Bangkok
It was a business cum leisure trip for us. As it turned out, it was
more leisure than business. Together with my late cousin Kwek( we call him
Big Brother), his friends from China, Chen Ping and Kuo Wei, Steven and my eldest brother(Leng), we
were on our way
to Thailand. Our first stop was to the capital of Thailand, Bangkok.
Then to the north, Chengmai. Finally to the beach resort, Pattaya. I was elated about
this trip as I was the' invited guest'. Best of all, I did not need to pay
for the whole trip. Thanks to BB.
If you find the Thai people look very menacing, you are alone. I find
it too. Behind that sober and stern exterior, I discover that they are
quite gentle people. I also find Thai language very interesting and lovely
though my understanding is very limited.
At the Bangkok airport customs, there was this imposing custom officer whose
look(I can still remember) was rather serious. I was actually feeling a
little apprehensive, I did not know why.
Similar to Singapore, Bangkok is hot and humid. However, the air
quality here is rather bad compared to back home. Up to today, the
infamous traffic chaos is still very much prevalent. With the heat, the
jam and masses of people, this is hot hot Bangkok... This is
the place where the history of Siam unfolds, the charm of her people, the vice
of a modern society, all roll up into one - waiting to be explored, to be
discovered and to be seen.
I had read with interest the floating market found in Thailand when I was
about 12. I was greatly disappointed when we visited the
place. The river was there. The market was there. So did the
rancid smell and filth aggravated by pollution. I come to know that books do not necessarily tell you the whole
truth.
In Bangkok, the famous Grand Palace is one of must-visit tourist
places. It is very touristy. It is a magnificent building.
With Buddhism being the main religion in Thailand, it is inevitable you will see
lot of temples and monasteries. It is no exception within the vicinity of
the Grand Palace. The Chapel Royal of the Emerald Buddha is one temple you
would not like to miss.
Another interesting place in Bangkok that we visited was the Ancient City,
situated 33 kilometers from Bangkok This a 200-acre "living
museum" which is also known as Muang Boran. The history of Siam with all of her historical traces, ancient sites
and antiques are found here. I took many photographs of this
place. Historically, Thailand is the only country in South East Asia that
is not annexed by any European powers of the 18th century. With great
respect, King Mongut and his son, King Chulalongong played a great part in
maintaining Siam's sovereignty. I greatly enjoy the
movie, The King and I.
Have you seen the world's largest crocodile farm ? Yes, it is here 10
kilometres from Bangkok. Believe me or not, you can also find tiger,
elephant here too ! As an added attraction, a zoo is found here. I
reckoned there was about a thousand crocodiles, big and small. Imagine how
much food these reptiles need. Some visitors bought meat to feed
them. Once the meat was thrown, it was the jungle survival of the fittest
and strongest to snatch the meat. A rather frightening
sight. I come to know not too long ago that there is now a dinosaur park
within the vicinity.
An hour drive west of Bangkok or about 35 kilometres is the Rose
Garden. It is a well-known tourist attraction of heritage, cultural, and a
way of life. For the first time in my life, I rode a elephant. I
think I prefer drive a car. Strangely, you will not find any roses
here. There is the unique Thai boxing display. Fought they
did. I am glad I was not the participant. Not only they boxed with
their hands, the legs were the killers! Of course, the ubiquitous Thai
classical dancing was in the show. 
Greatly admired how those dancers moved
with such grace in quite a heavy outfits. 
To my surprise, the amusement part we visited in Bangkok was huge and full of
the usual "stuffs" you can expect. Poor Steven had a rather bad
experience after taking the Viking ride. He turned green and vomited.
BB, being the oldest, was actually enjoying the rides. Personally, I do
not like or enjoy this kind of 'turning around' rides. Yes, you can the
thrills. At the same time, you are opening yourself to the sudden burst or
sharp turns. It just make me sick. One thing I enjoy very much is to
drive the mini motorcar. That is fun or some may say 'cool'.
With cheap and good food, I noticed we were putting on weight, especially
me. I am the kind that put on easily but difficult to 'put off'. To
console myself, I told myself I was on vacation. Just enjoy the
holidays. Sometimes it worked. Anyway, our next stop was Chiangmai,
a cooler climate and fresher air......
Chiangmai
It was a great relief from the hot and humid city of Bangkok to the mountain
of Chengmai. From concrete jungle of Bangkok, we were now in the wide
open of nature.
The people who lived here were generally quite poor and simple.
However, with tourists coming, I believe, they can earn a living selling
souvenir and conducted tours. Rows of souvenir shops were abundant.
I also noticed the girls and boys were attired in their colourful and attractive
tribal costumes. Not too sure it was to please and woo the tourists.
We were brought to a small hut to witness a small 'show'. In it, there
was a very old man with a greyish beard. There was a small lamp burning.
The old man was putting some kind of blackish paste into a smoking pipe.
When he smoked, the air was immediately filled with a strong and pungent odour.
Opium.
Pattaya
Pattaya is one of many beach resorts that Thailand has. It is very
touristy area. Needless to say, with tourists coming, hotel after hotel is
coming up. This is inevitable. How to preserve a place if you are
thinking to make money ?
An incident about firearm is still very vivid to me till today. We were
in a boat enjoying the scenery and the ride at the upper deck. Up came the
owner. With him he carried some shotguns and bullets. Real
stuff. Though I did not show it, I was scared. When the idea was
explained to us, we heaved a sign of relief. It was a shooting game.
What were the targets ? Empty drinking glass bottles. The thrill was
to shoot the glass bottles. The effect was it to pollute and doing damage
to the underwater world. I hope they had banned it. I find riding
the motor-scooter more thrilling than breaking glass.
You would believe it if he had not spoken. What am I saying ?
Well, there is the Tiffany Show. It was kind of dance and singing
performance. The performers were mostly 'male'. Yes, male who become
female. A little complicated. She was so beautiful that it is hard
to grasp the fact she is actually a 'he'.
Note
Again I have relied on memory and photographs to write this story which
happened about 13 years ago. After so long, I suppose there are lot of
changes to the places we visited. As I write, I cannot help but have the feeling of
loss for my late BB. He was such a kind and nice
man...
