Journey to the World

בחזרה מקמבודיה לבנגקוק, בעיקר קניות~Back From Cambodia To Bangkok, Mainly Shopping

February 19 – 21, 2007

Even though I went through it a couple of times, I’ve never stayed in Bangkok. In my first day in Thailand I ran away from it to Kanchanaburi and after I got back I was already on a bus to the Issan. Even after I came back from the north I didn’t stop to rest in Bangkok.

Bangkok, capital city of Thailand, is the largest city in the country. Full of smoke and complicated to navigate in. A local girl in the guest house where I was staying (Sawasdee Inn) told me that tourists are not allowed to rent a motorcycle in the city, something that I probably would not do anyway.

The way from Siem Reap to Aranyaprathet

The way from Cambodia to Thailand turned out to be especially crappy. The air conditioner broke down three minutes after the bus started to go, and if that’s not enough, we left an hour late because for an unknown reason we waited for a single passenger. The bus was small and crowded, no air conditioner, the windows were stuck so you can’t even open them properly. The heat of Cambodia did it’s thing and our clothes turned into rugs after twenty minutes. I already knew that horrible road from the time I got to Siem Reap, but to drive it for five hours without air conditioning was a little too much. The alternative to the horrifying ride is to pay a fortune for a short flight, that unless only one company used this air line, the price would drop substantially.

From Cambodia back to civilization

The crossing to Thailand went smoothly, but because of the delay I missed the only train from Aran to Bangkok and thus had to look for a bus.

The border is located a few kilometers from the center. In order to get to central station you have to take a tuktuk. While looking for a cheaper transportation I approached a bus standing by the market. An old woman sitting inside offered me a free ride to the bus station in the center. The bus I went on was going to the airport and was a government bus, a fancy bus with TV and an air conditioner which gave me a quick reminder of the differences between the standard of living in Thailand and Cambodia. I’ve paid the same amount of money for the bus between Aran to Bangkok, five hours ride, as I paid for the crappy bus in Cambodia. $6 USD in Cambodia, 207 baht in Thailand. The big difference is not the price but the conditions. Television, air-conditioner, spacious and comfortable seats and it’s even got toilets on board. Before we went on the bus we were given a bottle of mineral water and a croissant just to remind us we came back to the right place.

On the bus I met Shachar , an Israeli guy who was on his way to the south just like me. Our destinations were different and we parted immediately after the ride ended.

Last stop – Bangkok

Last stop in Bangkok was Morchit. From there I had to go to the train station to pick up a bag I left in luggage storage and buy a train ticket to Surathani.

They charged 20 baht a day at the luggage storage. After two weeks the price becomes significant, but still it isn’t worthwhile to take a taxi back and forth to Khao San only to leave a back from the train station.

I bought a ticket for the night train which leaves in two days. Unfortunately there was only a free place on the 6:20 PM train. It’s a twelve hours ride while the 10:50 PM train gets after ten hours in a normal hour. You’d better order a night train from Bangkok as soon as possible to get the best conditions possible.

Khao San road at 9:00 PM. All guest houses are completely full and it’s very hard to find a place for a normal price. I found a miniature room for 200 baht at Sawasdee Inn located in Rambutri street which is parallel to Khao San road. The room I had in Siem Reap was cheaper and much better. The only advantage of Sawasdee Inn is the shared showers with hot waters in almost every floor.

I had almost two days in Bangkok and I decided to make the best of them and check the local markets. A tuktuk driver offered his services. By the stories I read I knew what to expect. I refused the price of 100 baht and immediately after a man who looked like a tuktuks pimp offered me to pay only 20 baht as long as the driver stops at a tailor’s shop. It happened that I looked for a tailor to check on suits prices so I agreed. The pimp explained that I have to be in the shop for at least ten minutes so the driver can get his fuel coupons for bringing a customer.

We were supposed to get to a local market called Bo Be Market and after that to Partonam market. On the way we stopped at the tailor’s shop. I talked with the salesman for ten minutes and went out. In retrospect I discovered that the driver didn’t get his coupons because I didn’t buy anything.

Bo Be Market – Cheap clothes

Bo Be Market is not so big but you can find there some interesting stuff, especially clothes. I went out after an hour and a half but the tuktuk driver was gone. Perhaps he found someone who was willing to pay a little more. The rest of the way to Partonam market I made on a bus. A ticket price is ridiculous considering the alternatives, 7 baht. In order for you to know where to get off and where you should go after you don’t need to know much. Usually it’s sufficient to ask up to three locals in order to get to the right station and all is left is to wait. Public transportation in Bangkok is not so fast but very cheap. It’s recommended to ask the ticket lady where to get off the bus. She usually doesn’t speak any English so you have to creatively make her understand that she have to remind you at the right time.

Partonam Market – Hundreds of stands in the street

Partonam market is composed of hundreds of stands located on the street and offer cheap products. I found there plenty of clothes which I didn’t see in Chiang Mai. Although the prices are a little more expensive, with some bargaining you can drop the price so the purchase will pay off. You can find there especially clothing but other things as well.

Nearby there’s a mall called Partonam Center. You can find there many stores with clothes and other products, but the prices are a little more expensive.

Pantip Plaza – Computers Heaven

Pantip Plaza (or Panthip Plaza) is a real pearl located next to Partonam Market. A complete mall dedicated to computers. The prices are getting lower as you get in to the upper floors and you can get there practically everything. Computers, laptops, computer accessories, USB devices, CD medias, cables and more. You should compare prices before buying expensive products like laptops. Many products are not worth the price considering the warranty is given in Thailand only.

M.B.K and Siam Center

The second day I went to visit Siam Center and MBK mall. A local bus brought me to the arena. A large number of malls is located in the same place starting with Siam Discovery which is an expensive mall to the luxurious Siam Paragon that is for rich people only. You can find there Lamburgini and Ferari if you’re looking for one.

The MBK mall is more popular and prices are accordingly, even though they’re not very cheap and you’d better check prices before purchase. There’s a huge floor for cellphones only where you can buy either used or new devices. Prices are ok but I found cheaper places. I bought a used Sony Ericson elsewhere for far less than the cheapest price there which is 1000 baht.

Night train from Bangkok to Surathani

The train from Bangkok to Surathani left as planned at 6:20 PM. This time I paid only 458 baht but got a cart with a fan instead of air conditioning, and an upper bunk in a slow train. This train had a disco car as well. Many tourists came to pass the night with music and alcohol.