You learn about Lumphini Park and decide to visit and take a stroll and enjoy the shade, natural beauty and fresh air. Nothing to worry about, right? Well, although you really shouldn’t worried about this but some may be startled and scared when a 5 foot long Water Monitor Lizard runs out into the pathway in Lumphini Park. They seem to be harmless and a pretty common sight near the lake and ponds. I saw a smaller one run across the road with a fish in its mouth. The one in the photos was just walking along the road. Many people based paying no attention. To me, I was amazed and watch the lizard go about its business for a while.

Keep calm, enjoy the experience if you see one and don’t try and pet or feed it.

While many people rave about the street food in Thailand, I was a bit turned off by it. It looks great and I did try it several times with no problem. However, a few things to keep in mind. As you can see in the photos, the food is out raw and uncovered. What you can’t tell from the photo is that it is 95 degrees and 100% humidity. There is no refrigeration and the food has been laying out for hours! Oh, and not to mention the number of flies landing on each little piece.

So if you have your mind set on eating this food, which I think you should try at least once, here is a few tips:

1. The vendors will allow you to select the pieces you would like cooked. Choose the number you want from the middle of the pile. The top would have had flies landing all over it and the bottom has been soaking in some nasty looking juices.
2. Always select something that needs to be cooked and be sure it is cooked well. Some vendors will have items that are already cooked. Try and stay away from these because again, flies! At least with the uncooked meat being cooked right in front of you, any nastiness that may be on the meat will get burned off during the cooking process.
3. Select a vendor that has a good amount of food to select from. Even if they are not busy at the time. Large amounts of food say that they are usually busy. Locals know who has the best food. This is a good indication.

I stayed here for three nights and within the first few hours I wanted to check out. Nothing really to do with the hotel, which is very nice and more of a boutique hotel. But the hotel is down a street that is lined with massage parlors that are really not there to offer massages. Every time I walked back to the hotel it was annoying as I passed each establishment and being asked if I wanted a sexy massage. It definitely got more detailed and explicit. THIS IS NOT A HOTEL FOR FAMILIES! I complained a bit to the staff and they are quick to reply that the hotel is advertised as being in an entertainment center. Hmmm….”Entertainment” does quite explain this area. Sure enough, from the confirmation on Booking.com (have to scroll all the way to the bottom), “Please note that the hotel is in the Nana Entertainment area; therefore, the hotel might not be suitable for family with children.” I know where Nana entertainment area is and looking at a map and knowing the area, I thought I was far enough away. I never would have expected this street was like this. The warning should be, “you will be harassed for a sexy massage by every establishment within 50 meters of our front door.” Then I would get the idea!

After a day, the girls must be regulars and they left me alone once they knew I was not interested. But the first day was definitely annoying.
The hotel is nice and clean. The staff are very friendly and accommodating. The room was also nice. A bit of a strange set up with the bathroom. It had a glass wall so you can see in below waist height to ceiling from the bed. Weird. But there was a shade that can be pulled down. Didn’t matter much to me since I was alone. There is a refrigerator in the room and they also provide two free bottles of water each day. Wifi is also free.

While the hotel is very nice, I would not stay here again because of the location. It is the closest I’ve stayed to the Nana BTS, only a 1 minute walk, but the area is not for me.

Address: 131/27 Sukhumvit Soi 7/1 Sukhumvit Road, Klongtoey, Wattana, 10110

This is a rather small hotel compared to the others in the area. My plans had change to stay in Bangkok a little longer and the hotel I was staying at did not have a room for my extended stay. I chose the Dawin because I could walk to it from where I was staying. The Dawin is an unassuming hotel, you can hardly tell it is a hotel until you find the signage which is not obvious at first. Through the front door is a seating area and small bar. The lobby is a very nice modern decor. I was impressed considering the exterior did not project what the interior would be. Check in was really fast and soon I was in my second floor room. Again a nice surprise, modern decor, firm bed, stand up shower. They provide free wifi and two bottles of water free each day. There was also a refrigerator in the room which was nice to keep things cool.

Breakfast is available but it is not included in your stay. I chose to eat out. While I really enjoyed my stay here, I think it is a bit further away from the Nana BTS station than I’d like. There are many options that are closure so I probably wouldn’t stay here again. But a great option if nothing in the area is available.

Address: 35/1-2 Soi Sukhumvit 4 (Soi Nana Tai), Sukhumvit Rd! Bangkok