Bustling Bangkok

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We indulged with flying back to Bangkok from Siem Reap, rather than another massive travelling stint. Bus journeys take 10 hours or more over night, but flying was about 1 hour. Money well spent.
Bangkok is the central point for many travellers. It’s geographically ideal. We have had flights from here to the Philippines and previously to Vietnam. So it felt like home when we revisited. Always staying in Rembuttri Village, meant a cheap room with the bonus of a roof top pool at a bargain price!

We stayed near Khao San Road, known as backpacker land. Messy traveller types, with their tans and relaxed clothes milled about the street traders. There was always someone having their hair braided or being given dreadlocks. Music boomed from bars adding to a festival feeling. We could’ve bought anything fake from here - from driving licences to t-shirts.

Tuk tuks are the main form of transport around the city. However, some drive at a crazy fast speed, and ours came to a screeching, rubber burning halt at the traffic lights (I did my disapproving teacher look, as he gave us a smile!) We went to an Indian influeuenced market, which wasn’t at all how I imagined, it did have an amazing amount of fabrics for sale, in every pattern, texture and colour you could need. I wanted to buy so much as it was so cheap, but I stuck to my backpacker mind and walked away empty handed.

Walking around the streets, the roads were busy, filled with speeding tuk tuks, taxi’s looking for a fare and horrid traffic fumes lingering in the air. Passing the usual shops, internet cafes and restaurants, we were shocked to see shark fins on display in numerous restaurant windows. Quite disturbing.

During our days here, we delved into the stalls at Chatuchak Market - the largest in Bangkok, ventured on a river trip, and visited a few gorgeously air conditioned shopping malls (as it was sweaty hot here). In one we saw the largest Christmas tree in Asia. We experienced the sky train and the underground too which both were far more enjoyable ways to travel, by staying off the roads.

No doubt we will see Bangkok again during our travels.

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Photos

Cheap river transport
Best to keep off the roads. Only 8Baht one way (10p)

Bangkok Police
In the Market.

Khao San Road
Back packers gallore

Irish Bar.
Jam packed for all day breakfasts.