Silom is the closest Bangkok gets to wall street with glistening skyscrapers all boasting the names of financial institutions like HSCB, bank head quarters and office building. This is the place where you find famous fine 5 star hotel chains like the Orient, Marriott’s etc, big and smaller malls and it is amazing transformation for a place in the old days which was a empty like swamp with a windmill stuck in the middle to become equivalent to New York’s wall street.

What is so amazing about this street is the fact that during the day, it is a busy financial district and at night, it transforms into adult entertainment playground, all the small Sois between Silom and Surwong road become alive with people out for a good time including the infamous den of sleaze, which is Patpong. The former trade quarter Bang Rak is also covered here. For adults, whatever you are looking for, you are going to find it here from gay saunas, massage parlors, live sex shows, nightclubs, female and male escorts, go-go bars, whatever it is that you prefer, you are in the right place.

It may not look like a traditional sightseeing area, there is plenty to see, for a glimpse of another culture, visit the multi-colored Sri Mariamman Hindu temple (Wat Khaek Silom) located just across the street from Silom Village, have an exceptional bird eye’s of the city at the State Tower, Thailand’s second-tallest building, you can also see the unique Thai boxing at Lumpini Boxing Stadium, even go night shopping at Suan Night Bazaar and many more.

To use one, just walk up to them and state your destination and usually, prices are up for negotiation but generally cheaper than meter taxis and tuk-tuks for short journeys and a little bit more expensive for longer cross-city trips.

Motorbike taxis are very advantageous over other forms of transport in Bangkok because of there speed and usefulness in beating Bangkok’s perpetual traffic jams as the drivers spend most of their time in a relatively limited area of town near their stations and they often have an excellent knowledge of the nearby back streets and short cuts, and they know the local area better than taxi drivers.

Most of the clientele of the motorbike taxis are the local Thais but even a tourist is late somewhere, can have the use of the motorbike because of it’s advantages but remember it might be a terrifying experience because of the way the drivers weave in and out of the traffic, so hold on tight and for a longer distance, make sure that you are given an helmet.

This is a shopping and entertainment complex which is up-market, five-storey Colossae with 500,00square meters of retail space, this gleaming, modern mall opened in December 2005 at the cost of 15 billion baht (US$ 375 million), and it is a home to more than 250 famed international and local luxury brands. So if you love shopping, make sure that you get a 5% discount on most of the purchases, if you apply for a tourist Discount Card at the information desk on the ground level.
Paragon Department store, as the name applies, is the ideal place to furnish you with all of life’s necessities, beautiful and desirable things. Six levels of new and shiny things to entice you, it is better to start from the top, at the Power Mall Ultra, where the latest in multifaceted galaxy of audiovisual, electronics, digital and information technology is on the show, the one floor down, Paragon Men houses the ultimate in fashion, designer menswear and trendy styles and the one below, applies to all female manifestations, some nymph, mother or femme fatale, you will find all the glorious deviations.

Gracefully descent to the beauty hall to indulge in some pampering, add a layer of gloss, an aura of scent or some talons-whichever defines your mood and then, Waft, through the Gourmet market, here you have a difficult time deciding what you want to eat, because it is very big almost to the size of a foot ball field which nothing but food, from fresh health foods at the Fruit and Juice or Soup and Salad bars, wholesome bakery goods, to decadent patisseries and confectioneries.

Siam Paragon is a place not to be missed while in Bangkok, even if you are on a short visit, here, you will find a present for the loved one, which you have been looking for and those who like to be in Siam Paragon longer, remember, there is a Cinema at the top of the mall.

This is a half a day cooking class which will introduce you to all the wonderful Thai flavors and you will take the knowledge with you home so that in the future, you will be able to make authentic Thai dishes in your kitchen.
The classes are held at the Baipai Thai cooking school in Bangkok which is an ideal home-style cooking environment at cooking classic Thai dishes that are different most hotels and restaurants in Thailand.

You will learn four different dishes and the school’s instructional emphasis are focused on the traditional Thai technique, the innovative use of ingredients and the aesthetic presentation. The staff that guides you are professional teachers who posse’s years of experience in this specialized area of Thai culinary delights.

The classes are conducted in English and the course lasts for fours each morning starting from 9.00am and if you are staying in one of the major hotels in Bangkok, you can book this class through the concierge of your hotel and you will be picked up from there about 1 hour before the class is due and it costs about 2000baht, but it has to be booked in advance as it is very popular, infact, you advised to book it at the same time, you are making your hotel reservation.

The BRT is an interesting concept. The bus is not your conventional bus. It has its own dedicated lane and looks more like a cross between a tram and a bus. However, it is a really convenient way to get around the Sathorn area as it does not have to contend with other traffic. The BRT has the luxury of being able to run to a set schedule unlike the public buses in the city.

Passengers purchase their tickets at the ticket counter. The cost varies depending on where you want to go. At the terminal station in Sathorn there is even an air-conditioned waiting area for passengers to cool off in while they wait for the BRT to arrive. The BRT itself is also air-conditioned and has both seats and standing room.

The BRT is very foreigner-friendly as there are English maps and announcements prior to arriving at each station.

Thipsamai serves outstanding Phad Thai, with the perfect balance of flavours and large succulent prawns that go down oh so well. The restaurant has an English menu, and the staff are very friendly and used to serving foreigners, so it is easy to order here.

The restaurant is also particularly famous for its absolutely beautiful freshly squeezed orange juice and frozen coconut juice. Orange juice can be ordered by the bottle. The bottle is large, which is a good thing, because as soon as you taste the orange juice you’ll be coming back for seconds guaranteed. The frozen coconut juice is a delicious ice-blended coconut drink with slithers of delicious coconut through the drink. This is also a specialty, so be sure to come reasonably early in the evening before they run out.

Thipsamai is only open in the evening, but they are open until quite early in the morning. If you get in a taxi and just tell the driver “Thipsamai”, it is more than likely that they will know exactly where to go. To be sure, you can go to their website and take down the directions. For phad Thai lovers around the world, Thipsamai is an absolute must. You’ll not be disappointed, in fact, you’ll probably be back the very next night for a second helping!

Three Sixty

The Millennium Hilton Hotel on Chao Praya River’s Chonburi side is a marvel of cutting edge design. On the 31st floor is Three Sixty with unparalleled vistas of Bangkok. And drinks are moderately priced so a visit won’t break the bank.

The Long Table

Long Table is a hidden gem found in Sukhumvit on Column Tower’s 25th floor. It features superb panoramic views of the city and house music. Smart dress is a must with no flip flops or beach wear allowed.

Sky Bar and Distil

The State tower is Bangkok’s second tallest building and has the award-winning al fresco Sirocco restaurant up on the 64th floor. The Sky Bar’s counter changes colour constantly and it is a favourite for celebrities and wannabes to hang out.

Gazebo Khao San

Gazebo is a rooftop club and bar that feels like a plush Moroccan loft, with soft lamps, plump cushions and shisha pipes. Entry is 300 baht after midnight by Khao San Road.

Nest

The Nest is the airy alfresco hangout on top of Le Fenix hotel in downtown Sukhumvit. It features soft beats, slouchy furnishings and cool evening breezes with Cuban cigars on offer.

Moon Bar (Vertigo)

This sophisticated, stylish and romantic bar has great views of the city and great seafood barbecue grub. Found in the Banyan Tree Bangkok hotel, smart casual dress code applies.

D’Sens Bar and Restaurant

This three Michelin stared restaurant is amongst the best places to eat in the city. You can just come for a quick drink at the bar but this is a place to dine with great views of the city. Situated in Dusit Thani Bangkok.

The Rooftop Bar

The Baiyoke Sky Hotel is Thailand’s tallest building and rises 88 storeys over the city. The vistas here, obviously, are unsurpassed with professional bands and singers performing nightly. There’s also a revolving roofdeck on the 84th floor.

In tourist hotspots, pimps can often be rude, persistently trying to invite tourists to attend an erotic show. Resolute saying ‘may ow!’ normally shakes them off.

Bangkok is notorious for its severe traffic congestion and it’s not rare spending a few hours sitting in a cab; luckily their fees are inexpensive but it surely does wear on the passenger’s patience. Avoid joining traffic before 10:30 and between 16:00 and 19:00. Make use of the underground metro or BTS sky train instead.

Bangkok becomes incredibly humid and unbearably hot in the summer, between February and October. Air-conditioned shopping malls can be found throughout the city; do not be too ambitious with your Bangkok sightseeing plan as it might leave you dehydrated.

Getting around on foot in Bangkok is an inconvenient and dangerous option, with vendor-laden, disrupted sidewalks, huge holes everywhere and hazardous situations created by undisciplined motorists.

Common crimes reported by tourists include fake jewellery scams. Be cautious of any person offering you ‘the greatest deal’ on semi-legal goods. Numerous tuk-tuk drivers offer visiting tourists ‘free’ trips which include several stop offs at tailor and jewellery outlets.

Cooking hygiene may be a problem at the very cheap, road-side noodle stalls. Just because Bangkok residents are able to stomach a 25 baht bowl of noodles does not guarantee you won’t become sick. Sticking to the licensed eateries, which have been inspected for safety and health, is probably the most efficient way avoiding getting ill.

Locals at touristy locations tend to shamelessly overcharge naïve visitors who assume everything in the country as relatively inexpensive. Learning how to bargain is a must, insist on using metered taxis, ask for bills, and verify rates.

There is of course also the tendency for Bangkok to flair up with political protests that can turn ugly, as happened in November 2009, when the airport was closed. This can occur at short notice in the current climate and we advise you check up to date travel news on sites such as asap.co.uk

More on Bangkok airport

As for the most ideal visiting time, Bangkok can be visited any time that suits you the best. However, try to avoid visiting this hectic city in April because the heat might reach unbearable temperatures. Between July and October there’s a change that heavy rainfall may have a negative effect on the quality of your voyage. The period between December and August is probably the best time to visit Bangkok. During this period Bangkok welcomes the most visitors but if you want to escape from the huge crowds you may wish to visit the city in September, May or June.

Knowing how to get the best food is another main concern for travellers visiting an unfamiliar destination. The tourist guides or locals in Bangkok would happily assist you in where to find the city’s tastiest food spots. In the Thai capital you’ll certainly find the finest and tastiest dishes of your choice. Bangkok features a wide and varied range of national as well as international gourmets and cuisines. Apart from the restaurants you can also sample some of the mouth-watering Thai cuisine at one of the many street stalls who serve very cheaply priced and nutritious rice and noodle dishes. Bangkok travel facts

Finding a suitable place to spend the night is another thing you won’t have to worry about. Bangkok is crammed with good guesthouses, hostels, serviced apartments, hotels and resorts. Some of the most reputable names include: the Artist’s Place, the Grand Hyatt Erawan, Majestic Suites and the Landmark Hotel.

Be impressed by the famous Thai hospitality of the Bangkokians while you enjoy your stay in the best first-class hotels which are internationally acclaimed for their competitive rates and exclusive suites. Another great thing about ‘the city of angels’ is that you can find plenty of ATM services conveniently positioned throughout the entire metropolis.

Complete Thailand travel and tourism resource

Soi 4, several city blocks of bars and nightlife venues, is one of this area’s most popular locations. Some pub hopping on soi 4 should not be missed and it is quite easy to pop into more than ten bars in one night while the beverage’s prices are very reasonable. In addition, there no cover charges at any of the area’s venues. However, none of these bars are special, and you might find yourself to be rather an oddity as a foreign visitor in this location, so it may be more enjoyable to meet a few local buddies to step out with as the majority of the Thai people frequenting this entertainment area tend to be in bigger groups all washing away plenty of watered-down cheap whiskies.

Positioned on the other side of soi 4 you’ll find an incredibly popular dining facility named Pad Kung Pao. This spacious outdoor Chinese and Thai seafood market remains open until the early morning hours. The range of the served, cheaply priced dishes is extensive. Sample a bowl of Tom Yum Kung, which is truly delicious.

Also positioned on Ratchadapisek Road, halfway down the nightlife strip, is the well-established Emerald Hotel. This establishment houses the outstanding ‘Sparks’ nightclub offering great techno music, and here you’ll see a lot of young Thai people with maybe a little more than solely alcohol in their system. This venue as well is mostly visited by Thais.
Having a special cultural experience is possible by checking out ‘Mirage’, located across the road from the Emerald Hotel.

Your first impression may be that it is a massage parlour, but actually this venue is a big club visited by wealthy Thai business people who pay a certain amount of money to have woven garlands created. These garlands are then gently put around the ladies’ necks onstage, while these girls are lip-syncing some popular songs.

However, Ratchada is perhaps most reputed for featuring several excellent massage parlours. These establishments offer all the types of Thai massages. There are more than 20 massage shops located along this street, many of them are owned by the now notorious Davis Group.

The multi-story ‘Poseidon’, which is located nearby the strip’s end, is one of the favourite parlours here. This establishment stays open until 01:00am and welcomes Thai as well as customers coming from many other Asian countries. Poseidon is not for member only but, according to Thai standards, the fees are quite costly. Nonetheless, experiencing a treatment here is definitely worth the price.

On the first and second floor of the building you’ll find the “fish bowl ladies”, who are cheaper compared with the sideliners. Staying for one-and-a-half hour in a themed guestroom with a lady and Jacuzzi will usually not cost more than 3,000 baht. Beverages may also be ordered during your time in the room.  The Thai body massage experience
On the VIP floor there’s the availability of a cigar bar, and obviously cigars are being sold here. In this well-stocked bar you can view a photo album, which contains images of numerous pretty and sexy girls. You have the option to select a lady out of the album, or choose the girl in person. If needed, the assistance of a few mama sans is available as well and they aren’t pushy at all. It is even possible to just enjoy a drink here without being hassled or pushed to pick a girl. The price for foreigners is around 5,000 baht.

The on-site restaurant serves Japanese and Thai cuisine. Whether or not this is the kind of action you’re looking, it is absolutely top of the line as far as the Thai capital’s famous massage parlours go. If by now you’re curious and plan on visiting, the most ideal time would be on weekends around 7:00pm. Whether you are an expatriate or visiting tourist, Ratchadapisek Road is definitely worth a visit. It might be a rewarding and unforgettable experience.