Thursday, May 12, 2011

One Night in Bangkok...or maybe six

We heard all sorts of things about Bangkok before we actually got there: 'Bangkok is awful and dirty' or 'You should just go straight to the high end shopping malls and stay there because everywhere else is awful' or 'Everyone will try to rip you off in Bangkok.' The truth is, we loved Bangkok. Part of it was probably the great place we stayed in. Your money goes far in Bangkok, and we loved our hotel which included a kitchen, *washer and dryer*, fridge, and dvd player. We did spend quite a bit of time shopping because there is GREAT shopping to be had in Bangkok. If any of you are into spending $300 or $400 on a designer handbag or designer watch, you'll think again after a visit to Bangkok. BKK is also known for its plethora of custom tailors. Just because there are hundreds of tailors lining the streets, it doesn't mean it's easy to find a true professional. We found one tailor shop called Rajawongse, which is famous with both President Bush's, former Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge, visiting statesmen, ambassadors and generals, along with spies and Secret Service agents. The family-run business has been around since the early '60s, and you can get a top-quality custom-made suit for the price of a mid-range suit in the States. After 2 fittings, Ryan got his suit and a few custom dress shirts in less than 1 week. Gentlemen, if you're ever in the Bangkok neighborhood-- you've got to visit Rajawongse! Bangkok was surprisingly modern with a great public transport sky train system called the BTS, which we used everyday. There are extravagant shopping malls, great budget shopping, the largest outdoor market in the world (Chatuchuk), state-of-the-art movie theaters, and great food. The Thai people LOVE their King Bhumibol Adulyadej. After the previews and right before the feature film, there is a 2-minute montage on the King and images of his devoted people singing 'long live the King.' When this montage comes on, the entire theater stands up out of respect. I asked a guide later why people love the King so much, and he said it was because of all the projects he's implemented to improve life for the poor. He's also very low-key and down-to-earth, and the overwhelming majority of the Thai people adore him. It's nice to hear about a country's leader doing things right! We left the center of Bangkok to visit the Grand Palace (a must-see when you're in BKK). Its construction started in 1782, and many kings made the Grand Palace their official residence. Everything about it is elaborate and intricate. It's rich in Thai culture, history, and even Buddhist religion. Overall, we had a great time in Bangkok and I'd recommend it to others.

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