Busy, friendly and cheap! (Bangkok)

Member Name: hillbilly1

Product:	Bangkok
Date:	23/06/00 (74 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Lots to do

Disadvantages: lots of fumes especially at rush hour

Bangkok is one of those 'must visit' cities. Obviously everyone knows Bangkok for the sleeze and there is certainly plenty of it. However it is very sad if people cannot see the other side of this hustling, bustling city. The Thai's are very smiley, friendly people and also very homest. When a taxi driver did not have change for my rather large denomination note, he left signalling that he'd be back. After he'd driven off and been missing for 45mins, I decided that I'd seen the last of my money but he did come back with my change! There are guide books a plenty so I'm not telling you all the usual haunts - I could waffle on for ages, but don't leave without going to Chatuchek market on a Sunday, where you can buy practically anything animal, mineral or vegetable, alive or dead! Definately a place to buy your football kits (I got my son a Man U kit for about £2) though don't buy the first you see 'cus some are poor imitations and still charge the same. Haggle everywhere. The heat is unbelievable at this market as it's outdoors and undercover so go early before the heat reaches its peak. Other places to visit are the Jazz Club which has live bands (not necessarily jazz, it was mostly rock but good atmosphere). Pat Pong is where you find the seedy stuff but at Pat Pong1 there's a good street market.
Avoid travelling in or out of Bangkok during rush hour 'cus rush you won't! Unfortunately rush hour happens 4 times a day and lasts for several hours, but in particular avoid 7-9 am and 4-6pm.
Don't eat from street vendors unless you want gutrot - much better to stick to more upmarket places for eating 'cus they're still cheap to you and I because our stomachs just will not tolerate these alien bugs!
I thourouhgly reccommend a trip to Bangkok buit make it a stopover rather than spending all your time there. Travel on to one of the most idyllic places in the whole world ...... Krabi!

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