Double Bubble

I like Ken Hom, I love Bangkok.  How can this not be worth a read?  From TTel:

Why Bangkok?

I love the culture, the people and, of course, the weather. The combination of all those things makes it very special. It's Asia, but calm, mellow Asia – not frantic Asia, like Hong Kong. I love the way people smile all the time, a result of their Buddhist heritage. Whenever I'm there, on business or pleasure, I feel as if I'm on holiday.

What's the first thing you do?

After checking into my place downtown, I'll go for a walk in beautiful Lumpini Park. It's a wonderful green space right in the middle of the city where people go for a stroll or a cycle ride. It's very relaxing and, like the rest of the city, safe.

Where is the best place to stay?

The Mandarin Oriental (0066 2 659 9000; www.mandarinoriental.com), where I used to stay before I bought a flat in the city. It's right on the river and the service is superb – that's what makes it so wonderful. It's actually pretty cheap by Western standards.

Anything special I should pack?

It's an informal city and also very mild so pack shorts for men and maybe one smart-casual set of clothing to wear to a restaurant – and thin blouses and light frocks for women.

Where would you meet friends for a drink?

I like the Chin Chin bar in the Bandara Suites (266 0505; www.bandarabangkok.com), a 26-storey hotel with fantastic views in the middle of town. It's quiet and you can actually hear yourself speak – it hasn't got that thumping music you find in so many bars. My tipple? A dry martini.

Where is the best place for lunch?

Unlikely as it sounds, my favourite restaurant for lunch is an Italian, Gianni Ristorante (252 1619; www.giannibkk.com). The chef is from Venice and his food is out of this world. You really could be in Italy. They do everything Italian – meats, pasta, risotto – all perfectly cooked.

And for dinner?

I like Crystal Jade (250 7988; www.crystaljade.com), in the basement of the Grand Hyatt Erawan hotel complex. It's part of a chain but they do the best dumplings. You could have a whole meal of dumplings, with a bottle
of wine, and you'd be totally satisfied.

Where would you send a first-time visitor?

The Golden Temple – it's so Bangkok, so Thailand. It's modern, like Buddhism gone psychedelic. At the same time, you can see how devout the people are and that's very touching.

What should I avoid?

If you don't want to see it, it's easy enough to avoid the city's red-light district in Patpong. There again, a lot of people want to to see it out of curiosity – after all, it's part of what makes Bangkok "Bangkok". I love going to the area's night market to buy CDs and DVDs plus all the consumer goods that are available in that part of town.

What should I bring home?

Why not buy some antiques, a Buddha or a sculpture. They're all good value. You've also got to visit Chatuchak Market, a warren of a place where you can buy some beautiful jewellery.

Is there anywhere that isn't your kind of town?

I didn't like Cairo. It was so chaotic and dusty, and just wasn't my kind of place. I didn't like the way people kept trying to sell me things I didn't want. I found it very annoying.

Bangkok Essentials 

Getting there

British Airways (0844 493 0787; www.ba.com) operates daily to Bangkok from Heathrow, from £599; KLM (0871 231 0000; www.klm.com) flies via Amsterdam from £846 and Eva Air (020 7380 8300; www.evaair.com) from Heathrow from £573.

Packages
Kuoni (01306 747008; www.kuoni.co.uk) has five nights' room-only at the Majestic Grande, Bangkok, in a superior room, including flights with British Airways from Heathrow. Departures on May 1 from £1,085 per person.  Virgin Holidays (0844 557 3865; www.virginholidays.co.uk) has six nights' room-only at the Millennium Hilton Bangkok, including flights from Heathrow, departing on March 20, from £2,378, per person. The hotel is on the banks of the Chao Phraya river and attractions such as the Grand Palace and Temple of Dawn are a short boat ride away.
Thai Holidays (0207 849 4170; www.bestatthailandholidays.co.uk) has five nights at the Bel Aire Princess Hotel, including flights, from £1,258, assuming travel before March 31 and based on two sharing.

Taxi or Tuk Tuk
Use the Metro and the exciting Skytrain, which runs between the skyscrapers, but also try a motorcycle taxi or tuk-tuk. Riders of the former wear numbered vests and congregate on the busiest side-streets (from around 50p for a five-minute ride). The three-wheeled tuk-tuks are becoming less common, although they still operate around the tourist sites; fares are negotiated and usually start at around 75p.

Tailoring
Bangkok's tailors are adept at copying almost any item of clothing. They can also complete a suit in around 15 hours, depending on the material. Try Ambassador & Smart Fashion (28 Sukhumvit Soi; 00662 255 4516; www.ambfa.com), which can make men's and women's wool and cotton suits from £168. There are several other tailors along Sukhumvit, Silom and Ploenchit, but whichever you choose it's a good idea to request at least two fittings, clarify the price and thoroughly check the finished garment.