I always book my rooms via the internet. Sometime ago, I discovered a great local site that not only offered great service, but actually offer the lowest rates around. You can compare and check it out for yourself. Their rates are sometimes over 500 bht. difference a night! That amounts to quite a bit especially if you are booking for several days/rooms. The site is http://www.atsiam.com

Only problem I have with them is that they cannot accept bookings with Visa that does not have “veri sign,” which can be a problem since many banks here have yet to get on the Veri Sign bandwagon. In such cases, you’ll have to do a bank transfer. That said, they are very helpful and you will find that the trouble is well worth it.

I just came back from a company trip to Kanchanburi, and I must say I really had a great time. I am more a sun, sand and sea person you see, but where you stay makes all the difference and here, we stayed at a new, family run resort called “inchantree resort” located right by the river. The view is awesome and you can even see the famous bridge from the hotel deck. The rates - 950 bht/night! That’s USD 26 for an above average room and the most superb location. The resort is also currently building a pool and that is suppose to be ready end Feb. The owner said that they have no intention of increasing the price and that kind of attitude is rare these days. Here are some pics I took of the place and you can also look them up at www.inchantreeresort.com

Here’s my list of favourite restaurants in Bangkok. I do believe they are about the best you can find in their respective catergories:

French

I LOVE French food especially those tasty snails and delightful crepe suzettes. Le Banyon on Sukhumvit SOi 8 is hailed by many as the best French restaurant in Bangkok, and I certainly have become hooked since I was introduced to it 5 years ago. It’s been around for yonks and is located in an old-style bungalow mid-way down Soi 8 on the left. Food is delicious and the price is extrememly reasonable. The escargots are to die for, and so is the pressed duck. They do very good fish and you can get by with less than a 1000 bht for 2 without any wine orders. Bookings are neccessary and the tel. no. to call is 022535556

Italian 

A little pricey but very popular restaurant amongst both locals and expats is Zanotti’s on Silom, Soi Saladaeng. Everyone I know raves about their parma ham pizza but another thing you really must try is their Florentine steak. I mean, I have never tasted a piece of steak tastier or more tender. It is divine! Pasta is good too altho’ I’m not a big fan of pasta so I cannot comment much there. Ambience is great and is packed every night. You can find a map and tel. no at www.zanotti-ristorante.com

Chinese

I must admit that I don’t eat a whole lot of Chinese food here. I just cook them at home! But when I do, I go to the Great Shanghai on Sukhumvit road, right by the stairs to BTS Phrom Phong (Peking duck is superb!) or Crystal Jade at the Emporium food hall. I know that there is the up market Cystal Jade restaurant at Siam Paragon which I have not tried but you can’t go wrong with Crystal Jade restaurants. They have branches all over Asia and everyone of them is packed to the brim during lunch and dinner. That should say something…

I still have more but gotta get back to work. More later!

Currently I have 3 such places available. All of reasonable sizes with seperate living rooms.

1) 45 and 50 SQM 1 bedroom units conveniently located between Sukhumvit Soi 26 and 34 - BTS Phrom Phong. 17,500 bht and 19,500 bht/mth respectively. The rooms are modern and come fully furnished with TV, fridge, microwave etc. Also has UBC and wireless internet in all units. Quiet and peaceful soi. Last 2 units left.
2) 65 SQM 1 bed unit on Sukhumvit Soi 35 - walking distance to BTS Phrom Phong. Lush green surroundings with pool. Comes partially furnished with fridge, gas stove, bed and basic furniture. Last unit left. 20,000 bht/mth.

3) 75 SQM 1 bed unit on Silom Soi 6 - BTS Saladaeng. Charming, old walk-up apartments with beautiful, lush garden with pool. Comes partially furnished with fridge, gas stove, bed and basic furniture. Last unit left. 20,000 bht/mth.

Please email me for more details or call 0817506682

I am one of those who constantly suffers from neck pains, back aches, migraines etc. My husband often tells me that my body should be donated to medical science. HAHA! but it’s because I have so many problems, that I know many doctors which comes in handy for people my age

If you have been searching, you’d notice that there are not many Chiropractors in Bangkok. Well, lucky for you I know of 2 and both come highly recommended by many.
Most foreigners go to Dr. Don, an American-Japanese doctor who is fluent in both languages, as well as Thai. He charges between 800 - 1000 bht per session and is located on Sukhumvit Soi 23. You can contact his office for a map at 022580350. I have been going to him for almost 3 years now. However, I recently discovered a Thai-Chinese Chiroprator who is amazing and a little closer to my home. As you can guess, most of his clients are Thai and he speaks Mandarin too, but seriously, when it comes to aches and pains, hand gestures are sufficient. When I first went to him, he cracked so many parts in me I never thought were crackable, it was great! LOL. I felt brand new after that and have been going to Dr. Somchai since.
Dr. Somchai is located on house no. 100, Sukhumvit Soi 36. Clinic tel: 022615898. He does not take appointments in advance but what you can do is call when you are on the way and request for a queue no. You will get the queue no. when you arrive and pray that you’re not too far behind. He charges between 600 - 700 bht per session.
Both Dr. Don and Dr. Somchai are very packed and appointments are highly recommended. Get ready to be relieved of your pain! I need another session soon….

Walking distance to the BTS station Surasak, on Sathorn road near Bangkok Christian College, directly opposite St. Louis hospital is this very green and quiet low-rise apartment block I first lived in when I moved to Bangkok 5 years ago. They have a lovely Thai restaurant at the front and you can order food to your apt. just like in a hotel, and also a pool and very lush, green surroundings. That’s why I loved it then and still do. They currently have a 100 sqm 2 bed unit at 30,000 bht/mth and a 120 sqm 3 bed unit at 36,000/mth. This soi is actually right between Silom and Sathorn so when there is a jam on one side, you can take the other route home! Great location.
Unfortunately, they don’t allow any pictures but if you like privacy, green surroundings and quaint old apartments,  you’ll love this place. It is well-maintained and full of charm. Email me and I’ll take you there.

This is a slightly more high end rental option for those with a big family, love nature and like wide open spaces. A very large and beautiful house not far from Sukhumvit road (about 10 - 15 mins drive) on Soi Udom Suk, it is located within a secured, very green and peaceful housing estate. You do not hear the traffic from here!

It has 5 bedrooms, 6 bath, and comes fully furnished. It also has a HUGE garden and lots of space for children to play. The grounds are well-maintained and the landlord is a very reasonable lady who is willing to negotiate. I do think it is a reasonable price for what you will be getting considering that houses that come furnished of this size usually asks for 90,000 bht/mth or more. What I love most about it is that it is one of those old houses with lots of character (the photo doesn’t do it much justice). So if you have been looking for that dream house for you big family and want your kids to have lots of space and fresh air, then come see this house. You’ll love it!

This is an old townhouse that was recently renovated for rental. Located in a very green and peaceful estate, the house has a pretty garden big enough for your pets (owner loves dogs) and there’s plenty of space for children to play. It comes partially furnished with basics like a dining set, beds, some furniture etc. The living area is huge and has very spacious rooms. The owner initially wanted 30,000 bht but I have talked her down to 28,000/mth. It’s on Sukhumvit near the BTS On Nut so location wise it’s great. This is a quite a rare deal of its size and price in the Sukhumvit area. Only for lease contracts 1 year and above.

OK. So this is not a low end townhouse but it is still good value for the price it’s asking and so I’m posting it here.

The house was only recently built and renovated, and located on Sukhumvit rd. just a short walk to the BTS and Hypermarkets. It’s is in a secured and peaceful neighbourhood with some lovely gardens maintained.

I live just round the corner and have always loved the look of the houses in this Moo Baan and so while exploring the neighbourhoods one afternoon, I found this place up for rent. It is really is a BEAUTIFUL house - fully decorated and furnished with imported furniture, a cozy mezzanie lounge, elegantly lit and the master bed even has a huge walk-in wardrobe that would make Paris Hilton happy….almost. The finishing is of course, top grade and you can tell that the owner put a lot of heart and money into decorating this house.

Basically, all you need to move in with is your bag. The house has everything, and I mean EVERYTHING of the very best quality and design, so if you factor that in and the fact that most 2 room condos (with a lot less to offer) are asking for the very same price, you’ll know that this is almost a bargain.

The owner initially wanted 75,000 bht but I managed to bring her down to a nice 60,000 bht. It really is a good price for what you’re getting, and when you see the house you’ll understand why.

Email me for pics of the interior as the landlord has requested it not to be published online. Below are some pics of the surroundings.

Located on Soi Sudom Suk, which is not far from Sukhumvit road and easily accessible to Bangna, this well-maintained townhouse is a bargain for 25,000 pm considering it is located in a secured “moo baan” with a shared pool. It has 3 bedrooms and an additional room that can be used for a home office. The house is fully air-conditioned, with curtains and 2 phone lines already installed. There is also a walk-in closet for those with a huge wardrobe collection! Tenant will have to provide their own furniture though but you can talk to the landlady about providing some basics. If you want to view the place, email me or call 081750 6682.