I think it would be fair to say that Bangkok has had a bit of a facelift over the last few years. We were last here in 2005, and stayed (as cheapskate students) on Thanon Khao San in Banghalamphu. Now we’ve returned to Bangkok by ourselves we’ve come back to this notorious backpacker haven (as cheapskate unemployed wasters). But we were surprised –it’s gone a bit more upmarket: they’ve actually paved the street and got rid of the potholes! This place has a lot of life - the street has a permanent market selling typically hippy-backpacker things: sarongs, tie-dye, sliver piercings, hair braiding, and of course plenty of tuk tuk touts! Perhaps the most interesting touts come out in the evening to invite innocent bystanders to ping pong tournaments...
Actually it’s not just Banghalamphu that has gone upmarket in Bangkok. The down town areas have changed completely as well. In the space of three years luxury shopping complexes have sprung up complete with all the idiotically expensive designer brands you would expect to see in Tokyo or New York. This place really does seem to be trying to reinvent itself, and with some success.
Some things do not change though. One of the most startling things about tourists in Thailand is that women are hugely outnumbered. And that a lot of the men are old (65+) and particularly ugly - and usually have really red sunburn all over their bald patches by the time you see them! As you might guess, they are often seen in the company of a sweet young Thai girl with whom they have, of course, quickly struck up a beautiful platonic relationship. Well, lots of the Thai girls we’ve met seem to want ‘English men’, so if it makes them happy…? but you can’t help but wince at the contrast in these couples.
Anyway, enough of Thailand for the moment. Now we’re having a brief holiday from our holiday, and returning to the UK for a week. My friend Amit has very inconsiderately decided to get married, so we’re having to go all the way home for it. Git. So we may see some of you a little sooner than March 2009!
Actually it’s not just Banghalamphu that has gone upmarket in Bangkok. The down town areas have changed completely as well. In the space of three years luxury shopping complexes have sprung up complete with all the idiotically expensive designer brands you would expect to see in Tokyo or New York. This place really does seem to be trying to reinvent itself, and with some success.
Some things do not change though. One of the most startling things about tourists in Thailand is that women are hugely outnumbered. And that a lot of the men are old (65+) and particularly ugly - and usually have really red sunburn all over their bald patches by the time you see them! As you might guess, they are often seen in the company of a sweet young Thai girl with whom they have, of course, quickly struck up a beautiful platonic relationship. Well, lots of the Thai girls we’ve met seem to want ‘English men’, so if it makes them happy…? but you can’t help but wince at the contrast in these couples.
Anyway, enough of Thailand for the moment. Now we’re having a brief holiday from our holiday, and returning to the UK for a week. My friend Amit has very inconsiderately decided to get married, so we’re having to go all the way home for it. Git. So we may see some of you a little sooner than March 2009!
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