Governator

1. Wife hasn't been happy with spiciness level of food so far. Where can we get very spicy food without having to ask waitress?
2. After seeing the main Wats, Palace, Chinatown, K road, where do you recommend to see? Wife doesn't care for markets.
3. Staying down at the river near K road. How can I get to sky train and where should I go with it. Been mainly using ferries and taxis.
4. Is it easy to get to Ayuthya without tour.
5. Where's the best tour to see elephants and monkeys.
6. Is there still Thai dancing at Erwan shrine, desk lady here says no.
7. Recommend some good restaurants near Siam hotels, K road area. So far we've eaten at Peeps, Madam Mercur, River Vibe ( awesome view), food's been good but according to wife no better than Ayuda in Queens and not spicy enough ( she asked for very spicy at Peeps and River Vibe.)

Kathie

1. If you have ben eating in the area of Khao San Road, I'm not surprised you aren't getting spicy food. KSR is backpacker central. I had the hottest food i've ever had at Nahm, which is one of the top 20 restaurants in the world. They have a prix fix menu that was 1500 baht for lunch when I ate there a couple of years ago. The Guinea Hen Larb was the hottest dish. You might also want to try Bo.lan, another top 20 restaurant, lunch was 980 baht. The food was not as hot, but they will make the food to your liking. In general, you must tell your server if you want your food hot.

2. Are you interested in house museums? At least do go to the Jim Thompson House - you will get a tour there in English. We enjoyed the Suuan Pakkard Palace with the lovely lacquer pavilion. I recommend checking out some of the wats that are not on the tourist track. There are many dozens of wats in Bangkok - just choose one not on the tours lists and you will be the only westerners there.

3. The easiest way to get to the skytrain (there is no stop close to KSR) is to take the water taxi to Central - the skytrain stop is above the dock - just walk away from the river and you will see the skytrain.

4. Yes, it is easy to get to Ayutthaya on your own. Taking the train is probably the most popular way to get there, but you could hire a car and driver if you preferred.

5. No "best" tour to see elephants and monkeys. Indeed, you have to be very careful about elephant camps and places that bill themselves as elephant rescue centers. Recently, someone here reported on a place close to Bangkok that is good. Sorry, I don't know the name of it, but there is one that is reputable.

6. There was dancing at the Erawan Shrine when I was there are couple of years ago. I always enjoy the shrine, so make a stop there and see.

7. I gave you some restaurant recs in 1. above. None are close to KSR. The question for you is whether you want close to KSR or good food. One we loved that is somewhat close to KSR (I don't know if it is still open) is Chote Chitr.

Enjoy Bangkok!

Governator

What stop is Central? I don't see it on the map. I read about Nahm but prefer to spend 1500 baht or less for 2. Shouldn't have to spend a lot to get good spicy food, I think. Thanks for your feedback.

Kathie

Central is where the boats start from also called Saphon Taksim.

lcuy

You don't have to spend a lot to get good, spicy food in Bangkok. There are lots of great places. One I enjoy for good, spicy and budget food is the food court in the basement (near Gourmet Market) at Siam Paragon. (attached to the Siam MTS station. Go in, prepay about $5 ~ $10 on a card at the cashier's counter, then use it on food at one of the many little booths. Most of them specialize in just a few items. When you're done eating, go back to the cashier and get any unused balance back. As these places are quite popular with the locals, you will get spicy if you ask for it.

Nahm is a Michelin starred restaurant, so can charge accordingly.The prix fixe lunch is very reasonably priced for what you get. Many people find the food too spicy, but I loved it. Take some tissues as my tears flowed freely!

lcuy

And, ASK if you want the food spicier! Cooks have learned the hard way that what most foreigners consider "spicy" is what Thais consider medium or even mild. They don't want to waste food.

LancasterLad

@Kathie<<<If you have ben eating in the area of Khao San Road, I'm not surprised you aren't getting spicy food. KSR is backpacker central.>>>

Not sure why location and whether you're a backpacker or not has got to do with determining how spicy the food will be. Go down Khao San after dusk and there are no more backapackers enjoying themselves than there are non-backpackers. It's got a great after dark vibe, and if it's not to your taste then you don't have to walk too far to get away from it, yet still be in part of Old Bangkok with lots of reasonably priced places to eat with food spiced-up to your own taste, drink and watch the world go by.

@Kathie<<<I had the hottest food I've ever had at Nahm, which is one of the top 20 restaurants in the world.>>>

But it's not necessary to go super posh to get quality super hot spicy food, and at a fraction of the price. The Top 20 List really doesn't mean a thing, it's only a list of whatever, compiled by someone who most people have never heard of, with their own interests and the interests of the venues in mind.

Tin helmet donned.

LancasterLad

1. Answers further up the thread.

2. Orange Flag ferry trip up the river to Nonthaburi. It's not long before you leave the bling and High Rise behind, some great sights along the way.

Visit Lumphini Park, fresh air and space in the middle of Bangkok.

3. Catch the Orange Flag ferry from Pier 13, next to the Navalai River Resort on Phra Athit.

4. 3rd Class train from Hualamphong is a true Thai experience. Plenty of trains in the morning, takes about 2.5 hours, ticket costs about 20 baht single. Stay overnight if you can, saves rushing around. Plenty of tuk tuks from Ayutthaya train station will take you for a standard tour of the historical sights.

Also consider Kanchanaburi if you have time...

https://www.seat61.com/Bridge-on-the-River-Kwai.htm

It's a fabulous part of Thailand, and so easy to reach without the need of an expensive guide. Stay over at least one night.

5. On You Tube.

6. Don't know.

7. Eat where there are plenty of customers, avoid anywhere that's empty. Checkout the toilets before ordering, they might give a clue to how clean the kitchen is. Always make sure they have an English menu, which also includes drinks prices. Avoid the World's Top 20, the food might be nice, but you can get the same quality for a lot lot cheaper.

crellston

I am in Bangkok at th moment and it has never been an issue finding spicy food. It is probably the type of reastaurant you are choosing that is apart of the problem. The ones you list, judging by their names, seem tourist orientated and have therefore adapted their cooking for western tastes after many years of being asked for no spice.

What's wrong with just asking the waitress? I am sure they will oblige, especially if you make your request in Thai - "gin ahaan Thai" = I can eat Thai food and "Chorp pet Mahk" = I like it very spicy, should do the trick.

For good restaurant suggestions have a look at https://www.eatingthaifood.com/best-...gkok-thailand/

Also steer clear of the tourist looking restaurants and check out the food stalls in markets and shophouses (aka hole in the wall restaurants)

You are not too far away from Yarowat road in Chinatown which comes alive at night and has some amazing food options.

Governator

Tried a meal at the Siam Paragon food hall. My vegetarian meal was not bad. Wife's Tom Yom soup was pink instead of red and not spicy or good.

At night we walked down to the end of the road that runs parallel to K road and saw where the Thai people eat had a big fish and very spicy papaya salad w beer and rice for 265 b.

Crellston if you're at NS Riverside I'd like to meet you. Going now to Atathuya.

crellston

We are just about to get the train to Hua Hin and will return to Bangkok on Monday. A few nights at the Ibis riverside and then 3 at the Ibis Styles Khao San which is close to the NSR -( I think!). If those dates fit with yours, always great to meet up with a a fellow fodorite.

crellston

Forgot to add - Pad Thai is not especially spicy (but you can always add Naam pla prik or crushed chillies.

Thip Samai, 313 Mahachai Road, Old City (close to Wat Saket) is one of the best places to try it. We went there with some friends from NYC who had heard good things about it and really enjoyed it.

thursdaysd

Haven't been to Bangkok in a while, but when I went I liked to eat at the Taling Pling near the Myanmar embassy.

Seems it's moved, although not far:

https://www.bangkok101.com/taling-pling/

Governator

Crellston
We'll be ending our 7 week trip returning home on Sunday. Maybe some other time. Thanks for your recommendations, we liked both the Sunline in Hanoi and the NS Riverside in BK. Will try some of your resto recs. Good luck w your blog.

-- Gov

khtodd

We were in BKK a few years ago (and wrote a long trip report here - http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...of-foodies.cfm) - we really enjoyed Thip Samai, and also the PT place right next door, Leung Pha Pad Thai.

lookingforadventure

My Fav restaurant in BKK is Monsoon on Soy 8.

There are Absolulity no real rescue facility's for Monkeys or Elephants in the city
Of BKK.None!
Ck out Elephant Nature Park on line they have accredited real sanctuarys
In a few place in Thailand.
Do not take a tour to see animals of any sort!

crellston

Have safe trip governator. Sorry to have missed you. Another time..