Bangkok, a big, yet almost westernised city with Thai seasoning (street food, street vendors, ladyboys and temples) … We only spent 4 full days in Bangkok, with the aim to spend a bit more time at the end of our trip in Dec/Jan.

I don’t think we scratched the surface of the bizarre things to do, we heard stories about, chickens being shot across a restaurant, with a guy trying to catch them with a spike on his head, the ping pong shows, to the extent that they can suck up a bottle of coke and dispense it it a glass (sounds refreshing). Also the Thai girls themselves seem like an attraction for many western men. But so far what we did see was pretty cool.

Thai food

We loved the food here, we eat at nice restaurants and had Pad Thai from street vendors, (which was just as good, for a fraction of the cost). I wasn’t brave enough to try a scorpion on a stick but hopefully on our return I will grow some, it just doesn’t look that appetising. Our favourite meal was Thai Green Curry (cost about 1 pound each) in a restaurant called Sit and Wonder, decked out with vintage cameras on the wall which was really cool.

Sky train and getting about

The sky train is a great way of getting about in bangkok, its cheap and easy to navigate. Its really clean, air conditioned and you don’t have to wait long before your train arrives. If you really want to fit in on the sky train you need to have an iPhone – as 90% of people on there are engrossed in their 5 inch device, “the head down generation”.

Taxi’s are metered over there so you know your not getting ripped off like some of the tuk tuk drivers will do, but the taxi drivers don’t seem to know where anything is… We got stranded on a road after being in the taxi for over an hour, we didn’t make it to our destination, luckily for us we got rescued by a couple of moped taxis which were great fun, weaving through the traffic all for about 60p each.

7/11

I think there must be more 7/11’s in bangkok than any other major city in the states! Not a bad thing, they are a great break from the humidity. They are air conditioned and in the fridge area check out the cooling cloths they sell for about 25p which is amazing and refreshing.

Kao San road

A bit like the Magaluf of Bangkok, filled with tourists, bars and market stalls. Great if you want to by some fake merchandise, ray bans from about £2-3, I got myself a new Obey hat for about it £3, you can barter for everything. I was surprised how many people were trying to sell me a tailored suit. Lots of people stay in this area, but its definitely for the younger generation, but worth checking out.

Bangkok Design Center

See my previous post, its not often you get to see such a great example of a exhibition/museum for free. A must for all design lovers or travellers looking to kill time on a budget.

Skyviews

There are a lot of opportunities to go to sky bars to see the city, we are hoping to go to one on our return visit (if we have enough money left) but for a good photo opportunity go to paya thai, go up 16 floors of the plaza and grab a free photo opportunity!

Francois’s pad

Calling all lechladers who went to school with Franny, check out his back garden and get yourself over there! A 5 star standard swimming pool and beautiful garden. We were lucky enough to stay there for a few nights and took full advantage of the swimming pool.

Next stop Kanchanburi,

Stephen x