Bangkok for the seventh time

Without going into the details of why I traveled to Bangkok for the seventh time, let me just say that I have family there and that’s truly reason enough, though I dare say many would not think so.
The city is a shopper’s paradise. No offence to Dubai, which I know, is great too, but there’s something extra in Bangkok. The economic crisis of the South East Asian region several years ago drove the prices lower without hampering the quality of the goods. And there is also a high level of customer service and a low level of cheating which is just perfect for anyone who hates to bargain.
So did I shop? Are you kidding? I don’t really know what else I did. Even though I was from a country with a weaker exchange rate than the Thai Bhat, I still found everything ridiculously cheap. Baby clothes, shoes, bags, household stuff, I piled up the shopping carts of each mall that I went to. And there were so many malls that 10 days into my trip I still felt as if I hadn’t shopped enough.
There was the obligatory sightseeing of course. King’s palace, numerous temples, a beautiful statue of the Reclining Buddha, the floating vegetable market and several other traditional market places which happened to have some truly exotic Thai pieces all of which were tempting enough to buy, but not to carry on an Indian Airlines flight back to Delhi.
Then there was the mandatory day trip to Pattaya beach. Not exactly a clean beach in any way, but definitely lively. As you lay under the beach umbrellas avoiding the terribly hot sun, several vendors pass you by selling everything from fresh fruits to fried prawns. The beach stretches several kilometers and all along the other side of the road is shopping for the ever prevalent tourists. In all shapes, sizes and ages really, you see tourists. Just sacking out.
What was different as well as enjoyable was a river cruise on the Chao Phreya River, which runs through the city and boasts of several beautiful Thai temples as well as 5-star hotels along its shoreline. A traditional Thai boat with exotic Thai food, Thai dancing and music topped up with the wonderful breeze on the river was truly the most interesting (and romantic) part of the trip.
And then there was relaxation. As my brother and his wife were truly wonderful hosts, I ended up with some much needed R&R. My 10-month old daughter too seemed to be enjoying the change of pace along with the added pampering and attention given by six adults, boy was she having a great time. Mama’s pool was what she enjoyed the most, flapping her arms and legs like a little fish. She seemed like a natural swimmer even though she was safe within a baby tube. She would’ve played tennis with us too, if we’d let her. However she had to reconcile herself to watching us from outside the court, shouting and screaming as her mama – mami and parents played it up under the floodlit lights of the hard court at Bangkapi Mansion.
The festive season was on, this time of the year. The entire city actually brightens itself up for the King’s birthday on Dec the 5th and the lighting and festivities continue into the first week of Jan. So there are X’mas sales, Santa’s in malls and even a White Christmas promotion that makes you really stop and say “White Christmas in Bangok? Ya, that’ll be the day”.
New Year’s Eve was delightful. After dinner at the very fancy Cabbages and Condoms (where you are actually encouraged to pick up a condom as a souvenir on your way out), we took the sky train to the World Trade Center which some would say is the Times Square of Bangkok where we were greeted by thousands of other revelers all gathered to watch the fireworks display.
It was only on the very last day after I had struggled to close my suitcases, that I sat down and heaved a sigh of relief finally declaring to everyone I had shopped enough. A unanimous Hooray seemed to go up around the room as everyone welcomed my declaration of a successful trip.
Successful, but not complete is what many would be thinking. Bangkok without any mention of Patpong? The notoriously famous red light district where everything imaginable is available? Sorry to disappoint you all, but it was my seventh trip remember? Patpong is where you go on your very first trip. It is THE place to see things you’ve only seen in movies. It’s absolutely flooded with people you know. Mostly tourists, though there are locals too. The bars, the girls, the boys even, it’s quite a mind boggling sight. And for the insatiable shoppers, there’s plenty of stuff to pick up from fake Polo T-shirts, to sarongs, Nike socks and yes even fake watches. Omega’s, Rolex’s you name it. It’s all there.
I’m almost tempted to go back for the eighth time and who knows … I may well do so.