THE EXPAT

Name: Calvin Lee

Age: under 40

Country: Malaysia

Profession: Business Owner

My favorite place: Northern Thai cities where there are mountains, such as Chiangrai and Chiang Mai. But I also love Bangkok, where I usually am.

Bring: A friend who is visiting. I say go to the Grand Palace, and then take a drive from there to Siam shopping area, passing by the Democracy Monument and the old part of town.

Must-do: Get a Thai massage and drive away into the outer rims of Bangkok to discover new gems. Watch the Siam Philharmonic for some very good opera and classical repertoire.

Must-see: The Grand Palace, Wat Arun, and a movie hee. A morning enveloped in history and an afternoon cocooned inside a cineplex (twice as good for half the price, if not more, general average)

Must-buy: A massage stick from Asiatique. A plate of fried pork with basil leaves on rice with egg 🙂

Eat at: the streetside shop in Dusit district for good Isan food; at Appia for some rustic Italian dishes; and Sra Bua at Kempinski for a modern take on classic Thai food.

Drink at: Millennium Hilton for the night view and at Onnut market for some good Long Island Ice Tea. Drink morning coffee at Dean and Deluca. For the best latte, head to Rocket

Sleep at: Mandarin Oriental Bangkok or Chatrium for the riverside experience. Sleep in Sireeampan when up in Chiangmai.

THE LOCAL

Name: Prapon Chanasenee

Age: 36

Country: Thailand

Profession: Managing Director, P-Value & P-Value Distribution Co.,Ltd

My favorite place: Bagan

Bring: Sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes or sandals for the pagoda-hopping day.

Must-do: Watch the sunrise with balloon and the sunset on the top of Shwesandaw Pagoda. The stunning view of the sea of pagodas will take your breath away. It is definitely once –in-a l–lifetime experience.

Must-see: Sulamani Guphaya Temple. Have seen many mural paintings and frescoes but has never seen anything so unique and quite naturally well-preserved such as what they have here. Really can’t miss!

Must-buy: Handicrafts in Nyaung U local market, especially lacquerware and kitchenware made from rattan
Eat at: Nanda Restaurant, if you love great puppet show. ortunately, food is quite good here.

Drink at: Sky Bar at Beach Bagan Restaurant & Bar. It’s perfect for a great view although a bit pricey.

Sleep at: The Tharabar Gate Hotel in Old Bagan is good and comfy, and just a short walk to the temple and pagoda ruins.