Bangkok

Escape

You ask anyone about Bangkok and the usual answers that you get will be shopping, shopping and more shopping. But I decided to the unorthodox by going to visit temples and catching the sights and sounds of the night markets and the usual walks around.

But inevitably, the shopping came.

Sights and sounds

Everything about Bangkok was different compared to home. More smiles, horns blasting from cars and bikes heard everywhere and more people chilling around. And not forgetting, the 39 degrees heat that welcomed me to Bangkok. Once I arrived, I went on the hunt for my hotel, Tha City Hotel at Ekamai. Newly built boutique hotel which I would definitely recommend everyone. A few stops away from the city centre, on a quiet street right opposite the Big C Supermarket (its huge, trust me) and Starbucks.

Pak khlong Talat

What else can you get at a market solely selling flowers? You get beauty with a myriad of colours bursting back at you into life. Everything looked refreshing and they were definitely not a sore to the eyes. Yellow, pink were just some of the colours that were seen throughout the place. It did hit me on how each shop survives when most of them are actually selling the same thing. Situated nearby to Chinatown, the place can be accessible by the ferries.

Chinatown

Like all the Chinatowns in the world, they are all bustling as always. Plus they were renovating one of the lanes on the road and it even made more crowded with cars and people. While we were heading there we even saw a woman faint. Yes, that’s how hot it was and it was not even funny. The scorching sun allowed for good light to shoot and feast your eyes on the crustaceans found on the side of the roads. And yes, I was too scared to eat them.

Wat pho (temple of the reclining buddha)

Through the scorching sun, we made it to the Wat Pho Temple or also known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. Buzzing with fellow tourists, you can see why everyone came and that was to see the majestic reclining Buddha. Known to be the birthplace of the Thai traditional massage, it is one of the oldest temples in Thailand. The infrastructure seen around the complex is detailed and it was really a charm to look at.

Wat saket (Golden mount)

The second pit stop of our temple tour. The Wat Saket, or also known as the Golden Mount. This was no easy temple to access. We had to walk 344 steps to lead us up to the top, explains why its called the Golden Mount. So we went up alongside our good friends, the heat and humidity to the top. Once we got up, we had a view of the whole of Bangkok that went on for miles. Little did I know, the place was a crematorium for some 60,000 plaque victims. Whilst walking, we were welcomed by wall of bells and pictures of historic Bangkok. Plenty of trees were also seen and you could see that they have been there for ages. One more temple ticked off the bucket list.

Rod Fai night market

This has to be my favourite portion of the trip. Rod Fai Night Market has been around for ages and I would like to thank my friend Wilfred for introducing this beautiful place to me. This place is so big, I had to break this portion of the story into a few. The food was everywhere. And I was not surprised when creepy crawlies were found on silver trays. Still disgusted by the looks of them. Interesting shops included the mini cooper drink stalls which we don’t usually see in Singapore.

pakcik murtabak

That’s not really his name but I decided to call him Pakcik Murtabak. I first saw his caricature when we went to get a cup of milk tea. And one minute later, I realised that he was the owner of the place. He was vocal about getting his business and he definitely went on the whole night. Shouted like a loudhailer, but a he had a million dollar smile on him. Needless to say, the food was great.

Vintage paradise

This place was a place booming with excitement. Vintage items everywhere. Literally, everywhere. Place was sprawled with people, bars everywhere and there was this serenity that I cannot explain. I will let the pictures do the talking.

There was a shop that also sold cute puppies. Cute they definitely were, but deep down you know they won’t survive if no one bought them. I hope anyone who reads this in Thailand, would do something about those cute little puppies.

Chatuchak

The final stop of my trip. The famous Chatuchak. It was just roads and roads of shopping. Definitely was like 10 times of Bugis Street. It definitely puts Bugis Street to shame. I simply got tired of just walking round and round the never ending routes.

Good memories

Bangkok was such a charm to go to. Even though it was busy everywhere, people at least made the time to smile back at you. Will definitely visit again, I am not done with you yet Bangkok.

Till then,

Ashok Kumar