A 4-day getaway: SIN, KUL, or BKK?

[sqdazz]

Can we leave it at that fellas? Points taken ?

[MAN Flyer]

Well it is a matter of personal opinion. What happen in BKK early this is a political event.

You haven't heard the case about one of the Malaysian cosmetics millionaire was kidnapped and killed together with her Personal Banker, I suppose. How often you heard people got robbed (not pick-pocket) and killed in BKK compare to KUL. (or may be I just to ignorance)

Political event or not, it doesn't matter. Does that not count as 'trouble' or something ?. People still got shot dead in the centre of the city, shopping malls got burned down, bombs have continued to go off, hundreds of websites are are still banned and many TV & Radio stations have been shut down. Oh, and there is still a state of emergency in place in Bangkok at the moment in case you didn't know.

I know all about that incident in Malaysia, and about the model that got blown up and about the farcical ongoing situation with Anwar that makes me cringe its so embarassing for Malaysia. But that stuff, as bad and embarassing as it undoubtedly is, does not pose a threat to someone who wants to go shopping in KL.

Please do not compare it to the trouble South of Thailand.

I never mentioned the insurgency down south where hundreds of people have been killed recently, but thanks for reminding us of another dangerous situation in Thailand.

Just think about it. People always have impression BKK is dangerous (ok put aside the political instability), but those who has been to BKK frequently (and KUL) knows what I mean I suppose. I do not want to go this route as this can be very sensitive discussion.

I don't need to think about it, I know about it, as I visit both places regularly. Especially Bangkok where I have been dozens of times in the last few years. If you can point me in the direction of reports of explosions in the centre of KL I'd be interested in seeing them.

But since someone think my comment is the silliest comment of the year I have to defend it. Feel free to disagree but I think to comment it as a silly thing is a bit too much

Fair enough, but to claim Bangkok is safer than KL is downright silly, as anyone who knows anything about what goes on there knows full well. Just look at how many people have been killed there this year and the ongoing problems, that anyone who knows Thailand well knows is far from settled.

[lingua101]

I presume you are taking the p*ss with this one. One of the sillyest comments of the year.

Maybe you should have a look at what happened in Bangkok earlier this year. How many died after being shot by their own army, right in the centre of the city near those lovely shopping malls you list ?. A situation that is far from over/settled I hasten to add, as shown by the odd explosion that has been going off in parts of the city since.

I can't recall seeing or hearing of that happening in KL recently.

Well it is a matter of personal opinion. What happen in BKK early this is a political event.

You haven't heard the case about one of the Malaysian cosmetics millionaire was kidnapped and killed together with her Personal Banker, I suppose. How often you heard people got robbed (not pick-pocket) and killed in BKK compare to KUL. (or may be I just to ignorance)

Please do not compare it to the trouble South of Thailand.

Just think about it. People always have impression BKK is dangerous (ok put aside the political instability), but those who has been to BKK frequently (and KUL) knows what I mean I suppose. I guess this because majority of Thai are Buddhist which mean they believe in Karma. But I do not want to go this route as this can be very sensitive discussion.

But since someone think my comment is the silliest comment of the year I have to defend it.

Anyway, this is all a matter of personal opinion... Feel free to disagree but I think to comment it as a silly thing is a bit too much

[SilverChris]

KUL is a bit neater than BKK, and one thing's for sure - it's safer.

[Kyo]

Agreed with MAN Flyer - BKK still has a 'tinge' more shadiness than KUL, but to be honest - don't go looking for trouble, and it won't come looking for you... same goes with most cities...

Try to get to know some locals, then either city really comes alive...

[MAN Flyer]

BKK is a food heaven. You can always find very nice and tasty food no matter how much budget you have. From street food up to very up-scale international restaurants.

To be honest you could say exactly the same about Hong Kong and Singapore.

But I think food in Spore is rather boring and definitely more expensive with its BKK counter part.

I totally disagree with describing food options in Singapore as boring. Price wise yes, it's probably more expensive than Bangkok, especially with the now very strong SGD, but boring it certainly isn't.

I always feel BKK is much safer than KUL....

I presume you are taking the p*ss with this one. One of the sillyest comments of the year.

Maybe you should have a look at what happened in Bangkok earlier this year. How many died after being shot by their own army, right in the centre of the city near those lovely shopping malls you list ?. A situation that is far from over/settled I hasten to add, as shown by the odd explosion that has been going off in parts of the city since.

I can't recall seeing or hearing of that happening in KL recently.

[lingua101]

And I look forward to trips to HKG... to shop & eat!

I guess this is what they mean by globalization.

If you haven't been to SIN since the integrated resorts opened, perhaps you should pay them a visit.

Especially the one in Sentosa since that one is more kid friendly.

I'm a bit concerned about BKK still.

Last thing you want is to have to rebook your holiday, in December, if the red shirt/yellow shirt thing flares up again.

The only thing going for KUL is a famous SQTalker lives there!

Personally I will go to BKK. BKK is a food heaven. You can always find very nice and tasty food no matter how much budget you have. From street food up to very up-scale international restaurants.

Likewise for shopping. Since I notice you are in HKG, I guess you are not looking for up-scale brand as you can easily find one in HKG. So Chatucak, MBk, Prathunam, couple with Siam Paragon, Emporium etc will be again a shopping paradise.

For kids there is Underwater World (or something) at Basement Siam Paragon which is not too bad. Been there once. You can visit Grand Palace and cruise along Chao Praya. It is a nice and interesting to do that.

Of course Spore is second. With Universal in place. But I think food in Spore is rather boring and definitely more expensive with its BKK counter part. Not to mention that by now I think most of the hotel in Orchard shopping belt must have been snapped by Indonesian who will be here to spend the Christmas and New Year

I personally feel nothing much to see in KUL. Don't really like the food either (may be I still cannot find the place).

I always feel BKK is much safer than KUL....

[concept|infinit]

If I were you, I'd do all 3 cities but for 5 days that'd be a rush. That's me though, I like to see as much as possible on a holiday.

If you'd want something not as hectic, perhaps with more time to explore the shopping and food offerings, I'd suggest SIN and KUL. With 5 days, you'd have enough time to explore SIN and take a 45-minute flight to KUL and probably head off from there. BKK is a little further off so I'd suggest doing it the next time you come to SEA.

[9V-JKL]

If shopping is the primary reason for the trip then I would say Singapore is your best bet. Unfortunately it is no bargain like it used to be, in fact with the continually rising SGD (currently 2.1 to the GBP, a few years ago it was 3.5 ) it's the opposite.

Indeed. Some things in the UK ARE actually cheaper than SIN

[MAN Flyer]

If shopping is the primary reason for the trip then I would say Singapore is your best bet. Unfortunately it is no bargain like it used to be, in fact with the continually rising SGD (currently 2.1 to the GBP, a few years ago it was 3.5 ) it's the opposite.

KL is better if you are looking for bargains.

[Terrance711]

Recently the prices have been going up, if you guys haven't noticed, which is why I'm eyeing BKK or KUL now for some cheap buys (I heard). Or is there somewhere in SIN that is just as cheap.

[Kyo]

Designer labels, you're best off shopping in HK...

[9V-JKL]

Question for Terrance711, does the Citygate Outlet mall in HKG not offer good prices?

OP = original poster; ie the one who started the thread.

[Dent@SUB]

Sorry I didn't make it clear! I meant to say anywhere that had great shopping that is inexpensive (anywhere cheaper than HKG ) and has a wide variety of designer stuff.

That the place that I want to know too.....

[Terrance711]

Sorry I didn't make it clear! I meant to say anywhere that had great shopping that is inexpensive (anywhere cheaper than HKG ) and has a wide variety of designer stuff.

What is OP btw?