Foodland Supermarket, Popular with Tourists! and other Bangkok, Thailand Things to Do Tips

There is a number of Foodland Supermarkets around Bangkok but the one nearest is in front of my hotel Amari Boulevard on Sukhumvit Soi 5. Bottled water is just 5 baht here unlike in the hotel , it is 50 baht. Sodas like Coke at 8 Baht. Fresh Tamarinds at 80 Baht a Kilo. Thai Rice Cakes (similar to "Cuchinta" in the philippines at 10 Baht. Beers such as Singha, Guiness, Tiger and San Miguel at 40 Baht (150 baht at Bars). As well as being an excellent place to stock up on Thai spices, coconut milk and Chang beer there is also a food counter at the front of the store serving up cheap and tasty fare (Took Lae Dee Fast Food)

They do serve Western dishes - American breakfast, beef steak and even scotch egg - but better still go for any number of Thai/Asian dishes - including a wide range of vegetarian options, cooked fresh in sizzling woks in the small kitchen area behind the counter.

Prices are very economical - a main course will set you back between 40 and 200 baht

They are also open 24 hours, so if you just have to have that extra hit of Green Curry or Pad Thai at 2:00am, Foodland is the place!

Foodland Sukumvit Soi 5 was opened in 1991.
Located on the ground floor of Nai Lert office tower.
A store size of 1300 SQM. , located 50 meters from Sukhumvit Road.
Parking in the building.
Caters to many tourists with 5 major hotels within 1 kilometer radius of the area.
Large variety of imported products.
Full service meat, poultry, seafood and produce departments.
A fruit box packing service at produce department for tourists to pack fresh fruits to travel
back home.
Service counters for Butcher’s Choice and Oven Fresh Bakery (both display full range of their
products).
Different varieties of imported cheese and imported deli products at deli counter.
Other Service : Took Lae Dee restaurant open 24 hours a day, drug store (open 24 hours),
flower shop (9am-9pm ), book shop (open 24 hours), photo lab ( 7am-10pm).

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Phone: 0-2530-0220, 0-2530-0222
Address: Sukhumvit Soi 5 (Across Amari Boulevard Hotel)
Directions: Foodland Supermarket Co., Ltd.
87 Nai Lert Building
Soi 5, Sukhumvit Road,
Khwang Klongtoey Nua, Khet Klongtoey
Bangkok 10110
Tel. (02) 254-2179, (02) 254-2247, (02) 254-2367
Fax. (02) 254-2272
Website: www.foodland.co.th
Other Contact: Head Office, Ladprao Road, Wang

Bang Pa In summer palace complex was formerly used by the Thai kings as a summer dwelling. The palace is located on the Chao Phraya River bank in Bang Pa-In district, Ayutthaya Province.
The facilities in the palace includes vast gardens and landscaping, Wehart Chamrunt (Heavenly Light), a Chinese-style royal palace and throne room; the Warophat Phiman (Excellent and Shining Heavenly Abode), a royal residence; Ho Withun Thasana (Sages' Lookout), a brightly-painted lookout tower; and the Aisawan Thiphya-Art (Divine Seat of Personal Freedom), a pavilion constructed in the middle of a pond.
King Prasat Thong originally constructed the complex in 1632 and it was renovated by the well known King MONGKUT (of the King and I fame) in the 1800's. Hence it became well known for foreigners because of Englishwoman Teacher ANNA Leonowens, who stayed in the palace.

There is a 100 Baht entrance fee for Bang Pa-In Palace and it opens daily between 08:30 and 12:00 and 13:00 and 16:00.

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Phone: 0-2646-1818
Directions: By Car : Travel by Phahon Yothin Road to the northand just follow the sign to Bang Pa-In.
By Bus : Bus No.17 (Bangkok-Bangsai-Bang Pa-In-Ayutthaya) leave from the Northern Bus Terminal
(Morchit 2) every 30 minutes from 06.00 to 18.00 hrs.
Website: www.discoverythailand.com/Ayutthaya_Bang_Pa-In_Palace.asp - 47k -

First of all, Thai Massage is not EROTIC or sexual, it is wholesome and soothing, what Bangkok became notorious is the TURKISH BATH/BODY MASSAGE wherein both masseuse and client are naked and the masseuse massages the client using soap or oil via her private parts! GET IT!

Wat Pho (recently named Wat Phra Chetuphon) or the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, has the largest reclining buddha in the world and also is the birth place of traditional Thai Massage. Most western tourists don't get past the temple's huge reclining Buddha, but there is actually much more to see than the one colossal statue.In addition to the fine features of the Buddha's face, also of note are the soles of the Buddha's feet, 45 meters (150 feet) away from the head, which have been inlaid with mother-of-pearl to display the 108 auspicious signs which distinguish a true Buddha. Other attractions here are the thai massage school, Bangkok Chedis, Wiharn and the Ubosot.

Visitors must pay an entrance fee of 20 Baht (0.61 USD) at booths just inside the north, or south, entrances.

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Phone: 02-221-991
Address: Tha Tien Pier, Chao Phraya River, Bangkok
Directions: The entrance to Wat Pho is on Chetuphon road. Entrance is 20B. It's open every day, opening hours are from 08.00am to 5.00pm, with a break from 12.00pm to 1.00pm.
Website: http://www.discoverthailand.com/

Wat Arun is a buddhist temple located in the Bangkok Yai district, on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. It is a Khymer Styled Chedi since thailand was ruled by the cambodians in the 12th century then the cambodians became subjects of the ayutthaya kingdom in the 15th century.

The outstanding feature of Wat Arun is its central prang (Khmer-style tower). Steep steps lead to the two terraces. The height is reported by different sources as between 66,80 m and 86 m. The corners are surrounded by 4 smaller satellite prangs. The prangs are decorated by seashells and bits of porcelain which had previously been used as ballast by boats coming to Bangkok from China. Around the base of the prangs are various figures of ancient Chinese soldiers and animals. Over the second terrace are four statues of the Hindu god Indra riding on Erawan.

The towers of Wat Arun are built of brick covered with stucco. The decorations are unique; thousands of pieces of multicolored Chinese porcelain. In niches in the central tower are green figures of the God Indra seated on Erawan, the traditional Thai three-headed elephant. Niches in the smaller towers contain figures of the Moon God, on a white horse. The trident of Shiva extends from the top of each tower.

Next to the prangs is the Ordination Hall with the Niramitr Buddha image supposedly designed by King Rama II. The front entrance of the Ordination Hall has a roof with a central spire, decorated in coloured ceramic and stuccowork sheated in coloured china. There are 2 demons, or temple guardian figures in front.

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Phone: 02-466-3167
Address: Tha Tien Pier, Chao Phraya River
Directions: From this pier take a cross river ferry to Wat Arun.
Website: www.watarun.org/index_en.html - 2

The Grand Palace or Wat Phra Kraew is a complex of buildings in Bangkok, Thailand. It served as the official residence of the king of Thailand from the 18th century to the mid-20th century until present King Bhumipol moved the royal residence to Chitralada Palace.
The palace complex sits on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River. The other approaches to the palace are protected by a defensive wall of 1,900 metres in length, which encloses an area of 218,400 square metres. Further out from the wall is a canal, which was also created for defensive purposes, making the area surrounding the palace an island, known as Rattana Kosin.

parts of the Grand Palace:

1) Wat Phra Kaew, the temple containing the Emerald Buddha
2) Chakri Mahaprasad Hall
3) Prasat Phra Debidorn
4) Phra Sri Ratana chedi
5) The Museum, which has information on the restoration of the Grand Palace, scale models of
the Wat and Palace and numerous Buddha images
6) Bell tower
7) Dusit Hall
8) Amarinda Hall, the original residence of King Rama I and the Hall of Justice
9) Boromabiman Hall, built by King Rama VI

The combined compound is open 8.30am to 3.30pm everyday. Cost is 200B (if you are Thai, it's free), and includes admission to Vimanmek Mansion and Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall, both in the Dusit area of the city, the Coin Museum in the compound, and so-so free guidebook. The entrance to the compound is on Na Phra Lan road, on the north side.

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Phone: 02-224-1833
Address: Maharaj Pier, Chao Phraya, Bangkok
Directions: Ordinary buses 44, 47 and 91 stop on Thaiwang road between Wat Pho and Wat Phra Kaew.
Ordinary buses 1, 25, 44, 47, 82 and 91 also stop on Maharat road, on the west of Wat Phra Kaew
Website: http://www.discoverthailand.com/
Other Contact: www.grandpalacebangkok.com

The Wat Phra Kaew is regarded as the most sacred Buddhist temple (wat) in Thailand. It is located in the historic center of Bangkok (district Phra Nakhon), within the grounds of the Grand Palace. That is why a visit to the grand palace complex includes this Temple.The main building is the central ubosoth, which houses the Emerald Buddha. Even though it is small in size it is the most important icon for Thai people and is also claimed by the cambodians and laotians since this emerald buddha changed hands many times in the past hence Wat Preah Keo, in Phnom Penh, is considered by many modern Cambodians as its rightful resting place, whereas, Haw Phra Kaew, in Vientiane, is considered by many Lao people as the Emerald Buddha's rightful place.

The wall surrounding the temple area – from the outside only a plain white wall – is painted with scenes from the Thai version of the Ramayana mythology, the Ramakian. Several statues in the temple area resemble figures from this story, most notably the giants (yak), five-meter high statues. Also originating from the Ramayana are the monkey kings and giants which surround the golden chedis. The Temple also contains a model of Angkor Wat, added by King Nangklao (Rama III), as the Khmer empire of Cambodia and the Thais share cultural and religious roots (Thailand was a vassal state of the Khymer Empire before and became the Ayutthaya empire, which ruled laos. cambodia and parts of south vietnam before the Burmese detroyed the empire in the 17th century).

The Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and the adjoining Grand Palace together form the greatest spectacle for the visitor to Bangkok. it's still a pretty amazing place to visit. It consists of over 100 brightly colored buildings, golden spires and glittering mosaics, and dates back to 1782, when Bangkok was founded. When you enter the compound, you first of all see Wat Phra Kaew and the nearby attractions, and then move on to the Grand Palace afterwards.

The combined compound is open 8.30am to 3.30pm everyday. Cost is 200B

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Phone: 02-224-1833
Address: Maharaj Pier, Chao Phraya, Bangkok
Directions: Ordinary buses 44, 47 and 91 stop on Thaiwang road between Wat Pho and Wat Phra Kaew. Ordinary buses 1, 25, 44, 47, 82 and 91 also stop on Maharat road, on the west of Wat Phra Kaew
Website: http://www.discoverthailand.com/

The Chao Phraya is a major river in Thailand, with its low alluvial river plain marking the mainland of the country in the Central Region. The Chao Phraya runs from north to south for 372 km from the central plains to Bangkok and the Gulf of Thailand. However in Chainat the river splits into the main river course and the Tha Chin river, which then flows parallel to the main river and exits to Gulf of Thailand the about 35 km west of Bangkok in Samut Sakhon. In the low alluvial plain which begins below the Chainat dam many small canals (khlong) split off from the main river, used for the irrigation of the rice paddies.

The cities along the river are Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Chainat, Singburi, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Bangkok and Samut Prakan. (however, most chao phraya river tours are located in bangkok or in ayutthaya).The trip along Chao Phraya River is a very exciting and enjoyable thing to do for visitors either in the day time or in the evening with dinner served on the river cruise. The most famous area to start is from Royal Orchid Sheraton - Oriental - Shangri-La hotels. Off course the river cruise can be made from hotels on the oppositeside such as the Penninsular, the Marriot and some others.

During the day, a trip can be made with small long-tail boat, taxi boat (slower), and with group tour. Mostly, they take tourists into Bangkok Noi and other canals where you can see typical and
a completely different life-style along the canals. These scenes are the old way of living in the past that people depended mostly upon river and canals transportation. Now, the front access is the modern roads, but canals are still used a lot. Typical old houses, temples, shops, and the way people buy and sell things can still be seen, especially when you visit the "Floating Market", such as Bangsai Floating Market, and Taling Chan.

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Phone: (0) 2651-9501
Address: Saphan Taksin Stn., Bangkok
Directions: Tourists can book such a tour through travel agents or rent a boat at Tha Chang (Tel: 225-6179, 623-6169), a pier near the Grand Palace, or Tha Si Phraya (Tel: 235-3108) near the River City Shopping Complex
Website: www.bangkok.com/river-cruise-tours/

Wat Trai Mit or Temple of the Gold Buddha (wow we love gold buddhas in the philippines since Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita brought golden buddha's in the philippines during world war 2 as war booty hence the fabled Yamashita Treasure!) is Located at the end of Chinatown's Yaowarat Road near Hualamphong Railway Station, this temple houses an ancient solid gold seated Buddha image of the Sukhothai Period. It is reputed to be the world's largest solid gold Buddha image. Weighing in at five and a half tons and three meters in height, the 15-foot tall seated image is worth in the neighborhood of US$14 Million.

The Golden Buddha was cast sometime in the 13th century and is an excellent example of the gracious Sukhothai style that is still very much in favor to this day. At some point, it was covered in plaster, most likely in an attempt to hide the valuable icon from thieves or looters. The true nature of the Golden Buddha wasn't discovered until it was moved to its present location at Wat Traimit in 1955. When the image was being prepared for its move, some of the plaster was chipped off, revealing the gold underneath. Bits of the plaster can be seen in a case to the left of the statue.

The statue sits in a plain building just barely big enough to hold it within the temple compound. On the terrace outside of the room housing the Golden Buddha are some interesting fortune-telling machines. You drop a coin in the slot and a sequence of lights indicating numbers flash around in a circle, wheel of fortune style, eventually stopping on a number. You can retrieve your fortune from the marked boxes below the machine. The fortune slips are in English as well as Thai and Chinese.

Entrance is 20 Baht, payable at a booth near the wiharn housing the image. There is also a currency exchange in the same kiosk.

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Phone: 0-2623 1226
Address: Thanon Yaowarat
Directions: The temple is also a very short distance from Hualamphong railway station, with its many food courts and easy transportation access.
Website: www.thailandguidebook.com/wattraimit

The Baiyoke Sky Tower building is 309m (1,013 ft) tall, or 328m (1,076 ft) tall if its mast is included. It has 85 floors, with a public observatory on the 77th floor and a 360-degree revolving roof deck on the 84th floor. The view in the Top is Breathtaking since you can see the various expressways of bangkok and the chao phraya river and grand palace complex but I was not that Impressed since I've been to many Tower's Including the Highest being the CN Tower in Toronto Canada (see my toronto page) and Stratosphere Tower in Vegas and Macau Tower.

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Phone: 66 (0) 2656 3000
Address: Pratunam District, Bangkok
Directions: Near the Pratunam Market
Website: http://www.baiyoke.co.th/baiyokesky/index.html

One of the nicest ways to drink coconut juice in thailand is it being roasted over a fire or barbecue. For this you will need the young green coconut (not the brown husk older coconut). Cut off the outer husk as much as you can, then place it in the coals and keep turning it until its blackened and roasted all over. It's very easy to open after it's roasted, you can simply push a knife into the eyes of the coconut and pour out the juice. Drink it while it's warm but most preferl to chill it before serving.

It is also sold in markets and by vendors. These are usually smaller white coconuts with a black scorch mark from the fire somewhere on them. The juice can be wonderfully sweet as cooking concentrates the natural sugars, as well as loosens the flesh. The meat can easily be peeled off and eaten without the need for a spoon. The cost is about the same as young coconut but beware, it cost only 10 Baht each in Chatuchak while in other market like pratunam and patpong, they will charge you 15-20 Baht if your a "Farang"

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Address: every market and streetcorner