BANGKOK
various levels of tuition that can be complet-
ed within a sliding timescale.
Pro Language THAI LANGUAGE LESSONS
(Map p 92 ; %0 2250 0072; http://www.prolanguage.
co.th; 10th fl, Times Square Bldg, 246 Th Su-
khumvit; BTS Asok, MRT Sukhumvit; tuition from
10,00B) A favourite of expat professionals;
Pro Language starts with the basics and
increases in difficulty to the advanced
level, which involves studying examples of
Thai literature.
Siri-Pattana Thai Language
School THAI LANGUAGE LESSONS
(Map p 90 ; %0 2677 3150; siri_pattanathai@
hotmail.com; YWCA, 13 Th Sathon Tai; MRT Lum-
phini; tuition from 7500B) This institute offers
Thai-language courses that cover 30 hours
broken into one- or two-hour classes per
day, as well as preparation for the Ъor hòk
(teaching proficiency exam).
AAA Thai Language
Center THAI LANGUAGE LESSONS
(Map p 86 ; %0 2655 5629; http://www.aaathai.com; 6th
fl, 29 Vanissa Bldg, Th Chitlom; BTS Chit Lom)
Opened by a group of experienced Thai
language teachers from other schools,
good-value AAA Thai has a loyal following. Thai Massage
Wat Pho Thai Traditional
Medical and Massage School THAI MASSAGE
(Map p 60 ; %0 2622 3550; http://www.watpomassage.
com; 392/25-28 Soi Phen Phat; tuition from 5000B;
h8am-6pm; bus 508, 512, river ferry Tha Tien)
Off ers basic and advanced courses in tradi-
tional Thai massage; basic courses off er 30
hours spread out over fi ve days and cover
either general massage or foot massage.
The advanced level spans 60 hours, requires
the basic course as a prerequisite, and cov-
ers therapeutic and healing massage. Other
advanced courses include oil massage and
aromatherapy, and infant and child mas-
sage. The school is outside the temple com-
pound in a restored Bangkok shophouse on
unmarked Soi Phen Phat – look for Coconut
Palm restaurant. T To ur s
If you would like a guide, recommended out-
fi ts include Tour with Tong (%0 81835 0240;
http://www.tourwithtong.com; day tour from 1000B),
whose team conduct tours in and around
Bangkok, and Thai Private Tour Guide
(%0 81860 9159; http://www.thaitourguide.com; day tour
from 2000B), where Chob and Mee get good
reviews.See p 104 for more specifi c guided tour
experiences. Boat Tours
RIVER & CANAL TRIPS
Glimpses of Bangkok’s past as the ‘Venice of
the East’ are still possible today, even though
the motor vehicle has long since become the
city’s conveyance of choice. Along the river
and the canals is a motley fl eet of watercraft,
from paddled canoes to rice barges. In these
areas many homes, trading houses and tem-
ples remain oriented towards life on the wa-
ter, providing a fascinating glimpse into the
past when Thais still considered themselves
jôw nám (water lords).
The most obvious way to commute be-
tween riverside attractions is the Chao
Phraya Express (%0 2623 6001; http://www.chao
phrayaboat.co.th; tickets 9-32B). The terminus
for most northbound boats is Tha Non-
thaburi and for most southbound boats it’s
Tha Sathon (also called Central Pier), near
the Saphan Taksin BTS station, although
some boats run as far south as Wat Ratch-
asingkhon. See p 149 for more information
about boat travel.
For a more custom view, you might con-
sider chartering a long-tail boat along the
city’s canals – see boxed text, p 101 for details.
DINNER CRUISES
Perfect for romancing couples or subdued
families, dinner cruises drift along Mae Nam
Chao Phraya basking in the twinkling city
lights at night, far away from the heat and
noise of town. Cruises range from down-
home to sophisticated, but the food gener-
ally ranges from mediocre to forgettable.Loy Nava DINNER CRUISE
(Map p 80 ; %0 2437 4932; http://www.loynava.com; set
menu 1766B; h6-8pm & 8.10-10.10pm) Operating
since 1970, and quite possibly the original
Bangkok dinner cruise, Loy Nava off ers two
daily excursions, both departing from the
Tha Si Phraya, near River City. A vegetarian
menu is available.Manohra Cruises DINNER CRUISE
(Map p 56 ; %0 2477 0770; http://www.manohracruises.
com; Bangkok Marriott Resort & Spa, Thonburi; cock-
tail cruise, dinner cruise adult/child 2343/1712B;
h7.30-10pm) Commands a fl eet of converted
teak rice barges that part the waters with
regal fl air. Boats depart from the Marriott
Resort, accessible via a free river shuttle that
operates from Tha Sathon (near BTS Saphan
Taksin; see map p 80 ).