Apr 24, 2004 04:51 PM
3030 Views
(Updated Apr 24, 2004 04:57 PM)
Two days in Bangkok - and I am back with all praise for this charming city of the Thais. I had scoured the net prior to my visit and was very clear that I intended to shop till I dropped. So I went to all the major markets and gave the cultural angle a miss (almost).
Bangkok is a fairly good looking and well-maintained city and has a very cosmo appeal. At the same time, the gentleness of the people and the numerous cultural symbols (temples) lend it a graciousness that would be lacking in, say, Singapore. For all you shopaholics out there, it is the place to go Hallelujah!! - for stuff is cheap!
I arrived on a Sunday and after freshening up, headed to the Chatuchak Market which is a weekend market - it is a sprawling collection of stalls that sell everything under the sun and at good rates too. Bargaining is of course a must (think of it as fashion street). From clothes, toys and souvenirs to plants, herbs and trinkets - this place has it all. The quality varies tremendously - but the prices are definitely seductive. ( I am still kicking myself for not buying a set of seriously classy cushion-covers because I thought they were expensive - the same thing here costs twice to three times as much). Pick up the small stuff to give away as gifts - beautifully packaged incense, tooth-pick holders, souvenir notebooks, wall hangings - they are really beautiful and the receivers would be thrilled. Browse to your heart's content and remember to keep replenishing yourself with iced tea or coke. ( All over Bangkok I saw twisted Coke bottles that seemed to be popular buys for tourists). Bargain with a lot of smiling and nodding and keep writing the desired price on the calculator which keeps shuttling between you and the shopkeeper. The Thais are really friendly and sweet and charm is your best weapon.
The other markets I visited were the Mah Boo Krong (MBK), the Pratunam Center, and the Suan Lum night bazaar. MBK is an airconditioned market with a lot of trendy stuff which you are bound to love. Again, bargaining is necessary. Buy clothes and shoes here - the quality is good. Try the Thai restaurant here too - delicious sea-food! (but first you have to get through to the waiter). Communication is a bit of a problem as most Thais know precious little English - but with a little pointing-at-pictures-and-gesticulating, you should get through.
The Suan Lum night Bazaar is open till 12 0'clock and again, has a wide array of touristy things. The food court in the corner is a very lively and happening place. I believe they have floor shows at this place too ; but when I went there was a thai band playing English pop songs. (Weee weel, Wee weel ROCK YOU).
Apparently Bangkok has thrived on prostitution ever since the Americans wrangled over Vietnam. The young girls with the stocky, older whites are a common and somewhat pathetic sight - but then we don't want to dwell on it.
Pat Pong is of course the famous night bazaar of Bangkok where all the transvestites (said to be astonishingly pretty) famously approach tourists. Didn't go there. But I believe it is a fairly harmless place (if you are not that-way inclined).
The Temples - there are dozens of them. The Wat Phra Kaeo(temple of the emerald Buddha) and the Wat Pho (temple of the reclining) are the most famous. The first, which I visited, lives up to it's reputation and has a unique, richly decorated style of architecture. I couldn't visit the latter as it had closed for the afternoon.
While electronic goods are cheaply available, their authenticity is often doubtful. Singapore (at the Mustafa shopping Centre) is far superior. I did however pick up a lot of Disney VCDs (with Thai subtitles) for my kid. I even got a ''Finding Nemo'' one for around Rs 70.
All in all, Bangkok should succeed in giving you a paisa vasool holiday.
