Last Meal

"If I knew I was going to die tomorrow morning I’d probably be eating some really high-end sushi tonight,” he told The Wrap in 2013. 

More specifically, in 2016 he wrote in The Guardian that he'd like that sushi to come from Japan's famous Sukiyabashi Jiro.

source

Migration

This is from some correspondence with an Uzbek friend in 2013.

I have a distinct feeling that if we spent time together and could have a real conversation, we'd both realize how far our minds have migrated.  I came from a very conservative part of the US, as you know, but through traveling and curiosity about a lot of things, I have had to reevaluate many of my old positions.  Some aspects I kept; some I happily discarded.  Traveling especially cured me of a lot of the negative!  Still don't have all the answers, and likely never will, but it's a much better place now: a lot less fear and a less of a need to feel so certain about things.  And my family's story, like that of most Americans is a story of migration to this "new world" that was already inhabited.  I'm sure whoever was here afraid of the massive migration of Europeans.  My ancestors sought out different areas of the US where they could settle, make money and raise families.  Some migrated west and became success stories, and others (my direct line) ventured south and ended up in Alabama, where they established themselves.  So anytime an American complains about migration and immigration, I say, "Well, first tell me your life story, because you first need to know where you came from.  Then, perhaps we can talk about modern immigration and the pluses and minuses."  Sometimes people will go down this path with me, and sometimes they get defensive.  Until people are taught to think for themselves using critical thinking, then understanding these complex issues will be even harder and emotions will "rule the day."

Thanks, Allen. Travelling and meeting with people of various cultural backgrounds and values helped me too to change my rather narrow worldview to a considerable degree.  Being in the academia also helps. I think you had an early advantage in that respect as you had already been rather polite in expressing your views when I first met you. But, our life experiences seem to have mellowed out us both similarly.

Prince Edward Island

I've got to get Kade to Canada.  And I need more raw oysters!

Russian Empire - 1914

 

Bottom far right, light green, is Chinese Manchuria, which the Russians occupied.  The Japanese invaded Chinese Manchuria in 1931, seeking raw materials and a larger area for a growing population.  

Notice Alaska.  Sold in 1867.

Only the British and Mongol empires were larger.

Paris Observations

This is an e-mail I shared in June 2018, while over there.

Once we return to the US and my brain is less fried, will work on this more.  Not intended to be critical or overly positive.  Just general observations.

1. Sidewalks are cleaner than I had imagined or remembered.  Did see occasional dog shit, but overall fairly clean.  Not very many people walking dogs, it seems.

2. Restaurant restrooms, even in some nice restaurants, can be upstairs or downstairs, and no elevators.  Handicapped and elderly would be out of luck.

3. Metro is not deep underground (world's oldest or second oldest I believe), and was not constructed to double as bomb shelters.  But the fact it's not deep underground makes it even easier to use.  And station names are often the exact name for a landmark or museum where the stop is - logical, and less stressful this way.

4. A more confusing aspect of Paris (and contradicts #3) is that signs in metro pointing to exits or nearby lines don't always line up properly.  Also, street signs for landmarks and tourist sites can also be confusing in this way.  

5. Waiters are very efficient and work hard, yet are carrying out multiple tasks.  Burnout must happen.  Smoke breaks are common.  Cross-contamination is scary.  Restaurants appear to be understaffed.

6. We did not get outside the core of the city really, but only saw one metro station (republic) that was in poor shape and had lots of beggars (consistent with video I shared prior to trip).  The rest were nice.

7. Have not had an encounter in which we felt threatened or where somebody was trying to steal from us. 

8. We have had numerous examples of French, young and old, being helpful with directions, helping us understand things, etc..  Other tourists have been friendly, too.  We forget, with our reliance on phones, about asking people.  Simpler, and connects you to others.

9. The notion of "keeping a menu" at the table after ordering (to browse for more ordering) seems not to register.  It's not about restaurants being crowded or a lack of menus.

10. We have reached the metro stations after long walks, only to be relieved that we just missed the train.  We have sat down, thankful for the break, when very quickly the next train is already pulling it.  I caught myself saying, "Oh shit, the train is already here."  Shows how efficient and frequent they are.  In many countries, it's a longer wait.

11. Chatelet metro station is also in very poor shape.  Water was dripping from parts of sagging ceiling, in a few areas.  Probably one that needs to be closed until renovated.  Could be site of future catacombs.

12. The arch and, of course, the Eiffel Tower, were pretty stellar last night.  The walk down Champs was a bit lame.  Like a US mall.  Five Guys, Disney, McDonalds, etc.  tons of chains.  Not as classy as it used to be.  Maybe Parisians need a new Napoleon to clean things up! 

What I Think

This is 2008.

Allen - tell me what you think of this article. Paul Johnson is one ofmy favorite writers. He writes for Forbes and is usually dead on.  

Thanks!  just read it.  As with many articles, I think it's littered with truths and myths.  Several things stood out.  I know there are many holes in what I write, but this came to mind.  Also, considering what Socrates said (paraphrasing) about knowledge, "The more i think I know, the more doubts I have." 

 

1.  the people in power stayed in power...well, not quite true...i would say they worked their way into power.  during the 90's when reforms were supposed to be taking place, oligarchs were selling off state assets they had purchased for a small amount from the state, and these sales made them, well, oligarchs.  Some have been jailed; some fled the country. 

 

 2.  Putin was not part of the Soviet State when people were sent to gulags.  That went out with Stalin.  Still, it is true he was in the KGB.  He speaks fluent german and lived in eastern germany during last years of communism or just a tad before that.  he was actually selected by Boris Yeltsin, who was hailed by the west as being pro-democratic (and was)...and stepped in and after Yeltson stepped.  so, drawing a connection between Putin and hitler's crimes and certainly stalin's crimes is not accurate.  it's quite a leap. 

 

 3.  putin has never called for the return of the USSR, but correctly stated that it was the greatest geopolitical disaster of the 20th.  still, Russia is exerting influence, as they have for centuries, over smaller states like the Baltic States and Georgia.  in honesty, the Ukraine is a different beast.  they are a big country with a big population and would not be in Russia's sights, certainly not militarily, the way McCain suggests.  i could be wrong.  also, the ukraine and russia are much closer economically and militarily than we realize.  many millions of russians live there.  and, some famous Soviets were Ukranian. 

 

4.  I think Russia is too smart to simply go after these states militarily.  i would say Putin and the power brokers do use economic and energy leverage to maintain stability on its borders.  naturally, these countries view it as aggressive, but like the countries who deal with China and the US, they realize the game.  history sides with the bigger guns imo. 

 

5.  Russia did indeed fall into chaos and became a mafia state in the 90's and surely this influence exists today.  with the onslaught of capitalism and quick money (again, the oligarchs) a big mafia emerged.  they even have a presence in Thailand.  One could say the Russian gov't is fighting them...others could say they are trying to wrestle the piece of the money pie back for them.  in the process, there are mysterious deaths of business people and journalists.  still, i think it's naive to to think Putin has the time, power or desire to order such attacks. the system is way bigger than putin.

 

6.  today in Russia..the article is right...there's a demographic problem that the country is trying to address. alcoholism is high.  is the gov't siphoning off money and ignoring the people.  probably.  however, from what i saw and what i read there are also huge projects, private and public that are going on. Moscow is the most expensive city in the world, for example.  would russia dry up if energy were not their bread and butter?  well, they'd better diversify.  I can say, Jeff, from my visits to shops, malls, etc., there are many russian brand names and huge numbers of goods that are made in the country.  in a sense, they are much like any country.  kade will tell you that russia is no third or second world power...at least in the cities we visited.  Thailand is a developing country...but even Bangkok surpasses the US in modernity in some areas.  you'd have to visit bangkok.  Russia is rich, but still very fraught with problems...and, for 80% of the population (if you believe polls), Putin is singled out as a reason for this.  keep in mind, though, he's not the president.  mccain and obama can't pronounce the president's name and find greater joy in calling out Putin.  remember, every state ...or every good guy...needs an adversary.  Russia needs us.  We need them.  We both need China.  also, don't forget defense contracts.  Russia is second to the USA in defense contracts and brings in billions in this business.  this would be next to Energy.  and, the way, the world is working, China has money for their high tech goods.  so, i don't see Russia totally drying up.  Russia and china have an alliance that people don't really talk about.

WowS

In 2013, I e-mailed my friend Kyoko some thoughts on travel ideas - for her, for me.

*I def would recommend Paris, London and Germany.  Had great experiences in those places.  Paris, by far, has the best cuisine.  It's like comparing Thai to Cambodian food.  

*Croatia is supposed to be very beautiful, too, and you can ferry there from Italy. 

 

*Krakow is another place I'd like to visit, just to visit the WW2 concentration camp.

 

*India is another place I'd like to return, but a visit there and to less developed places (like Bangladesh) seem so exhausting.  Nepal, though, wow.  A train journey around india.....wow....could be good.

 

*And the USA....gosh, so big, so diverse in its topography and culture.  something for everyone.  Boston, NYC, Chicago, LA, San Fran, Miami....of large cities, would blow your mind!

 

*I may be making a return trip to Uzbekistan this year...w/ my 86 yr old uncle.  Uzb is tough place, and not easy. but the people are great.

*And, oh, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England, where my ancestors came from, are places I'd like to visit.  I could travel weeks and weeks there....driving through the countryside, sipping coffees in London and Dublin....wow.

One Week - Bangkok

- helping a friend with her Bangkok itinerary 

This is an itinerary I created based on things you've shared.  These are late afternoon/evening activities over seven full days.  There's a lot to do in Bangkok (way more than this) and it's a city that can wear you out, especially if you just wing it.  I think you know that!  This itinerary is doable and covers a lot.  If you have two or three additional days just to relax, even better.  Let me know if there are other activities you're considering.

◇One Day◇

Bamboo Bar + dinner @ Mandarin Oriental Hotel

I would get there by 4:30 to explore the hotel and riverside views.  Bamboo Bar opens at 5 PM.  Great for happy hour drinks.  After drinks, have dinner at one of the hotel's restaurants.  Need a reservation.  BTS there & back.  If you desire it and have the energy, I would consider arriving at 3 PM to enjoy a relaxing afternoon tea/coffee and snacks/sweets at The Author's Lounge.  After that, proceed to Bamboo Bar.  Weeknight.

◇One day◇

Vertigo & Moon Bar @ Banyan Tree Hotel

I would have a reservation for Vertigo maybe at 6:30, preferably outside.  I would arrive first, though, for drinks at Moon Bar.  I would be up there no later than 5:15 PM to enjoy the incredible 360 skyline views.  Sunset is at 6 PM.  MRT there & back.  Definitely choose a weeknight.

◇One day◇

Chinatown + bars Teens of Thailand and Asia Today

I would go to the bars first, then walk the main road in Chinatown.  The bars open at 6 PM.  Chinatown gets going well after that.  The only day when Chinatown is not very active is Monday.  Don’t go then. Choose a  weeknight.  Weekends can get too crowded.

◇One day◇

Mahanakhon Skywalk + Thailand's highest restaurant, Ojo (Mexican)

Get to King Power Mahanakhon skyscraper by 4:30 (even 4 PM) to buy tickets.  I would try to be up on the rooftop no later than 5:15 PM, then hang out till sunset.  I would go only on a weeknight due to crowds.  Maybe you can set your reservation at Ojo for 6:30 PM.  If you don't desire Ojo, G floor has several restaurants - just no views.  BTS there & back.

◇One day◇

Iconsiam + Khao San Rd

I would arrive at Iconsiam by boat.  You take the BTS to the pier.  Get to Iconsiam by 4:30 (5PM at latest) so you can enjoy the views of the river and skyline from the observation deck.  You can have dinner at Iconsiam or wait till you get to Khao San Rd.  From Iconsiam, you should be able to take a river ferry to Khao San Rd.  I will look into this.  Khao San goes all night.  Taxi back.  Be ready to pay the rate they set because they likely won't use a meter.  I can share more about how to handle this. A Saturday would be ideal.  Khao San is the place where you want the biggest crowd!

◇One day◇

SWU Friday Night Market

This is near the Asoke intersection.  Like most evening activities, great to get there before sunset.  Enjoy the walk through the market.  Make sure to check out the campus.  Usually there's a concert on the quad.  You can walk from the Asoke BTS station.

◇One day◇

Jodd Fairs Night Market - the new, bigger, better one

If you love night markets and you're feeling adventurous, this is the best.  It's the newest version of the one you enjoyed last time.  MRT or BTS there & back.  Maybe a Sunday.

●Daytime activities.  Plug these in where you desire.

☆Krua Nai Baan restaurant  - a must.  Be hungry.  Skip breakfast.  I am going at least 3x this trip.
☆Central Embassy - great for lunch, coffee, upper floor has unique library and many great restaurants (including French).  Just worth walking through and looking around.
☆Gaysorn Village - Gaysorn shopping center is perhaps Bangkok's most luxurious.  And it's not too big.  Perhaps go to the wine bar or British tea shop.  Nice just to walk through it.
☆Benjakitti Forest Park to Lumpini Park walk - this direction is best since sun is at your back.  Very early morning.
☆Siam Square -  Hoppin on Saturday.  It's where fashionable young Thais hang out and shop.  Boutique shops galore.
☆Bicycle tour - Green Lung and Benjakitti Forest Park
☆Or Tor Market - near Chatuchak weekend market, good place for lunch, snacking, fruits, etc..
☆Massages - any and all types
☆Spa Treatments - facials, body wraps, manicures, you name it
☆Hotel Swimming Pool

Dropped Wallets

Lost Wallet Experiment 

Trying to think of overseas places where I had things stolen: blue jeans from a second floor clothes line in Tashkent; a camera that I foolishly put down for five minutes in Moscow, walked away and forgot about; and a camcorder, Walkman and camera in a bag in Prague (again, put down and briefly forgot about).

I never had anything stolen in Thailand.  And despite hearing about Lisbon, which scored lowest in the lost wallet experiment, nothing ever happened.  Also, I worried more about the possibility of something getting stolen in Santiago, but nothing occurred.

Opportunities

When I spent a year in Uzbekistan, I had a chance to go to the DMZ (demilitarized zone) separating Uzbekistan and Afghanistan.  Some friends went.  I didn’t.  Tajikistan was also unstable then.  A year earlier, I did go to Kazakhstan, but it never occurred to me that I could easily visit Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan.  And I really didn't understand how close Iran was - not that I would have gone.  This was in the early days of emailing, which I was doing from a laptop using dial-up.  Forget websites.  That was barely getting going.  During the winter break in '94, I flew direct to India.  Great time there.  Had considered a few days layover in Pakistan, but opted not to attempt it.  I was just in my early twenties.

East Bound

I read a book one time about the Russian move across Siberia, setting up towns, building railway lines, trading and colonizing the indigenous people.  It reminded me of our own stories of the Wild Wild West.  Their Lewis and Clark would be members of the wealthy Stroganoff family (yes, the name of the dish we have heard about).  This family was sent out on expeditions by the Czar to map out lands.  Here's an example of one of the earliest siberian settlements.  You can't tell me this couldn't be a little house on the prairie.  - 2009 email

 

MRT Expansion

Ramkhamhaeng University Station

Can't wait for this station to open.

1506

Lisbon Massacre

Click here to learn more about the film 1506.

Traveling has been my best education.  I learned about this horrific event while on a walking tour in Lisbon.

Central Pinklao

source

I have been inside Central Pinklao mall too many times to count.  It's across the river from Bangkok's Old Town, and way off the usual tourist path.  That's one reason I like it.

Discrimination

These were my responses to somebody on Reddit who was asking if tourists and expats experienced discrimination while in Thailand.

In general, everywhere, people discriminate against others: in-group vs. out-group.  Hopefully it's not too overt and hurtful.  No doubt some experience it worse than others.  In the end, humans are more tribal than we like to admit.  

Traveling does often help you curb your own impulses to discriminate, in general, whether on the road or back home.  The reason is because many times you have had the experience of being a minority.  You can empathize.

Dental Care

I have shown you only some random mom-n-pop clinics in neighorhoods that don't have a big number of tourists or expats, so the EngRish is not a reflection of the work they likely do.  However, I personally would go to the  well-known practices where for sure you would get the care and skill you mention.  Hospitals here have some of the best dental facilities, which might surprise you.  And these would be for patients that just need dental care, not those who have been admitted into the hospital.  They're combined here, in those cases.  I have had some excellent work done at hospital dental clinics, and had a mediocre job done at a small place on the city outskirts years ago.  The dentist there went to dental school in the Philippines and had all the latest technology, but probably in that case, a bit of you-get-what-you-pay-for.  I do not want a $100 crown!  Maybe not the $800 one in the US, but I would expect to pay $300 or so here for a top-notch job.  To me, you don't skimp on tooth care!

Interesting!  The Thai dentists I’ve known have been fine dentists possessing an enviable diagnostic acumen and exquisite fine-motor skills.  One of my most favorite residents ever was from Thailand. 

- 2017 email

Chef Pam

source

Good to remember where you came from.  In her case, her lineage motivates and inspires her.  Click here for the article.

Pattaya, Thailand

photos are from Teak Door

Exploring the Rich History of Pattaya

His Thailand

My Thailand

This guy has written some fantastic articles on life in Thailand.  Check out his blog.

Collections

source

source

source

I bought displays like these in my early years in Thailand.  I gave a couple to nephews, sold the tarantula and kept the scorpion.  Sorta wish I still had them all, to put them up on my office wall.  I think, though, I was always felt a bit conflicted about having them.

Elephant Checkpoint

This elephant in Thailand holds up and inspects trucks until it finds what it's looking for: sugar cane.  They also enjoy cassava, a starchy root plant used to make tapioca.  I just learned that cassava comes from Bolivia and other South American countries (10,000 years ago), but now Thailand is the world's leading exporter of the crop.  

Click here for the video.

Ubud, Bali

These are the restaurants I frequented in Ubud.  The one you will spot easily on the main road is Casa Luna.  And the locals can easily point it out.  Wonderful for breakfast, coffee, and even lunch and dinner.  Ubud has so many restaurant options, and you can't go wrong, even if you step into a place you haven't researched.

*Casa Luna

*Tutmak Cafe

*Cafe Wayan & Bakery

Ubud is a very walkable town.  Probably the most annoying thing is having to hear "Transport?" over and over from the motorcycle taxi drivers that want to take around.  You can go with them....just negotiate the price.  But if you desire just to walk a lot, Ubud is fabulous.  I would definitely make arrangements to take a half-day tour of Ubud and the surrounding area.  These tours are done by van or car, and can be private or with a small group.  You can decide this when you get there.  The town is very tourist-friendly.  Taking a tour, though, gives you a chance to see some temples, terraced rice fields, volcanoes and maybe even a beach.  Well worth it.  Just make sure when you go to a temple that you are already wearing pants (in Jessica's case, maybe a sarong) or that you take some leg covering along.  I even wrapped a sarong around myself since I was wearing shorts.  You can buy very inexpensive sarongs in Ubud.   Oh, the Monkey Forest in Ubud is very interesting.  Ubud is also known for its spas, so enjoy a massage if you have time.

Three places in Singapore I would recommend:  Raffles Hotel (the bar especially), Night Zoo and Boat Quay.  Of course, your friends will show you these places and more.  Be on the lookout, though, when at the Raffles Hotel or around the city.   You may see the name Jim Thompson.  It's a clothing store that specializes in silk.  The man Jim Thompson was an American who lived in Bangkok after WW2 and built a fabulous home there.  It's now a museum, and it's where I met Kade in Bangkok.  She was working there.

Good luck with your travels.

- 2016 e-mail to family going to Bali

They ended up staying T the Komaneka at Monkey Forest.  They reported that they had an exceptional time.

Sprouting Up

This is a new condominium in the area where Kade grew up.  A couple of years ago we looked at a few units.  They said some are owned by Russians and Chinese.

A Cook's Tour

The late great Anthony Bourdain!

Starts at 1:30.  Mentions the "Mississippi of Thailand," dines at the seafood market where cousin Carol took Uncle Jim and us, and spends time in the Arab quarter.  Hard to believe how ancient this footage looks...and yet only twenty years ago.

To Do or Not To Do

source

Me: So much to see and do in Bangkok, yet you can just veg out if that's your desire.  A lazy day in Bangkok: sleep in, coffee shop down the road, walking a bit, lunch at food court, afternoon massage, more walking, fruit shake, resting a bit, then evening to-do list.  

Friend: Too right, mate. Vegging here is fun as well, well said. Then, one can go out and see nearly anything, at any time of day. I went to the Klong Toey market at 2:30 a.m. one morning, I kid you not. It was hopping. Live ducks and chickens were coming in. All kinds of vegetables, lettuce, produce was flowing in. I believe it is the big wholesale market for fresh goods in Bangkok. I have also been by the flower market, near Thammasat, on the Chao Phyra, quite early as well. All kinds of flowers come in by river from Thonburi. Then, they are bundled up and distributed, all over the city. It is really interesting to see how the flowers are put into different lots and shipped and trucked all over Bangkok. I find it very interesting to see the city kick into life in the morning.

- 2018 e-mail

Bangkok's Old Town

I created this itinerary for a person who was considering staying in the Khao San Road area.

June 23 (Fri)

*Check in hotel
*Enjoy Khao San Rd and Soi Rambuttri in the evening or grab food on the street and recover at hotel.
*You could always sneak out for a massage.

June 24 (Sat)
*Walk to Loha Prasat Temple - I would get there by 4:30 PM.  Leave by 5:15 for Wat Saket, which is nearby.
*Wat Saket (Golden Mount Temple) - I would be up top by 6 PM latest, wait for sunset
*Thipsamai for Pad Thai
*Mont Nom Sod for custard
*Walk back
*Enjoy Khao San Rd and neighboring Soi Rambuttri (gets going at 8 PM, young Thais, international backpackers, etc.)

June 25 (Sun)
*Grand Palace (walk there) - earlier you can start, the better.  2 hours

*Reclining Buddha - 1 hour max
*Ferry over to Wat Arun - 1 hour
*Ferry back across, then walk back to hotel - leisurely walk, places to eat and shop  2 hours

June 26 (Mon)
*Take a ferry across the river to Wang Lang Market - street food and local restaurants
*Walk to nearby Wat Rakhang (Temple of Bells) - 1 hour
*ferry back
*tour Wat Bowonniwet Vihara (closes at 5 PM)
*tour Chana Songkram (closes at 5 PM)
*dinner on Soi Rambuttri

June 28 (Tues)
*The Giant Swing - get there 3 PM
*Wat Suthat - 1 hour
*Wat Ratchabophit - 1 hour
*Chinatown - check out the two Taoist temples, eat some street food - 2 hours
*Walk back

LISA - ROCKSTAR

Thai singer Lalisia "Lisa" Manobal

Shot in Bangkok's Yarowat (Chinatown).

Durian Season!

I intend on eating durian in Thailand and Malaysia.

I love Year of the Durian's expertise and content on YouTube, Instagram and their website.  If you want to learn more about durian, this lady is hard to beat.

Not Enough Time

Somebody shared this.  I agree.  Too big.  Fast-changing.  Much history.

Bangkok Rooftop Bars

Over the past several years I've been on a Bangkok rooftop bar binge.  I've researched the total # that exist and ones on the verge of opening.  I find their locations, look at their menus, see how they are designed and what their overall concept is.  And the most important aspect to me: the views of the city.  I like to see Bangkok's huge and growing skyline.

 I decided to put the rooftop bars into three tiers.  I plan to use this as a guide for future visits.  And when I see fit, I will make changes.  If a rooftop bar falls short or really impresses me, I will reconsider where I've placed it.

109 Bangkok rooftop bars 

✅ already done

⭐ attempting this year

1st tier (54)

*Abar (Marriott Marquis) ✅
*Alfresco 64 (lebua at State Tower)
*ANJU Korean (Sindhorn Midtown) ✅
*Antito (Eastin Grand Sathon) ⭐
*Atmos on Top (Silom Edge)
*Attitude Fusion Tapas & Rooftop - Old Town
*Bangkok Heightz (Continent)
*Barracuda (Akara)
*Bargyuu (Ari BTS)
*Bar.Yard (Kimpton Maa-lai) ✅
*Belga (Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit) ✅
*Blue Sky (Centara Grand) ⭐
*Char (Indigo) ✅
*Cocoa XO (Centara Grand)
*Cooling Tower (Carlton)
*CRU Champagne Bar (Centara Grand) ⭐
*Distil Bar (lebua at State Tower)
*Flute (lebua at State Tower)
*Hanuman - One City Centre ⭐
*Heaven (Silom Plaza)
*Hi-So (SO/Bangkok) ✅
*Lebua No. 3 (lebua at State Tower)
*Legend (Pisawit Tower)
*Luz Bangkok Tapas Bar (INNSiDE Bangkok Sukhumvit)
*Marble Bar (137 Pillars Suites) ⭐
*Moon Bar (Banyan Tree) ✅
*Octave (Bangkok Marriott Sukhumvit) ✅
*Penthouse Bar & Grill (Park Hyatt)
*Pink (lebua at State Tower)
*Rainforest (Movenpick) ⭐
*Red Sky (Centara Grand) ⭐
*Sala Rattanakosin (Riverside)
*Scarlett (Pullman) ⭐
*Seen (Avani Riverside)
*Sirocco (lebua at State Tower) ✅
*Sky Bar (lebua at State Tower) ✅
*Sky Beach (King Power Mahanakhon) ✅
*Sol and Luna (Glow Sukhumvit 71)
*Spectrum (Hyatt Regency) ✅
*The Moments (Haven't Met Hotel Silom)
*The Rooftop Bar (Baiyoke 2) ✅
*The Speakeasy Bar (Hotel Muse) ✅
*The Water Club (SO/Bangkok) ⭐
*Tichuca (T-ONE) ✅
*Top Knot (Hotel Once)
*Trans Blue (Solaria) ✅
*Tribe - Emsphere ⭐
*Vanilla Sky Rooftop (Skyview Hotel) ✅
*Yao (Bangkok Marriott)
*89 Sky Bar (Soi 2) ⭐
*Zoom (JC Kevin Sathorn) ⭐

2nd tier (27)

*Aesop's (soi 16)

*Aire (Hyatt Place) ✅

*AkaAza (Amara) ⭐
*Brewski (Radisson Blu) ✅

*Cactus (Sathorn area)

*Cielo Sky Bar (W District) ✅

*Eastin Grand Phayathai 

*Flashback (Tastoria) ✅

*Paradise Lost (Siam at Siam)

*Pastel (Aira Hotel) ✅

*RedSquare (Novotel Bangkok) ✅

*Siam@Siam Design Hotel ✅

*Siwilai City Club (Central Embassy)

*Sky on 20 (Novotel) ✅

*Swing Bar (ChingCha Hostel)  ⭐

*Up & Above (Okura Prestige) ✅

*The Press Skybar (Printing House Poshtel) ⭐

*The Roof at 38th (Mode Sathon) ⭐

*The Vue Bar (Mercure)

*Three Sixty Lounge (Millennium Hilton) ✅

*Throwback (Silom Edge)

*Tulum (Movenpick Ekkimai)

*UFO (Soi 11) ✅

*View Rooftop Bar (Novotel Bangkok Platinum) ⭐

*Walk (Centara Watergate)

*212 (Ibis Styles) - Ratchada

*1826 Mixology (Rembrandt)

3rd tier (30)

*amBar (Four Points Hotel)

*At-mosphere (The Secret Service Hotel) 

*Bangkok View (Khao San Rd)

*Barisa (The Commons)

*Bravo Rooftop (Khao San area)

*Cat On The Roof (MBK)

*Cheals Bar (Ari district)

*Dumbo (INN Office bldg)

*Escape (Emquartier)

*GenZ (Grand China Bangkok)

*Heaven (Sathorn) ⭐

*Hidden Square (Asoke Montri Rd)

*Japanish (Ramada by Wyndham Sukhumvit) 

*Lush (Soi 11) ⭐

*Mojjo (Skyview Hotel) ✅

*Nest (Le Fenix) 

*Nomad (Galleria 10)

*Palate (near Saphan Taksin BTS)

*S'amuser (Wongwian) 

*Sanay Rooftop Bar (The Ember)

*Stash and Melts (Merge Hostel)
*Sunset (Warm White Hostel)

*The City Wave (Samut Prakan)

*The Fig Lobby Rooftop (near QSNCC)

*The Moments (Sathorn) ⭐

*The St. Regis Rooftop Bar (St. Regis)

*Tt Rooftop (Thonglor) ⭐

*Wallflowers - Soi Nana, Chinatown

*Yellow Roof (Soi 62)
*7th Heaven (Lat Phrao area)

Opening Soon (1)

*Starry Sky Lounge (One Origin Phayathai) 

Thailand's Allure

One of the biggest expat groups in Bangkok is Japanese.  The Japanese are also one of the top tourist groups in Thailand.  As a result, there are very high quality sushi, yakotori and ramen restaurants.  Premium seafood for sashimi and sushi is flown in daily from Tokyo.  There's also a sizeable Korean community.  But the Chinese have now surpassed Koreans and Japanese in total # of Asian tourists in Thailand.

I took this image in 2022.  It's an example of a Japanese restaurant in Bangkok.

Preparation

These are some tips I shared with somebody preparing to go on their first trip to Thailand.

*Even if you feel like getting upset with somebody, especially a Thai, stay cool and nice.  Shouting and fisticuffs will be your downfall.  Very rare to ever be in a situation like that anyway, but if you can't control your temper, big trouble.  Asians are very community-minded, and fight in packs if it comes to that.  Police situation won't be good either.  But the main thing they emphasize is keeping a cool head.  Be zen-like and you will be fine.

*Read up on scams.  Common ones might be a taxi driver not wanting to use the meter.  Ask them to, and find another car if they refuse.  Another is a tuk-tuk driver or middle-aged man trying to tell you a museum is closed, then offering to take you somewhere better.  Never fall for that.  Go check with your own eyes, and never ride away with an overly-friendly, charming Thai male.  They won't hurt you, but might take you to a friend's shop in the hopes of getting a commission.  Best thing is to read up on scams, so that you are just aware going in. Gem scams happen, but usually to only stupid folks.  And if you are bargaining for goods at a street market, always be mindful of what you're doing.  Bangkok has many distractions.  

*Money: Try to keep an adequate amount of bills on you all the time, and don't always expect a taxi or tuk-tuk driver to have change for big notes.  That could even be their trick.  Keep plenty of 20, 50 and 100 baht bills on you.  You can use credit cards in restaurants and malls, and with ease.  Atms are everywhere, however.  I usually end up using cash most of the time.  In crowds, watch your wallet.  I never ever have had my pocket picked, but I am pretty savvy.  My wallet stays in my front pocket.  And even when I get showers before and after massages, I take my wallet and phone to the bathroom.  That's why a small shoulder bag to hold everything is helpful.   There are hooks to hang it.  But my wallet and phone are never left somewhere, not even for two minutes.  Who wants to be on trip and suddenly get their things stolen?!

*Massage dos and don'ts I'll share in person.  But for basics, I will say, if you are getting a Thai massage or certainly an oil massage, ask if they have a shower.  If they don't have one, it's a place I'd avoid.  Asians are very clean, in general, so a shower before a massage is nice you and them.  Plus, it cools you down.  After an oil massage, you will also want another shower before leaving.  A traditional thai massage, which is worth trying, won't require a second shower, unless you're dying for one.  Mute phone.  Enjoy.

*The BTS (skytrain) and MRT (underground) can take you to all the best places.  Easy to figure out.  You can buy a ticket per trip or get a multiple-use card.  Bangkok is just so busy and crowded, you can feel overwhelmed.  Never be in a hurry.  Ticket window folks speak enough English to assist.  If you need to ask a Thai, try a student or younger person.  They will be shy at first, but will help.

*People in places where you will be will know enough English, but good to learn to say Thank you, Hello and anything else you pick up.  No need to worry, though.  Oh, other tourists and expats could possibly help if there's a need.

*Travel, medevac insurance is good to have.  Make sure your health insurance here covers you there.  Also, if you're on an island and desire to rent a scooter, have a proper driver's license - international.  Worth reading up on this.