PART TWO: Venturing in Bangkok and Heading Up North

Venturing In Bangkok & Heading Up North

After the three-hour flight on the Jet-star plane, we landed in Thailand’s spanking-new airport, Suwanapoom Airport. It was the second day of the airport’s operations. Though the military coup had ended, the person who mooted the airport still couldn’t come home. Just two weeks before my trip, pictures of the tanks and armed soldiers outside the Prime Minister’s office splashed across the papers and broadcast media in Singapore and around the world. Thailand was declared a state of emergency when the military forces took over the Prime Minister’s authority when he was overseas. Fortunately, the king, the most well-respected figure in Thailand gave his blessing to the coup and peace was restored, at least on the surface.

Thaksin had spent millions on this airport, but now, he would probably not be able to see the fruit of his labour in the near future. I’m determined to find out from the Thai people what they thought of Thaksin and the coup. My colleagues were joking with me, “You better not tell people in Northern Thailand that you’re Singaporean, because they are very supportive of Thaksin. They would probably beat you up.”

Two “Happy” Dazes in Bangkok

Christine and I took the 150-baht shuttle bus from the airport to Silom. Christine’s uncle had highly recommended us staying in Regent Apartments. Accommodation in Silom is generally more expensive than other backpackers’ area, as it is right smacked in the red light district, Patpong. When we found the apartments, we realized why her uncle suggested two single gals to stay there. Not because it has extra-ordinary facilities or super-friendly staff, but because we will be ultra safe there as nobody will even take notice of us in this part of the redlight district where the gay community were and gay nightspots plentiful.

Staying in Silom is great as it offers you an interesting glimpse of the ever-prospering night life of Bangkok. We had a really fun time stuffing our faces with the delicacies of the roadside stalls, watching the gay people flirting with one another, and Thai women making advances at the “farangs”. Christine and I were amusingly entertained by a sexy 30-over-year-old Thai prostitute and her Western man, who was in his mid 50s at a coffee house. The woman’s palms were all over the man’s chest, toying with his chest hair and the man’s face was unfazed. It must have taken a lot of determination for her western client to remain or at least pretend to be unaffected by her numerous caresses. 10 minutes later, they left the coffee-house, and the rest was free for imagination.


We also went to another night bazaar, Suan Lom, with my sister and her colleague, who happened to be in Bangkok on a business trip. Suan Lom Night Market is the night version of ChatuChak Market, but a lot neater and less crowded. There is also a huge fairy’s wheel and a great variety of eateries and restaurants. It’s existence is threatened as the Thai government has plans to close the market and use the land for other development.