Bangkok puns might never not be funny...
Compared to the rest of Thailand, Bangkok is a beast. With its two airports, an abundance of tollways, and skyscrapers scatter about, Bangkok is a huge and sprawling metropolis. It's also a great place for coincidences. We found out a few days before our arrival to Bangkok that my friend Josh was passing through with some of his law School mates on their way to a research project in Cambodia. Upon arrival we headed straight to his hotel to to maximize our day together. There are countless things to do in a Bangkok, but a few must-sees. The temples in Wat Pho--which one contains an enormous golden reclining Buddha and the Grand Palace grounds. Both are beautiful spectacles worthy of a visit and entrance fee. If you're in that same area, a stop by the famed flower market and Chinatown might be worth your time--though it was pouring rain and getting late by the time we got to China town, so not much was happening.
While still carrying some redeeming value, this market unfortunately seems to have evolved into little more than a tourist trap.
Red Lights and Tights
If you're looking for a city for drunken debauchery and shenanigans, you'll probably find that in Bangkok. We stayed at Lub'd in Silom. This is a sister hostel to the Lub'd we stayed in in Phuket. These hostels are hip, trendy, and cater to the millennial backpacker. Phuket's location was newer and fancier, but the Silom Bangkok location still had a lot of charm. Lub'd brand is popping up all over the region. They are worth a look. Their private rooms will beat any hotel price any day and they are just as nice. Our hostel also happened to be located near the Patpong market--which is loaded with piles of counterfeit merchandise--which was perfect because I needed some new Ray-Ban's...ones that will probably blind me soon. Patpong market is also a block away from Bangkok's "red-light" district. As curious tourists, we made a few passes through, but nothing other than go-go dancing seemed to be happening. We had a few offers for a "ping pong show" that probably would have shown us otherwise, but since we heard the women involved in those programs are heavily trafficked-it seemed best to avoid such things. Also, I think we were in the area a bit early in the night to see anything to scandalous. In fact, we were there so early, one of the go-go dancer places offered us half price drinks. Upon entering, we didn't see anything out of wack, except fully clothed bad dancing happening.
...but these gents are not necessarily skilled massage therapist... and they will likely try to touch you in ways you didn't ask.
Floating Market...I guess
Every picture you see of the floating markets in Bangkok makes them seem like a wondrous mix of Venice and a farmers market... Unfortunately, it's not as great as the imagination portrays. It's a 2 hour drive to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market-The #1 rated market, and once you are there, the market really only offers the same merchandise as every other tourist market in Thailand with a 50% mark-up. It seems like at one time this canal and market was crucial to the farmers and the region, but modern transportation maybe rendered the canal useless and tourism killed it's authenticity. While still carrying some redeeming value, this market unfortunately seems to have evolved into little more than a tourist trap. I'd say check it out with low expectations and a day to loose.
...they did good butt work...
Massages...and the implication
A note about massages in Bangkok. I think the infamous "happy ending" is more readily offered in this city than anywhere else in Thailand as it was readily offered at a few places. Also, unless it's your thing, I would avoid massages in "Gay Thailand." This part of town was unknowingly between our hostel and the Patapong market. The "therapists" are all men--which is normally great for me when I want deep muscle work--but these gents are not necessarily skilled massage therapist... and they will likely try to touch you in ways you didn't ask... Tierza said they did good butt work though.
Beer of the Day
Chang Beer, Cosmos Brewery
Stick with what works.
