A Letter from the Editors espite recent political unrest in the Thai capital, Bangkok is still a wonderful place to live and work. For one Dthing, it’s still one of the most affordable major cities to live in all of Asia. It’s also a convenient home base for those of you who are doing business in the region. But best of all is the lifestyle you will enjoy as a Bangkokian. There is just so much to see and do in this amazing city – from five star restaurants, quaint Irish pubs, cosy sidewalk coffee shops, and exquisite dessert eateries, to mega malls, boutique clothiers, bohemian markets, a burgeoning art scene, and the world’s best movie theatres. The public transportation network is also up to snuff, having dramatically changed for the better over the past decade. While Bangkok is still notorious for its stand-still traffic jams, residents now have many more ways to zip around town quickly and safely. And we’re not talking about tuk-tuk’s, motorcycle taxis and long tail boats. We’re speaking of the BTS SkyTrain, MRT Subway, BRT buses and the newly completed Airport Rail Link. If you are in the market for a nice place to live in the city, you might want to consider one of the many serviced residences on offer. Most of Bangkok’s serviced apartments are safe, clean, comfortable, convenient and provide a variety of services and facilities which really help to make everyday life that much more enjoyable. So let us be your window into Bangkok’s serviced residence sector. Hopefully we can help you find a place you can call home in this remarkable town. 9 Contents Serviced Apartments Directory 2010-11 Produced by A Letter from the Editors 9 Creative + Special Publications, Output Control & Pre-press Department Bangkok’s Top 5 Hoods 12 Classified Department Are You New in Thailand? 15 Text Eric DiAdamo 30-Point Checklist 18 Design Arthit Kannikar Photographs Post/advertisers Other Helpful Tips 20 Editor Simon Kind Deputy Managing Editor Resident Talk 24 Ratchadaporn Lunchaprasit Staying Fit & Healthy in Bangkok 26 Classified 0 2240 3800 o Fax 0 2240 3830-31 <[email protected]> General Facilities & Services Chart 28 Classified Sales Supervisor Sunee Sithivechvichit CBD Serviced Apartments Directory 30 Classified Sales Manager Maekawan Sripraiwalsupakit Useful Numbers 36 Group Classified Sales Manager Siriwan Piriyametakun Featured Serviced Apartments Listing 37 Production Allied Printers Map of Bangkok’s CBD 37 Bangkok Post is edited by Banks Directory 40 Pattnapong Chantranontwong for The Post Publishing Public Company Limited, Printer, Airlines Contact Numbers 41 Publisher and Owner. http//www.bangkokpost.co.th Airports Contact Numbers 41 Office: Bangkok Post Building Embassies & Consulates Directory 42 136 Na Ranong Road, Klong Toey, Bangkok 10110 Tel +66 (0) 2240 3700 o Fax +66 (0) 2240 3666 – 1010 – Featured Serviced Apartments Jasmine City Hotel 2 Rembrandt Towers Serviced Apartments 19 Jasmine Resort Hotel 2 Bliston Suwan Park View 21 Abloom Executive Serviced Apartments 3 Ascott Sathorn Bangkok 22-23 President Park Group 4 Sumerset Lake Point Bangkok 22-23 President Solitaire 5 Sumerset Park Suanplu Bangkok 22-23 Grand President Executive Serviced Apartments 5 Sumerset Sukhumvit Thonglor 22-23 Royal President Executive Serviced Apartments 5 Citadines Sukhumvit 8 Bangkok 22-23 President Park Executive Serviced Apartments 5 Citadines Sukhumvit 11 Bangkok 22-23 Phachara Suites Bangkok 6 Citadines Sukhumvit 16 Bangkok 22-23 Hope Land Executive Residence 7 Citadines Sukhumvit 23 Bangkok 22-23 Tenface Serviced Residence 8 49 Suites 25 Fraser Suites Sukhumvit 10 Jomtien Beach Penthouses 25 Fraser Suites Urbana Sathorn 10 Grand Hi-Tech Tower 25 Fraser Place Urbana Langsuan 10 Grand Hi-Tech Tower Resort 25 Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Bangkok 13 El Patio 27 The Tepp Serviced Apartment 15 The Alcove Thonglor 5 46 Amari Residences Bangkok 16-17 Anantara Baan Rajprasong Serviced Suites 47 Shiva Tower 19 The Narathiwas Residence 48 Bangkok’s Top 5 Hoods Greater Lang Suan (The area bordered by Wireless Road, Phetchaburi Road, Ratchadamri Road and Sarasin Road includes Soi Ruam Rudi, Ploen Chit Road, Lang Suan Road, Chit Lom Road, and Soi Mahatlek Luang 1, 2 and 3). erhaps the most affluent and regal swatch of land in the entire kingdom, Pthis magnificent district is home to numerous embassies, gated estates and the Bangkok’s ground zero of greenery, Lumphini Park. The perks to having an address in these confines are great green views, pleasant walks, and the feeling that you’ve made it. Lang Suan, Bangkok’s Park Avenue, is one of the most unique and recognisable streets in the capital. It’s lined with many fabulous restaurants and makes for a wonderful Sunday afternoon stroll. At one end of this majestic road, you’ll find classy Central Chidlom department store, prestigious Mater Dei School and the BTS’s Chit Lom station. At the other end is Lumphini Park where you can go running, biking, swimming, strolling, picnicking, boating and bird watching. The park also offers aerobics and dance classes, basketball, weightlifting, a plant nursery and a library. Sukhumvit Road Originally a piece of royal land which was bequeathed by King Rama VI to the Thai people for public use, Lumphini Park first opened in 1925 as n addition to being one of Sala Daeng Fields. IBangkok’s longest and most historical thoroughfares, famed for its blend of business, tourism and lifestyle traffic, Sukhumvit Road has also become recognised for its preponderance of condominiums and serviced residences. And they just seem to keep multiplying at a dizzying pace. The reason for this is that Sukhumvit has it all – lifestyle shopping centres, major office buildings, parks, international schools and hospitals, health clubs, chic boutiques, countless nightlife offerings, quaint pubs, designer cake and coffee houses, world-class restaurants offering cuisine from the four corners of the globe, 24-hour supermarkets, easy accessible motorways, convenient public transportation, and the list goes on and on. 12 Bangkok’s Top 5 Hoods Sathon Road Si Lom Road Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Road athon Road used to be lined with f you enjoy living in the thick of mangrove trees and mansions. things, then Si Lom is the place S I his often overlooked residential Today, it’s a thriving business centre for you. This thoroughfare, which area is still up-and-coming and and home to many impressive stretches from Lumphini Park to the T stretches from Si Lom’s “giant office buildings, five-star hotels and Chao Phraya River, has everything windmill” up past Central Rama financial institutions. Residing here including easy access to all parts of III. Prices run the gamut here and certainly has its advantages as it is the city. There is always something there are deals to be had. Along this close to the Si Lom business and going on here – days, nights and boulevard you’ll find Empire Tower, entertainment district, several well weekends. Soi Sala Daeng is Tawan Daeng Brewery and several known hospitals (BNH, Bangkok particularly charming due in large artsy eateries. Public transport along Christian, Saint Louis), Lumphini part to the interplay between the Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Road Park, the Lumphini Night Bazaar, established local community and the took a giant step forward recently the MRT’s Lumphini station and four burgeoning expatriate one. Here you with the opening of the BRT bus BTS stations (Sala Daeng, Chong can finally catch the breath you lost line which conveniently connects Nonsi, Surasak and Saphan Taksin). on Si Lom or Sathon amid wine bars, with the BTS’s Chong Nonsi station. Italian bistros and mini spas. Living here also means you’ll be within walking distance of Patpong, a 100- year old church, a convent, several Irish pubs, three hospitals, a major fitness centre, and Lumphini Park. It’s hard to believe this area was once nothing but rice fields and windmills! 14 Are You New in Thailand? eaving the confines of your home country and moving to live and work abroad will surely be one of the most Lexciting times of your life. In a sense you will be entering into the unknown and will have to adjust yourself to new surroundings, friends, colleagues, foods and, in many instances, a new language. Here are four key things that you should consider when relocating to make your move a little bit easier. Budgeting should be able to point you in the language course can have a very right direction. At this point you positive effect on your relocation It’s important to put together a should also confirm your coverage experience. It will make the difference budget for the first few months with your medical insurance provider between being understood and before you are up and walking, as and see if your employer offers feeling frustrated because no-one this is the time when most people any health benefits to employees knows what you are talking about. tend to overspend. Simple things working abroad. Also, make sure could help you reduce your costs Community that your insurance policies cover such as cutting down on dining out you for where you have moved Find out where the main shopping and staying in a serviced apartment to and speak to your current venues in your area are. You will rather than a hotel. On average providers for information and advice. need to know where the local serviced apartments tend to be Furthermore, bear in mind that you supermarket is and, if you are not cheaper than hotel accommodation. may need your old medical files and staying in a serviced apartment, Healthcare details of your medical history. you might also have to buy new Language furniture.