We primarily use Bangkok as a hub to fly through. Very close and convenient to other Southeast Asian countries. ex-Marine and I shop, sightsee, eat and leave. But many visitors journey here for the express purpose of "companionship" while others don't leave without sampling a little bit of Bangkok's infamous sex industry. It's more like..."well, as long as I'm here..."

It's impossible to pick up any free literature without ads offering, for example: "Sexy Hot Girls"; ladyboy and transvestites, male and female, Thai and foreign, special entertainment shows; "Lily Visiting Service" -- we have the hottest girls in town...body to body massage; "B&N"..."guys are different...etc.,; "Inter Mustache's House", 2nd floor go-go- boys, 3rd floor Karaoke... "in and out escort service...24 hours. "Best Bangkok models...only one place who gives money-back guaranteed; "real experience in lesbian..."All True Fantasia" (six shows of course; and my favorite ad -- "Super Big Men" - muscular, medically certified, full satisfaction. The ads are so funny to read...interesting (things I never dreamed) and filled with misspellings.

Continue reading ""Companionship" in Bangkok" »

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Survanbahmi Airport has really gotten its act together. No more mob scenes around the luggage carousels, but still with the familiar touts waiting outside customs hoping to scare you into taking one of their cars or taxis. DON'T! Walk outside, get in the taxi line and for less than $10 you'll be taken to your hotel, no matter what time of day or night.

Back at the Grand Mercure Park Avenue, a fast check-in and crash into bed with a wake-up call for their excellent buffet breakfast. Made-to-order eggs, chinese breakfast, noodles, fruit, yogurt, breads and so much more. Wouldn't miss it for the world.

Continue reading "Back in Bangkok, Monasteries and Public Transportation" »

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We are only going to discuss ordinary massages, not the "happy ending" or "extras" massages that Thailand is noted for. I have personally never had a relaxing Thai massage. They are brutal. Cheap and brutal. They run (on an average) about 500 bahts ($13) for a decent one-hour massage. It's not that I'm masochistic but you do feel great after the pains go away.

If you have tight muscles and after a long flight, an intense Thai massage (with or without oil) fits the bill. The masseuses use lots of elbows, knees, palms...digging in and kneading those muscles.... I was sore for two days after one but felt great once the pains went away. They ask, "is that too hard?"...laugh when you say "yes" and just keep applying pressure. I promise...you will not fall asleep during one. It's impossible to walk more than three feet down any Bangkok street without passing a massage parlor...look for a clean one and take your chances. The nicer ones also offer body treatments, facials, waxing, manicures/pedicures and one place even had an ear spa (whatever that is).

Continue reading "A Thai Massage In Bangkok and The Grand Palace" »

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We stayed at the Royal Hotel in an older part of town on this trip to meet up with our tour group. The Royal is an adequate "tourist" category hotel with rates starting at $32 US/night for a double with breakfast. At that price, no wonder the Royal was extremely crowded with Thai people and Westerners. There is an old section and new section in the Hotel. Save your money and stay in the old section, just as nice as the new. The Royal Hotel had two major upsides...location, location, location - we could see the Royal Palace and Museum from the breakfast room, and - Khaosan Road was only two blocks away.

TIP: Don't hire a taxis inside the Hotel, walk outside and hail one. If you make arrangements inside, the price is double.

Continue reading "The Chao Pra River, Bangkok and Discovering Neighborhoods" »

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In Bangkok on a weekend, it was time to revisit the Chatuchak Weekend Market, one of my favorite places. Chatuchak operates on Saturday and Sunday only, selling practically everything under the sun. Tools, food, trendy fashions, "antiques" and "new antiques," intricate wooden carvings, masks, fluffy dogs, fish and singing birds. There are approximately 9,000 individual booths filled with clothes, food stalls, restaurants and entertainers. This is not a "just-for-tourists-only" market but crowded with locals buying, eating and window-shopping. Since we had jet lag, it was easy to breakfast early and hop on the skytrain.

Chatuchak Market is easy to reach on Bangkok's clean, safe and efficient skytrain (or take a taxi, very inexpensive). The skytrain has English speaking personnel on hand in each station to answer questions. Don't be timid about using the skytrain...you'll find the ticket dispensers user-friendly and there is always someone to ask.

Continue reading "Exploring Bangkok's Chatuchak Market" »

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It doesn't make any difference how many times we've visited Bangkok...there is always a new area to discover and places to revisit. The last trip was no exception, and began at Bangkok's spanking new Suvarnabhumi Airport built to replace the very old Don Muang Airport. A gorgeous new complex that presented some major challenges beginning with an 11:30 pm arrival. Almost every international flight arrives in the late night/early morning creating a madhouse. A few of the many challenges included:

- Surviving the unbelievable confusion and mayhem around the baggage carousels when luggage from at least three flights are off-loaded on the same carousel. We are talking about up to 1,000 people muscling their way to the front, trying to identify their bags out of the masses slowly circling on the carousel, yanking the bags off onto free carts and finally making their way out of the customs area. A free-for-all, and all you can do to keep from getting killed by suitcases.

Continue reading "Suvarnabhumi Airport and Bangkok Revisited" »

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