Bangkok Bleg

Only had a few days there, but:
- Motorbike taxis (not the tuk-tuks). Fun way to get around, and apparently foreigners mustn't do it much, because the guy on the door back at our hotel seemed hugely impressed and shook our hands when we got back.
- Going to a Muay Thai fight is pretty fun too.

Get some business shirts made at Rajawongse Tailoring, on Sukhumvit Rd (just Google them to get details).

There are hundreds of barely average tailors in Bangkok, but these guys are the real deal, as dozens of Bangkok-based diplomats and at least one US president knows.

The Wats. Do not miss the artistic experience of the Buddhist temples or Wats. The Dawn Temple, the Marble Temple, and the Golden Buddha temple, just for the architecture and of course, the quality of the sculpture. I haven't done it, but I've heard good things about the foot massages at the Reclining Buddha temple. My acquaintance John Bush made a lovely movie about some of these temples, and he's my source on this.

Hang out in "Little Arabia" a bit. You'll see people from the Gulf (as in Persian Gulf) states, westerners, prostitutes, elephants, and all sorts of other folks rubbing shoulders - quite possibly, the world's finest people watching.

Secondly, be at a public park some day at 6 pm. Trust me. It's a sight to behold.

Play chess, of course.

Bangkok? I'd rescue some enslaved children. Thailand is dreadfully depressing.

The buffet at the Oriental hotel is probably the best int. buffet in Bangkok. The French restaurant there is pretty good as well. Most local restaurants and street foods are quite good. Plenty of them at the Ekamai/Thonglor area (along the Sukhumvit St where the sky train reaches).

When in Rangoon, try the lunch buffet at the Trader Hotel.

In Rangoon? Luge lessons, meat helmets?

Neither of these is really off the beaten path, but:

I ate at Baan Khanitha twice the week I was there because it was so excellent (high-end Thai food in a lovely setting; I also bought some of their arty serving pieces). Apparently there are two but I think the one we went to was on Soi 23 Sukhumvit.

Also Chatuchak (aka Jatujak) Market on the weekend. It is almost overwhelmingly huge - getting out was like an orienteering adventure. We stuck to the fairly touristy areas buying silks and wood carvings and so forth; I'd been told to visit the food-selling areas to see all sorts of exotic meat for sale but I wasn't sure I could stomach it.

Buffet at the oriental hotel is the best in town. I'd recommend that.

Absolutely you must go to what's called Chatuchak on the subway map (but pronouncing it Jatujak will be more effective in talking to locals/ directing a taxi). The animal-selling areas are only mildly interesting, but the food stalls are awesome; some are whole restaurants buried seemingly at random in the market.

Go down the river a bit on one of the boats, even though they will overcharge you.

If you are in need for excellent men's shirting (30 bucks or so a shirt), or quite decent suits (300 or so a suit), then I second the Rajawongse recommendation from above. Don't walk into a place at random.

Little Arabia as mentioned above is fantastically interesting for people-watching but the food is terrible (heartbreakingly bad Iraqi food...) It is also buried in the far-too-touristy Sukhumvit area.

There are excellent wats out in the countryside; after a while they frankly all blend together but one or two can be quite enjoyable.

Do not miss the temple grounds attached to the king's palace, and be sure to look at the murals on the walls by the edges of the compound, as well as the murals on the back wall of the main building, which most tourists stand in front of and never crane their heads back to notice. There is also a quite good national museum just across the park from it.

Forensic medicine building, Siriraj Hospital: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thailand/bangkok/si...

Preserved fetuses, cadavers, and body parts. Similar to Body Worlds exhibits, but a bit edgier.

Very generic standard tourist advice, but don't give yourself a few hours at the Grand Palace.

that's a negative that should be a positive. DO not don't.

I'm jealous you're going to Burma. I was going to go in August 06, but things got unstable, so I went to Malaysia instead.

I can't give any suggestion for Burma, but for Thailand, here it is:

- Have a boat ride in Bangkok Noi Canal.
- Try Thai Massage, don't miss! I warn you.
- Visit the floating market.
- Taste Tom Yum Kung
- See muay thai (thai boxing)
- If you don't have at least a few days on a paradise beache, it could be said that you havn't visit Thailand.

Lot of good things to check out for the first time tourists.

Beware the main scams: Grand palace closed, hotel burned down, and today is a one day Gov't sale. Don't waste your money with the tuk tuk driver scams. Go by taxi and ask to take the meter (Thai: ME-TER) as it will be much cheaper.

My favorite highlights: Get to the river at Saphan Taksin station from the skytrain. Take a public river boat upriver (right side direction as you face the pier) to Banglampoo pier across from Wat Arun (Temple of the dawn, Khmer style white temple). Then take a ferry across the river and walk up the stairs of Wat Arun. It's a great view especially late in the afternoon with the low angle sunlight!

Another interesting hightlight is the Erawan shrine Brahma- a statue in the middle of the city with hundreds and thousands of worshippers. It's by the Chid Lom skytrain station.

Check out the ridiculous over the top malls (Emporium by Phrom Phong skytrain station and Siam Paragon by Siam skytrain station) The skytrain is an easy and quick way to get around. Traffic is terrible in bangkok so you save time taking the train.

If you have time go to Khao San road and look at the ghetto backpackers mixed in with the young Thai partiers. It's like a scene out of the Beach.

Go to a massage parlor . Traditional thai massage or a racy one. A soapy massage is a racy experience if you're up for that sort of thing.

Have a good time. Thais love to smile and party- they are an easygoing and lovely lot.

I'm just wondering what's the latest now? Care to share if possible with pics? Your trip is quite interesting.