| But please, the idea of this is not
to portray the Thais as a mercenary, merciless people. For they
are not. But this is business - remember that! If you get approached
by someone who talks in any way shape or form about Gem Stones,
run a mile. The normal con starts "I am going to a wholesaler
to buy my gems for export. Would you like to come?" Even experts
can be initially fooled by low grade stones that have been heated
to improve their exterior finish (only ever shop for gems at shops
who are members of the Thai Gem & Jewelry Traders Association).
If you want real bargains, head for Chinatown. Here you can probably
buy the lowest cost, high grade gold in the world (all the jewelry
is sold by weight). Also "Nielloware", a silver and black
mello alloy is outstanding value (possibly Thailand's best). Both
Chinatown and neighboring Indiatown are also great places to buy
the best Thai silk / fabrics. The Weekend Market and other popular
tourist areas like Banglamphu are worth visiting, but definitely
more expensive. And of course there are hundreds of shopping malls
for International products.
Specially designed tourist attractions and places like the zoo
- Well, we will leave you to make your own mind up about them! If
you would like a really detailed map / guide to Bangkok's more interesting
sites / areas, we can really recommend 
Groovy Map
(they have one map for day time, and another for night!) and
Nancy Chandlers Map & Guide To Bangkok. Also, if you are
spending a week or more centered in Bangkok. And if you are active
going around the main worthwhile attractions in the first few days.
You really should think about taking a trip by plane, train or even
road to another area for a few days, if only to escape the traffic
fumes. If you are going on to a beach resort or the north later,
we can really recommend a 2 or 3 night break to either Kanchanaburi
(River Kwai), but especially to the cradle of Thailand's culture
and past, Sukhothai & Pitsanuloke.
Finally, a word and link we suppose should exist for the seedier
side of Bangkok, and the reason for many a man's travels to this
city. The sex trade. What most westerners do not understand, is
this business is part of Thai culture. Although you will not see
the western style go go bars (with girls for nightly rent) in, say,
Chiang Mai. The "problem" is still there, but for local
men, as it has been for a long time. In Bangkok, the main areas
for this (and to avoid if that is the last reason for your trip)
is Patpong (of which 50% of bar "girls" are the famous
transvestites known as "lady boys") around eastern Silom
Road. Soi Cowboy, around Soi 23 off Sukhumvit Road. And Nana Plaza,
on Soi 4, Sukhumvit. A site dedicated to this aspect of Bangkok
can be Found
Here. It has links to many associated sites including message
boards (Please Note - Our message / forum board here ABSOLUTELY
may NOT be used to discuss this subject.
We would also like to point out, that the practice of people renting
their bodies to others, and being a customer thereof, is illegal
throughout Thailand. It is our sincere wish, that anyone who breaks
the law in Thailand, will be caught and punished to the full extent
of the law. What many people do not know, or forget is that these
unfortunate people are just that. And availing yourself of their
services just adds to the problem. Many come from abusive / broken
homes. Most are people who have have lost their dreams. The people
that (ab)use them lose the humanity.
Other Useful Bangkok Links;
New
International Boutique House : Ladies & Gents Custom Tailor
|
Thai web site owners, have you checked out our 
