Bangkok 8th -12th Feb 2005

Arriving in Bangkok after India was a huge culture shock. I have spent so much time surrounded by chaos, filth, broken infrastructure, and crumbling buildings that I forgot what the real world was like. This place is modern, high-tech, organised, and relatively clean. Everything that India is not!

From the airport I shared a taxi with and Israeli guy I met on the flight. Neadless to say, being Israeli he got us a cheap taxi in to town. Once in the taxi my culture shock continues. Busy 4 lane motorways (no potholes), no trees growing out of the middle of the road, no bullock carts, and real cars (modern ones!). People even stick to the correct side of the road and generally pay attention to road markings (hold on. Road markings, what are they? No such thing in India) The taxi takes us past gleaming modern buildings, perfectly preserved temples, clean pavements with no rubbish, and high tech public transport (the Bangkok sky-train). The entire taxi journey passes and I didn’t see a single cow wandering the streets. This place is far too civalised!

The taxi drops us off in the Kho Shan Road area (backpacker central/touristville…… Horrible!!!!!!) This place is a cross between London’s trafalgar square and Blackpool's golden mile. I find myself some accomodation a couple of blocks away from the main travellers centre. Attack and retreat distance.

On the first night one of the most aparent sights is the amount of western guys walking around with their Thai girlfireds (I use the term’girlfried loosly, as paying for a girlfriend hardly qualifies in my books) The whole thing is so sleazy and a bit sad. Even with my poor record I’m not resorting to buying a gilrfriend!

On my first day I head out sightseeing and attempted to see the Grand Palace and Wat Pho. However I havent yet got my streetwise hat on and fall for the oldest trick in the book. A man apporaches me telling me that due to the Chinese New Year both are closed. At that moment, out of nowhere a rickshaw (Tuk-Tuk) driver appears and offers me a tour to some other attractions, I agree and spend the next two hours being taken to shops or travel agents where he gets commission. I refuse to buy anything but even so I end up wasting an afternoon.

The next day, my 2nd attempt is more successful and as i approach the Grand Palace I see signs everywhere saying ‘Don’t trust people who tell you we are closed. We are open everyday!’ You live and learn!! The Grand Palace and Wat Pho make a great day out but both are very touristy and a bit too crowded.

I spend the first two nights hanging out with a Swiss girl called Anja. She was quite attractive and good company so that was nice. Unfortunately no action for Marky though. She flew to Singapore on my third day so I didn’t get chance to work the English Charm!

After a couple more days sightseeing and catching up on beer drinking I decide to head to Kanchaniburi. Bangkok was a good reality check for me, but i need to get out. It’s too hot and there are too many things to watse money on.