Bangkok, Thailand

The Apsara dance, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos' traditional dance

Trip taken August 2009

Alright, I realize this is out of chronological order, even according to the year, but bear with me. Computer knowledge and patience came long after my passion for travel, so it is what it is!

Bangkok is not a slice of Thailand that you can compare the rest of it to. It is, obviously, the show piece of Thailand, attracting people from around the globe for a long time now for commercial reasons, shopping and open night life. None-the-less, it is an entertaining city and a culturally colorful one, the old and new standing side by side.

The modern Bangkok from the Sky Train

I was in Bangkok for only three days as we decided to take advantage of the Thai Airlines offer on our way back from Cambodia. I realize now that no matter how much research I do on the net to figure out where to stay, what area etc, some of it has to do with pure luck. And luck was on my side. The guest house I wanted to stay at vanished, not at the address that was on the net, and the number was disconnected. This is the sadest part of the story. But you got to have bad luck to know when you have good luck…

                                                                                                                                                            I had picked up a random pamphlet that said Bangkok map, opened it dejected and lost in a cab at 11pm, and found an advertisement for a cheap lodge close by. Out of options, hungry and tired, we asked the cab to take us there. Yippikayee, and I found a diamond! Clean, cheap, walking distance to the Asok station where the two main city trains pass through, it was right where I wanted to be. I bow down to the great Sam’s Lodge, Sukhumvit 19.  http://www.samslodge.com/

The ever busy China Town

 Transportation is key here so grab a couple of different kinds of maps, a couple of brochures on things to do and map it out before you get started, or you’ll waste a whole lot of time and money shuttling back and forth. You can take tuk-tuks, but the pollution and traffic is sure to change your voice if you stay in them too long. Cabs are quite expensive, but the traffic is still there. The new metro rails are amazingly clean, on schedule, often and cheap if you buy the daily pass for 120Bht instead of each stop which will cost you 30Bht to 40 Bht. There is the sky train which is worth the ride just to see the city, and the subway (MRT). The pass is valid on both.

God, I'm in love!

I like snakes. They are fascinating, awe inspiring, graceful creatures. If you want to see a great educational live snake show, visit their snake park. The last show begins at 12:30pm, and they are closed on Sundays.

For the mall style expensive shopping, the Siam Paragon has it all. Kao San Road is a back packer’s paradise; cheap and fun guest houses with other back packing travelers, small shops with silk handicrafts and other knick knacks, and a variety of cheap food on the go. The best market I went to was the Chatuchak Weekend Market. It’ll take you half a day to get through it, so take an empty back pack with some water and get ready to stuff it with all the fun things that you will end up buying! The Sky Train stops there, so you don’t have to walk too far.

The flower market, next to the produce market

The historical sights in Bangkok can keep you busy for days together: the palaces, the museums, the Golden Budha, the Temple of Down, and on and on. Do not miss what Thailand is so well know for, exporting flowers. The flower market and local produce market is Ratcha Wong Road, close to a boat stop on the river. A quick boat ride from Saphan Taksin to the Royal Palace will give a beautiful view of the city on both sides, and cover some of the landmarks. You can work your way down from the Palace to China town, walk through the local areas and see daily life in the old areas of Bangkok.

Don’t forget to bargain. Its still Thailand even if it is as westernized on the outside. And don’t forget to make time for a couple of massages. They are cheap and excellent if you go to the local places. I could’ve easily spent a week there, but I was still glad to be able to cover the things that most mattered to me in three days! The night life was too seedy for me so I saved energy by running back to the hotel after a late dinner, and I am not really into “ping-pong” shows so I saved a lot of money too! If you are into these things, be prepared to stay up all night and spend some money. You will find what ever it is your looking for!