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Bangkok
Bangkok has quite a reputation; you can find anything that your heart desires there. Sure, they've had a few issues lately - a political coup, airport issues, and an explosive new year - but don't let that dissuade you from seeing Bangkok. The city is warm, inviting, and has that typical big-Asian-city energy. You can find high end lodging, food and shopping, but if you just stay high end in Bangkok, then you haven't really experienced Bangkok. On my last trip to Bangkok, I was lucky enough to experience both sides of the coin - luxury and budget. Bangkok is juxtaposed with high end and gritty right next to each other, something you normally don't see in most western cities, embrace it!Luxury Lodging
Everyone knows that the 5 star hotels are down by the river. The Chao Phraya River is dotted with high rise staples such as The Oriental, Shangri La, and the Peninsula. There's always a friendly competition among these big hotel names to be the best - I believe the Peninsula is winning that race currently. Regardless, any of these hotels are well worth the stay. You will experience service like no other. They will attend to your every need, they will even attend to needs that you didn't know that you had. I stayed at the Peninsula and it was like walking into a well -oiled service machine - they hummed - heck, they purred. You felt as if you were on a compound of sorts, you never really had to leave it if you felt like being pampered all day. Budget Lodging
I also stayed in the Sumkumvit area in Bangkok. This neighborhood is know more as the expat area – yet there are many gritty areas mixed in – especially the closer you stay to China Town. I stayed at the Ambassador Hotel. It was a large high-rise hotel, however, you could tell that it reached it’s prime about 10 years ago, and now it was starting a bit of a facelift. However, the rooms were nice, clean, and secure. The beauty of staying at a hotel that is past it’s prime is that you can get a great deal for a very average room. I paid $39 US a night – a bargain considering what you got. However, no matter what hotel you choose, be sure to try to stay near the Sky Train, it's essential for getting around the terrible Bangkok traffic quickly! Luxury Eating The food in Bangkok is not to be missed. Sure, the restaurants serve Thai food – yet in reality it is a westernized version of Thai food in 90% of the nice restaurants in Bangkok. They cater to a westernized pallet…meaning – they leave out the real Thai spiciness. Sure, they have little peppers on the menu denoting that food is spicy – but to the average Thai person, the food would be considered bland at best. If you feel like eating great Thai food and supporting a good cause, then try Cabbages and Condoms. Don’t let the name turn you off, it’s packed every night with satisfied tourists! The restaurant funnels it’s proceeds into the local food banks (Cabbages) and AIDS education (Condoms). Budget Eating If you are the more adventurous type and you love food – then you can’t miss the experience of a real night market. Skip the typical restaurant watered-down Thai food – and go for vendor food! Don’t be shy, just huddle around one of those carts that have a lot of people standing around it, watch what others order and try that! I guarantee that it’s something that you’ll never forget! I highly recommend that Spicy Green Papaya Salad. This stand normally has many people around it, a bunch of grated green papaya, a jar of peanuts, some fresh long green beans, limes, a large wooden bowl and pestle, and a number of bottles of fish sauce. The first thing the vendor will ask you is “How spicy?” This is an important question – because they are talking about the real Thai Spiciness scale – not the tourist restaurant version. My rule of thumb was to ask for 2 to 3 peppers. I once had 4 peppers and my sinuses were immediately upset with me! My lips and tongue went numb. While you are at the night market, try some meatballs with spicy sauce, pad thai, and get one of those great mango shakes while you are at it! This will all cost about $5US. Luxury Nightlife 
Head to the top - the Dome at State Tower. This building used to be one of the many unfinished construction shells - a victim of the Thailand financial crisis a few years back. However in the last 4 years, they have completed it and it's a beauty. At the top is a bar called Sirocco (meaning warm winds). Go to the 64th floor make sure that you can pass by the bouncer scrutiny (no flip flops). One warning – if you have any bouts of Vertigo, I don’t recommend this place for you! The view is stunning and the railing is glass, it honestly looks and feels as if you can fall right off the edge! Have a few martini’s and know that you are also paying for the view! Budget Nightlife Two words, Pad Pong. For a few bucks, you can see the real Bangkok…the sleazy side. Take a walk through Pad Pong and be ready to be accosted by young boys trying to get you into ‘their’ club. Pick a club and go check out what the fuss is about. You can see it all here…literally. If you don’t feel like venturing into Pad Pong, then simply go into any local bar and you’ll find a nightlife, and it will be cheap! Bangkok has so much to offer – why not experience both extremes. You’ll have a great experience regardless of whether you drop a lot of Bhat or pinch a lot of Bhat! City Guide by Sherry Ott
www.ottsworld.com
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