New to Bangkok Help Guide

Tips for those arriving with Children

• Babysitting - Maids will often babysit for you. Expect to pay extra unless your maid lives-in, make sure yours speaks good English if you intend to leave them alone with your child/children, otherwise it can be difficult if they phone you with a problem. You may be fortunate and find a Primary Teaching Assistant who will baby-sit.

• Julie's Taxis. www.julietaxi.com For bookings: 018462014 A reliable taxi company that provides English speaking drivers and cars with seatbelts in the back

• Advantage Plus card. An excellent discount card, that gives you free accommodation and half price food in the Sofitel hotels around Asia. Highly recommended! Contact Matt Riley for further details.

• 10 Pin Bowling. Most large shopping centers have well equipped bowling alleys that cater to children (lane protectors for the smaller kids).

• 180 degree IMAX Dome. 02 511 5810. www.imaxthai.com Experience the enormous screen that puts you right in the action. 3D movies here as well. There is also an IMAX in the Paragon Shopping centre which is just outside the Siam BTS stop.

• www.Asiarooms.com The hotel prices are so cheap it's well worth popping out for a night in a five star hotel.

• Baiyoke Tower. The tallest tower in Bangkok. 02 656 3000 Go up to the top floor and experience the revolving roof-deck. The price of the ticket to the top includes a free cocktail or soft drink at the lounge when you get there. Optional, exterior, glass, elevator, back to ground-level, from the 77th Floor!

• Chatuchak Park. This is next to the weekend market and is a nicely designed park with a big lake to walk around. There is a playground which is a little basic, but the kids seem to like it. There's not much shade, so it can be a bit much in the hot months, but ideal for the cool season and just outside the MO Chit BTS and underground stop.

• Chatuchak Weekend Market.
  www.into-asia.com/bangkok/markets/chatuchak.php Get there early, the kids love looking at all the fish for sale in the road next to The Children's Museum and the animals (although some of them are kept in tiny cages.)

• Children's Discovery Museum. www.thailandguidebook.com/childrensmuseum.html Just across the road from the weekend market. There is loads for the kids to explore with a great outdoor playground and separate play areas for babies and toddlers.

• Dream World. www.dreamworld-th.com 02 533 1946 Thailand's answer to Alton Towers, roller coaster, hurricane ride, log flume, Viking ship etc includes rides for kids of all ages, plus a daily animal show, action show, featuring great special effects stunts and a snow house (pay extra) which is a great place to take them at Xmas for some tobogganing. Also features KFC and lots of Thai snack and drink stalls. When you get there head for the air conditioned "information office" where you will be given a sticker for unlimited rides on everything. If you take your work permit you will begrudgingly receive a cheaper ticket which is not as inclusive but still has plenty for the kids to enjoy.

• Dusit Zoo. www.zoothailand.org/dusit A decent zoo with more exhibits being built, some of the enclosures leave a lot to be desired, can be hot walking around. Small KFC to eat in, or take your own sandwiches! Kids enjoy it and the grounds are good to explore. If you can stand the heat there is also a boating lake to hire boats on.

• Extreme Sports. www.redbullextra.com Take a skateboard or BMX to Red Bull X Park and have a go. For young children it is a great place to sit and watch all the action. Late in the afternoons is best.

• Five Star Cinemas. www.egv.com Why sit in economy class when, for around 7 pounds you can have a finger buffet while you wait in your own private lounge sipping on complimentary drinks before being ushered to your seat with only 17 others in the cinema. Plus complimentary popcorn for the kids, blankets and cushions. The Paragon shopping centre even has a remote control for you to recline your chair.

• Flower market. Take a taxi or river boat to Memorial Bridge. Get the kids to buy a bunch for their room or even for you.

• Golf Driving Range. There are lots in Bangkok. Borrow some golf clubs and hire a bucket of balls (cheap compared to UK).

• Jim Thompson's House. www.jimthompsonhouse.com Wander through the gardens, and take a tour of the house, very nice air-conditioned restaurant and outside café onsite, with large ponds of fish to admire.

• Joe Louis Puppet Theatre. www.joelouis-theater.com Take the kids to watch a traditional Thai puppet show. See these amazing puppets come to life. English headphone sets available. Call to check show times. 02 252 9683 - 4.

• Library. www.neilsonhayslibrary.com Take the kid's to the children's corner at the Neilson Hays Library. Tel 02 233 1731

• Lumpini Park. www.bangkoksite.com/Parks/LumpiniPark1.htm Take the kids and their bikes to this huge downtown park. There is a great playground. You can feed the fish or go for a paddleboat ride. It is worth a visit early on a Sunday around 7 to see all the different groups doing yoga, tai chi and aerobics.

• Ocean World aquarium. www.sow.champ.co.th Basement level in Paragon shopping centre, large and well stocked aquarium. Upgrade you ticket to include a ride in the glass-bottomed boat, popcorn, soft-drink and ice-cream. Buying a yearly ticket might save you a fortune.

• Queen Sirikit Park. www.bangkoktourist.com/places_queen_sirikit_park.php A very impressive - looking park that is close to the main drag of Sukhumvit. You can hire bikes for yourself and the kids and there is a walk around a beautiful lake. (Also great for roller-blading).

• River Ferry. www.tour-bangkok-legacies.com/chao-phraya-river-ferries.html A very cheap and enjoyable way to go down the river but be careful as you get on and off as they don't actually stop. Difficult if you've got prams.

• Rot Fai Park. Not far from Chatuchak park, bicycles available for hire and a nice little butterfly centre. Worth an evening visit and an excellent spot for joggers. A nice atmosphere with football, table tennis, swimming, basketball and bird watching. Bicycle hire: 20 Baht per day. Open daily 04.30-21.00 hrs.

• Safari World. www.safariworld.com It's a bit of a drive away from here, but excellent fun for the kids. If you go in the taxi you can jump onto a safari bus that will show you all the wildlife. The heat can be rather too much in the hot months.

• Snake Farm. Rama IV Road near Chulalonkorn University Hospital. Snakes in cages, air-conditioned museum and informative live - snake show , which a chance to hold the python! See the snakes being milked. Call to check demonstration times. Nearest skytrain, Saladaeng BTS. 02 252 0161

• Sunday brunch. There are lots of excellent places to go which provide kids entertainment, including activities & crafts, magic shows, clowns etc. alongside all you can eat buffets. Some places to try are : Sofitel Silom, Shangrila and Amari Atrium. Even better value if you buy an Accor card.

• Tuk Tuk rides. Pretty hairy stuff, but great fun for the kids even if they don't like the taste of car fumes.

• Wat Prayoon. You probably need to try this after you have been here for a while as it is a little hard to find. You need to get the river taxi to The Memorial Bridge stop. When you get to the Wat (temple) you go to a walled garden which has an ornamental pond full of turtles and fish. The kids can buy plates of fish balls to feed them on bamboo sticks. The place is called "Khao Mor."A good way to spend half a day.

• Rock Climbing. www.thaiclimbing.com The Bangkok Rock Climbng Centre (BRC) has all the hire gear and is not so far from town. Open on Saturdays and Sundays only.

• What Can We Do Today? Look out for Nancy Chandlers handy pocket guide with over 100 activities to do with kids. For sale in Asia Book shops.