Your money is kind of tight at the end of the month, but you have a special someone you want to impress and it can’t wait. A candle-lit dinner and cocktails at a luxurious restaurant on the top fl oor of a hotel are beyond your means, but you want to offer a memorable night. What do you do? With this in mind during these uncertain times, here BK serves up some alternative ways to delight your date for around B500.

Rugged Rendezvous

When your date is strong and athletic, go on an mini-urban adventure. Arrange to meet and go boat riding in Lumpini Park (Rama 4 Rd.), just pick a time when the sun isn’t blazing hot. Chat and giggle as you feed the fish with the bread that is sold on the pier, then it’s time to start cruising the waters. Feel free to take turns rowing round and round the lake, so that biceps, triceps or even six-packs can be shown off. It’s also nice to go for a stroll around here. Pack a meal and a blanket because what’s more romantic than a picnic by a lake?

After all this outdoorsy activity, it might be time for some air-con, though. Catch a BTS from Saladaeng, or to save a few baht, walk to the always-chilly Central World Plaza. Once there, go straight to MOS Burger (3/F, Central World, Ratchadamri Rd., 02-613-1494, www.mos.co.jp/english. Open daily 10am-10pm), where the food is cheap, fresh and the portions are big. Order two burgers and one large Coke with two straws—awwww, so cute. You can opt for the “outdoor” seating and pretend you two are at a chic street-side café.
To work off the meal, go to the new nearby True Fitness (9-11/F, Zen zone, Central World, Ratchadamri Rd., 02-610-0999, www.truefitness.co.th. Open Mon-Sat 6am-midnight, Sun 8am-10pm), and finally redeem those free trial vouchers that have been sitting around your home. Or if you don’t have any in your possession, call ahead and ask for a couple. Why not? You can try all of their equipment, enjoy the sauna and take a shower to wash off the grime of Bangkok and the sweat from boat rowing. Sign up if you want to spend more time working out together in the future, or else just put up with True's salespeople during their pitch after you’re done with your session.

Then, for a romantic dinner, try the riverside buffet at Muu Krata Rim Naam Chao Phraya (1 Somdej Phra Pinklao Rd., Arun Amarin, 02-883-0505, 08-9326-6618), where you can eat as much as you want for B99 per person. Go for a riverside table where you can see the party boats riding by (save that for another, more expensive night out). Like other muu krata places, there is a wide selection of food and they have seafood for you to grill yourself, while nice bands play every night to set the mood.

● Boat: B100 for an hour
● MOS Burger: B59 for a chili dog or a MOS/teriyaki/teriyaki chicken/ginger pork rice burger). B33 for a large Coke.
● True Fitness: free
●  Muu Krata Rim Naan Chao Phraya: B198 for two  
Total: B449

Girl You Met at a Bar Last Night

You want to further impress the cutie you’ve had a chat with the night before, on the cheap, though. So go for the tried and true formula: flowers. Get over to Pakklong Flower Market (Jakrapeth Rd., Open 24/7) and ask them to arrange a nice creative bouquet. The key is to find out what varieties she likes first—whether they’re sunflowers, lilies, carnations, etc. If you really don’t know what to buy, go for the classic flowers used to express love—roses (see You Gotta Gift).

Meet her and as you hand her the lovely flowers make sure you tell her how pretty she looks today. You might want to do this at twilight just to avoid the possible shock you might have if she ends up looking totally different than she did in that dark bar. To start, maybe go check out a panoramic sunset view at the top of the Golden Mount (Wat Srakesa Rajavaramahavihara, Pomprab, 02-225-5873). The six days before the Loy Kratong Festival and on the days itself (Nov 24), there will be fairs and traditional performances, shooting, mia ngoo, lucky draws and many other things you two can do together.

After it’s dark, take the night in a romantic direction by getting some drinks. Try Sky Train Jazz Club (5/F, Jo Home Gallery Bldg., BTS Victory Monument, 08-9895-4299, 08-1584-7896. Open daily 5:30pm-1am), which is an especially great place to go to due to their billboard that has the word “Love” printed in Thai on it with an empty space for drinkers to ask for their girlfriend or boyfriend’s name to be posted on it. Unless you think this might backfire due to cheesiness, call the bar in advance and ask them to put your date’s name up on it, then sit in the extended outdoor area and make sure she sits where she can clearly see it. The bar’s extended hours gives you the opportunity to get romantic for a longer time than in other bars, and watching the Sky Trains sleekly pass by is a nice touch, too.

Afterwards, take her for a late night khao tom at an unnamed street side place that has been nicknamed Tom Toey (as it’s located opposite the Klong Toey Market parking area), which is open until 5am. It’s cheap and yummy, so act like a big spender by encouraging her to order as many dishes as she wants. After you’re done here, it will be very late, and hopefully if you’ve played this right, she will let you take her home.         

● Bouquet at Pakklong: B150
● Golden Mount: free
● Sky Train Bar: B70 for a big bottle of Singha, B90 for Heineken. (When it comes to the first date, girls know not to drink too much, so two or three big bottles of beer should be enough.)      
● Tom Toey: B150 for a meal for two (three to five dishes with khao tom)
Total: B440-570

Tree Hugger’s Hugger

No matter how badly you wanna drink and get wasted, save it for later, cause your new potential boyfriend is not really into that; you need to show him that you love the birds, the bees, the trees and world peace. One romantic place that can instantly transport you to a natural setting (an artificial version of one, at least) is the Bangkok Planetarium (Science Center for Education, 928 Sukhumvit Rd., 02-391-0544, 02-392-0508, 02-392-1773. Open Tue-Sun 8:30am-4:30pm. BTS Ekamai). It’s not all that popular these days, so find a secluded corner and lay back as you gaze at the sparkling constellations and the Milky Way, and pretend you are on the grass at Khao Yai. If he’s interested in outer space, the ozone layer and other environmental issues, take him to the exhibition area.

After that, connect to daylight by bringing him out for a cool breeze aboard a boat on the Chao Phraya River. Why bother taking those luxurious cruises, when you can pay just B13 for a ride on an orange-flag boat that will take you from Saphan Taksin all the way to the end of the line, to a new province, at Nonthaburi Pier, where there is a busy market with yummy food and knickknacks.

When you step on to land again at Taksin Pier, check out the little coffee booth (Open daily 7am-9pm) by the river, where you can chill out, drink some beers or coffee and watch people go by. In the evening, when the weather is nice, the view is stunning as the sun is setting. For a nice nearby meal, try Aim-Boon (1497 Rama 4 Rd., corner of Soi Chula 11, 02-215-4296. Open Tue-Sun 9am-7pm). You can enjoy non-animal versions of shrimp, fish, duck, pork, clams and even fried eggs as you talk about how you both love animals, even though you may want to sneak off and have a solid juicy meaty meal after you say goodbye to him.
   
● Bangkok Planetarium: B20 each
● Boat ride: B13 each
● Beer at Taksin Pier: B38 for can of Singha, B25 for iced coffee
● Aim Boon: B65-80 per dish
Total: B296-510

Metrosexual Eligible Bachelor

You’ve got a guy who is educated, highly-paid and who makes sure that everywhere he goes is the best. He turns his nose up at cheap things, although he won’t necessarily always say no to them, if they’re interesting enough. He also seems to like independent women, so you’ve insisted, ahead of time, that you don’t want him to pay. Now, you have the challenge of keeping it upscale enough to meet his tastes, but also easy on your wallet.
Start things off by meeting him at TCDC (Thailand Creative and Design Center, 6/F, The Emporium, Sukhumvit Rd., 02-664-8448. Open daily 10:30am-9pm. BTS Phrom Phong. www.tcdc.or.th), where you two can browse around their exhibition galleries, check out some cool old magazines and design books or even watch a film. He should have a membership, but if neither of you do, a one-day trial is free (only the first time you go, though); just show them your ID card. But hurry! After they move to their new space next year, you can bet it won't be nearly as sweet.

Next, you can move on to the Japan Foundation (10/F, Serm Mit Tower, Asok, 02-260-8560/-4. Open Mon-Fri 9am-7pm, Sat 9am-5pm. www.jfbkk.or.th). They screen free Japanese movies every weekend; bring a hanky, though, as they mostly show dramas and romances.

Then, make him feel like he’s on top of the world at the Baiyoke II Building (222 Ratchaprarop Rd., Ratchathewi. Service hours: Mon-Fri 10:30am-10pm, Sat-Sun 9:30am-10pm). Go all the way up to the 84th floor rooftop, a popular spot for sightseeing. You two can talk about Dante, global warming or Pen-ek’s latest film, while the floor revolves, offering 360-degree views of the city. If he’s a sporty person, try walking down the 2,060 steps holding hands—an experience you both won’t soon forget (especially considering the muscle cramps you’ll likely be feeling over the next few days).
For dinner, bring him to the affordable, but awesome, Italian eatery Chef Thanom (Klong Toey Port, behind Lotus on Rama 4 Rd., 02-249-5064. Open Wed-Mon 11am-2pm, 6pm-midnight). The décor isn’t too exceptional, but their spaghetti dishes are nice and their foie gras is renowned and worth the B360 price. But since you’re going cheap, you can save that for next time when your cash flow is a little better.       

● TCDC: free
● Japan Foundation: free
● Baiyoke II Building: B120 each
● Chef Thanom: B150 for spaghetti

Total: B540

University Student Gig

Your nong is so cute, young and lovely, and since she’s still in school, she’s not so hard to please, but you still need to find some nice places to take her. Nine out of 10 students love to sing, so maybe you can sneak out from your office for a few hours and bring her to Big Echo’s latest branch on Asok (219/1-3 Asok Bldg., Sukhumvit Rd., 02-261-2593/-6) in time for their discounted lunch promotion (Mon-Fri 11am-2pm). It’s just B120 each and you will get your own lunch set of either Thai, Japanese and European food and a karaoke room for a full hour where you can sing love songs to her in a private room. Or if you don’t want to eat, students get 50 percent off between 11am-6pm every day, and if she’s in her school uniform, you should be set.

You two can spend more time together at TK Park (8/F Central World Plaza, Ratchadamri Rd., 02-257-4300. Open Tue-Sun 10am-8pm). No, it’s not boring there—she can read comics book, while you look for a detective novel, or you two can play online games together. It’s a very vibrant atmosphere and you are allowed to talk as much as you want, although you should be somewhat respectful of those around you. Apart from books, there is a music library, film screenings and a coffee corner, too.

If she’s a nightlife person and it’s still before 7pm, go across the street and take the Saen Saep klong boat at Pratunam all the way to Phan Fa and walk five minutes to Khao San where you can find many cocktail stalls lining the road. It's great for people watching. After hours of activities, it’s great to sit back, chill out and talk, before you send her home. (Her parents are likely to be worried at this point.)

● Big Echo: B120 each for lunch promotion. Fifty percent discount makes it B160 per hour for a room
● TK Park: B20 for a one-day pass
● Saen Saep klong boat: B10 each
● Khao San’s cocktails: B60 per drink
Total: B320-520

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