Best area of Bangkok

[andrewmoquin]

Hey people, hope everyones happy today! I've been doing a bit of research myself but would like some personal opinions from others. Which area of Bangkok would you recommend for a first timer in Bangkok?
I was wanting to check out the main spots i.e. Grand Palace, Jim Thompson's etc. but also do a lot of people watching and just generally get a 'feel' for Bangkok.
Hopefully by the time i arrive (September) i will have got my tongue around a small amount of Thai so wouldn't mind staying in a very 'Thai' area???
Obviously the first choice for most would be Banglamphu/Khao San Road but (no offense meant) it sounds like my idea of hell! After my own research i was looking at maybe Thonburi? I know it's the other side of the river but i don't think the traveling would be too much of a hassle, and it would be a good excuse to get on the river lots!
Also i was planning on spending maybe a week in Bangkok, do you think this may be too long?


Thanks in advance for any answers/recommendations/comments.

Cheers,
-Andy

[advance]

depends on ur personality... if u are in desperate need of other western tourists, head for kao san road. i don't think you truly experience bangkok by going to this area. personally, my favourite part of bangkok is silom road... any of the sois. silomcityinn is about $40 per night and in a fantastic location (this is expensive considering you can get one bedroom apartments for 5000 baht per month... $under $200) ... not far from siam square and the skytrain. by staying in silom, i met locals... no westerners which made for a fantastic time in bangkok (and i've got somewhere to stay now when going back!). i've fallen in love with bangkok and can't wait to get back... in a couple of weeks time... i'm even contemplating staying there a month or two after china. it will seem overwhelming on first arrival, but nothing beats the entertainment/facilities/ease of getting around etc.