Not to be confused with the nearby Benjasiri Park. Benjakiti Park offers an oasis of calm and serenity in the centre of Bangkok’s hectic Sukhumvit area. A 2km walking and cycling path circles the central Lake Rajada and bike and boat rental can be found near the entrance to Benjakiti Park at Queen Sirikit subway station (MRT) and Convention Centre. During the daytime the park is empty only coming to life in the early evening. For full info on Benjakiti Park check our blog.

Benjakiti Park is located between the Sukhumvit and Queen Sirikit Subway Stations and can be reached from either. Expect a longer walk when travelling from the Sukhumvit Subway Station.

Opening Hours: 09:00 – 20:00

Location: Central Sukhumvit (near Asoke)   –   BTS / MRT: Asoke / Queen Sirikit (Exit 3)    –   Price: Free

Rot Fai Weekend Market can be found near the popular Chatuchak Weekend Market (JJ Market). The easiest route is using the Bangkok Subway MRT exiting at Kamphaeng Phet (Exit 3). Cross the busy road then walk left. Follow the steady flow of hipsters en route to Rot Fai Weekend Market. The walk should take no more than 5 minutes.

Opening Hours: 17.00 – 01.00 Saturday and Sunday

Location: Chatuchak Area   –   BTS / MRT: Mo Chit / Kamphaeng Phet   –   Price: Budget

Bangkok at its Brightest

In the city’s prestigious Embassy Row and pulsating commercial district is the W Hotel Bangkok, a stylish icon of Asian chic. Welcome to the new playground of ambassadors, jet setters and fashionistas, a hot destination by the coolest shopping and dining.

Live to tell about the legendary, and simply savory Thai cuisine, chili-hot nightlife and sinfully relaxing spa experience. Indulge in the W Hotel Bangkok world-class restaurant, sizzling bar and always vibrant Living Room where you can mix, mingle and play all day.

In the 407 rooms in the W Hotel Bangkok, you’re dreaming sweet in the signature W bed, or lazing in plush bathrobes as you enjoy state-of-the-art entertainment and fully wired technology, the fabulous Munchie Box and their Whatever/Whenever® service.

Area: Silom / Sathorn   –    BTS: Chong Nonsi    -    Prices Start: 4,100

Temporary Monk Ordination in Thailand

A common misconception is that Buddhist monks in Bangkok are Buddhist monks for life. This is only true for some as the majority of Thailand’s monks only serve a temporary or short-term ordination. This can be days, weeks, months or years. Most males will spend a period of life as a Buddhist monk in ordination. They then return to their normal life in ‘laity’ and back to their nine to fives.

Buddhist monks in Bangkok are better found in the early morning hours. This is when monks carry alms bowls in temple areas for “bintabat” a ritual for collecting donations their temple. Traditionally donations include food and rice to eat and flour to perform Buddhist rituals. Donors receive a blessing and gain merit under Buddhism. After Bintabat monks return to the temple grounds.

Monks do not approach donors. They do not ask for money. If they do there is a good chance of not being a monk. For full details on temporary ordination check our Live Less Ordinary blog.

For pampering on a budget. Ensogo Living Social is a Bangkok Groupon website offering hundreds of coupon deals daily. Categories include Dining, Activities and Events, Health and Beauty and Holiday Escapes. Popular deals are cheap eating and inexpensive spa treatments. Most deals in Bangkok  are for new businesses needing promotion. The price reduction is generally between 50% and 90%.

Purchases with Ensogo Living Social can be made on their website. Payments are made online by credit / debit card or if preferred you can print the Bangkok Groupon voucher and make cash payment at the nearest 7/11.

Location: Online (www.ensogo.com)   -   BTS/MRT: NA   –   Price: Budget

Deep Fried Bananas (Kuay Tod, กล้วยทอด)

Similar to banana fritters. The batter of Bangkok’s deep fried bananas (Kuay Tod) are flavourer with the flesh of brown coconut (maprao), sesame seeds and palm sugar.

Deep Fried Bananas (Kuay Tod) are not the most delicious of street food but they are one to be aware of. If your car or taxi is surrounded by masked men – do not cower in the corner or get out to run. Chances are the masked men are selling deep fried bananas (Kuay Tod). The reason for wearing masks is to protect from car fumes when working the streets.

Deep fried bananas (Kuay Tod) are only sold to cars on specific streets of Chinatown. At the roadside they can be found all over Bangkok and are easily recognised by giant bubbling woks. Pay around 20 baht for a bag of 10.

ATM cash machines come in handy for withdrawing local currencies in Bangkok. For withdrawals using international credit / debit cards there is a 150 baht fee. Aeon is the one bank which waives this fee but they are few and far between. The two easiest Banks found are the popular Bangkok Bank and Siam Commercial Bank. When not using ATM cards the banks also offer currency exchange in Bangkok. Not always the best rates.

The best rates for currency exchange in Bangkok are often found at Super Rich Money Exchange. Again the best rates with Super Rich are found at their head office which sits opposite Central World Mall in the central Silom Area. Other convenient branch locations can be found at the Chidlom and Phrom Phong Skytrain stations. For full list of locations check here. For current exchange rates check the Super Rich website.

Location: Central Siam   –   BTS: Chit Lom   –   Price: Budget

The Ladprao photo print shops line a length of road in the Central Ladprao area of Bangkok. The shops are famous for cheap print and publishing. Jobs range from small passport photos, holiday photos to digital work, framing and business banners. Print jobs generally include a waiting time (up to 2 hours) and the nearby street food and malls come in handy for the wait. Just one of the many studios is color image 1999

The Ladprao photo print shops can be found near the convenient Phaholyothin MRT station or arriving by taxi opposite Central Ladprao and next to Union Mall. Slightly out of centre but can be found by a 100 – 150 baht taxi from most central areas.

Location: Ladprao   –   MRT: Phaholyothin   –   Price: Budget

The Face Bangkok is an oasis for eating in busy Sukhumvit. Restaurants and foods include Hazara Indian, Misaki Japanese and Lan Na Thai or a mix of the three. With “Spa at Face” and the famous cocktails of “Face Bar” this old teak venue makes for a perfect day of indulgence.

The wooden complex of Face Bangkok is decorated with Asian antiques and artifacts traded by silk road traders. The quiet Sukhumvit location can easily be found by the Thong Lor Skytrain Station (BTS). For more info check their website.

Location: Outer Sukhumvit (Soi 38)   –   BTS: Thong Lor (Exit 4)  -   Price: Luxury

Both chefs Bo and Lan were inspired at Nahm London where they worked under Michelin-Starred chef David Thompson. They support the ethical slow food philosophy of commitment to community and environment.

The Bo.Lan restaurant is found on Sukhumvit 26 near the Phrom Phong Skytrain Station (10 minutes walk). For more info check their website.

Location: Central Sukhumvit (Soi 26)    -    BTS: Phrom Phong   –   Price: Luxury