Bangkok

As this post took so long to be written I’m actually quite near to leave Bangkok again! 7 month pass so fast!

Lot’s of impressions, ideas about the people the society, the ways, the “asian” ways, the “thai” ways, the good and the evil!

Thailand is a place that is quite easily misjudged or wrongly experienced, so here’s a simple list of items that I think anyone should try to do in here..

Where to stay?

Backpackers will normally head to Kao San Road, this area is packed with cheap guesthouses and of course foreigners!
The problem with Kao San is that it’s NOT Bangkok at all, it’s a 100% tourist place that is far away from everything except the imperial palace and other tourists. No subway no sky-train, and no real Thai people.
However is not such a bad place for tourist buses, just don’t say that you travel like real local people!
Other areas to stay is in Silom and anywhere around Sukhumvit.


Moving around

Most of the tourist places are connected by either the subway or the sky-train, buses are hard to ride specially if you don’t know the city and cannot read Thai.
So don’t be cheap take a taxi! in this city they are fantastic, excellent cars, good service, safe and will always use the taximeter. The initial fare is 35 baht and will hardly ever get over 120 baht for middle-long rides. (that’s 3 dollars)
In places where taxis doesn’t want to use taximeter just stop one that is passing by (not the ones waiting) or walk 20 meters away :D  (Kao San, Hua Lampong, Suam Lum –silom- night market)
Tuk Tuk are only for tourist and they will normally charge you more than a taxi.

Must try/see

• Thai massage. Pamper yourself with a delicious amazing massage! They are very fair prices and the quality is normally high. An average price is 400 baht for two hours but don’t forget first to ask the price and then to tip the masseuse, 100 baht will do.


• Imperial palace, emerald Buddha temple


• Try as much thai food as you can, it’s an absolute experience, without a doubt one of the best cuisines in the world.


• Some other Asian cuisines are very well represented give them a try!


• Want to have a look from the top? Head to the state tower after 7.00 go up to the 64th floor to the sky bar, the drinks are not cheap (for Thailand prices)  but the place is for sure worth. If you have enough money to spend stay to eat!


• If you have time you can also try getting a massage course.

Some places in Bangkok

First of all remember that you are in a city, the activities that you do in a city (any one)  are different to the ones you make in resorts or towns. So try to enjoy this megalopolis!

Temples & Imperial palace.
The imperial palace, the emerald Buddha is something to be seen as well as the huge lying Buddha!
There are temples everywhere must of them great looking.

Shopping areas
Modern cities specially the ones as hot as Bangkok tend to centralize life and places to go out and eat around shopping areas. Some of them are actually quite interesting places and a clear indicator on how well the country and the people are going!.

Most of the shopping malls are located on Sukhumvit street and are accessible by sky train.

Try going to Siam square, a very nice place to walk full of young people form nearby schools, around this area you have 4 huge shopping malls, head to Paragon to see the newest in Bangkok, connected by an esplanade (very good looking one) you have Siam Center a renewed shopping mall full of fashion stores, looks like the place to find something different and special, from here you can walk to Siam discovery center another nice shopping mall, and still! From here you can cross with by a bridge walk to MBK. I personally don’t love it, but it’s quite a real thai shopping center, go here to see mobiles, cheap clothes and lots of people.

Another are with many shopping mall is actually located just one station away. Central chidlom, gaysorn, world trade center and

Areas
As noted the Siam square, try also the Nana area (nana BTS station), Silom (silom station) you can walk all this street till you get to Saphan taksin, an interesting area to see, in her you can take the public transportation trough the Chao Praya (the river) and stop along  or just keep going till you get to the area close to imperial palace and the temples.
In the main river you can also take a small boat to go around the Thonburi canals, or go in the night in one of the dinner cruises, they normally belong to big hotels and the food is quite good, the views great.

Night markets
There are many of them but the two main ones are easily accesible using the subway  Silom and Lumpini. Try a visit they sell very interesting items and are quite enjoyable.

Weekend markets

Chatuchak weekend market it’s a huge market where you can find anything you can dream of. Btw don’t consider comparing prices and coming back for the items, most probably you will get lost.

Other

Bars, girl bars Muay Thai competitions or take a small course, cinema, concerts. Many people go to the tailor while in Bangkok.


Eating

Eating in thailand is a very reward activity, with amazing local food and a lot of other asian cuisines represented the choices are great and the prices are cheap!

One of the best places to eat is in the street!, so clean your mind of trash and sit!, I have never get sick of eating in the street nor any of my friends and visitors. You can have a fantastic dish for just 20 baht (50 us cents).

The worse mistake that you can make in Thailand (and everywhere) is to try to eat as you do at home, you will end up getting poor quality food at a very high price.

Try the real flavor: When you go eating in the street or in some thai restaurant (noodle ones specially)  you will find in your table 4 glasses with local seasonings, normally they are: Chilis in vinegar (no much), fish sauce, sugar, chili powder (may vary) . Put them on your dish!, it will change the whole personality of it.

If you cannot eat chili ask the dishes: mai pet

Some dishes to try (names close to as they sound):

• Pad thai. An absolute favorite try the spices on it


• Som tam. Mmmmmhhh Green papaya salad. MUST! A combination of sweet, hot, salty and sour, absolutely fantastic.


• Yam Mamuang . Green mango salad. Sometimes you can get by the side with fish


• Kao Tom Kung. A thai rice porridge with shrimps. Try with the 4 spices.


• Tom Yam Kung. Considered one of the best soups in the world. This spicy soup with shrimps is just amazing.


• Tom Kah Gai. Coconut milk soup. A gentle mix of flavors, subtle, delicate with full personality, caresses your mouth


• Kao Soi. Northern style noodles, from Chiang mai.


• Pad See You. Tick noodles, meat, vegetables.


• Fried morning glory. Mmmhhh


• Kao nieau. Sticky rice, not so special but quite nice with fish and salads


• Kao-neau Mamuang. Sweet sticky rice with ripe mango. Absolutely delicious!

Of course you have the traditional fried rice and what seems to be the favorites of my european friends. Green, yellow and red curries.. not bad!

Others:
Dishes in black pepper sauce
Dishes with sweet sour sauce
Sea food (careful with the prices by gram)

Shopping.

Clothes, t-shirts, handcrafts, fisherman pants, dresses, mobile phones, elephant items collectors paradise.

Once you have enough Bangkok go around!

Jungles, islands, old cities, small towns, interesting cultures and lots of elephants are waiting!