My recent trip to Bangkok February 12, 2007

Early this month, I made a trip to Bangkok (I can almost hear groans and exclamations of protests “AGAIN?!”). This time round, it was more relaxed because I had an extra WHOLE day to play around with, which obviously resulted in…*blush* …well, you’ll find out soon.

1st Feb 2007

After work, I slowly made my way to the Changi Airport to meet the guys for dinner.

In the train…yeah…It was incredibly empty in the train, I was actually enjoying my ride to the Airport.

YAWWWWNNN… the stupid boys checking their WOW mail.

Waiting in anticipation for the plane. Well, at least it’s a decent Airline (Swiss Air), and not the friggin budget Airline.

Waiting AGAIN, at the Thai Airport.

Jolly Jon seemingly amazed at the architectural structure of the Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Checking into the Service Apartment. The boys were doing the necessary paperwork, while I took more photos.

Riverfront Residence
912/1-285 Rama 3 Road,
Yan Nawa
Tel :: 0 2682 7888
Fax : 0 2682 7889

Why didn’t they put my name?! HAHAHAHA Check out Mr Toxin! Imagine your surname’s Toxin…

After we settled down, dumped our bags, we headed to one night spot called Phat Phong. It was my first time going to this place. According to our tourguide (ie Kenneth), Phat Phong’s like Singapore’s Orchard Road (unfortunately, everyone in the office told me Phat Phong’s like Singapore’s Geylang *embarrassed*) ANYYYYWAYYY this place is littered with stalls. Stall after stall, as we walked past, it just reminded me of Singapore’s Pasar Malam. It then appeared to me that…Thailand’s not the Land of Smiles, but more like…Land of STALLS! I mean everywhere you turn, you’ll see at least one stall, food, whatever…

Phatphong,
Silom Road,
Bang Rak, Bangkok

We walked into one of the many lanes. It was filled with brightly lit shops. Well this lane even had a make-shift tattoo shop.

This man, holding a menu, kept walking next to Jon, and Ken. He kept asking them whether they were interested in their Thai Shows. Ahhhh..the infamous Thai Shows. I wonder why they didn’t ask me. Hey I’m a girl, but that doesn’t mean I’m not a lesbian, but hey…you’re trying your best for the business, you might as well, ask both sexes right?

We did eventually entered this bar, ONLY because we were slightly interested and the persistent ’salesman’ told us we could go in for free. However as we were ushered to our seats, they immediately insisted that we needed to buy drinks, so we ordered a stubbie each. They came back with the drinks and demanded 500 bt, for EACH frigging bottle of beer. We eventually left the bar after stayin for less than 15 minutes because we were sickened and disgusted by their service. Wait, I shouldn’t even use the word “service” because there was no service involved. All we saw were girls who were not even trying to look sexy. Yeah, they were naked but it was a sight of jaded women (hopefully none were men), who looked like they had to do this for a living. It was actually pitiful. The guys were more disgusted for other reasons (ask them yourself) like the mamasans insisting on tips etc.

I guess you have to settle for this. After walking out of the bar, and as we walked along the pathway, there were several bars offering the same bar-top dancing. I mean, from outside you can see the girls dancing on the bar, swaying with slightly more energy than the girls in the bar we patronised. The usual alluring irritating loud music accompanied the brightly lit interior. Oh, and of course not to mention the insistent ’salesmen’ trying their best to tug and pull in ANYONE in their sight, well not anyone, mainly men lah.

We ended up at this roadside hawker place.

One of Bangkok’s signature dish – What’s Thailand without Phad Thai?

Hahaha…I guess the way to a man’s heart is really food. Look at the satisfied look on Jon’s face!

2nd Feb 2007

The view from the service apartment.

First stop – Siam Paragon. (hehehe can ANYONE see the word above? The word SALE really warms a heart, snigger.) The shopping arcade really sticks out sorely in the heart of Bangkok. I mean, it looks really new compared to its surroundings. But I must say, it is IMPRESSIVE. I couldn’t really afford most of what Siam Paragon had to offer (it’s just like Singapore’s Paragon) and It looks even better than Taka. It’s firstly huge, and it is surprisingly squeaky clean

991 Siam Paragon
Shopping Center,
Rama 1 Rd.,Pathumwan,
Bangkok 10330

Hahaha I sneaked these shots in the Food Centre (think and imagine Taka food area, MAGNIFIED maybe say 3-4 times?) because the damn management didn’t allow me to take any photos (grrr). Anyway this place is like FOOD HEAVEN! You’ve gotta check out this place. It sells EVERYTHING! From well the usual phad thai, to street food (chicken, pork on sticks etc). I treated myself to a couple of snacks before proceeding to walk around the mall(s).

Maybe it’s the bright lights (really lighting makes a HUGE difference)but come on! You HAVE to say this looks damn clean.

Outside Paragon.

We then headed to Siam Square (next to Siam Paragon) where we tried the supposedly famous muffin and pudding in the 2/3rd lvl? I mean, it’s nice but…well, I suppose I wouldn’t go there again if I had a craving.

We then walked across to MBK where we bought a snack or two (at Mr Donut) before lunch. It wasn’t that fantastic but I guess…I just needed to try it

MBK Shopping Center Bangkok (Mah Boon Krong)
Phayathai Road,
Pathumwan, Sukhumvit

On our way to C&C – as usual we passed a couple of road-side stalls. I was actually tempted to drop the plans in going to C&C, and patronising these road side stalls. And if you’re curious, C&C stands for…

Cabbages & Condoms
6 Soi 12, Sukhumvit Road
Bangkok 10110

Ditto! Well this restaurant offers something different. Other than local delicacies, C&C presents the various sections ranging from the natural jungle setting to the usual restaurant setting. Apparantly the Corporation, Population and Community Development Association (PDA), finances this Restaurant and ALL proceeds go to the contribution of HIV/Aids education and other worthy causes.

Remember, safety first

A message to all – Buttt buttttt….Aunty Zoe Tay says you have to swallow!!! Sniffles… life’s contradictions…

First we treated ourselves to the Iced Thai Tea. It’s REALLY DAMN SWEET. I had to pass more than half of it to Ken because I wasn’t feeling suicidal enough to kill myself with the sugar overload.

While waiting for our food, I happily snapped away. We were sitting outside. The weather was good and we were sheltered, thanks to the trees. =)

Tom Yam Soup, laden with…SO MUCH INGREDIENTS!

Sweet and sour Fish. Well, it tastes like it, but it’s a different name. Oh well.

Meat Tenderloin.

Fried chicken wrapped with pandan leaves.

Very good presentation eh? Our second phad thai of the trip.

Yummy!

Dessert anyone?

Jon’s getting excited here. Yesh. It’s a tradition of the restaurant to pass some condoms with the bill. It’s quite a cute habit.

Condoms have their use.

Hahaha..this is quite funny!

We walked out full and contented from the experience in C&C. You should go there at least once. Anyway I took this specially for someone *winks at GO* hehehe I wanted to buy one..but I was so stuffed from lunch.

On our way back to MBK (to shop hehehee). The train cards are like our old transitlink cards. It did bring back memories. Hhaahhaa

After alighting the train, we had to walk a distance to MBK and we passed by this fiesty looking red pig.

Hahahaha…. I was shopping in MBK (while the guys ventured to eat some more*groan*) when I came across this shop with this sweet-lookin girl, trying on some shoes. Hahaha…

Look closer, she wanted to grow up too quickly. I really thought she was cute.

After shopping at MBK, we headed to Suan Lum Night Market to…SHOP AGAIN! hahahaha…It’s a better place to shop, and I only could cover 2 blocks before I was dead beat. THe only similarity between MBK and Suan Lum’s the fact that it’s covered. Unlike the shops in MBK, you’re able to haggle with the shop owners. Even though the shop owners still make a profit, you’re allowed to feel good because well, you think you’ve got a huge bargain. I like Suan Lum. After 3 hours of torturing my feet, I finally sat down at this HUGE open-air food centre where we feasted AGAIN and listened to life music. Sweet! Well, apparantly Suan Lum’s goin to close down in April 2007, so for all those who haven’t step foot in the Night Market, HURL YOUR ARSE THERE!

Suan Lum Night Barzaar,
Soi 3/1, Rama IV Road

3rd Feb 2007

In the morning, we made our way to…

Chatuchak Market
Phaholyothin Road,
Bangkok, 10900

…where we ate and ate and ate! I also bought bubble tea. The friggin tea was too sweet again!

I didn’t take much photos in the market because…hehe I was distracted by one of my favourite pasttimes! One thing I didn’t do the last time was to cover the dog section. My heart melted and I felt a little tinge of sadness when I saw the puppies and other sorts of animals being caged up. Worse, some looked like they were being treated badly. Sigh

After 3-4 hours of shopping, we went to have lunch at Chinatown.

Food anyone? I think by the second day of the trip, I didn’t feel a single pang of hunger. (That is a sign that you’ve been eating too much). Anyway we really indulged in seafood ANNNDDDD……

The highlight of lunch – YUMMMMM!!!!! SUCKLING PIG… MY FAVOURITE!!!! hehehehe After eating the skin, I resorted to eating the sides, the head..etc heheh *drool*

I really devoured EVERYTHING. Poor pig.

Jon looking so full

And we topped off our meal with Bird’s Nest. It’s not particularly my favourite but oh well. Our meal amounted to about 4500 bt? It was indeed a really reasonable meal. Expensive in terms of Thai standards but hey, we had REALLY GOOD FOOD. I’m not complaining.

After the really satisfying and superb meal, we strolled down to the heart of Chinatown, where I was thrilled by the usual Pasar Malams…dunno why.. hehee

Apart from the stalls that greeted us, there were vehicles that passed by us constantly AND we also watched some mobile stalls trodding past. I’ve no idea why, I think I love the hustle and bustle of such places.

Sugar toast – Even though we were stuffed to the brim, we fought on. We bought sugar toast. It really did bring me back to the time when I was really young.

This version of the 发财猫 (Fa Cai Mao – fortune cat) is extremely ugly, not to mention, disturbing.

We finally got round to catch a ride back to MBK. Thailand’s indeed a place for suicidal people. I mean, the drivers are crazy, waving in and out of the heavy traffic… the food’s really sweet, salty and sour! Man! It’s a wonder why the Thais are so thin!

We didn’t do much in MBK and we walked over to Siam. On our way there, we did meet some people who were dressed as anime characters. Interesting. I mean, maybe an Echizen look-alike was around?

erm…No prizes for what we did in Siam: E-A-T. Phad thai anyone???

After the snack, we walked out and…ate some more. It was dark and more shops, well, stalls were in the process of setting up. We passed by this stall that was selling chicken and prawns, i mean fried ones…who could resist that. I wasn’t feeling hungry but the guys wanted to try. I don’t blame them..it’s so damn cheap!!!

Looks good eh? It was worth the amount!

Opposite Siam Paragon – while waiting for the prawns and chicken, I looked ahead and … there were so many stalls set up! Thailand’s a perpetual Pasar Malam! *excited*

Just look at them!

This looks like my kinda heaven *drool*

We headed back to MBK because Jon wanted to buy these things so..yeah. I’m not too sure wat these things are called. It’s green bean paste wrapped in jelly-like skin.

We had more food. Now, do you understand why I wasn’t hungry AT ALL after my second day?

4th Feb 2007

After a bad night’s sleep, we decided to have a last go at street hawker food. Look at the BBQ-ed food…who can ever resist that??

Queueing for food – We headed to the Airport after snacking and wondering around the vicinity of the Service Apartment, and well, we did some more eating.

My last tea in Thailand.

Last lunch – Well, we HAD to gorge ourselves for the last time, even if it meant…well…anyway click on the photos for the names, description of the photos.

Walking around in the Airport, savouring the last moments. The guys went to eat some more, I bought myself an ice cream before purchasing alcohol =)

In anticipation – Waiting to board the plane. I looked so tired.

It was quite a good trip. The only thing’s I ate too much. Other than that, I had quite a good break. And I can’t wait for my next trip to Bangkok…I WANNA SHOP SOME MORE!!! =)

For more photos, click here.