Thứ Ba, 2 tháng 4, 2013

Hua Chang Heritage Hotel, What Our Experts Say About This Hotel:

What Our Experts Say About This Hotel:

Built alongside the Hua Chang Bridge, a famous landmark built by a past king, Hua Chang Heritage Hotel uses the era of King Rama V as inspiration, and transports guests back to the 19th Century. The hotel is a welcome addition to Bangkok's luxury boutique options, with a clear combination of traditional Thai elements with modern convenience and a great location for tourists with a busy schedule. It is quite hectic outside the hotel, but considering it is located a few metres from the start of Bangkok's legendary shopping district, National Stadium BTS Station and many other tourist attractions, that is part of its charm for many people. The lobby is a creative combination of white marble, Georgian faux-antique furniture and double-glazed windows instead of walls to keep everything bright and cheerful...and peaceful. The whitewashed, colonial style building has an interesting swimming pool that fills the courtyard and looks a little like a natural lake, and on the far side of the building there it a delightful restaurant, Miss Siam, serving royal Thai cuisine.

The 80 rooms available at Hua Chang Heritage Hotel are a mix of three room choices: Deluxe, Garden Deluxe and Garden Suite. The bold use of white from the lobby continues in the guestrooms, with additional colours denoting the type of room. The red and pink used in the Deluxe rooms is rather romantic and perfect for a couple; not so much for sharing colleagues on a business trip. The purple motif used in the Garden Deluxe rooms is far more subtle, plus these rooms are slightly bigger. Despite the smallish rooms, the modern design and open plan bathroom with retractable sliding door impressively maximises all of the available space. Other modern touches include Internet-ready TV and a touch screen control unit next to the bed that lets guests use the lights, a/c, butler service and alarm clock all from the comfort of their bed. Complementing this chic boutique resort are the staff at Hua Chang Heritage Hotel, who are attentive and diligent with period uniforms and respectful demeanours.

10 Ways to Spot a Ladyboy The Ladyboy Phenomenon in Bangkok and Thailand

10 Ways to Spot a Ladyboy
The Ladyboy Phenomenon in Bangkok and Thailand
   

'What is a Ladyboy, anyway?' some might say, but if you have been to Thailand before the chances are you already know the answer. Whether it’s from watching the extravagant dancing beauties in a cabaret show or even from a personal encounter, a ladyboy has many different names and guises: katoey, transgender, transvestite or ross-dresser - someone who is so feminine on every level that it becomes almost impossible to differentiate a ladyboy from a real girl. Of course, we don’t mean the obviously masculine-looking ones but the really pretty ones; those who work for airlines, at cosmetic counters in upmarket shopping malls, as stars of cabaret shows or even television celebrities.

'Katoeys' are very well integrated into Thai life and no-one looks down on them... some girls are even a little envious of their perfect feminine figures and faces... In many cases, it reaches the point where anyone could be fooled. So how can you tell? How do you make sure that your pretty new girlfriend isn’t really... a dude!?

Of course many girls in Thailand would tick some of the boxes below, but very few would actually tick them all!

    Too Tall:
    Generally Thai girls are not very tall, but almost all katoeys are taller than average, with heights of 180cm not being unusual.  

    Too Feminine:
    Look at the way she uses make up, the way she walks and moves her arms or hands, especially over-enthusiastic hair flicking... no real girl would need to act this way at every moment, like she is walking on a constant catwalk.

    Overacts and Overreacts a lot:
    Way more than necessary, often loudly in a high-pitched, exaggerated voice. It gets even worse in a conflict. Certainly, don't ever pick a fight with a ladyboy - you can't be sure of the outcome!

    Too Large Breasts:
    This again it is not an absolute rule but too big and often provocative is a good indicator. They often cheerfully invite you to check 'how real they feel'... it's more a question of appreciating their financial investment.

    No Bra!
    This is always interesting - In Thailand, no matter how small the breast and how open-minded a girl is, even in gogo bars, girls always wear a bra! If she doesn't, especially when combined with points 1 and 4, you are probably talking to a katoey.

    The Voice:
    In the majority of the cases, voices - even trained voices - are still what gives many katoeys away. The pitch might be higher than men's voices but it somehow sounds unnatural.

    Adam's Apple:
    This is a tricky one as Adam's Apples can be surgically removed, but if she has one, you can call her 'sir'.

    The Dress Code:
    Just like the overacting, the way a ladyboy dresses is usually a lot sexier than most girls. Add a generous amount of make up, feathers and glitter and you get a girl that has become so feminine and flamboyant that things start to get suspicious.

    The Elbows :
    One of the most unclear indicators, supposedly men's elbows are more square than a girl's.

    The Final Check:
    The ID card - no matter how feminine you are or if you use the ladies bathroom, even after a sex reassignment surgery, your ID will still show your real gender.

Kidzania Bangkok at Siam Paragon Kid's dream jobs come true in Bangkok

Kidzania Bangkok at Siam Paragon
Kid's dream jobs come true in Bangkok
   
Kidzania Bangkok

Kidzania is the very latest and, without a doubt, most innovative addition to the 'edutainment' scene in Bangkok. This is unlike anything we have seen before and the level of fun has been raised to a brand new level. Kidzania, originally a Mexican company, has been opening family entertainment centers since 1999 in Santa Fe, then in 11 additional locations around the world; Bangkok being the latest one.

At first this appears to be another cute mini-town with pretty European style houses below painted skies - which it is. But beyond the extremely well executed craftsmanship, a much deeper level of education is brought to the kids.

Each and every one of the shops and buildings in Kidzania town is a learning experience for children from four to 15 years old. Not just some boring 'show-how': here kids get to be part of the shops. It's extremely well executed and kids love it! The range of experiences is also unique as there are up to 80 different jobs to choose from, everything from being a real dentist to flying a Boeing 737! Fight a hotel fire with real water and ride a tiny fire truck to reach the scene. Rescue people with a small ambulance and bring them to a mini hospital where you get to use almost real equipment. Everything is very realistic, just smaller. Then move to the newspaper office and report to a real newsroom or a TV studio... if only real life jobs would look as fun!

Each activity can accommodate small groups of 6 to 8 kids and no parents can interfere or participate. It's a real kid's world so mom and dad are just allowed to witness the operation and take photos... barely. The whole thing is really well thought out, with a large lobby offering cakes, coffees and computers, all dedicated to parents so kids can finally play free without having to take care of the nagging oldies.

The most appealing aspect of Kidzania is the concept of 'how-do-they-do-it'. It's certainly all fun and games but kids really do learn something... Everyone has to wear the relevant outfit or uniform - whether it's a nurse, a firefighter or a lab coat to learn how to make coke in a mini factory, how to prepare sushi at an Oishi restaurant or some burgers at McDonald's and how to change your mom's car tires at B-Quik car centre. It's all heavily sponsored of course, but who cares? Life out there is just like this! The kids earn 'KidZos' money by doing these mini jobs and can even open a bank account at the CIMB bank. This money is kept there for the kids to buy gifts at the souvenir shop on the way out. How smart from the organizers!

With such a great concept and perfect location at the top floor of Siam Paragon, there is no doubt Kidzania will be a huge success. In addition, being part of such an upmarket shopping mall will hopefully ensure that two years from now the attraction will not get the usual fate of other edutainment centres, when half the features usually stop working and everything looks old and faded. Siam Paragon now has a new gem to its crown.

Learn how to climb a hotel wall! (why?)
Learn how to climb a hotel wall! (why?)
The mini hospital
The mini hospital
The town main plaza
The town main plaza
The town main plaza
The town main plaza
Inside a real Boeing 737!
Inside a real Boeing 737!
With a real cockpit
With a real cockpit
The outside of Kidzania
The outside of Kidzania
Be a captain in uniform!
Be a captain in uniform!
Who wants to be a dentist?
Who wants to be a dentist?
It's a bit freaky though :D
It's a bit freaky though :D
Learn how to fix your dog yourself...
Learn how to fix your dog yourself...
...or work on a newspaper
...or work on a newspaper
How to fix mom's tires!
How to fix mom's tires!
and make your own sushi...
and make your own sushi...
Kidzania Bangkok

Opening Hours: Weekdays 10.00 AM - 5.00 PM • Weekend and Holidays - Morning 10.00 AM - 3.00 PM - Afternoon 4.00 PM - 9.00 PM
Location: Top floor of Siam Paragon
Price Range: Adult (15-60 years old) : 400 Baht - Kids (4-14 years old) : 650 Baht - 1 kid and 1 adult : 1,050 Baht - 2 kids and 1 adult : 1,700 Baht

Bangkok Water Park and Amusement Park, Siam Park City Bangkok

Bangkok Water Park and Amusement Park
    Siam Park City Bangkok

There is enough to see and do at Siam Park to spend an entire day here, with a large area dedicated to a water park with exhilarating slides, and a separate amusement park with some fantastic rides for both small and big kids – just don’t visit expecting Disneyland or other international standard parks you have visited before. Although this park has some large new rides and the water park is great fun, the overall look is slightly shabby, despite a complete renovation in 2007 it still looks like it’s stuck in the 90s, and staff don’t have the best English. Although adults may be less than impressed, kids are sure to enjoy a day out here, and with a great value entry price and cheap food options available it’s a fantastic treat for the kids on a family day out.

Siam Park City Bangkok

You enter the park via a multi-coloured princess’s castle. It is separated into five areas: the water park, X-Zone, Family World, Fantasy World and Small World, with rides to suit all ages. Confusingly the areas are not based on location, but rather ride specific, with the newest popular rides included on a higher price ticket. A day pass for the entire park costs 900 baht for those over 130cm (the height restriction for most of the big rides) and 400 for rides in the Family and Fantasy worlds as well as the water park. The map is colour coded so you can easily see which rides are included in your package. Getting there isn’t too difficult; a taxi ride from central Bangkok should cost around 200 baht and takes around 45 minutes.


         

Siam Park City Bangkok

Siam Water Park is by far the most popular zone in the park, offering the perfect place to cool down and escape the frenetic city streets. With plenty of shaded seating, families often spend the entire day here, jumping in and out of the river that flows through the park, which also boasts the largest wave pool in the world, with small waves and shallow areas suitable for all ages, and a gentle slope to paddle in. For older kids the Super Spiral is great fun, with slides weaving in and out, and great fun for anyone over the age of eight. For smaller kids there are mini slides, and for daredevils – the speed slide! This is by far one of the scariest water rides I have ever experienced. They look innocent enough with bright multi-colours, but on the highest ones you skim down them at breakneck speed, bumping up and down with water spraying in your eyes. Exhilarating for thrill seekers, traumatic for anyone else!

Siam Park City Bangkok

X-Zone encompasses most of the adult / teen rides. Vortex is easily the most impressive, one of the largest suspended roller coasters in the world with a maximum speed of 80 kilometres an hour. Another exciting coaster is Boomerang, which propels you in a triple loop forwards before bouncing you back round. Screams from those experiencing the Giant Drop can be heard as you walk by as they fall for several seconds from a height of 75m. It is also one of the most popular rides at Siam Park City. Although from a distance Enterprise may look like your average ferris wheel, it spins faster than any other and if this isn’t enough, Mega Dance spins you up, round and round again! At the other end of the scale Small World is suitable for young kids, with a mini carousel, small pond with swan boats and even a bouncy castle. Best thing about Small World is that the majority of the rides are under cover, meaning youngsters don’t have to be out in the sun.

Siam Park City Bangkok

In Family World, which comes as part of the 400 baht ticket, classic rides include a log flume, pirate ship and magic carpet ride. Trying them all out will easily take a couple of hours and is sure to leave your head in a spin! For those who like a gentler ride, check out the observation deck, which gives a great view over the whole park or the double decker carousel. The Grand Canyon is a great family ride: a roller coaster suitable for those taller than 100cm. Africa Adventure seems a little outdated and naff, and probably is most suitable for young kids, perhaps as a break from all the running around. You sit on a small train and wind around statues of animals. Although Siam Park may not be the best theme park you have ever been to, it’s great fun for kids of all ages and doesn’t break the bank.

Siam Park City Bangkok

Opening Hours: 10:00 – 18:00
Address: 203 Suan Siam Rd., Kannayao, Bangkok 10230
Tel: +66 (0)2 919 7200
How to get there: For Taxi - สวนสยาม ทะเล-กรุงเทพฯ เดินทางสะดวกทั้งถนนเสรีไทย (5 กม. จากบางกะปิ) และถนนรามอินทรา (กม.12 ก่อนถึงมีนบุรี) อยู่ไม่ไกลจากสนามบินสุวรรณภูมิ (ถนนวงแหวนรอบนอกฝั่งตะวันออก ทางออกถนนเสรีไทย)

Bangkok Hotels and Travel Guide

Bangkok Hotels and Travel Guide

Cultural phenomenon, shopping heaven and tourist treasure. Welcome to Bangkok; one of the most cosmopolitan, contrasting and, above all, compelling of Asian cities. A steamy, pulsating, yet smiling metropolis of more than ten million – intense at first, but addictive as anything. Come find your niche among dazzling temples, hotels of every breed and size, eclectic markets, gleaming palaces, ritzy shopping malls, a famous nightlife and the many things in between.

Enjoy a memorable dinner cruise adrift the Chao Phraya River. Bask in the city’s warm, affluent glow at a skyscraping rooftop bar. Experience all the things – tuk-tuk ride, ladyboy show, Muay Thai (kickboxing) match, Thai massage – everyone always comes home talking about.

Chủ Nhật, 17 tháng 3, 2013

Public taxi stand is located on Level 1 (Ground Level).

Public taxi stand is located on Level 1 (Ground Level).

> Contact Taxi counter, Level 1 - Ground Level, near entrances 3, 4, 7 and 8.

> Pick up area: taxi stand Level 1 - Ground Level

> Taxi fare: metered taxi fare plus 50 Baht airport surcharge, and expressway fees.

> Public taxis serving Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport must be less than 5 years old.

> Public taxi drives must be certified by Airports of Thailand.

> Passenger drop off at Departures (level 4 - outer curb).