Our trip to Bangkok (part 2)

So we arrived Monday night and it was now Tuesday and we caught a Taxi to MBK.

This shopping centre is 7 levels with you鈥檙e A typical type of shops on the first couple of floors and then the 4th floor is pretty much just solely mobile phones, dvd sales and pretty much everything small and electrical with a few other shops thrown in for good measure.

The 5th floor is the food court with furniture shops etc. Now the food court is very modern with a very big turnover in people so you can be sure that it is all fresh it is open, big and very appealing to the eye. We had a lovely Thai meal. They have a system where you walk through a turnstile type of entry where the hostess gives you a card (similar to a credit card) and when you order your meal, there are many different food stations ie. Italian, seafood, Vietnamese, thai, steak, bakery and wonderful juices they swipe your card give you a receipt when you order, so when you have finished eating you just go to the exit and they swipe your card and the total comes up on their register. Quite a good system actually.

I had heard that the prices were very good at MBK and I would have to go along with that.

I purchased imitation bags for approx 199Baht each this shop was on street level (at the entrance that the Taxi鈥檚 drop you off ha ha) the second arcade on your right about 4 or 5 shops down also on your right it was purely a bag shop with a sign out the front that said Sale 199 Baht. For the bags in the front of the shop.

They had lots and lots of different designer bags at that price but not the big Chloe ones, I do remember that. A further couple of shops down I bought a couple of pairs of DG and Dior sunglasses for my daughters and paid 500baht for three (I bartered for this price). I think I did OK with this.

Silk scarves, lovely thai cushion covers 100baht each DG and Dior belts 199baht each. Also ladies what I did was take a little material tap measure with me in my day time bag with the breadth shoulder measurements for my partners shirts so that he didn鈥檛 have to try them on all the time, I must say that this really worked brilliantly and you didn鈥檛 have to have him there if you waned to buy a shirt.

This is a great venue with really everything you need and also in the comfort of air-conditioning. When you purchase your DVD鈥檚 pretty well anywhere we found you have to generally wait for them (after you have chosen them a staff member disappears for about 10 鈥?20 minutes) then returns passing the DVD鈥檚 like a batton in a relay to the chap behind the counter ( very hush hush) they are 100baht per copy. We had a DVD player in our Room and I must say that out of the 20 DVD鈥檚 that we purchased perhaps 5 were watchable. Some had that delayed sound which is not a good look. If they have a DVD player in store which none seemed to have then ask them to play, but get them to go into a couple of chapters because the first (credits) always appears to be great. The older the movies ie 6 months since release a good copy can be had. Movies that have just been released you can pretty well forget it. By my experience. We spent with lunch here close to about 3 hours, it was now time to head back to our oasis in Bangkok for a swim and we were looking forward to the Hotels comp. Cocktail hour and canap茅s before our first lovely seafood meal by the pool at the SGS.

Our trip to Bangkok (part 2)

Hi Cheezepops,

What an excellent idea, firstly writing your trip report before you%26#39;re back, everything fresh in your mind and secondly, like the tape measure, may have to copy your idea.

Enjoy the rest of your stay and looking forward to the next installment.

Thanks

Sarah

x

Our trip to Bangkok (part 2)

chezepops, thank you for your great shopping report. We%26#39;re going in Jan and are staying at the Pathumwan Princess right next door to MBK. This will be our first trip to BKK and plan to do lots of shopping!! lol

How did you find the sizes for womens clothing? Any shops you could recommend that offered largers sizes for westerners eg 12- 16s. Did you buy and shoes?

hey chez- had a good giggle about the dvd- we bought one new release (the devil wears prada) and had the best laugh ever (she did warn us that the quality of new dvd was not 99% good and boy was she right) - the english translation was absolutely nothing like what came out of their mouths- totally different words altogether.

Hi Chez

Thanks for the report. I%26#39;m going there middle next month with my hubby and 3 children. MBK is our first target for bargain hunting. Now that I have an idear what to look for in MBK and thanks for giving the indication of the price range. I%26#39;m particularly interested in buying bags, purse and shoes.

As for the DVD, I won%26#39;t bother as we can get cheaper ones in Kuala Lumpur.

Thanks chezepops for this update, we are going to Thailand Monday %26amp; will be staying at SGS as well same package as yours,cocktails,breakfast etc.Looking forward to your opinion on hotel.One quick question , how long does it take to get to MBK. Is it far ?

Hi Paulrogers

We stayed in a Grande Delux Suite which was as I said a great size with its own walkin wardrobe however one thing that is lacking is the drawer space only two drawers under the safe, I also had to ask for extra coathangers (I wonder why). Also they will supply a DVD recorder free of charge if you reqeust one. Also bottled water is comp. The bathroom is terrific, the bed and the room size all great. Obviously a Grande Suite is bigger and better.

Dont over pack for the evening Cocktails as we were informed to do, honestly there were other guests staying in the Hotel (obviously) and having drinks in the Living Room, and they were just dressed smart casually. Obviously no thongs or too casual attire (im only talking long black pants,polo shirt and myself a nice cocktail dress but try taking a different one for the 5 nights it takes up quite a bit of space when it is not really necessary).

(as far as drinks are concerned this was not an issue they were very forthcoming, they gave you whatever you wanted even Martinis but the Canapes were pretty well non existant.

Because it is so humid do change before you venture out in the evenings I did take heavy shorts for Byron but he ended up just wearing those soft blue material gym shorts at night for walking around the streets and the lightest possible shirt/t shirt top that you have. Myself denim short skirt and little singlet top just to give you an idea of the type of temp. I was just wearing thongs at night as opposed to runnners as I stated and secure open sandals during the day.

The Taxi took about 10 minutes during the first part of the day am. to MBK the charge was approx. 50 baht or so. but we always rounded off to 100baht.

The main problem is if you come back say after 4 in the avo you have to actually wait in line to catch a taxi and then because it is the opposite direction they may or may not take you...sort of hit and miss....my boyfriend just said to take skytrain...funny that. Returning from Chinatown on the Friday avo. at about 5.30 was a nightmare. Be prepared for this hiccup taxi wise.

Dont be afraid to try the food court on the 5th floor of MBK you will be very surprised at how nice it is and those fruit drinks they are just lovely.

When you just want to go for a quick evening stroll from the SGS take the walkway across to the other side of Sukhumvit road (just terrific) and at night they have all stalls on that side it prob. goes for about 1/2 klm. everything is there that is pretty much everywhere else, without having to catch a taxi. You can ask me many more qustions if you like and I can also send you some pics of the hotel if you like. Dont forget that Robinsons Dep. store, the money exchange the botle shop and supermarket are there, this is soooo handy its a great location to be staying in.

I did like the Sheraton ( it is oppulent) although I thought the Lobby could have been a little bit better in design however I cant fault the staff all just so polite and charming, after our illness the room service and food was good. we did eat in Rossini%26#39;s which was very nice and also had the Buffet in the Orchid Cafe where they have the buffet breakfast on the evening of our last night (Sunday) I through caution to the wind and had the whole seafood thing again (on principal) and everything was just outstanding. The deserts which I dont normally indulge in were superb, so many different varieties.

The pool area just magnificent (as my photos will depict) If you can do the VIP return home airport service (SGS) if you are leaving on the night time flight then I would definately recommend this.........really.

I dont know wether it was bcause we fell ill but I went down and requested a 6pm checkout (when your flight leaves at 11.40 this is GOLD) on our last night and they said yes. I originally reqeuestd a 4pm checkout. (If you are a Starwood Preferred Guest you are automatically entitled to a 4pm checkout?)

cheryl.waugh@bigpond.com

hope that this is helpful to you

Hi paulrogers

Should have said Grand Deluxe ROOM

Hi Chezepops

Did you happen to see some Roxy or Billabong sutff in MBK?

Hi Babella

Yes I did I saw Billabong gear in the little shops of Suam Lum night market, I was looking for my daughter in the first day and after I purchased her gear I didnt look any further , but really Bangkok being Bangkok I feel quite confident that being such a popular brand that they would be everywhere. Everything else is repeated everywhere. Im sure Roxy would be there too.

Thanks Chezepops, We are going to Thailand today,with Jetstar will let you know about the trip when we return.Only went Jetstar this time because of the price but the schedule is good.Leave Melbourne 2.10Pm arrive Bkk 7.40pm return 9.00 Pm arrive Melbourne 10.00am.