Magical Mystery Moron tour of Bangkok
Trip Start
Jun 14, 2008
1
57
93
Trip End
Jun 20, 2009
Bangkok,
Thailand
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Ah Bangkok, a city of tuc-tucs and tourists, of beggers and beguilers, all goes here and its definitely worth a look.
We arrived into Bangkok from Singapore and were plesantly surprised at the swaky airport and excellent taxi service. We were whisked into the city and its only then, as you arrive into the city, that your jaw drops and your eyes bulge. It seems as if there are people everywhere and they are all going somewhere in a hurry. So it doesnt really matter about silly lines on the road, what are they for? Mopeds and tuc-tucs zoom about the road jostling with the other vehicles for precious space, an elephant stands in the middle of the road, smoke and smog shrouds the skyline and people spill out of little shops and stalls. By the time we checked into our hotel we were half knackered.
We were staying in a place called the Thai Cozy which was just of the famous Khoh San road. This area is a sort of mecca for the backpacker set where you can stock up on all important goods such as knocked off t-shirts and boardies and imbibe on western food and drink but you can also eat Thai food for next to nothing and ease yourself into this exciting country. We slipped out for a bit of grub and an aul explore and wound up in a cool little pub where a local was playing guitar and singing. Your man was actually quitw good, especially in comparison to some of the other singers we had passed on the street.
Bunting plays the blues our 1st night in Bangkok
They would be able to play the guitar no bother but had great difficulties with the pronouniation of western lyrics, a particularly amusing version of 7 drunken nights springs to mind. Anyhow we had a few beers with the singer and sure wasnt yours truly compelled to hop up and belt a few renditions . We also met an American singer who taught us a few Thai essentials and gave us a few tips of places to see.On day two we fell foul to the great tuc-tuc scam which we had read about, heard about and were definitely not going to fall for, untill of course we did. Basically having fought of many scammers telling us the temple we wanted to see aws closed we stupidly listened to some offial looking chap at what we thought was the entrance to the temple. He told us the temple was only closed till 3 and reccomended other sights we should see while we were waiting. We agreed so he got us a tuc-tuc and away we went on our magical moron tour of Bangkok. After bringing us to the first sight, the driver proceeded to take us around to some suit shop and a travel agency trying to get us to but stuff. After 3 places we had had enough and told him in no uncertain terms that we just wanted to get to our destination. So after he dropped us off at the next temple and we had a look around he buggered off without even being payed. Certainly the most ridiculus scam I have ever been in. It did however cost us a lot of time.
So next day with gritty and determined strides we bloddy well marched right into that temple past all the ney sayers, warning other tourists of the scam and straight into an entrance which was fordidden to tourists.
suckers
But we prevailed in the end and did eventually get to see what was a really amazing place.My aul college buddy, Liam Madden was arriving into town that night and we were planning on travelling together for a while so we were delighted when we met up and went for a few scoops around the Khoh San.
The three of us went out the next night to see some Mauy Thai boxing at the national stadium. The price was much more than we expected so we decided to head of for a scoop or two and come back and bargain for a cheaper deal later. So off we wandered looking for a bar. The area we were in was pretty barren in this regard until we noticed a sign for a kareoke bar. We climbed the stairs and opened the door into another world. All heads in this odd little establishment turned and gazed at us. Around 6 people came to greet us and showed us to a little room where we could sit and be stared at as we sipped our drinks. A truly weird experience.
We went back down to the stadium and got ouselfs a much better deal than earlier. We had ring-side seats for the fights. Muay Thai is the traditional Thai martial arts. Essentially kick- boxing but with the added Thai elements of the fighters pre match spiritual rituals, with the live band playing accompaning music that ebbs and flows as the fight does, and with tiny teeny little Thai fighters clobbering the crap out of each other to the roars and shouts from their respective fans. It made for a very cool evening although Im not sure how enthralled Murph was with the whole shebang.
giant gold buddah, first stop on moron tour
After the fight we went to visit the nearby and infamous Soi Cowboy. A Go-Go girlie dancing bar area. What a crazy place. Each bar we walked into had dozens of what seemed to be very young girls dancing naked on the bars. We walked straight out of a few places before settling in a less( but not much less) mentle place. Because we were with a girl we were left alone by the go-goers and after a couple of beers it was time to skiddadle. The whole street is a crazy neon hallucination complete with obligitory elephant and sleezy older western types but certainly worth a look. Next day we had a day of relaxing. We did a little shopping, had a few scoops and the 3 of us got a massage in a nice place at the end of our road. A great way to end our first trip to Bangkok. We would be back at least once more on our South East Asian trip but for now it was langon Bangkok, kap koon kap.
Travellers Tips
We stayed in Thai Cozy corner our first night - it was 380 bht each a night including breakfast. Clean, satellite TV, good location - ask for a room with a window though otherwise you will feel like a vampire.
Then we moved to Lampau house - it was 590 bht for the double room, no breakfast included - on soi Rambutri. Nice clean airy room.
Muy Thai boxing - you can probably watch it cheaper outside of Bangkok but if you insist on seeing it here, wait until after the fights have started and you can bargain them down - they only sell ringside or second tier tickets to farang, you can't get the cheap ones the thai get (unless you speak Thai anyway I rekon) they were looking for 2000 bht, we pay 1650 bht each a few fights in. Still pricey.
Re the Tuk Tuk scam - just walk down past the first entrance to the grand palace where tourists can't enter and you'll find the entrance you can go in. (I can't believe we fell for it, still kicking myself - there were signs everywhere warning us, as did the guide book! ARGH!)
