I got a big homework to be host in Bangkok. Even though I spent 6 years in this city in total(1998-2004, and now from January 2009) but I don’t know how to behave like a tourist here. It is even tougher for me to show people have been twice or third times already, so I stop looking at Tourism Authority of Thailand who force people to go to temples and royal palaces.
For my guest, I want to show him where most tourists don’t go and most tourists don’t eat and don’t stay. With MRT and BTS, it is easy to do so. However, during Sonkran festival, Kaosarn Road where everybody is heading to Kaosarn to celebrate Sonkran festival is compulsory. You have to prapared to be wet during Sonkran festival.
I am sure my information is most updated as I am a local people. For xample, now people stop going Damnoen Saduak floating market as there’s no boat there. So, I’ll take my friend to Talingchan floating market instead. Then, he can experience the real market.
NB: JJ Market is open at night time as well now
In business district, we could start at Siam Square( Most friends of mine from Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore love MBK which is located nearby) . You can taste Doitung coffee shop located in Siam Discovery. Siam Center, Siam Paragon, Central world and Gaysorn Plaza are in walking distance. If you travelling from USA, the movie place here is nice, but the movie shown is the one that is already for 3 months from the US.
Chulalongkorn University campus touring is optional( Harvard of Thailand). it is always better to look at educated rich kids than poor homely bar girls or bar boys. Actually, Siam Square area is the property of Chulalongkorn University( CU). This university has too much money, they have many scholarships which a few people will ask for. Jamjuree Building in the South of the campus is completed but it is still empty.
Computer software and IT stuff can be found at Pantip Plaza. In Silom area, for me, it is not so interesting. If you’re hopeless in finding things to eat or to stay, just go to Silom( where the Thais shopping is always cheaper). Silom is also known as a Gay street. Unfortunately, there’s no sex shops, no gay bookstores. Instead, there are many many saunas, A Go Go, disco, massage place all around. Girl Bars is located in the small street called Patpong but to be honest, Gay just took the place in Bangkok as most neigboring countries are not Gay friendly.
To take boat, it will cost you only 26bhat round-trip( Less than a dollar) from Sathorn pier to Grand Palace. Grand Palace area is called Ratanakosin Island. As I said, I don’t like to show the fake things, so I would take him to Ta Pra Atit( The pier of Sun) and Ta Pra Chan( The pier of the Moon).
It is quite romantic there in the night time.
Things to be careful, do not buy Jewelry 2. Look when you go across the street, people will not stop, and the motorcycle comes from everywhere.
stay tuned for my next episode in the Diary!