece.

Where to buy designer brands in Bangkok…

The most prominent malls for designer brand shopping in Bangkok are Siam Paragon, Siam Center and Central World. Emporium shopping mall at Prom Phong BTS is another popular designer mall, though it is very expensive. Siam Center is a probably the coolest mall in Bangkok; more interesting than the others with distinctive shops, cool high heel shoes, unique sunglasses and a less mall-like atmosphere.

Designer clothes actually tend to be more expensive in Bangkok than in the west, so it’s best not to be under the illusion of finding bargains while on holiday in Bangkok. However Zen, a department at Central World, tends to have sales on frequently making the brands there a little more affordable. If you’re looking for some massive designer brand sale bargains, Amarin Plaza at BTS Chit Lom almost constantly has some sort of event on it’s ground floor from Billabong to Nike to Karen Miller, and many other brand sales of up to 90% discounts.

Where to buy plus size clothes in Bangkok…

For larger, plus size clothes shopping in Bangkok, Patpong Night Market may be a good option to try. Mainly for men, in particular they offer shorts with a larger waste size for westerners. Alternatively, there is a very specific chain of shops in Bangkok called Warehouse Bilberry which sells clothing up to plus size XXL for both men and women. Prices are very reasonable and good quality as well, starting at around 220 baht for a dress or shirt.

Where to buy men’s clothing in Bangkok…

I feel for men in Bangkok… shops, markets and malls are very much geared towards the female shopper in Bangkok. However, there are some very cool shorts and t-shirts for sale at Chatuchak market and Baiyoke Tower. If you head to the fourth floor of Baiyoke tower, there are some really cool T-shirt designs with parody Star Wars prints and many other designs from around 200 baht.

Shopping at Baiyoke Tower in Bangkok is even better if you are planning on buying a few things as they have some good wholesale deals. They also have some cool shorts with interesting and colourful designs. Similarly, Chatuchak market also has a good range of T-shirts, trainers (sneakers whatever) and shorts with a great choice of both indie, bohemian and Thai style designs.

Because of Chatuchak market’s sheer size compared to Baiyoke Tower, there is much more choice and prices start from around 150 baht for a T-shirt (Although every man I have met in Bangkok absolutely loathes shopping at the jam-packed and maze-like Chatuchak market!).

Check out my shopping blog post on where to buy sneakers in Bangkok for some more really cool men’s clothing, caps and other gear.

The Best Place To Stay In Bangkok

Posted on September 13, 2013 by koomatzu

On Holiday In Bangkok

The best place to stay in Bangkok is really dependent on each individual; whether you want to go sightseeing in the Thai temples, hang out in the trendy malls, shop in the local markets, wine and dine, or party hard with the backpackers… Typically for tourists visiting on holiday, the best place to stay in Bangkok is the Old City of Bangkok. Silom, Sukhumvit or around the Victory Monument area are also popular areas to stay in Bangkok.

Some travellers tend to catch taxis everywhere while on holiday in Bangkok; this is fine, taxis are super cheap and easy to catch around the city after all. However, if you’re on a budget, you may prefer to stay on holiday in an area of Bangkok located along the BTS, MRT and airport link routes (the green, blue and red lines shown on the map below). The BTS skytrain is particularly impressive and worth a ride at least once anyway.

It can be difficult trying to find where to stay in Bangkok without knowing exactly where the districts, attractions or main areas of Bangkok are.

Best place to stay in Bangkok

Siam (Pathum Wan district)

Siam is the trendy city centre of Bangkok and also perhaps the most expensive area to stay in Bangkok. With dozens of gigantic shopping malls full of world famous restaurants and fast food chains, it’s a shopper’s paradise. Shopping in Siam is actually more expensive than shopping in the West and it seems to be an area of Bangkok for people who like to flash their cash for the sake of it.

If you love a fashionable, cosmopolitan city scene with plenty of designer shopping and fine dining though, then Siam is for you. Siam is quite a spectacular sight – some of the streets and malls have some awesome decorations and you’ll find the ‘hi-so’ Bangkokians hanging around, very glamourously dressed, bumping into each other like moles while taking selfies on their iPhones. It’s a definite contrast to the rest of Bangkok and you won’t find the standard tourist stereotype in their Chang beer vests around Siam.

Ploenchit, Chitlom and the National Stadium area can all be included as a part of Siam, Pathum Wan. A convenient skywalk runs through part of Siam, connecting Chitlom BTS station and the Bangkok shopping malls together so you don’t even need to stray too far from the luxury of air conditioned, cooling goodness.

Christmas lights at Amarin Plaza in Siam

Holiday budget in Siam: $$$$$

SIghtseeing in Siam: Siam Centre, Central World, Siam Square, Phallic Shrine, Erawan Shrine

Where to stay in Siam: Budget – Lub d, Mid range – Siam @ Siam Design Hotel & Spa, Five star – Hansar, Centara Grand

Old City (Rattanakosin):

The Old City is pretty much the polar opposite of Siam – it is extremely touristy and predominantly bohemian. Rattanakosin is the main tourist hub of the city and is the best place to stay in Bangkok for a holiday if you have any interest in history and sightseeing around the beautiful grand temples of Thailand.

There are many cheap backpacker hostels or luxurious hotels to choose from. Entertainment-wise, there is the famous market hangout, Khaosan Road, which has many crazy backpacker bars… perhaps making it the best place to stay in Bangkok to have fun mingling with other like-minded travellers.

best place to stay on holiday in bangkok

Grand Palace in the Old City

However, for people with an interest in more modern city life, fashion and the Bangkok nightlife; it can be a distance away from the main centre of activity and apart from buses and ferries, Rattanakosin is not a part of the sky train and subway system. Although taxis should not cost much more than 100 baht (£2 or $3) to travel to the other main areas of Bangkok, this can leave you a little stranded in rush hour times, for example between 3pm and 7pm, when many taxi drivers will likely refuse your fare to avoid getting stuck in the crazy Bangkok traffic.

Holiday budget in the Old City: $

Attractions in the Old City: Grand Palace, Wat Arun, Khaosan Road

Where to stay in the Old City: On a budget – NapPark Hostel , Mid range – Lamphu Treehouse, Luxury – Baan Noppawong

Victory Monument (Phayathai):

Centrally located in Bangkok only stops away from Siam, MBK, Silom and Chatuchak weekend market on the BTS, Victory monument is one of the most ideally located areas of Bangkok for both travellers and expats. Not only is there the Suvarnabhumi airport link at Phayathai, but it is also one of the main transport hubs for the buses and minibuses for any day trips around or out of Bangkok.

In the evenings, the streets come alive with Thai street stalls squeezed on the sidewalks selling food and clothing. There is wee bit of nightlife around, particularly along Rang nam Road but it is mainly aimed at Thai clientele. Phayathai is a great change from the perhaps overly touristy Old City, yet still lively and interesting enough to stay in Bangkok for a holiday.

Holiday budget at the Victory Monument: $$$

Nightlife at the Victory Monument: Saxophone Pub, Raintree Pub, Rock Pub

Where to stay at the Victory Monument: Asia Hotel Bangkok

Silom (Bang Rak):

Silom could arguably be one of best places to stay in Bangkok. Attracting quite a few tourists and expats alike, it is particularly busy and lively with plenty going on 24 hours a day; everything you need is right at your doorstep. Abundant in bars and cafes, shopping boutiques, luxury apartments and palm tree lined roads, it is maybe one of the most attractive areas of Bangkok.

If visiting Thailand on holiday, the Silom area can provide an ideal place to stay in Bangkok to explore the city, for both the popular tourist attractions of the old city by taxi or ferry, as well as the more sophisticated, modern city life. Located in close proximity to the Bangkok city centre and along the main BTS sky train route, Silom is definitely a place of convenience, but there are two very different sides to Silom that some may want to be aware of.

The western side of Silom, towards the river, is relatively quiet and subdued whereas the eastern end near Sala deng BTS station (AKA Patpong) can be looked upon as a slightly seedy tourist trap if you’re not prepared for it. The Patpong area is a particularly popular area of Bangkok for the girls and the gogo bars.

Thaniya Road, AKA ‘Japan Street’

Don’t let this put you off staying in the Eastern area of Silom though; the bustling streetwalks full of fairy-lit night stalls, cute cafes, sophisticated restaurants, modern shopping complexes and vibrant local backstreets still make it an appealing and charming area of Bangkok… So despite it’s impressively copious amount of massage parlours and brothels that come alive at night, both gay and straight, it’s still an interesting area to stay in Bangkok for other non-sex tourists!

Patpong’s ‘Japanese Street’, kind of like Bangkok’s ‘Little Japan’ filled with Tokyo style Neon signs and Japanese restaurants, is worth a visit. During the night, you will be hounded by Madams and Tuk Tuk drivers but it is still worth a look at least – It can be surprisingly entertaining to sit and eat some local Thai noodles from a street stall while watching the people go by.

Holiday budget in Silom: $$$

Where to go in Silom: Roadhouse, Sky Bar, Japan Street, Patpong Night Market, Maggie Chu’s, Hindu Temple

Where to stay in Silom: Budget – Lub d, Luxury – Hangover 2 Hotel!

Sathorn (Bang Rak)

Sathorn is slightly more quiet than some of the other touristy areas of Bangkok, the business district of Bangkok if you will. It is chilled out yet busy enough to be a happy medium between the bustling centre and unexciting Bangkok outskirts. For travellers who want the best of both worlds – to be in convenient, easy reach to all the points of interest but also have a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of the tourist traps of Bangkok – Sathorn has it all; local life in the everyday backstreet, smokey sois as well as modern cafes, students and office workers going about business on the main street.

Towards the eastern Lumpini end of Sathorn, you can find the fancier restaurants and hotels to stay in Bangkok. The western side of Sathorn road has plenty of cheap, local places to eat and can be the best place to stay in Bangkok for people on a budget, in search of a little more peace. The western end of Sathorn is within easy walking distance to Surasak BTS to keep you connected to any other upcoming area of Bangkok. The central ferry pier is close by for access to the Old City and lively Silom is only a 10 minute walk away.

Holiday budget in Sathorn: $$ – $$$

What to do in Sathorn: Follow Me Bicycle Tours, Chinese Cemetery, Secret Garden, Lebua at State Tower

Where to stay in Sathorn: Budget – Saphaipae, Average – Heritage Hotel, luxury – Eastin Grand

Nana and Asoke (Sukhumvit)

The main road between Nana and Asoke is largely multicultural. It’s an odd mixture of both expats and holidaymakers; The sidewalks are teaming with street vendors selling dresses, DVDs, bags and sex toys, while the side street’s prostitutes cater to some of the sex tourists. On the other hand, you’ll find some more elegant rooftop bars, restaurants and shopping centres to keep other tastes entertained.

Some parts of the area, particularly the renowned Soi 11, are somewhat a bit of a tourist trap. Tuk tuk drivers will follow you around as if you’re a walking dollar sign and taxis will try to extort whoever they can. Although Nana and Asoke attract a mixture of types, the area is mainly appealing and more suited to the male tourists and expats. In particular, for the go go bars in Bangkok, ‘Soi Cowboy’ is one of the most famous red light district areas in Thailand for it’s choice and sheer volume of go go bars.

Soi Cowboy

Soi Cowboy can be a pretty grisly affair for many mind! Go go bars aside, some travellers may still appreciate the huge volume of souvenir selling street vendors and suit tailors lining the hectic streets of Nana. However, if you find this sort of thing just plain irritating, then maybe this is not the area of Bangkok for you. I would not really recommend Nana as a place to stay in Bangkok for younger couples, and especially not for family holidays.

As for the location, Nana and Asoke are conveniently close to the centre of Bangkok activity and within easy reach of the main BTS route. Holiday makers can enjoy shopping at Terminal 21 and party at the huge choice of modern nightclubs, rooftop bars (read more about Soi 11 nightlife here), pubs and restaurants (including the huge American style diner, ‘Angel Diner’). Soi 11 in particular is absolutely crammed full of choice in nightlife for the average person.

Holiday budget in Nana: $$$$

Where to go in Nana: Terminal 21, Benjakiti park, Cheap Charlies, The Nest, Angel Diner

Where to stay in Nana: Budget – Asoke Montri Hostel, Mid/high – Park Plaza Bangkok, Five star – Ariyasomvilla Hotel

Thonglor and Ekkamai (Sukhumvit)

Thonglor, Phrom Phong and Ekkamai are the reputed ‘hi-so’ areas of Bangkok located a couple of stops past Nana and Asoke from central Siam on the BTS. This area of Bangkok is far from touristy and is home mainly to professional expats and wealthy Thais. It may be a suitable place to stay in Bangkok for business travellers more than holiday makers.

There are not many attractions for tourists and travellers per se, but Thonglor, Ekkamai and Phrom Phong may prove appealing as a good place to stay in Bangkok for food connoisseurs, people who like to wine and dine, or those who like to search out cool, laid back trendy places off the beaten track. Again, this is the complete opposite to the bohemian back packer areas of Bangkok and much more suited to travellers looking for a little more sophistication and normality.

This area of Bangkok, is Thailand’s capital city at it’s finest and most modern. There are plenty of expensive, international restaurants and pubs to more quirky, cool Thai hangouts and bars. You definitely won’t be short on places to eat, however bars and restaurants are rather spread around the area so it’s best to know your way around.

Holiday budget in Thonglor: $$$$$

Where to go in Thonglor: Tuba Bar, Banrie Coffee, Witches Tavern, Iron Fairies

Where to stay in Thonglor: Low – DS67 Suites Hotel, medium/ high – Somerset Sukhumvit Thonglor, luxury – Bangkok Marriott Hotel

On Nut

On Nut is located another few stops further past Ekkamai from central Bangkok. Although it is a little further out of the centre, travellers can still easy catch the BTS to get around the city.

Many people who have a connecting flight in Bangkok and need somewhere to stay for the night decide to stay in On Nut – it’s convenient as it’s closer to the outskirts in the direction of Suvarnabhumi yet still well connected with the rest of the city to make the most of a short stay there.

On Nut Night Market & Beer Garden

Accommodation comes pretty cheaply due to On Nut’s slightly out of the way location and it manages to escape the tourist trap feel that other areas of Bangkok sometimes suffer. The atmosphere in On Nut is quite laid back and mainly home to western expats and locals.

Holiday budget in On Nut: $$

Where to go in On Nut: On Nut Night Market, Erawan Shrine (via BTS or taxi)

Where to stay in On Nut: Low – Imm Fusion Hotel

Wongwian Yai to Talat Phlu (Thonburi)

Thonburi is located a distance away from the centre of Bangkok, across the river that cuts through the city. However it is still in easy reach of the main sights of Bangkok if you stay in Wongwian Yai or Talat Phlu, near the BTS. Saphan Taksin main pier is only a couple of stops away on the BTS. These areas have only recently been integrated into the BTS system, so are relatively untouched by tourism compared to the rest of Bangkok.

There aren’t many foreigners around Thonburi at all. In fact, as a foreigner, you may get a few more stares and giggles from the locals around these areas. English isn’t as commonly spoken and the landscape is less built up and much more subdued, especially so at the further out Talat Plu at least.

If you want more a more authentic holiday in Thailand and less of the tourist trap games, Thonburi is where to stay in Bangkok. Accommodation, shopping and food costs are cheaper here, however atmosphere and entertainment is still a little lacking. In my opinion, Thonburi misses out on the vibrant energy and craziness (good crazy, mind) of central Bangkok.

Holiday budget in Thonburi: $

Where to go in Thonburi: Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market, The Beach bar, The Mall Thapra, King Taksin Monument

Where to stay in Thonburi: Mid – Bangkok Loft Inn

Jobs in Thailand

Posted on June 17, 2013 by koomatzu

Since moving, I have seriously struggled to earn money and find jobs in Thailand. Unless you are lucky enough to have been transferred from a job at home to Thailand, or you can work from your computer as a programmer or web designer, the work restrictions for foreigners in Thailand can make life difficult. There are still a few other ways to earn money in Thailand though…

Earn money in Thailand

Writing online

Anybody can do these jobs in Thailand, although it doesn’t pay so well for the lesser skilled. You can either write content and blogs on websites such as Hirewriters or Textbroker, or you can write reviews for Reviewstream.com. There are also many websites that will sometimes advertise jobs writing product descriptions, for example, game descriptions and hotel descriptions for travel sites.

Hirewriters are not so fussy with the skill of their writers, but I have had trouble in the past actually signing up because they put a block on IP adresses from certain parts of the world. Textbroker pay better but are a little stricter – I actually, rather embarrassingly, was declined to join after submitting my writing sample to them. Ouch… but I’m not bitter or anything. (Puck you TextBroker! You ain’t gettin’ a link here, Puck You! *Sniff*)

Review Stream are easy to use to earn money in Thailand – you just need to write 200 word reviews for any product you choose and you can earn up to $3.50 each time. Their guidelines are very strict though and if you do not meet their criteria in your review, you only get about 50 cents… not so good. For the more creative people, try Squidoo or Zujava to write your own articles and earn money in Thailand.

Freelance

If you have any kind of skill like translation, writing, designing, drawing, programming, music; try signing up to one of the many freelancing websites available for other jobs in Thailand. You can try Guru, Odesk and PeoplePerHour. It takes some persistence to establish yourself at first but it’s worth a try if you have the skills – people charge good money on freelance websites.

I don’t have any skills in particular myself, but I managed to nab a small but stable, long-term job in Thailand on PeoplePerHour. I just spend a couple of hours every morning updating somebody’s website and Facebook page with daily offers. From this, I earn about £15 – £20 (average 800 baht) per day from it – which is really helpful. I spend the rest of my time doing courses on Udemy.com so that I can learn new skills to earn money in Thailand on freelance websites.

Another more random website is Fiverr where you can charge $5 for just about absolutely anything you want. Alternatively, make use of your new found knowledge of Thailand with e-Curator, a new travel advice service that relies on expats for accurate and local tips. For a 30 minute Skype conversation with a traveller hoping to travel to your area, you will earn $6.50.

Acting

Randomly enough, there is a demand for foreigners to work in extra and acting jobs in Thailand. Extra jobs in thailand don’t always pay so well though, particularly jobs for the Thai and Bollywood film crews, but Extra work pays the bills nonetheless. You need no previous work experience or skills to do Extra jobs in Thailand but it helps to be persistent in requesting work and getting chummy with the agents. Sucking up to people is something that is not my forte though… Click here for more info on acting and extra jobs in Thailand.

Teaching

Teaching jobs in Thailand are the most popular and well-known ways to earn money in Thailand. It is much easier if you have a degree and/ or TEFL teaching certificate. There are ways to get around this – build contacts to find jobs in Thailand without these requirements or find agents that can help find suitable teaching jobs in Thailand for you in kindergartens, for example.

Some agencies that might be able to work around a lack of degree in Thailand are Time2Talk, Super English, The Language, BFITS, and Malthus. If you struggle finding jobs in Thailand the honest way, you can always buy fake diplomas either online or on Khaosan Road. Teaching camps usually don’t require a degree and pay around 1000 bath per day for typical three day camps around Thailand. Check out Teaching jobs in Thailand for more info.

More on how to make money while living in Thailand

For a more comprehensive guide on how to earn money and jobs in Thailand, you may be interested in the e-book below. From all the books I’ve seen on making money while living in Thailand so far, this one seems the most honest, realistic and genuine – it’s not a dodgy get-rich-quick scheme but it does cover the most logical means of earning a modest amount of money to get by in Thailand. You can buy it for £$19.77 here.

Buy the eBook for £$19.77 here