LOOKING OUT MY WINDOW
"Views from Charlie Brown"
We are dedicating this month's column to those who come to Thailand with children, and to those who live here with their children.
There are several places in the Sukhumvit area with children's playground facilities, including shopping malls, department stores, and parks.
First of all, there is the Queens Park, an outdoor park located on Sukhumvit Road between Soi 22 and Soi 24, next to the Emporium Department Store. This park has playground equipment in two areas, a lake, and a small pond at the Sukhumvit entrance with Musical Water Shows in the evening 19:00 and 20:00 hrs. The park is actually behind the Queens Park Hotel on Sukhumvit Soi 22, and can be accessed from there or from Sukhumvit Road. There are two snack bars in the park, both located next to each of the playground areas.
Park Pond @ Entrance
Park Snack Bar
Park Playground
Playground Slide
Playground Left Side
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In the Emporium, on the 5th floor are several fast-food outlets, including KFC and Burger King. There is a large Thai food area with very good food, and not expensive. There's also a Gourmet Super Market, but is slightly on the expensive side.
On the 6th floor is United Artists Movie Theaters, showing the latest foreign and local films.
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If you take Sukhumvit Soi 26 from Sukhumvit Road to Rama IV Road, you will find two Shopping Malls, one on each side of Rama IV.
On the Soi 26 side is Carrefour. This is a store with various departments, clothing, electrical appliances, a super market, and food stalls. There is a playground area for children where Papa can watch the kids while Mama walks the mall, or however you want to arrange it. In the evening there is an outdoor bazaar in front of the store where you can browse for cheap clothing and knick-knacks.
Opposite Carrefour, on the other side of Rama IV, is Tesco Lotus. It's asically the same as Carrefour with numerous outlets, fast food, and playground area for children.
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Being located on Washington Square, as we have mentioned in the past, I would like to give a little information on bringing children to this area.
There are restaurant-bars on the Square that are "Children Friendly," such as Bourbon Street and The Dubliner. These are restaurant-bars with a full menu of food, and children can come without any problem -- in fact, they're welcome. The Texas Lone Staar also has a full menu, and the Silver Dollar has a Tex-Mex menu, and people do come with children, but keep in mind there are working Thai ladies, and sometimes it can get a little boisterous inside these establishments.
On the other hand, most of the other bars on the Square are drinking bars for local ex-pats, and I wouldn't advise bringing children to them.
Bye until next month. Hope you enjoy your trip to Thailand.