Browsing Bangkok - Day 1

Touched down at Bangkok International Airport around 1605hrs local time. The first sight that greeted me was the golf course in between the runways for the airport. You did not read it wrong, a golf course in the airport, between the two landing/takeoff strip. I was wondering what happens if a golf ball hit a plane while it was landing/taking off? It seems that the golf course has been around for ages, so my concern seems to be trivial.

After going through the customs and claiming my baggage, I went to get a airport taxi to my hotel. Spent 1330B(Thai Baht) for the airport-hotel-airport trip. 700B one way, with 10% off the return trip. The best part is, the above-mentioned price do not include the expressway toll, which is 60B. At least the taxi is very comfortable, top of the range Camry, and the driver is well manicured too, his driving skills I mean.

Along the expressway, I noticed that there is a strong Japanese presence here, as some billboards have Japanese on it. Yes, I can differentiate Japanese and Thai, if you are wondering. Only then it strikes me why there are tourist information ONLY FOR JAPANESE in the baggage claim area.

Tipped the taxi driver 40B, from the change of the tollway (gave him 100B to pay earlier). Finally I arrived at Sukhumvit and checked into the room. Since the travel agent that booked the place for me said that it was not that well-conditioned, this place is far better than my expectations. Excellent.

A king-sized bed was sitting in the centre of the room, facing the door, with a big mirror on the top end of the bed. Wonder why they did not install a mirror on the ceiling as well, haha. Browsing through the items on display on top of the fridge, I came across a box of strawberry flavoured condom in threes. Interesting item to find in a hotel room in Thailand, as I have not seen condoms on offer in any of the hotel rooms I have been in. Too bad I have no use for it.

Took a long bath, watching animations from my notebook, and thoroughly relaxed myself. I sure know how to enjoy myself. Ha ha. After that I went out to have dinner. Strolling along the Sukhumvit, I came across a lot of night hawkers, selling things ranging from shirts, shoes, watches to DVDs and other electrical stuffs. I was also shown pictures of sexy Thai ladies in the bath, suggesting that I can have fun with them too. I shook my head and continued with my journey. I walked pass hair saloons and massage parlours, where a lot of young Thai ladies were sitting in idle. I knew what kind of 'service' they provide, so I did not even want to look into the shop. The best way to keep yourself safe is to avoid eye contact with any of the 'servants' or 'agents'. Say NO to whatever they say to you. On the way, I dropped by a coffee shop, Where the World Meets, and grabbed myself an ice-blended coffee. Around 110B.

I passed two Starbucks (within 300 metres of each other) and came to a book store 'Bookazine'. I went in to have a look and saw some map, which I will buy the following day. I discovered that the books in Thailand are quite cheap. For example, Dan Brown's Da Vincci Code retails for around 350B. I continued down the road and decided to have KFC for dinner. Something different is on the menu, with a black pepper sauce whole drumstick, it is far better than the KFC I had in the airport for lunch. Even their salad has tuna in it. And they served my meal in squarish tupperware plate and glass for my Pepsi. The meal costed me only 89B.

After dinner, I went straight back to the hotel. By the time I settled myself comfortably into the bed, watching Star movies on TV, I realised that my notebook is running low in power and needed to be recharged. Only then I realised that the sockets here are different. Went downstairs to asked for an adapter but they do not have one. They suggested that I go to Robinson departmental store to get it, which will take me 10 minutes walk, or one stop by the BTS skytrain. I decided to try out the skytrain. The attendant gave me coin changes for the ticket machine. For one stop, it costed me 10B, and saved my tired legs' engergy too. Money well spent.

Robinson did not have what I wanted, bugger. Luckily an electrical store next to the Robinson, ran by a Thai-Chinese, have the whole row of universal adaptor hanging there, and they caught my eye. Parted 50B for it and happily I am on my way back. Before getting to the skytrain station, I dropped by 7-11 to grab a packet of Lays and a can of Chang Beer (Thailand beer, who is now (or was?) Everton's shirt sponsor). Beer 25B, chips 20B. The beer is cheap, really cheap, and it taste nice too. I only had half of the beer as I do not really drink, just wanted to try out how the beer was.

The weather in Bangkok is so hot and humid, I was sweating all over again. I remembered it was 35 degrees Celcius when I touched down at the airport. On my way back, I saw something very unsettling. A mother, with a kid, was begging by the road side. Beside them is a puppy too. It seems like they are of the same family. Further down the road, another beggar, in his 30s, limbs severed, is doing his normal routine as well. Welcome to Bangkok, I said to myself.

Finally, I settled down into my bed once again. Stuffing my mouth with chips, with beer washing them down my stomach, and watching movies on TV, what more can I ask for? Well, of course someone will say, "Hey mate, you are in Bangkok! Go out and party! Grab some girls and have fun!". No thanks, mate. I did not know when I actually fell asleep, but I had a good night sleep for my first half-day in Bangkok.

Nightzzz...