My wife and I will be in Bangkok for five days in August.

Bangkok has several small Muslim communities and therefore boasts quite a number of Muslim/halal restaurants though unfortunately few of these are located in the city centre. 

Surprisingly not many of the restaurants in large shopping centres offer a halal menu. I checked round the Thai restaurants on the 7th floor of CentralWorld Plaza, and found none. I was told that Muslim food is available at the food court only. So finding Thai food prepared halal style is not as easy as it seems.

I don’t know in which area of Bangkok you will be staying, but on the assumption that you will be located in the centre of Bangkok, I’m recommending a few areas along the Skytrain line. One that’s very popular with the Muslim community is known as Soi Arab and is in Sukhumvit Soi 3/1, a short walk from Nana BTS Station. The street has lots of halal restaurants in different styles from Thai to Indian and Middle Eastern. 

For a casual meal while shopping, Pier 21 Food Terminal at the Terminal 21 mall near Asoke station has one stall focusing on halal dishes. You’ll also find Muslim dishes on the 5th and 6th floors of the popular MBK Mall. In Pratunam area, you’ll also find halal food in Platinum Mall’s food court on the 6th floor, along with several halal restaurants near Baiyoke Hotel. 

There are many halal eateries in the old part of Bangkok as well as nearby Khaosan Road too.  If you’d like to try Thai food in a luxurious ambience, try the Spice & Rice Thai-Halal Restaurant at the Sukosol Hotel. Enjoy your stay.

 

 

I would like to buy a smart phone in Thailand, as I think I am more likely to find a bargain there in London. Where should I look? Thanks a lot! Sammy

 

I am not sure if you know that most smart phones are not made in Thailand, but imported from other countries in Asia like Japan, Korea and China. However, there is a good reason to buy here. One of them is that it’s fun – the smart phone marketplace is very active. Prices are in line with what you find in other nearby countries or on the global market. It’s better if you make a note before coming of the prices at home market before you start shopping here. 

The mobile phone system in Thailand is different from the UK. Here shops don’t offer a phone for free with a contract. In Thailand, you buy a phone and then sign up with a service or you opt for the “pay as you go” system.

I think Bangkok has more mobile phone shops than many other countries. In addition to retailers of all sizes, the phone manufacturers themselves have their own outlets, service providers also have their own outlets, and anyone can open a mobile stall in a shopping mall or on a street corner.

I know many recommend the MBK Shopping Mall as the place to buy a mobile phone. But in fact you can buy one at any shopping mall, and the price will not be very different. If you plan to pay more than Bt5,000, you should probably buy from a merchant that participates in the VAT refund programme for tourists like the large chain retailers in shopping malls. This way you will a get 7-per-cent refund when you leave. 

Another thing to check before buying is the warranty, as you need to cover your phone with an international warranty, not just Thai warranty. If you want a smart phone at a bargain price, you’d be better looking at the lesser-known Thai or Chinese brands. Many are available but be warned: they come without an international warranty. Enjoy shopping!