after benefitting so much on the info here, its my turn to contribute abit on the land of thousand smiles..
shopping need no more mention, think its quite comprehensive..
money exchange: discovered that the SIAM CITY BANK outlet in WTC 1st floor offer the best rate compare to the BKK airport and Spore's Golden Mile. Just came back on Monday (12/07/04), the exchange rate was S$1 = B$23.65, when Singapore side was ard B$23.4 / .5.
If you are going to change ur $$ there, pls remember its SIAM CITY BANK, cos there is another bank outlet called the SIAM COmmercial Bank with similar logo, and brand outlook but lower rate.
Been there 2x this yr, so far the rate there is really good...can also draw money using ur credit card and passport at the bank outlet.
ASIA HOTEL: Do not stay on the 7th floor. My thai friend relate to me a sighting on the 7th floor by his customer, who happen to stay in the same room as us one week before. There was repeated knocking in the middle of the night, but no one was around after the door was open. So after one more knocking, the fellow went to peep at the pinhole, only to see a legless lady floating across the corridor.
It was really scary for us, when my thai friend related to us the sighting. We could not change the room cos the Hotel was full due to the Intl AIDS Conference. Anyway, was lucky that we did not encounter anything during the stay, probably because we are too tired after shopping the whole day.
Other than the 7th floor and some windowless room, the hotel is pretty alright, lots of people, clean, link to BTS (MRT) and walking distance to MBK, SIAM Centre, etc. Moreover there is a very nice Wanton Mee outside the convenience store near the hotel. If you stay there, can try the mee. Selling only after dark. one bowl abt B$30. We ate there for supper almost everynight.
Chinatown: The street that is full of life, it is busy, noisy, messy, dirty but full of zest. Imagine it being those old old Chinatown, add in the messy bkk city traffic by 5x, many people walking around, barebody, sweaty workers doing their delivery, etc. plus the loud oldies blasting out some where, together with the heat, multipy by 5x, thats BKK Chinatown.
Best to go there for dinner, cos it will be less hot and messy... go for the seafood, and some local street hawker fare like the zhu zha tang (mixed pork soup).
As for shopping, can really forget it, cos it really not worth the effort to endure the noise, dirt just to buy something for a few baht less. Even their pork floss ("dog shit") is expensive compare to MBK or Chatuchat Mkt. We bought 1 pkt ard B$80 -B$100 depending on the size and taste, but at MBK and Chatuchant, we were offered 1 pkt for B$70 or 3 pkt for $B200. So much cheaper and need not endure the mess of Chinatown.
Maybe can buy some audio CDs / VCDs along the street after dinner, cos they are original and cheap ($4??). However mainly oldies. Anyway the same CD probably cos around $5 or $6 in shopping mall like MBK.
Thats my contribution for now... " )
Both prices are almost the same, just that Chatuchak got 'many' varieties & much more interesting to shop! while Pratunam focus more on ready wears esp. kids wear, jersey, accesories etc. U can find wholesalers ard Pratunam. 
