Stretching your $s in Thailand

My friend's visit reminds of one lure of Thailand... stretching your $s! His stop over in Bangkok was brief but purposeful. Indeed almost all visitors will agree!














Bangkok is a city that has something for everybody to stretch their $s; to each his own so to say. In my friend's case, he enjoyed a simple suki-yaki meal at MK Restaurant to the shark fin soup at Yaowarat China town.

He ordered 3 full suits and additional 7 shirts and 3 pants. Got all delivered to his hotel before leaving. The savings he reckons would pay for all the expenses of stopping over. Others may come for holidays with medical checkups, dental treatment or lasik operations bundled in.

My last minute shopping before leaving town is a quick drop by at MBK Mall to get my daughter few pairs of casual wear shoes (B199 to B299 range) and 6 month supply of disposable contact lens; much cheaper than Australia! With hardly any luggage I would pack another 15Kg of fruits in season.

If you consider renting a house in residential areas, monthly rentals of B15,000 for a 3 storey town house in pretty decent areas of Bangkok. In outlying areas one can find B3,000 to B5,000 range for a 2 storey town house.

Taxi transport is still inexpensive in Bangkok. Hop on board and it starts with B35 with additional B2 per click; no surcharge past mid-night! When I got off BTS, a motocycle taxi to my residence would cost B30 and normal taxi is just B39! You may find transport in tourist areas of Phuket and Ko Samui costs more!

One of my favorite drinking hole is the "Log Home" along Soi Thong Lor. Live bands play rock music and other oldies of 70's & 80's with a jug of beer just at B220!








Well, the list goes on. Whatever your likings, surely you find your $a are worth strecthing in Thailand.

Try out this Hotel in Bangkok

A friend passed through Bangkok recently en route to China. So what's the story?

He was booked into Pathumwan Princess unaware the hotel has gone completely non-smoking recently; including guest rooms. He survived only one night and hurriedly look for alternative the next morning.

The outcome was a pleasant surprise: Siam@Siam, a 1 year old hotel along Rama I Road across the National Stadium. The rate at Bth1,100 was good (walk-in rate tips over Bth4,000); booked through his travel agent from HK.

Though I passed Rama I occasionally, I never noticed its existence; probably obscured by the super structure of the National Stadium BTS terminal station.





















Location of Siam@Siam with reference to National Stadium, BTS, MBK Mall & Pathumwan Princess Hotel.

















The interior is hip, simple yet stylishly contemporary. View of the reception hall on Level 4.





















View of the roof pool with National Stadium & Bangkok skyline in background.





















Creative use of old materials is a signature of this hotel.





















Roof top view of MBK Mall & Pathumwan Princess from the Executive Lounge.
















Room layout is modern; even the coffee table is tastefully designed and custom built. Room view with National Stadium BTS station & MBK Mall to left.



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A short walk (200m perhaps) towards the direction of BTS is the Boss Apparels tailor where my friend ordered several suits enough to last him for a while!





















The gentlemen of Boss Apparels, competitive prices and very professional in service!





















I would recommend it if you are looking for a change. The location is excellent with convenient access to shopping and food; just off the busiest traffic zone of Siam Paragon & Central Plaza. Wise to book through travel agent abroad for a good rate.