Best in Bangkok

John Stevens

"The Best in Bangkok" second edition book --Thailand's definitive entertainment guide and discount program -- has recently been published by Canadian entrepreneur John Stevens. It's full of information about almost
anything that you would want to enjoy in one of Asia's greatest cities and is the loaded with more than US$5,000 in discounts, coupons, and other special offers for bars, restaurants, shops, hotels and more.

The book offers much more than discounts, it tells where to find great bars, restaurants, hotels, and shops that are hidden gems, off the beaten track of the most jaded business and personal travelers. Armed with this book, you can truly impress your friends!

"Most importantly - the BBB has tried to pick restaurants and entertainment spots off the beaten path like the Pickle Factory and the Bangkok Bar and Restaurant which is a great spot with a fabulous art gallery,'' said Stevens. "There's also About Cafe in
Chinatown and the Potato Restaurant on Chaengwattana. And then there's a slew of great Thai restaurants off of Sathorn (Soi 15) Narathiwat."

"The Bei Otto's and Westins of the world get a lot of exposure - and certainly we welcome their participation with open arms...however we wanted to branch out and provide Bangkokians with a greater variety of interesting spots, such as The China Journal Tea Room on Thonglor," he said.

The new Best in Bangkok book can help you find almost anything that you might need in this great teeming metropolis bordering the Chao Phraya River. If you feel the urge to cruise the town in style or simply to head down to the Gulf of Siam to quietly cast a reel and try to catch dinner and a tan, this book is for you.

"Our book is not just about hotels and restaurants," said Stevens. "We have everything from limousine services to cable skiing to an IMAX theater to big game fishing."

"We also have a membership card so people won't appear to be coupon clippers at fancy establishments," said Stevens. "Because of the economic climate, people are a little bit more sensitive to saving money, so this allows them to go out and have fun but to save some money as well."

a) Fine dining - Using your member card, you will find thousands of baht in discounts at a variety of Bangkok's top restaurants.

b) Casual Dining - Whether you crave a pint, want to dance all night or enjoy a dinner for two, The Best in Bangkok offers close to 300 coupons at the city's trendiest spots.

c) Activities & Lifestyle - Scuba diving, bowling, movies, shopping, para-gliding, mountain biking, trekking, dance lessons, gym memberships, spa memberships and much, much more..

d) Golf - Looking to hit the links or buy some new gear? The Best in Bangkok offers discounted rates of up to sixty percent at the finest courses and golf shops all over the Kingdom.

e) Hotels & Resorts - Enjoy fifty-percent savings at a variety of Thailand's best hotels and resorts.

f) Trips & Travel - Hit the road, sea or sky! With great savings on flights, cruises, and tour packages, look no further than The Best in Bangkok for all your vacation and travel needs.

This new edition has increased the discounts that readers can receive from 10 percent to at least 20 percent off the cost of goods and services. This version has also added more venues to all sections. Last year there were about 250 discounts, this year there are close to 600.

There are three new sections: Golf, Hotel & Resorts & Trips & Travel, and there is an online member registration to provide customers with updates and further benefits.

This time around, many venues approached John and his staff and nearly 100% of those who participated last year joined again this year.

John and his staff have also have created a book for tourists called One Night in Bangkok - featuring thirty-two coupons for dining & entertainment and a walking map. It is currently distributed through
Diethelm Travel - Thailand's largest inbound tour operator.

Discussing his book, John says, "I would like to mention the 50% off the rack rate at the Royal Orchid Sheraton, the Pan Pacific, the Westin Banyan Tree, and a number of Amari & Accor hotels. We also have a Bt2000 discount with Singapore Airlines. Other companies of note are discounts at Tower Records, the Barbican, Diethelm Travel, the Body Shop and a free pass to the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit Health & Fitness Club.

The book is geared towards both the farang and Thai community. In 1999 over 10,000 books (The Best in Bangkok & One Night in Bangkok) were sold. This Millennium version sells for just Bt699, so if you use it a couple of times, the book will pay for itself.

In all, the book provides over Bt200,000 or more than US$5,000 in discounts. No book in Thailand can beat the savings it offers and it makes a great present as well. It's available at Asia Books, Kinokuniya, Tower Records, Asia Books, Bookazine, DK Books or on line @ www.bestinbangkok.com

Discover the "Best in Bangkok,"