We made it from Bangkok on 24th October and managed to come back in one piece on 27th October. Apart from unstable political situation in Thailand (especially in Bangkok), we came in to conclusion that the trip must be go on since the flight ticket cannot be rerouted and refunded.
Contrary to popular belief, there's more to discover in Thailand than a-go-go bars, prostitution and fucking elephant.
For example:
1. Horrendous traffic problem in the heart of Bangkok
2.Awesome and tasty street delicacies, from sweets to deep fried bugs.
3. Convenience stores and ATM bank are everywhere.
4. Soothing and relaxing body massage.
5. Stuff in pink.
6. Forget the tuk-tuk. Opt for the huge and spacey Skytrain. Enjoy yourself with cool commercial break every now and then.
7. Surprisingly efficient transportation, for example inter-city bus service.
8. The jeep is the national car.
9. The most fabulous dessert on earth, Mango with sticky rice.
10. Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya Weekend Night Foam party. Rocks.
11. The train station name that is actually pronounced in a different way. Thai is a tonal language, don't expect you know the right way to pronounce anything unless you heard the local says it first (example: Ratchadamri and Nana Station).
12. Awesome cafe in the middle of heated and cramped Chatuchak Sunday Market. They have this Latin and cozy ambient with to die for deco.
13. Thai coconut drink in street stall. A must in hot and boiling day.
14. Muslim food stall in clock tower of Chatuchak Sunday Market. Definitely a must try, especially for Muslim travellers like me who always very strict in the food rule. Try the chicken briyani, infamous tomyam, and roasted beef slice. Yummy. I even drooling when writing this.
15. If you're traveling backpacking way and very careful about hygiene issues, go Lub D. They're the coolest hangout pad for backpackers ever existed on this Earth.
16. Shopping, shopping, shopping. Higher end crowd, go Ratchaprasong area, where Siam Paragon, MBK, and Siam Centre located. It is almost impossible to finish loitering around this area in one day.
17. Muslim Prayer Room is actually available in Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok. And surprisingly it is more comfortable and huge compared to the one in Kuala Lumpur. Ironic, it is.
18. I didn't have enough spare time to go to Jim Thompson house, which is near to my place of stay in Bangkok, but if you do have spare time, do not forget to visit the famous house of Thai silk.
19. Soi Patpong, Silom and Thaniya area. A bit dodgy image since it is the red light district of Bangkok, but believe me they are surprisingly safe. Go Patpong if you're into a-go-go girls, Silom for gay crowd and Thaniya is for Japanese crowd. It is the mini Shinjuku of Bangkok.
20. If you stay in Lub D, relax yourself in the lounge area, with LCD flat TV and collections of DVD. And yes, its time to mingle with fellow smelly backpackers.
21. Don't waste your time doing boutique hopping from Dolce & Gabbana to Louis Vuitton if you looks like someone who just came back from night market (flip-flops, straw hat, shorts etc.) because the staff is not as friendly as the one in KL and Tokyo.
22. Go buy Thai Silk Boxers with Chinese character prints. They're fucking good.
23. And go buy the funky unisex underwear in Chatuchak Sunday Market. They're available in different colors and funky Paul Smith kinda like design. And they're so cheap you feel like buying a dozens for your relative back home.
There's so much to tell about this great city. But what I missed the most is the people. Everything about Thai, the sweet people, funny-sounded but polite language, awesome food and great warm welcome is something we do not normally find in Malaysia, but I believe we're not that far. Maybe better at certain aspect.
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