Asia | Hello from the Five Star Vagabond

Lots of good restaurants in Koh Samui

June 25, 2016 by David Herd

Koh Samui Island restaurants Thailand.

Koh Samui Island restaurants Thailand have improved out of sight since I was last there in 2007. There are so many great choices now, here are a few I have no hesitation in recommending. We hit the jackpot on our first evening when we dined at Il Duomo which is rated 3 out of 154 by TripAdvisor.

Pothole & I at Duomo

The food prices were very reasonable, a bottle of red from Sanama Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile B1100. My Aussie friends can buy it at Petersham Liquor Mart for $10.

Sanama

Very smooth, a bit like myself. 🙂

Tell them my dear.

The owner comes from Milano.

A very interesting guy who enjoyed having a chat. There was one very nice touch, we ordered a main course each and asked for extra plates as we wanted to share the meals. We were pleasantly surprised when they actually served us both half portions separately, we didn’t need to do it ourselves, very classy indeed. Apart from that the food was exceptional.

Prego Italian Restaurant

Located at the Amari hotel TripAdvisor only rate it 13 out of 154 restaurants in Chaweng. Al I can say if there are 12 better restaurants then Samui dining is in great shape. Lovely decor, great food and excellent service. Once again the price was reasonable and they also had a red wine from Chile on special.

Pothole pulverizes pizza

My ravioli was superb as was Pothole’s pizza.

Ravioli was superb

Put Prego on you list of must do restaurants in Samui. The Amari has been totally renovated and rates very highly among Samui hotels, for a very good room rate just book through THIS LINK.

Wine Connection

My favourite, they also have several in Bangkok although the Silom branch is the only one I have been to. The best garlic prawns I have had in 20 years, I have had them both at Samui & Bangkok & they are perfect.

Wine Connection at Central Festival Samui

We only spent 4 nights in Samui and chose to eat here twice.

Low cost wine

They offer a wonderful selection of wine from all over the world at liquor store prices. Our red wine from Chile was a bargain B650.

The chain I’m told is owned by a French group, I only wish they would open a branch in Pattaya.

Lamb shank at the Wine Connection.

The food choices are extensive, lots of terrines a a big range of pasta.

Coffee club

I saw two Coffee club restaurants, one in Central Festival and one in the main street opposite the Ark Bar. Very good eggs Benedict and coffee.

Eggs Benedict

Absolutely delicious.

Bar Baguette

Located at Bophut beach this was really a good little cafe for lunch, the avocado & bacon baguette was perfect and the staff were really friendly.

For more good restaurants in Bophut just follow THIS LINK.

Lots of choices on the main street.

There are many restaurants offering fresh seafood and lots of sports bars offering good pub food. Sadly we only had four days to sample the Koh Samui Island restaurants Thailand, however I guarantee I shall return.

Lots of fresh seafood

In the nine years since I was in Samui I can’t believe the incredible improvement in the restaurant scene, the choices are endless.

Thanks for visiting my Koh Samui Island restaurants Thailand photo blog. Book through THIS LINK for a discount on your hotel room.

Please check out these fabulous posts

Soi Cowboy Nana Plaza Patpong

Please check out these fabulous posts

Gold Coast Pattaya Cinque Terre

Rio de Janeiro Singapore Eastern Europe

Bangkok Bars Tokyo Cape Town Safari

Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book

through these links below. Book now & pay later.

Free Cancellation.

Bangkok Hotels Pattaya Hotels

That’s all folks

Pattaya live webcam

9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)

Check out these great photo blogs.

Rio beach babes

Florianopolis Brazil

Bangkok river ferry

Fabulous HCMC

Amazing World Food

Lyme Regis Jurassic coast

Hiroshima Japan

Sydney Harbour

Lake Como Lake Garda Italy

Pattaya live webcam

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Big Buddha Koh Samui

June 24, 2016 by David Herd

Taxi around Koh Samui

Taxi around Koh Samui starting at the Big Buddha then circling clockwise around the island. It took about 4 hours and the taxi cost was B2000 or $57 usd. Our hotel was on Chaweng beach about 15 minutes drive from the big Buddha. Our very nice lady drivers name is Ying and her mobile is 09 1128 3867.

Beautiful bougainvillea

This beautiful flower reminds me of my home in Newport Beach Australia where I lived in the 80s, I had many beautiful bougainvilleas on the property.

Big Buddha & slightly smaller Buddha

My 115 kilos certainly puts me in the Buddha category. 🙂

One of two statues guarding the Big Buddha

Located as you enter the square below Big Buddha.

Here is a short video

Big Buddha Koh Samui

Watch this video on YouTube

Looking back towards Chaweng

We stopped at a popular lookouts to take in the wonderful view.

Hin Ta and Hin Yai Rocks

The rocks, known as Grandpa (Ta) and Grandma (Yai), look, just like male and female genitalia.

A very popular tourist stop

Located two kilometres south of central Lamai Beach and about 11 kilometres away from Chaweng Beach.

Lamai Beach

The next beach around the coast from Chaweng.

Lamai beach bar & restaurant

Lamai is like a mini version of Chaweng, nice beach and lots of bars and restaurants.

Next stop Guan Yu Chinese shrine.

It quite a shock when you first see this fantastic huge statue, there are about 12 or more Chinese restaurants in the square. The Guan Yu shrine is the centre of the Chinese community on Samui island.

He looks rather fierce

He does not look like a happy camper at all. 🙂

Elephants on Koh Samui

What magnificent beasts they are.

Here is a little guy with Mum.

I must admit I have mixed feelings about these beautiful animals being held captive, however that’s an argument for another day.

Here is a video of a dancing elephant

Thailand's dancing elephant.

Watch this video on YouTube

He certainly was a happy little jumbo.

Some banana for the little dancing jumbo

They really enjoy bananas, this is my friend John Martin aka Pothole feeding the little guy.

The popular waterfall was just a trickle.

Many people visit this location but sadly there was not much water flowing.

Please be careful

In 2019 2 people have died here. Check out THIS LINK for details.

Time for a cool drink

A pleasant place to sit under the shade from the tall trees before continuing our journey.

Nathon pier

Here is where you catch a ferry to the mainland, take your car if you wish.

Bophut beach

Bophut beach was the last stop in our Taxi around Koh Samui road trip. Very close to a large new shopping mall called Fisherman’s village.

Beach bar

Bophut is is near the Big Buddha & less than 10 minutes from the airport. The Ibis is a nice hotel opposite the beach, for an excellent room rate just book through THIS LINK.

More peaceful and quieter than Chaweng yet only 15 minutes away from the action.

Bar Baguette

This was really a good little cafe for lunch, the avocado & bacon baguette was perfect and the staff were really friendly.

Taxi ride around Koh Samui

Our taxi around Koh Samui was a great way to explore the delights of this wonderful tropical island, we had a very nice lady driver, her name in Ying and her mobile is 09 1128 3867.

Soi Cowboy Nana Plaza Patpong

Checkout some more of my terrific blogs on the links below.

Istanbul Budapest London

Mostar Dubrobnik Split

Saigon Zagreb Vung tau

Pattaya live webcam

That’s all folks

Soapy Massage Pattaya Bangkok

Spectacular Bangkok Sky Bars

Fresh seafood Bangkok

Pattaya live webcam

Hawker Chan Hollys Coffee

Le Bordeaux Pattaya Restaurant

Flashback Sydenham Cellars

Art of desert Pattaya

Breakfast Bake n’ Brew

Food review Pattaya 2020

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island

June 24, 2016 by David Herd

Sensational Samui

Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island

Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island is the busiest part of the island. However we were lucky in June 2016 the weather was beautiful and there were very few tourists so it was very peaceful indeed.

Baan Chaweng Hotel

I have stayed at this hotel 3 times before, the location is ideal, the rooms are good and the staff is friendly. I have noticed however the prices have certainly risen in the last 10 years. For an excellent rate just use THIS LINK to book.

Hotel pool

The hotel grounds are a little like a rain forest.

Massage on Chaweng Beach Koh Samui

In front of the hotel are four massage ladies, B300 for an hour.

Some nice scenery in front of our hotel.

A bright green bikini is always going to brighten up my day. 🙂

The Ark Bar

The Ark Bar is a huge hotel that’s very popular with the younger crowd, there is a big pool party every Wednesday and Friday. Older dinosaurs like myself are better off 100 meters further on at the quieter Baan Chaweng.

For an excellent room rate at the Ark Bar just book through THIS LINK.

Hillside homes being built

What great views they will have overlooking Chaweng beach.

So many hotel choices on Chaweng Beach

The hotel choices are endless, everything from ultra modern to traditional bungalows.

Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island

White sand blue sky what more do you need?

Maybe you need a tattoo?

I have to admit I am not a fan of heavily tattooed females, but to each his own I guess.

She looks better here

Much better because I can’t see her tattoos. 🙂

Breakfast with a view.

What a way to start the day, cornflakes and an omelette.

Here is a short video of Chaweng Beach Koh Samui

Beautiful Chaweng beach Koh Samui

Watch this video on YouTube

Peppina on Chaweng Beach Koh Samui

An unusual building on Chaweng Peppina has a reputation for making great pizzas.

A typical Samui scene

Chaweng beach is rather special to me, so many memories over the years. My first visit was 1998 followed by many over the following years including New Years Eve 1999.

Here is the beach massage price list

Price list, what price list? I don’t see a price list. 🙂

Flashback to December 1999

Had a short fling with this beautiful Italian girl from Florence. Her name was Barbara Manelli, I called her “The Gypsy:. 🙂

Thanks for visiting my Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island photo blog, check out my other Koh Samui blogs. I think you will enjoy my road trip around the island. Here are my suggestions on some excellent restaurants.

Istanbul Budapest London

Mostar Dubrobnik Split

Saigon Zagreb Vung tau

Pattaya live webcam

That’s all folks

Counter only started February 16 2020.

This gallery contains 4 photos

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

June 14, 2016 by David Herd

Beautiful-cloud-Pattaya-beach-bikini-Thailand

Nature at it’s best

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach are one of the many advantages of living on Beach Road Pattaya overlooking the bay. I regularly see some of the most incredible cloud formation my 17th floor apartment in Markland condo. The photo above on November 20th 2021 shows some beautiful cumulus clouds hovering above Koh Larn island.

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

Blue sky, white clouds on a sunny day, life does not get better than this. I spend a few hours each day on my computer producing my photo blogs, not sure if it’s a hobby or an obsession, however it gives me great satisfaction to glance over the top of my monitor which I do one hundred times a day, and see the clouds rolling across the bay.

Looking north to Wongamat

Wongamat is the next beach north of Pattaya, there are many beach side condos and hotels overlooking a nice sandy beach. The yellow building in the foreground is the Dusit Thani five star hotel.

Fascinating Pattaya clouds over Koh Larn

Koh Larn is a B30 40 minute ferry ride from Bali Hi wharf, the crystal clear water is a huge improvement over Pattaya.

Pattaya bay

Looking west at the Fascinating Pattaya clouds.

I’m sure you will all be pleased to hear I have just created a new profession, I am now a Cloudologist, who constantly participates in the art of Cloudology. Be impressed, be very impressed. 🙂 🙂 🙂

Looking south

The building under construction on the right is Centric Sea, it consists of two high rise and one low rise building containing 1000 condominiums. It in located in 2nd road and was completed early 2016.

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

The “Ripleys Believe it or not” hot air balloon is actually anchored by a cable so customers won’t go flying of in the wild blue yonder.

June 29 2017

Nearly every day there is another interesting cloud to photograph.

An interesting story

Work stopped on the high rise about 8 years ago because of questions about building approvals and specifications. Hundreds of people would have paid deposits & by now be wondering if they have lost their money.

UPDATE, the owners declared bankruptcy in January 2017, so who knows what will happen now.

Angry clouds

Up to now I have featured the pretty clouds, now it’s time for some angry clouds. 🙂

John Fogerty has a question….

Looking south from my apartment

The building in the foreground is the A1 hotel which is shaped like a ship, the tall building is North Shore, the most upmarket condo block in central Pattaya.

Another awesome cloud formation

So many clouds to photograph and such little time. 🙂

Rain over Koh Larn

This was July 29 2016 at 6.15 pm.

Clouds & shadows August 30 2016

Every day something new.

Absolutely breathtaking

This is the view I have every day from my apartment.

Same same but different

Always a different beautiful shape.

Clouds on fire

One of the best Thai sunsets I have ever seen.

June 28 2017

And the beat goes on. 🙂

Storm on the way

I love watching the tropical storms in Pattaya.

The sky was angry today my friends.

Well that’s how George Castanza would describe it. 🙂

A cloud with the “WOW” factor.

That’s Koh Larn on the left.

May 17 2018

A perfect Pattaya morning.

A very angry sky

Black clouds in October 2018.

Amazing colour

Tweaked by Google from a shot taken on June 1st 2020.

Beach Road

Road works & a beautiful cloud from June 1st 2020.

Super cloud February 3 2021

They don’t get much better than this. 🙂

June 16 2022

Taken from The Bay in Beach Road.

Lets finish with a beautiful sunset.

Absolutely breathtaking.

Sabai Wing Soi 1 North Pattaya

Sabai Wing Soi 1, 3 swimming pools and nice rooms, 100 meters from BigC, great value at only $30 usd per night as of 2017. I live in the high-rise in the background, Markland. For a great room rate book here.

For something a little more upmarket overlooking the beach book through THIS LINK.

If you like clouds you may like this Joni Mitchell song.

Thanks for visiting my Fascinating Pattaya clouds photo blog.

For a discounted hotel rate in Pattaya just book through THIS LINK

Click bottom right hand corner for full screen.

Please check out these fabulous posts

Soi Cowboy Nana Plaza Patpong

Please check out these fabulous posts

Gold Coast Pattaya Cinque Terre

Rio de Janeiro Singapore Eastern Europe

Bangkok Bars Tokyo Cape Town Safari

Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book

through these links below. Book now & pay later.

Free Cancellation.

Bangkok Hotels Pattaya Hotels

That’s all folks

Check out these great posts

Fabulous Soi 11 Bangkok

French village Breil Sur Roya

Breil Sur Roya devastated

Hong Kong 2014

Bradford on Avon

Coogee Beach Australia

Pattaya Thailand 2013

Amazing Iguazu Falls

New York City

Buddhist Temple Asakusa Tokyo

Pattaya live webcam

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 5 photos

Singapore Street Food

May 28, 2016 by David Herd

Singapore Satays Lau Pa Sat

Singapore Street Food

Singapore Street Food Old Market Lau Pa Sat is an exciting inexpensive way to dine in this very expensive city. Unless of course you are devouring a chilli crab at boat key or the East Coast Lagoon Food village, then it’s a different story.

Singapore Street Food Old Market Lau Pa Sat

Lau Pa Sat (which means Old Market) is also known as Telok Ayer in the heart of Singapore’s financial district, it has operated as a hawker centre since 1973 and is the best place in Singapore for satay sticks.

Table service at Lau Pa Sat

The best satay stalls in Singapore are found here in Boon Tat St on the south side of Lau Pa Sat, it changes to a pedestrian thoroughfare called the Asli Satay Club between 7 pm and midnight.

Octagonal building

The market building is a unique octagonal cast-iron structure which was originally shipped out from Glasgow. The original Telok Ayer market opened in 1838.

Singapore Street Food Old Market has a very busy kitchen

Obviously you have a choice at Singapore Satays Lau Pa Sat market to eat inside the building or out on the busy street. Personally I think the street is far more interesting.

Great friends Anne & Steve

For six or seven years I was so lucky that my old friends from Sydney lived in Singapore where Anne was a director of a large insurance company. They would allow to stay in their spare room at their luxury Singapore apartment. While Anne worked Steve and I would practice our lunch skills or play golf at Changi golf club near the airport or Legends golf club in Malaysia.

Sadly in March 2017 Anne lost a long hard battle with cancer, RIP.

Lau Pa Sat from above

A great view of this amazing building, many thanks to Xtrememachineuk .

Finally goodbye from our smiling chef.

Thanks for visiting my Singapore Street Food Old Market photo blog, if you visit Singapore put it on your bucket list.

As you probably realise Singapore hotels are quite expensive, however book through THIS LINK for an excellent discount.

Please check out these fabulous posts

Soi Cowboy Nana Plaza Patpong

Please check out these fabulous posts

Gold Coast Pattaya Cinque Terre

Rio de Janeiro Singapore Eastern Europe

Bangkok Bars Tokyo Cape Town Safari

Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book

through these links below. Book now & pay later.

Free Cancellation.

Bangkok Hotels Pattaya Hotels

Brazil Hotels

That’s all folks

Pattaya live webcam

Check out these great food photo blogs.

World is my oyster

Tokyo fabulous food

Upmarket Chinese Food Sydney

Food review Pattaya Thailand

Good English restaurants

Amazing World Food

Fresh seafood Bangkok

Steakhouse New York

Korea restaurants Itaewon

Pattaya live webcam

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Siam Paragon Shopping Mall

May 23, 2016 by David Herd

A super shopping mall

Siam Paragon Shopping Mall

Siam Paragon Shopping Mall Bangkok opened about 15 years ago in 2006, I remember how impressed I was with this amazing new shopping mall with it’s wide aisles and fabulous food court and supermarket.

Now of course there are many new super malls in Bangkok to compete with including Central Embassy and EmQuartier.

Shops on the 1st floor

Here is a guide to some of the shops.

Siam Paragon, Hanging fences

Another photo taken way back in 2006 of the Siam Paragon, Hanging fences, I’m not sure if they are still there or not.

The Main floor

Strangely the level that is linked to the skywalk is called the Main Floor, despite it being one above the ground, and the floors above that are then the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, up to the 5th, which is taken up by the Cineplex and its 15 large size theatres. There is direct access to the centre from Siam BTS Skytrain station.

Siam Paragon is opposite MBK

Only 5 minutes walk on an elevated path from the well know MBK centre.

Busy Bangkok corner

Watch this video on YouTube

BTS Skytrain

As I mentioned for Siam Paragon get of at Siam station, MBK is actually one stop further at National Stadium station.

Get a great discount at all the Hotels near Siam Paragon & MBK, just book through THIS LINK.

Met up with an old friend

Could this be my 15 minutes of fame? 🙂

Food food & more food.

One thing is for certain the Thai people love their food and there are plenty of options at Siam Paragon to keep them happy.

When I’m in Bangkok I like to stay in Sukhumvit Soi 11, here is an excellent budget hotel, if you USE THIS LINK you will get a great rate of around B1100 per night, or $30 USD.

Decisions decisions

The hard part is trying to decide where to eat, they all look so inviting.

Siam Center

Right next door to Siam Paragon is Siam Center another wonderful mall, check it out on THIS LINK.

Shopping for a car perhaps?

Follow THIS LINK for some amazing super cars at Siam Paragon Shopping Mall.

Siam Paragon Shopping Mall Bangkok Food court

There is really no type of food you can’t buy at the fabulous mall.

Siam Paragon Shopping Mall

What a great idea to keep the kids amused while you are dining at the Siam Paragon Shopping Mall.

Thanks for visiting my Siam Paragon Shopping Mall Bangkok photo blog, check out some other stories below from all over the world.

Here are some more posts to check out

Pattaya Hilton

This is the view from Horizons the amazing rooftop bar. A great five star hotel located opposte the beach & above the Central Festival shopping mall. Just book through THIS LINK for an excellent room rate.

Soi Cowboy Nana Plaza Patpong

Please check out these fabulous posts

Gold Coast Pattaya Cinque Terre

Rio de Janeiro Singapore Eastern Europe

Bangkok Bars Tokyo Cape Town Safari

Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book

through these links below. Book now & pay later.

Free Cancellation.

Bangkok Hotels Pattaya Hotels

Brazil Hotels

That’s all folks

Pattaya live webcam

Everything you wanted to know about Bangkok but were afraid to ask. 🙂

Amazing shopping mall

Chinatown Bangkok

Notorious Nana Plaza

The fabulous Commons

Patpong red light district

Canal cruise long-tail boat

Spectacular Bangkok Sky Bars

Mahanakhon Sky Walk Bangkok

Jim Thompson Bangkok Museum

Soi Cowboy Bangkok

Pattaya live webcam

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Bangkok Hotels Markets Shopping

May 21, 2016 by David Herd

Novotel Bangkok Platinum Pratunam

Bangkok Hotels Markets Shopping

Bangkok Hotels Markets Shopping, Petchaburi Rd is surrounded by some of the best shopping in this great city. Everybody knows about Pratunam markets where you can buy clothes and accessories at rock bottom prices, now however there is much more competition at places like Palladium World and Platinum Fashion Mall which offer air conditioned comfort which you certainly don’t get at Pratunam markets.

For an excellent room rate at the Novotel Bangkok Platinum book through THIS LINK.

GLOW Pratunam Bangkok Hotels Petchaburi

Right opposite Pantip Plaza the well known Bangkok I.T. centre. Book through THIS LINK for a discounted room rate.

Pantip Plaza

Several floors of hardware and software, I have been shopping here for 20 years.

Pantip Plaza

Computer and camera shops are located on the 3rd floor, as well as hardware, RAM etc for sale. Some shops specialize in building computers to your specifications. The fourth floor has more computer and repair shops.

Platinum Fashion Mall

Platinum is a 5 billion Baht shopping mall in Petchaburi Rd Pratunam, almost next door to Pantip Plaza, which specializes in fashion clothes and accessories both retail and wholesale.

Baiyoke Sky Hotel

Baiyoke Sky Hotel was built in 1997 and is the 2nd highest building in Bangkok. For an excellent room rate book through THIS LINK.

I took this photo from the Red Sky bar above Central, on the right is the Novotel and Palladium World Shopping mall.

Amari Watergate Hotel

The Amari Watergate hotel is a reasonably priced hotel in the middle of this shopping district, book through THIS LINK and you will get a discounted room for around $88 + tax.

Palladium World Shopping mall.

Located on the corner of Phetchaburi Road and Ratchaprarop with the 3 gold domes, I believe it’s bigger and cheaper than Platinum Fashion Mall and has a bazaar type layout featuring long alleyways of tightly packed stalls.

Palladium World from street level

It certainly does not look as spectacular as it does from the Red Sky Bar.

Foot massage at Palladium World

After a couple of hours walking there is nothing like a foot massage. 🙂

Bangkok Hotels Markets Shopping a 25 minute walk to MBK.

Or 5 mimutes in a taxi for around B40.

Thanks for visiting my Bangkok Hotels Markets Shopping photo blog.

Checkout some more of my terrific blogs on the links below.

Pattaya Hilton

Soi Cowboy Nana Plaza Patpong

Please check out these fabulous posts

Gold Coast Pattaya Cinque Terre

Rio de Janeiro Singapore Eastern Europe

Bangkok Bars Tokyo Cape Town Safari

Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book

through these links below. Book now & pay later.

Free Cancellation.

Bangkok Hotels Pattaya Hotels

Brazil Hotels

That’s all folks

Pattaya live webcam

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 4 photos

Sukhumvit Rd Ploenchit building boom

May 20, 2016 by David Herd

Sukumvit-Road-Ploenchit-Bangkok-shopping

Bangkok building boom

Sukhumvit Rd Ploenchit building boom

Sukhumvit Rd Ploenchit building boom is in full swing. Chock-a-block full of high rise office buildings, up-market condos, lots of embassies, luxury hotels & very expensive shopping malls. I love the area which is close to where I stay in Soi 11 Nana.

Weird & wonderful

Most of these modern buildings can be seen from the sky train which is by far the best way to move around Bangkok.

Sukhumvit Rd Ploenchit building boom

Is another huge building site which will add another sky scraper to the Ploenchit skyline.

One of my favourite buildings on Sukhumvit Road Ploenchit

Park Ventures recently achieved the highest office rental in Bangkok of B900 per M2 per month. The building is 35 stories high and has an elevated walkway leading to the station and various shopping malls including Central World which is directly opposite. The section jutting out is the infinity at the Okura Hotel.

The Okura Prestige Bangkok is a super luxurious hotel in the building, for a discounted rate USE THIS LINK.

Rated 9.1 by Agoda

As you can see it is rather special and in a great location. Using THIS LINK will get you a room for under $200.

For other hotels use this link.

Great design the Park Hyatt Sukhumvit Road Ploenchit

Park Hyatt Bangkok, opening on May 12th 2017, has its sights set on being the capital’s leading icon of luxury and hotels in Bangkok. Presenting internationally inspired architecture and interior design; exceptional accommodation. Central Embassy will be hoping they will bring potential customers as their traffic since opening has been disappointing.

For an excellent room rate t the Park Hyatt just book through THIS LINK.

These great walkways take you off the street

Linking hotels, shopping malls, restaurants and offices these modern walkways are quite fantastic. You can walk from Ploenchit to Chidlom and Central Embassy and Central world.

Busy Bangkok corner

Watch this video on YouTube

Deutsche Bank Sukhumvit Road Ploenchit

Prestige companies, condos, hotels etc really love the Ploenchit Chidlom area of Bangkok.

Now if it’s good food you want…..

Right beside Chidlom station is terrific Bangkok restaurant, the Pirate Chambre. A little hard to find but worth the effort, there is a walkway from the station. The fabulous lamb shank was only B480.

JW Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit Road Ploenchit

Breakfast at the JW Marriott bakery on Sukhumvit Road Ploenchit is always a pleasure & the coffee is excellent. Just a short walk to Ploenchit station, for an excellent room rate at the fine hotel USE THIS LINK TO BOOK.

Thanks for visiting my Sukhumvit Rd Ploenchit building boom photo blog.

Great location

When I’m in Bangkok I like to stay in Sukhumvit Soi 11, here is an excellent budget hotel, if you USE THIS LINK you will get a great rate of around B1100 per night, or $30 USD.

The best Bangkok budget hotel I have ever stayed in.

Here are some more posts to check out

Soi Cowboy Nana Plaza Patpong

Please check out these fabulous posts

Gold Coast Pattaya Cinque Terre

Rio de Janeiro Singapore Eastern Europe

Bangkok Bars Tokyo Cape Town Safari

Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book

through these links below. Book now & pay later.

Free Cancellation.

Bangkok Hotels Pattaya Hotels

Brazil Hotels

That’s all folks

Pattaya live webcam

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Weekend Bangkok May 2016

May 18, 2016 by David Herd

Via Vai Soi 8 Sukhumvit

Weekend Bangkok May 2016

Weekend Bangkok May 2016 included visiting new restaurants, sky bars & shopping malls. It’s nice to have a break from Pattaya which is where I live 2 hours south of Bangkok.

Dinner at Via Vai

My friend Hamish Elton and I in Soi 8 eating Italian food which was ok without making you want to rush back.

Via Vai is opposite Monsoon which is one of my favourite Bangkok restaurants.

The Game sports bar

On Sukhumvit beside Nana station this bar has lots of screens showing all the sports. A separate smoking area overlooks the footpath which spares the drinkers inside the bar. The header to this post is a favourite shot of mine that was taken at “The Game”, I call it Minnesota Fats racking them up. 🙂

Beef stew at THE GAME.

At best it was barely average, next time I’ll try something different.

Now if it’s good food you want…..

A terrific new Bangkok restaurant, the Pirate Chambre at Chidlom. Hard to find but worth the effort. The fabulous lamb shank was only B480.

Enjoying a red wine at Pirate Chambre

Put this excellent restaurant on your bucket list.

Signing the waiver

Sign before you ride, the guy didn’t last to long in the saddle, they just pump up the speed and it’s all over rover.

Hooters Bangkok Soi 4 Sukhumvit

Watch this video on YouTube

When the Hooter’s girls saddle up it’s a much gentler ride.

Here is my hotel in Soi 11 Weekend Bangkok May 2016

Next door to the tailor is i-check inn, great value if you use this link to book.

Ribs at Tony Romas during Weekend Bangkok May 2016

Terminal 21 is where you will find Tony Roma and his ribs.

The Sheraton on Sukhumvit and Terminal 21.

From Asoke station a walkways takes you straight into Terminal 21.

Bangkok at night

Asoke Bangkok at night

Watch this video on YouTube

Asoke intersection

A very busy intersection, you can see the building where the Long Table sky bar Bangkok is located on the 25th floor of the Colomn serviced apartments in Soi 16 Asoke.

JW Marriott

A very good breakfast and the coffee is excellent. Plus I have a 20% discount card.

A guy I know gets preferential treatment

I showing the staff this photo next time I’m there and asking for the same serving of avocado. 🙂

I started with this shot and I’m going to finish with it.

Every now and then I take a photo I really like, this is one of those. It was taken at “The Game”, sports bar in Nana and I call it “Minnesota Fats racking them up.” 🙂

Late night street food

Quintessential late night Bangkok.

Thanks for checking out my Weekend Bangkok May 2016 photo blog.

When I’m in Bangkok I like to stay in Sukhumvit Soi 11, here is an excellent budget hotel, if you USE THIS LINK you will get a great rate of around B1100 per night, or $30 USD.

More photo blogs here;

Rio beach babes

Florianopolis Brazil

Bangkok river ferry

Fabulous HCMC

Lyme Regis Jurassic coast

Hiroshima Japan

Sydney Harbour

The best Bangkok budget hotel I have ever stayed in.

Checkout some more of my terrific blogs on the links below.

Soi Cowboy Nana Plaza Patpong

Please check out these fabulous posts

Gold Coast Pattaya Cinque Terre

Rio de Janeiro Singapore Eastern Europe

Bangkok Bars Tokyo Cape Town Safari

Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book

through these links below. Book now & pay later.

Free Cancellation.

Bangkok Hotels Pattaya Hotels

Brazil Hotels

That’s all folks

Pattaya live webcam

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 1 photo.

Central Embassy Shopping Mall Bangkok

May 17, 2016 by David Herd

Amazing Bangkok Shopping Mall

Central Embassy Shopping Mall Bangkok

Central Embassy Shopping Mall Bangkok in Chidlom is full of high end designer stores, all the famous labels are here. There is direct access from two sky train stations, Chidlom and Ploenchit. It is also connected to Central Chidlom which is their flagship store.

Amazing architecture

Everything about Central Embassy oozes class & luxury, some of the many labels include Versace, Gucci, Prada, Givenchy and many more, in other words it’s way above my pay grade. 🙂

Prada

From memory according to Merryl Streep the devil wears it. A great friend of mine in Australia often refers to his wife as “The Prada Princess”, that’s ok because he can afford her expensive tastes.

And the beat goes on

I remember visiting the spot where Versace was shot dead in 1997 on the steps of his Miami home. Fifty is way too young to die.

Central Embassy Shopping Mall Bangkok

The prices at the bakery reflect the surroundings.

Harrods bakery

Now here is a familiar name from good old London town.

Shop till you drop

A word of warning to my male friends, don’t tell your wife about Central Embassy Shopping Mall.

Central Embassy Shopping Mall Bangkok, Dean & Deluca

A great place for coffee and cake and lots of other goodies.

Dean & Deluca Central Embassy Shopping Mall

There are many branches in Bangkok including EmQuartier another favourite mall of mine.

VW cocktail car

There are many of these converted VWs where I live in Pattaya, what a great idea. No way you could do it in Australia, far too many ridiculous rules and regulations. 🙂

Central Embassy Shopping Mall Bangkok

Central Embassy Shopping Mall has a great feel about it, uncluttered and luxurious, I have a lot more to investigate on my next Bangkok visit.

Great design the Park Hyatt

Another wonderful design the Park Hyatt hotel above Central Embassy is expected to open late 2016. Central Embassy will be hoping they will bring potential customers as their traffic since opening has been disappointing.

Get a great room rate at the Park Hyatt through THIS LINK.

One last look

Thanks for visiting my Central Embassy Shopping Mall Bangkok photo blog.

When I’m in Bangkok I like to stay in Sukhumvit Soi 11, here is an excellent budget hotel, if you USE THIS LINK you will get a great rate of around B1100 per night, or $30 USD.

Please check out these fabulous posts

Pattaya Hilton

Soi Cowboy Nana Plaza Patpong

Please check out these fabulous posts

Gold Coast Pattaya Cinque Terre

Rio de Janeiro Singapore Eastern Europe

Bangkok Bars Tokyo Cape Town Safari

Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book

through these links below. Book now & pay later.

Free Cancellation.

Bangkok Hotels Pattaya Hotels

Brazil Hotels

That’s all folks

Pattaya live webcam

Everything you wanted to know about Bangkok but were afraid to ask. 🙂

Amazing shopping mall

Chinatown Bangkok

Notorious Nana Plaza

The fabulous Commons

Patpong red light district

Canal cruise long-tail boat

Spectacular Bangkok Sky Bars

Mahanakhon Sky Walk Bangkok

Jim Thompson Bangkok Museum

Soi Cowboy Bangkok

Pattaya live webcam

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Pothole & I at Duomo

Sanama

Pothole pulverizes pizza

Ravioli was superb

Wine Connection at Central Festival Samui

Coffee club

Eggs Benedict

Bar Baguette

Lots of choices on the main street.

Lots of fresh seafood

Beautiful bougainvillea

Big Buddha & slightly smaller Buddha

One of two statues guarding the Big Buddha

Looking back towards Chaweng

A very popular tourist stop

Lamai Beach

Lamai beach bar & restaurant

Next stop Guan Yu Chinese shrine.

He looks rather fierce

Elephants on Koh Samui

Here is a little guy with Mum.

Here is a video of a dancing elephant

Some banana for the little dancing jumbo

The popular waterfall was just a trickle.

Time for a cool drink

Nathon pier

Bophut beach

Beach bar

Bar Baguette

Taxi ride around Koh Samui

// <![CDATA[ agoda_ad_client = "1613551_4226"; agoda_ad_width = 300; agoda_ad_height = 600; // ]]&gt;

That’s all folks

Sensational Samui

Hotel pool

Massage on Chaweng Beach Koh Samui

Some nice scenery in front of our hotel.

Hillside homes being built

So many hotel choices on Chaweng Beach

Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island

Maybe you need a tattoo?

She looks better here

Breakfast with a view.

Peppina on Chaweng Beach Koh Samui

A typical Samui scene

Here is the beach massage price list

Flashback to December 1999

That’s all folks

Nature at it’s best

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

Looking north to Wongamat

Fascinating Pattaya clouds over Koh Larn

Pattaya bay

Looking south

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

June 29 2017

Angry clouds

Looking south from my apartment

Another awesome cloud formation

Rain over Koh Larn

Clouds & shadows August 30 2016

Absolutely breathtaking

Same same but different

Clouds on fire

June 28 2017

Storm on the way

The sky was angry today my friends.

A cloud with the “WOW” factor.

May 17 2018

A very angry sky

Amazing colour

Beach Road

Super cloud February 3 2021

June 16 2022

Lets finish with a beautiful sunset.

Singapore Satays Lau Pa Sat

Singapore Street Food Old Market Lau Pa Sat

Table service at Lau Pa Sat

Octagonal building

Singapore Street Food Old Market has a very busy kitchen

Great friends Anne & Steve