Bliston Arranged Annual Party to Celebrate ‘Loi Krathong Festival’ in AEC Theme

Bliston Suwan Park View arranged their annual party to celebrate the beautiful ‘Loi Krathong Festival’ on Friday 31 October 2014.

 The Bliston Loi Krathong Party has been organizing every year since 2008, the main propose is to thank you its own in-house guests as well as corporate customers. The second purpose is to create collaboration of staff between each department.

About a month before the event date, all departments were gathered to brainstorm for the theme of the event. It has to be something new, creative, yet fun. For the past years, we had arranged this event in Traditional Thai, Retro, and Looktung themes. This year, we went extra mile and looked ahead to welcome the AEC - that will officially start in late 2015.

On the event date, all staff and our guests were showing up in gorgeous traditional costumes of the AEC nations. The night started by the beautiful Salsa dance show from Dance Synergy Studio (located on the 5fl. of our residence) followed by AEC Fashion Show from our staff.

 During waiting for the lucky draw and the Loi Krathong activity to be held, some of the guests enjoyed delicacy Thai foods ea. Chicken Rice, Fish Maw Soup, Grill Squid, Golden Fried Fish Balls and Change Beer. While some enjoyed challenging themselves by fun games at our game booths.

Later that night, our GM. Mr. Kijja Laowsuwan announced numerous of lucky draw prizes, sponsored by Bliston and our partners ea. Artur Restaurant, Dance Synergy Studio, Na GaYa, Co Van Kassel Tour, Siam Ocean World and Madame Tussauds Thailand. After that the staff leaded all the guests to join Loi Krathong activity together at our pool that has been beautifully decorated by a big Krathong and AEC flags. The nigh was covered by smiles, laugh, and joy.

Until we meet again!

Bliston Society Team

Amazing Thailand Grand Sale 2014 launching its first Shopping Challenge

     The annual Amazing Thailand Grand Sale is set to kick off with its first “Shopping Challenge” aimed at spicing up the event and encouraging shopaholics to spend, spend, spend during the 3 months and a half-long shopping extravaganza from 15 June to 30 September, 2014.

     The event’s first-ever shopping competition is scheduled to take place on 18 June, 2014, in the heart and bustle of Bangkok’s most popular shopping districts – Ratchaprasong and Siam – and at the city’s most popular shopping malls – Siam Paragon, Central World and Gaysorn.

     Joining this fun competition are 15 teams, each comprising well known media figures and celebrities from 11 Asian countries – Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, India, Vietnam, Cambodia, Taiwan, China, Korea and Japan.  These teams will be assigned one of three shopping routes along the BTS Skytrain or five teams for each route.

     The teams will be given a shopping bag and the equivalent of 10,000 Baht with which they have to buy certain items at specified shops in the Gaysorn, Siam Paragon or CentralWorld shopping complexes within two hours (from 14:30 – 16:30 hrs.). At each outlet, theteams have to seek out their assigned shopping item, snap a picture that includes the “purchased” object and team members and post on instagram with #amazingtgs2014. The shopping action in real time will be put up on screens at the main stage in Siam Paragon.

     The winning team will be the one who finds all the items on their “shopping lists” in the shortest time. If it is too close to call, then the budget and money spent becomes the main factor. In a “photo finish” the team who spent the least will be declared the winner and be rewarded with a cash prize of 100,000 Baht.

     The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) believes this “Shopping Challenge” publicity stunt will help attract more international visitors to Thailand during this year’s grand shopping period as well as to encourage them to spend more in the country. 

     Mr. Thawatchai Arunyik, TAT Governor said, “Now that the world knows that it’s ‘business as usual’ here in Thailand, they will be looking forward to coming back and taking advantage of the kingdom’s wonderful shopping. So we are opening our arms to tourists from all over the world to come here and lose themselves in a shopping paradise... More than 15,000 shopping malls, department stores, brand-name outlets, and restaurants in seven major tourist destinations: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Hat Yai, Pattaya, Hua Hin and Ko Samui are offering irresistible special deals and bargains for tourists, making the next couple of months the best possible time to come to Thailand.”

* Visit www.thailandshoppingparadise.com for Shopping Tips ea. VAT refund process, and tips to avoid buying sub-standard products.

cr: TAT News Room

Q&As: Thailand Political Developments, Jan 2014 (from TAT HQ)

Q: There have been news reports of a “Bangkok Shutdown” plan by anti-government demonstrators in January, should tourists cancel their trips planned during this month and the next?

There is no reason at all for tourists to cancel their trips to Bangkok in January. The anti-government demonstrators are targeting at mounting pressure on the government, and have promised not to disrupt the public’s daily life and infrastructure.

All city buses and vans, water-transport, BTS skytrain, MRT subway, Suvarnabhumi Airport Rail Link and the two Bangkok’s airports (Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang) are open and operating as per normal.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is closely monitoring the situation, and would like to inform tourists and the tourism industry that all concerned public and private agencies will exercise utmost efforts to ensure tourist’s convenience should the mass demonstrations occur. 

Q: Is there any chance that Suvarnabhumi Airport will be closed by the demonstrators as occurred in late 2008?

At this time, both international airports in Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang) and all other international and domestic airports throughout Thailand are open and operating as per normal.

The main anti-government demonstrator group has promised they will not disrupt public infrastructure, including the city buses and vans, water-transport, BTS skytrain, MRT subway, Suvarnabhumi Airport Rail Link and the two Bangkok’s airports (Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang).

All concerned public and private agencies are closely monitoring the situation, and will be working to ensure that tourists are not affected by the planned mass demonstrations on 13 January 2014 should it occurs.

Q: Will airlines be cancelling or reducing flights to Bangkok? If so, which airlines?

According to Suvarnabhumi Airport, airlines currently operating through the airport have yet to cancel or reduce flights for the immediate and future periods. All fights are operating as per normal.

To facilitate air passengers should the massive demonstrations on 13 January occur, all concerned tourism-related public and private agencies are discussing ways to minimise the impact from the possible gridlock traffic.

Solutions have included organising air passengers in small groups for a check in at Airport Rail Link station in Makkasan, before taking the 15-minute express train to the airport to board the flight.

Q: Is there a possibility that the situation will turn violent as there had been a few clashes between protesters and the police in the past weeks? Will the military get involved to put an end to the situation?

While we cannot really comment on these questions, we can say that the demonstrations have been normal to peaceful, and have not affected tourist attractions and activities, most of the time.

We cannot comment on the military’s move either. However, we have been informed that during this week, starting tonight, there will be massive movements of troops (a total of 20 battalions) and heavy artillery and armaments into Bangkok in preparation for grand military parades to celebrate the Royal Thai Armed Forces Day on 18 January.

Also during this week, about eight battalions of troops will be rehearsed for the parades. The final rehearsal, involving 20 battalions and full military vehicles, tanks and artillery showcases, will be held on 10 January.

Q: If tourists already plan to visit Bangkok in January, is it safe and convenient to travel to Bangkok at this time due to the demonstrations? Will tourist attractions and activities be closed during the planned Bangkok Shutdown?

For tourists visiting the kingdom, it should be stressed that tourists have not been targeted in the ongoing political demonstrations.

However, tourists are advised to be vigilant and avoid areas where crowds may gather.

All tourist attractions and activities are open and operating as per normal.

Q: Is it safe to travel to Bangkok and getting around in the city while the demonstrations take place?

Tourists can travel to Bangkok, and getting out and about in the city. Tourist attractions and activities in the Thai capital are open and operating as per normal. However, tourists are advised to be vigilant and avoid areas where crowds may gather.

Mass transit networks in Bangkok, including BMTA bus and van, BTS skytrain, MRT subway, Suvarnabhumi Airport Rail Link and city buses, as well as water-transport and taxi are operating as usual. 

Q: Where in Bangkok can tourists visit while the demonstration takes place?

All tourist attractions in Bangkok, such as, the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha on Na Phra Lan Road, Siam Paragon and CentralWorld Shopping Complexes on Rama I Road, parks, temples, historical sites and theme parks are open and operating as per normal.

Q: Is it safe for tourists to go to the demonstration areas for observation and taking photographs?

Tourists are advised to use common sense and avoid areas where the demonstration is taking place or where crowds may gather. This is because there may be traffic disruptions or delays, thus causing inconvenience.

Bangkok offers a wealth of tourist attractions and activities, and tourists can better enjoy their holiday times by not getting caught in traffic disruptions or delays, which may occur, near the demonstration sites or where crowds may gather.

For more information on tourist attractions and activities in Bangkok, call the Tourism Authority of Thailand Contact Centre 1672.

Tourists can keep up-to-date with the tourism situation in Thailand through Application Line: Amazing Thailand.

For live videos of various attractions in Thailand, tourists can visit download the Thai Live Cam mobile application available now in iOS and Android. See more at: HYPERLINK "http://livecam.tourismthailand.org/" http://livecam.tourismthailand.org/

Other useful contact numbers:
Tourism Authority of Thailand Call Centre 1672
Thai Traffic Police Call Centre 1197
Thai Tourist Police Call Centre 1155
Bangkok Tourism Division Call Centre +66 (0) 2225 7612-4
Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (city bus service) Call Centre 1348
State Railway of Thailand Call Centre 1690
Transport Co., Ltd., (inter-provincial bus service) Call Centre 1490
Airports of Thailand Call Centre 1722
Thai Airways International (THAI) Call Centre +66 (0) 2356 1111
Bangkok Airways Reservation Centre 1771
Nok Air Call Centre 1318
Thai AirAsia Call Centre +66 (0) 2515 9999

Q: In the case of any unfortunate events, such as, tourists are affected while travelling in Thailand, what assistance can tourists expect to receive from the Thai Government?

Thai authorities as well as the private sector are ready to provide assistance to tourists in the case of inconveniences. Tourists can seek assistance through the Hot Line numbers provided above.

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports is also providing an insurance policy for tourists visiting Thailand during 1 October, 2013 to 30 April, 2014. The policy covers liability of up to US$10,000 per person.

Q: Do people cancel their accommodation because of the demonstrations? If so: how many?

We understand from our industry friends both hoteliers and tour operators that there have been some cancellations for the immediate period.

The cancellation is expected to be minimal as Thailand is in a high tourist season and, as per the reason stated above, the demonstrations have not affected most tourist attractions and destinations in Bangkok and other parts of the country.

*****************************************************************

cr: Thailandfans Forum

Suvarnabhumi Named 5th Best Airport in Asia's Largest Cities

Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok was ranked fifth in a list of Asia’s best airports, according to an Agoda.com customer survey released recently.

Travellers were asked to rate 15 airports in Asia – Bangkok, Beijing, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, New Delhi, Phnom Penh, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo, Vientiane and Yangon. The rating, on a scale of 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent), was based on more than 11,000 respondents.

Suvarnabhumi won a score of 3.79, trailing Singapore’s Changi International Airport (4.37), Hong Kong International Airport (4.13), Seoul Incheon International Airport (4.01) and Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (4).

In fifth spot, Suvarnabhumi Airport handled 48 million passengers in 2012 after opening in 2006. As one of the most centrally located airports in Asia, it is a major transit and cargo hub and, interestingly, has the tallest control tower of any airport in the world.

Changi Airport came in first. Known for its hyper-efficiency and consistent investments in improvements and upgrades, it features in the top three of nearly every airport ranking in the world. Last year, Changi handled 51 million passengers. 

Second spot with a rating of 4.13 went to Hong Kong International Airport, which, similar to Changi, usually places very high on any ranking thanks to its convenient transit links and high-technology design on a huge chunk of reclaimed land in the South China Sea. Last year Hong Kong Airport handled 56 million passengers.

Rounding out the top three is Seoul's Incheon International Airport, which handled 39 million passengers last year. Interestingly, the airport holds a record that is now unbreakable - it was named the Best Airport Worldwide by the Airports Council International for a record seven years (2005-2011), and the award was discontinued after its final win. 

Top 10 Airport Rankings in Asia's Largest Cities 

1. Changi International Airport 4.37
2. Hong Kong International Airport 4.13
3. Seoul Incheon International Airport 4.01
4. Indira Gandhi International Airport 4.00
5. Suvarnabhumi Airport 3.79
6. Narita International Airport 3.69
7. Kuala Lumpur International Airport 3.56
8. Beijing Capital International Airport 3.48
9. Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport 3.38
10. Phnom Penh International Airport 3.14

cr: www.nationmultimedia.com

Images of Suvarnabhumi Airport:

Have you visited any of these airports and what do you think? :)

Find Your Ideal Expat Home in Bangkok

You’ve landed your dream job, now all you need to is track down the perfect home. But don’t worry, finding the right condo, apartment or house in the capital is a fairly simple process...

Moving to Bangkok to take up a new job is a challenging experience and one of the most important tasks is to find somewhere to live. This is a reasonably straightforward process with a wide range of choices that match a range of budgets, but it is important to understand the range of options.

The first decision is going to be where to live. This will be determined by where you are going to work, if you have children and where they go to school, and your need for access to public transport, especially the BTS skytrain.

The most popular expatriate residential area is Sukhumvit Road between sois 1 and 63 (odd-numbered sois on the north side and sois 2 to 42 on the south side). This is followed by the Lumpini area between Ratchadamri and Soi Ruam Rudi, and the streets off Sathon Road north of the Narathiwat Ratchanakarin intersection.

There are a few suburban locations favoured by some expatriate families because of proximity to schools. These include Nitchada Thani next to the International school of Bangkok (ISB), and some developments near Bangkok Patana school on Soi La Salle in the eastern part of Bangkok.

Most expatriates coming to Bangkok will choose to rent rather than purchase. There is a wide choice of accommodation types for rent including serviced and unserviced apartments, condominiums, single detached houses and townhouses.

Serviced Apartments are single-ownership buildings that provide units for rent that are fully furnished and equipped with all the appliances, cutlery, crockery, linen and amenities one would need. Effectively you can move in with just your toothbrush. Most serviced apartments provide a regular cleaning service, so it feels like living in a hotel except you have more space and a kitchen. The most common unit types are studios and one-bedroom apartments with a range of sizes.

Tenants can rent serviced apartments on a monthly basis or for longer periods. These are ideal for expatriates on short-term assignments or for singles or couples who want the convenience of everything being provided and the service. The rents per square metre are higher than for other types of rental accommodation with a range of between 700 and 1,200 baht per square metre per month.

Apartments are single-ownership multi-unit buildings and condominiums are multi-ownership multi-unit buildings where units have been bought by individual owners. Physically there is little difference between apartments and condominiums. Generally, both are offered on a furnished basis with major appliances but without linen, cutlery, crockery and so on. Most condominiums and apartments have facilities such as swimming pools.

The main difference is in the way these buildings are managed. In an apartment building, one company owns all of the units and is responsible for maintenance and repairs inside the unit and the common areas. In a condominium, the property managers of the building are only responsible for the management of the common areas and the individual owner is responsible for maintenance and repairs inside the unit.

The length of a residential lease is generally one year with the tenant paying a deposit the equivalent to three months’ rent and paying rent monthly in advance. Tenants are responsible for paying utilities such as electricity, water, telephone, internet and cable TV, except for serviced apartments where generally they are included in the cost.

Contracts are generally short and straightforward. However, it is important that anything agreed orally between the landlord and the tenant should be included in writing in the agreement to avoid any future misunderstandings.

It is also important to have a proper handover where any existing defects are listed and agreed upon in writing by the landlord and tenant. This way, when it comes to handing the unit back at the end of the lease, there is no confusion about who was responsible for any damage, which could result in deductions from the deposit.

CR: Bangkok Post, 28 July 2013 by James Pitchon

☂ Bangkok: Come Rain Come Shine ☂

June – October is the rainy season in Thailand, but it doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy your holiday in Bangkok during this time. In the sunshine days, as you know, Bangkok offers lot of outdoor activities for you to do ea. visiting Grand Palace, Temples, or Parks. When it comes to rain, there are also plenty of indoor options available in Bangkok. Here are some ideas…

☂ Explore the Young Museum in the Old City at Museum Siam ☂

While the Museum of Siam is set inside a very large neoclassical house, it is definitely not the usual display of historical artifacts and dusty mannequins you would expect to find in such an antique building.

From the reception area, wooden stairs, ceramic tiles and old-fashioned columns contrast with resolutely modern art and advanced technology. Everywhere you look, the two elements blend with great harmony as designers use every possible way to challenge the traditional expectations you might have of a museum.

Location: Phra Nakorn District, Rattanakosin Island, south of Wat Pho

Opening Hours: 10.00 - 18.00 (Tuesday to Sunday)

Website: www.museumsiam.org

☂ Learn More About Bangkok History by the Multi-Media Animation Technologies at Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall ☂

The buildings along the Ratcha Damnoen Avenue are parts of Bangkok's architectural landscape and history.  These blocks were built along with the construction of Ratcha Damnoen Avenue leading from the Dusit Royal Palace to the Grand Palace (began in 1899).

The renovation of the building and its interior decoration work began in 2008. On 9 March 2010, the exhibition was officially launched.  It invites the public to learn, appreciate and take pride in Thailand's artistic and cultural legacies of the Rattanakosin Era. The building has 4,800 square metres of floor space.  Advanced technologies - such as presentation devices, models, four-dimensional multi-media technique, multi-touch and multi-media animation technologies- are used in presenting the exhibitions about Rattanakosin City through interactive self-learning devices. The building also has a library, a souvenir shop and a coffee shop.

Location: 100 Ratcha Damnoen Klang Avenue, Bawonniwet Sub-District, Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok 10200 

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday (Close on Mondays) 10.00 am - 19.00 pm.

Website: www.nitasrattanakosin.com/home

☂ Get a Dose of Culture at Bangkok Art & Cultural Centre ☂

“BACC visualizes itself as a centre of cultural diversity for a sustainable social development.”

The Art and Cultural Centre is the hub of Bangkok’s burgeoning art scene and offers the widest range of contemporary art, design, music, theatre and film in the city. Located only a few minutes walk National Stadium BTS it hosts a number of changing exhibitions from both Thai and International artists.

Location: BACC is located at Pathumwan Intersection, facing the MBK and Siam Discovery Centres.

Opening Hours: 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. (closed Mondays) (Office hours: 9.30 a.m. - 6.30 p.m.)

Website: www.bacc.or.th

☂ Go Underwater Without Getting Wet at Siam Ocean World ☂

In the basement of Siam Paragon shopping mall you will find the largest aquarium in Southeast Asia, with plenty of creatures to check out, from scary sharks to jumping jellyfish. Take a ride on the glass-bottomed boat or discover the plants and wildlife from the rainforest, including spiders and snakes. A trip to Siam Ocean World can be combined with a visit to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in nearby Siam Discovery Mall, and these two tickets can be bought together at the counter to offer great savings.

Location: Basement floor, Siam Paragon, Siam (Take Exit 5 from the BTS Siam Station, which provides direct access to Siam Paragon)

Opening Hours: 10:00 - 21:00 daily

Website: www.siamoceanworld.co.th

☂ Step Back in Time, Visit Old School Bangkok Cinema ☂

“Watch a movie? That’s not creative!” You may well be thinking, but Scala Cinema in Siam Square is a throwback to the golden days: It only has one screen but the ornate domed-ceiling, giant chandelier and art-deco decoration will delight visitors as much as the discount 100 baht ticket price. Thankfully, not everything has been frozen in time with all the latest audio and visual technology installed to show a mixture of the latest Hollywood releases as well as more art-house flicks from Thailand, Europe and beyond.

Ticket Fee: 100 Baht

Location: Scala Theatre, Siam Square Soi 1, Rama Rd.

Website: www.apexsiam-square.com/home.asp

Ref: www.bangkok.com, Pantip.com, Google

Top 25 Best Destinations in The World - by TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor as know as one of the top review websites. It recently announced the poll for Travelers'Choice 2013: Top 25 Destinations in The World. This poll voted by travelers from all around the world. In this ranking, 2 destinations in Thailand has been listed! Can you guess, where would it be?

1. Paris, France

Everyone who visits Paris for the first time probably has the same punchlist of major attractions to hit: The Louvre, Notre Dame, The Eiffel Tower, etc. Just make sure you leave some time to wander the city’s grand boulevards and eat in as many cafes, bistros and brasseries as possible. And don’t forget the shopping—whether your tastes run to Louis Vuitton or Les Puces (the flea market), you can find it here.

2. New York City, New York
Conquering New York in one visit is impossible. Instead, hit the must-sees – the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum of Art – and then explore off the beaten path with visits to The Cloisters or one of the city’s libraries. Indulge in the bohemian shops of the West Village or the fine dining of the Upper West Side. The bustling marketplace inside of Grand Central Station gives you a literal taste of the best the city has to offer.

3. London, United Kingdom

The crown jewels, Buckingham Palace, Camden Market… In London, history collides with art, fashion, food, and good British ale. A perfect day is different for everyone: culture hounds should hit the Tate Modern and the Royal Opera House. Clotheshorses will drool over Oxford Street shops. For foodies, cream tea at Harrod’s or crispy fish from a proper chippy offers classic London flavor. Music and book buffs will freak out over Abbey Road and the Sherlock Holmes Museum (at 221B Baker Street, natch).


4. Rome, Italy
5. Barcelona, Spain
6. Venice, Italy
7. San Francisco, California
8. Florence, Italy
9. Prague, Czech Republic
10. Sydney, Australia
11. Berlin, Germany
12. Istanbul, Turkey

HERE WE GO... Thailand!

13. Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok is full of exquisitely decorated Buddhist temples—as you go from one to the next you’ll be continually blown away by the craftsmanship and elaborate details. But if you’d rather seek enlightenment in a gourmet meal, or dance the night away, you’ll also enjoy Bangkok—the restaurant and nightclub scenes here are among the best in the world.

14. Chicago, Illinois

15. Tokyo, Japan

16. Cape Town Central, South Africa

17. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

18. Buenos Aires, Argentina

19. Marrakech, Morocco

20. St. Petersburg, Russia

21. Beijing, China

22. Shanghai, China

23. Siem Reap, Cambodia

24. Chiang Mai, Thailand

You could spend your whole Chiang Mai vacation exploring the famous Night Bazaar. Once you’ve exhausted the art of the cheerful haggle, however, there’s plenty more to explore. The National Museum and Botanic Garden are great places to soak up some local culture and to breathe in the delicate fragrance of Thai orchids. In the city’s center, the remains of ancient walls embrace over 30 temples. Limber travelers can climb 300 stairs to Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, an ornate Buddhist temple in the hills.


25. Queenstown, New Zealand

See the full list Click! here 

Bangkok for Free!?

Any metropolitan city around the world can be expensive for tourists and expats. But, if you are in the know, there are plenty of places and things that you can enjoy for free in Bangkok...

The following are some ideas of what you can do for free in Bangkok:

1. Visit a Museum: Many of the smaller museums around Bangkok don’t charge for entry, even the big museums have special free days.

2. Watch a Movie: Although you have to buy tickets for regular movies, every now and then there are international film festivals where all tickets are free. There are also outdoor free movies at temple fairs.

3. Visit a Temple: Most of the big temples around Bangkok charge admission fees for foreign tourists, but if you go early, you can mingle with local devotees before the admission office opens. There are also quite a few impressive temples that don’t charge an admission.

4. Take in a Bird’s Eye View of Bangkok: You have to pay a lot to go to the top of Baiyoke Tower in Bangkok. But you can get free views from the top of The Golden Mount.

5. Relax in Bangkok’s Parks: All of Bangkok’s parks are free for you to releax or stroll around. Many people also use the parks to exercise such as running or cycling. Some even have free exercise machines for you to use.

6. Watch a Muay Thai Match: It’s normally very expensive for foreigners to watch a Thai boxing match in Bangkok, but the Channel 7 Stadium opposite Chatuchak Market has free matches on Suday afternoons.

7. Ride a Boat on the Chao Phraya River: It can be very expensive to rent long-tailed boats but you can actually go up and down the river for free on hotel shuttle boats. These are really for hotel guests but no-one knows if you are visiting a restaurant at the hotel. Most go from Saphan Taksin Pier.

8. Attend an Art Exhibition: There are many art galleries around Bangkok, but the best free one is the Bangkok Art and Culture Center. As well as regular exhibitions, they also sometimes show free movies.

9. Watch Thai Dancing: If you cannot afford to go to a performance at the national theatre, you can watch Thai dancing at many shrines where devotees pay for the dancing as a way of making merit. Best place to see this is at the Erawan Shrine.

10. Join an Aerobics Class: At 6 p.m. every day, you can join free aerobic classes. These often take place in parking lots of big hypermarkets like Big C and Tesco Lotus as well as at some of the parks like Lumpini Park.

*For more information on free things in Bangkok, visit http://www.bangkok4free.com/ 

Celebrating St. Patrick's Day in Bangkok, Why not?

Saint Patrick's Day or the Feast of Saint Patrick (Irish: Lá Fhéile Pádraig, "the Day of the Festival of Patrick") is a cultural and religious holiday celebrated on 17 March. It is named after Saint Patrick, the most commonly recognised of the patron saints of Ireland.

The day generally involves public parades and festivals, céilithe, and wearing of green attire or shamrocks. Christians also attend church services and the Lenten restrictions on eating and drinking alcohol are lifted for the day.

Where Can I Celebrate Saint Patrick's Day in Bangkok?

If you are in Bangkok on Saint Patrick's Day, even if you are not an Irish - the most popular way to celebrate is to head to one of the Irish pubs and just enjoy the feast together with the Irish, Thais, expats and travelers from around the world!

There is a good number of Irish pubs in Bangkok, and we've put together a list of what we consider to be the most famous Irish pubs in Bangkok. 

O’Reillys Irish Pub (Silom Road)

O'Reilly's is one of the first Irish pubs in Bangkok and is located on Silom road right at the foot of the steps leading up to Saladaeng BTS skytrain station so getting there is really simple.

O'Reilly's is one of those pubs that has a constant atmosphere as it is in a good location for tourists and business people alike and you will find a mix of westerners and Thais.

O’Reillys Irish Pub

62/1-4 Silom Road Bangrak, Bangkok

Tel. 02-632-7515 to19

http://www.oreillyspubbangkok.com/

Molly Malone's Irish Pub (Soi Convent)

Molly Malone's Irish pub in Bangkok used to be known as The Irish Exchange but underwent a make over and a change of ownership and re-emerged as Molley Malone's.

There is seating upstairs and downstairs and there is the usual Guinness and Kilkenny on draught as well as a number of other draught and bottled beers.

Getting to Molly Malone's should be easy enough as it is very close to Saladaeng BTS skytrain station and not a far walk from Silom's MRT subway station.

Molly Malone's Irish Pub

1/5-6 Soi Convent Silom,

Bangrak Bangkok 10500

Tel. 02 266 7160-1

http://www.mollymalonesbangkok.com

The Dubliner Irish Pub (Sukhumvit Road)

The Dubliner Irish Pub in Bangkok is located on Sukhumvit road, around soi 22 close to Washington Square. The nearest Skytrain or Underground station is Asoke / Sukhumvit

The decor of The Dubliner is similar to all the other Irish themed bars in Bangkok - mainly wooden - but we like the layout of The Dubliner because it's more pub like and less clinical than some of the others.

If your other half likes shopping, send them to The Emporium just down the road and you can sit back with a drink and wait for them to come back.

The Dubliner Irish Pub

21 Sukhumvit Soi 33/1, Bangkok, Thailand 10110

Tel. 02-204-1841

http://www.thedublinerbangkok.com/

Flann O'Brien's Irish Pub (Asiatique The Riverfront)

Flann O'Brien's is quite new compare to other Irish pubs in Bangkok, but as it is located in the newest landmark of Bangkok, Asiatique The Riverfront – there are a lot of things to do in the area.

The theme of the Flann O'Brien's Irish Pub and the Asiatique is retro style, you will feel like going back in time and sitting in the old harbor of Bangkok.

Flann O'Brien's Irish Pub

Asiatique The Riverfront

Tel. 02 108 4005

www.facebook.com/FlannobriensIrishPub

Robin Hood Bar (Sukhumvit Road)

Robin Hood Irish Pub in Bangkok is opposite The Emporium Department store. To get to Robin Hood, just get off at Phrom Phong BTS Syktrain station and exit gate 5 and Robin Hood will be right there.

Robin Hood Bar

597-597/1-3 P.B Building, Sukhumvit 33/1, Sukhumvit Road

Klongtan Nua, Wattana Bangkok 10110

Tel: +66 2 662 3390

http://www.robinhoodbangkok.com/

Have a Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

cr: Wikipedia, thebangkokshoppingguide.com