Third time's a charm!

I knew it wouldn't be "one word"!

The food offered is your typical prepared items - duck, chicken, cockles, and such - purchased at the market.

"Our" Ching Ming is more about all the peripheral magic, all the paper gold, paper Benz, flower and incense and the particular placement of these items.

Personally, my Buddhism is more practice than ritual.

I always love Ching Ming.

It's when we get to pack up tons of food, drive to Ayutthaya, lay it out in the sun, sit around for a while, head back and eat the food.

Personally, since we are talking poultry and seafood, I simply watch the eating of the offerings!

Went to Baan Klang Nam once. Not bad, but wasn't really impressed.

Somboon has had its day. We used to enjoy their curry crab. The rest of the menu was always inconsistent. Unfortunately, the last two visits, the curry crab was pretty bad.

Haven't tried the others.

Might take a look at this list:

http://travel.cnn.com/bangkok/eat/cit...

If you want "fancy', head to Nahm or Bo.Lan. Don't know from Sra Bua. Rosabeing, although quite tasty, wouldn't be considered fancy.

Another reason for conflicting reports can also be due to items ordered. Most cooks will have hits and misses.

Lord Jim's, the buffet at the Oriental, will set one back just a bit more, for two, without alcoholic beverages. But, I think Lord Jim's is worth it.

Plus, even though we're talking buffet, the staff is very attentive.

Went down Convent Road, about 10:30 this Monday morning. It appears that they are no longer enforcing the street vending ban; many carts were setting up shop.

Mondays have been selected as the day that the actual law prohibiting street vendors is actually enforced. The rest of the week, a "fine" is paid to proceed, business s usual.

Noon to 1 pm is a bad time to visit. The area is packed with office workers, in a hurry to grab lunch. Hit the area just outside this window

I really can't name the dishes; I was dining with the inlaws. When dear brother attends, I just sit back and let him run amok. He knows everything!

Finally made it downtown, and to Four Seasons. Have to say, it's a mighty fine duck!

"Lobster tom yum" and "guinea fowl kaeng kheaew wan"

Yup, pretty standard stuff! I'm sure they ate their fill, here in Thailand ...

Perhaps Bo.Lan's "bite of somtam on a weathered plank" might please them more.

There is just a spot that serves different entrees with rice. The last time I was there, it was, pretty much, the center attraction. I will have to offer this disclaimer; I haven't been for some time.

If you can handle lan khao gaeng, "steam tray" style, Pantip Plaza's 2nd floor food court has some tasty offerings, including one of the city's better green curries. There is also a spot that sell khao soy, a Chiangmai speciality.

Across the pedestrian bridge, from Pantip Plaza, there is a small shop called "Pantip Khao Mun Kai". Khao mun kai is the Thai version of Hianese chicken rice, a little spicier sauce, less ginger. The place also can make pad see ewe and ladna.

Pantip Khao Mun Kai: http://goo.gl/maps/SutzZ

It's the shop with the Pepsi stuff in this photo / map.

Never ate there back in those days. Never made it to Lotus, either. Do plan on it, if ever in Vegas.

The owner of Lotus of Siam is the original owner of the famed LA eatery I noted. I thought that, maybe, because Jonathan Gold had given the originals a big thumbs up, no one knew the difference when it changed hands - at least twice. But, Mr. Gold has visited since and is still deluded. Then again, he goes for wild pig lip curry and squid ear gaengsom!

With Los Angeles' huge Thai population, over 100, 000 documented residents, there are a few Thai eateries true to the cuisine. They are, however, almost all off the foodie map.

There are also a few khao gaeng shops that no westerners give a second look.

A couple temples will have "pot lucks", sharing the excess offerings brought for the monks' breakfasts. This is home cooked stuff!

Thai Nakorn, in Orange County, is about the closest thing we have found to what is available in "sit down" restaurants inThailand.

Just as there are those who decry anything that is not cheap street food, there are those who praise "avante-garde" cuisine in fear of appearing unsophisticated.

" street food" vs "classic food" vs "avant-garde" Yes, they all have their following. I also believe that they have their place.

Visiting Thailand, people have what may be their only opportunity to sample the basic foundations of Thai. Once they understand the basics, they may then judge how "creative" some chefs my be.

IMHO, in the context of "Thai food", one of the world's most popular and misrepresented cuisines, when someone visits Bangkok, I recommend food that is more a true representation of the "Thai" dishes people might be eating in their home countries.

In the States, it is extremely rare to find Thai that resembles anything found in Thailand. The "Thai" restaurant that is "Mecca" for Los Angeles foodies, is one of the worst Thai joints I have ever visited. Talking with the owner, we found that she thinks her clientele is nuts!

Here is the key. As is often the case, her "regulars" have told her what they like and how they like it. She cooks their food, not hers. When she cooks her food, she cooks the typical Thai "variations" of Chinese, with a little pad thai and pad see ewe tossed in! She even sets the table with chopsticks.

Unless someone has plenty of time, and/or a good foundation, I am going to avoid recommending "Thai" cuisine that can be found anywhere in the world. I'll stick to local eateries.

There is an old expression here in Bangkok, "Same Same, but Different".

If thinning out the list, I would give Somboon a pass. With the exception of their curry crab, their food has always been inconsistent. The last time we visited, their curry crab wasn't even worthwhile.

If you have never visited, you may wish to check out Aw Taw Kaw (often spelled Or Tor Kor) wet market, at exit #3 of the Kamphaengphet MRT stop. Here, you can see all sorts of fruits, veggies, seafood and meats, and sample many. It across the road from Chatuchak Weekend Market.

Bangkok's true population is closer to 20 million or more. There are millions who are registered in other provinces and districts, but reside in this city. Fortunately, most of those ride motorcycles, not cars.

To the unfamiliar, Bangkok transportation logistics can be a nightmare.

A 505 or 16 bus, from downtown, usually gets to the Samsen location in 30~40 minutes. They drop you off about 100 feet away. A taxi would take less time. Once out of "downtown", except during the peak of rush hour, traffic is no big deal. We use these buses often when traveling from home, in the far northern reaches, to downtown. I hate driving around downtown! Krua Apsorn would be about halfway to our home.

Personally, I haven't visited the Dinsor branch. I have been told, by a few, that the food is identical. I'll have to visit it one day. For me, that area is a traffic pain.

Next visit, you might investigate Baan Phuengchom. It's a short walk from the Ari BTS station, no traffic to battle. It offers good traditional Thai dishes, along with some of their own specialities. If heading over during lunch or dinner, do make reservations. Otherwise, you will be dining outside, in the heat and humidity.

You missed out at express boat pier #15. One of Bangkok's more unique eateries, Cook Chom's, is right there. This former 5* hotel chef brings "fine dining" to the streets. He serves up some tasty plates, from his open kitchen, at street food prices.

http://tinyurl.com/cookchom

The atmosphere, to me, did look like somewhere one would take Grandma to reminisce. And, I agree, the offerings appeared heavily Chinese influenced. Many Thais prefer to be Chinese.

Then there is "entertainment". When dining, the food is the only entertainment I want. God forbid it was karaoke!

I've never been to Methavalei Sorndaeng. This is the first mention of it.

Numbers 4 and 5 are about 150 meters apart. I guess ambiance goes a long way when hunting down "good food"!

Unfortunately, the area has become an overrun tourist destination.

If you want to find a hidden gem, look around for crowded shack eateries, packed with Thais.

Unfortunately, the internet has also created "one-week-wonders", people who visit a region on holiday and become instant experts.

Clueless bureau chiefs are quite common. Many simply "hang" with expats and get their "insights" from them.

During the protests, CNN's "Man-in-Bangkok" was describing a scene taking place in front of Centralworld, one of Bangkok's more famous shopping venues. He commented, that it "appeared" to be Centralworld, although he didn't seem sure. That would be like having Dick Clark say it "appeared" to be Times Square!

Many of the "hidden gems" are places that they would never think of entering, but someone dragged them in. Stunned by their tasty find, they brand it as the best thing since ice cream!

Then it gets written up in the NY Times, and tourists beat a path to the door. Next thing you know, the prices go up and the quality usually goes down.

Update:
After reading a review of Baan Prachachuen, it appears to use a lot of stink-fish, a condiment for which I haven't developed a liking; I only eat fresh seafood, not fermented. I even order my somtam sans the dried shrimp.

We may still head by and see if they offer anything edible.

Krua Apsorn is about my favorite. It's curry crab is one of the best. We always hit the Samsen Road branch. The Dinsor Road branch is probably more accessible.

Location: http://goo.gl/maps/TMRR4

Haven't tried Baan Prachachuen. Surprisingly, it's right down the road from me. I'll have to give it a try.

Chote Chitr is the classic, over-hyped eatery that has made its fame in the western press. The food is nothing special, the service terrible, and the shop is filthy.

When we broke down and tried it, the owner's dogs were using the front sidewalk / dining area as a toilet. Not to worry; the waitress finally cleaned up the dropping and then continued waiting tables.

My guess is that the "appeal" comes from those who are so impressed that they sat down in such a dive, ate and survived! Then, back to the hotel eateries!