French Charm

Friday night glided by with us appreciating a great deal a great great French mime “Imagine-Toi”. Besides, I was touched on a grand scale. My good friend Chalanthorn had couriered me a free tix even though I had nothing to do with the French Association of Bangkok. And despite the fact that my French is atrociously basic! Manee and Joanna were there as well. So, four old (yes, old!) friends got to hang out and had a capital time inside out.

But, back to my damned French. While I’m pleased and proud of a slew of Thai friends who speak the language flawlessly, sometimes I can’t help being jealous and left behind. What have I done to let this become a bitter reality? What have I NOT done in my vibrant & energetic youth? The level of my French remains an utter humiliation in spite of an alarming number of French men I have “encountered”.

The next times I get to mingle with those monsieurs I will be sure to do other things as well. Well, you know, on top of “that”.

High-School Friend's Wedding

Went to a friend’s wedding up in a mountain 2 hrs from Bangkok. Met almost everybody from high school. Such a much-needed break from soul-corrupting whirlwinds available everywhere in the city. The long & the short of it is it is incredibly rejuvenating to touch base with where you’re from. Had a blast revisiting teenage delirium, dance moves, vernacular and whatnot. And my poor little heart skipped 10 beats or so when I laid my eyes on my old crush. Man, after all these grueling years, the golden boy’s still got it. Thank you, Babe. You did whisk me right back to 1994-1996! – Pakchong, last weekend of Feb 2011.

Fave Foto from Anti-Valentine Anecdote

You know what? There's absolutely nothing candid about this photo. Yes, Folks, we'd do anything for Facebook.

Anti-Valentine Party

Joe’d been crazy-busy this past week putting together an “Anti-Valentine Party”. Saturday evening, good friends from college turned up and occupied his favorite coffee house in all of Bangkok, “Re Café Langsuan”. Anti-Valentine? Well, another frigging Valentine’s Day was/is encroaching and Joe felt compelled to somehow defy its tedious, tacky, and tasteless gravity. He’s just sick and tired of pop culture worldwide glorifying romance just for the hell of it and, in the process, making (weak) individuals without one feel “the lack”. Sure, definitely, of course, if you have a thriving romantic relationship, good for ya. And, if you have a topsy-turvy one, don’t let it tumble. But if you don’t have any, BIG DEAL! There are so many other joys in this jovial, jaunty world for just about every Joe. And this gregarious Joe and gang (many of who are in a meaningful relationship themselves) have definitely found, and so treasure simple joy of friendship. Speaking of which, hey, here are sorts of friendship that they like. They like their friendship to be fair. They DONT like it to be frozen, frosty, frumpy, frugal, fading, fleeting or flopping. They like it unfake. They like it flaky. They like it frilly. They like it fluffy. They like it feisty. They like it funky. They like it foamy. They like it frothy. They like it fistful & fruitful. They like it fun-filled. They like it feud-free. They like it free-flowing. They like it fulfilling. They like it flawed and fierce. They like it filmed and framed. They like it FAB and FLYING. And, it is not a federal offence, they have found, if certain friendship happens to be just perfect for Facebook – Feb 12, 2011

Look at the photo, Folks. The building compound that looks like a temple is the school I went to for a bachelor's degree for 4 years, Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University. The concrete jungle behind it is what we call Ratchadamri area. I've been working there for most of my adult life (so far). This shot pretty much sums up my life. So, there :) (Courtesy of pktown, a member on Skyscrapercity Forum)

Joe was knocked off the floor last November, on the Loy Kratong Night to be precise, to learn that he actually had a TWIN. What has also really sweetened the deal is his “long-lost, separated-at-birth duplicate” is a blonde-haired, blue-eyed tigress from Norway. Who lives in Berlin. Nina and Joe have so much in common. Taurus, failed writers, can’t/won’t cook, eating same food over and over again, don’t/won’t read newspaper etc. Friday night, the gang had a farewell dinner for Nina and her man, Mike. They had meant to stay for just one month when arriving. But, just as they kept exploring, they found themselves having a fierce time Bangkoking. We will miss them both after tomorrow. But they will be back for sure. Even once toying with an idea of renting an apartment here and having Randy manage it!! On a side note, if everything goes as planned, by the end of this year, Joe will definitely find himself having a ferocious time Berlinning – Secret Garden & Amontre, Sathorn Rd, Feb 4, 2011.

Two Blokes from Dubai

Michael Carter is a good-looking Aussie who lives on the top floor of our building. He’s having 2 friends from Dubai, Raymond & Shawn, visiting him at the moment. Such a perfect premise for a night like last one. He had sent down an invite earlier in the week, saying the 2 blokes could use some humoring and the soiree would not glide without catered food and smooth wine. Knowing our true contribution to the ecosystem, and w/ our knees always weak to such dangling carrots, we let our heart lead. Also, Tommy & Richard are just back in town and that was how they got back in touch with everyone. Elsewhere, Nina & Mike likened Mr. Carter’s balcony to another bona-fide rooftop bar. Min & Randy enjoyed the food as they should. Victor gave beady-eyed Joe heaps of iAdvice. Quel dommage that Annette couldn’t make it! – Jan 22, 2011

Thai Dinner in Indian Temple Quarter

I took a bunch of ex-strangers out for a popular Thai restaurant in an Indian temple neighborhood. I had been there many times. With ex-boyfriends, ex-husbands, and, of course, a few forgettable flings. One thing I didn’t forget though was that the place used to be wholly good. But this time, while the food was well beyond passable, the service was well below bearable. Obviously, somebody was naïve enough to think that famed food alone should suffice. To put it kindly, the service was so atrocious that it became an attraction unto itself. And that was why, to me and team, Friday night, Jan 7, 2011, was doubly exuberant.

When you sneeze, (Part Deux)

My friend Jeffrey guessed saying 'Hey, I already took a shower" meant "Cover your mouth. I don't wanna be covered with your mucous as I'm already clean!"

You know what? Jeffrey wasn't right. A lot of time, people cover their mouth or turn their face away from you before going at it.

What "Hey, I already took a shower" means is "Hey, I'm respectfully clean here. I don't smell. There's no reason for you to do that."

And, even though you didn't shower and might be the reason for somebody to sneeze, you can still say that. It is one of the lies that will never be questioned!


Joe

When you sneeze,

Here in Thailand, when you sneeze, people will say "Hey, I already took a shower". You know what that means?

Will give you the answer tomorrow!

27-Dollar NOKIA

A brand new NOKIA mobile that I bought the other day brought me joy on many levels. First of all, it is a gift for my Randy. His phone had died the previous week. The simple but cute item cost me only THB 890 or USD 27. It must sound dirt cheap in many parts of the world. It is ridiculously cheap for Bangkok too!!

As I said, my joy didn't stop there. Two of my colleagues - a maid & a driver to be specific - thought it was very sensible of me to get this phone. I guess what they meant by sensible is the fact that I, as someone who obviously makes a lot more money than they do, dare to buy this so 'uncool' phone. The idea of my (supposedly rich) white husband carrying this phone around town must be almost too soothing maybe. It must've made them feel more comfortable w/ what they're using. I'm glad as this seems to be the case.

I don't know if Thai people have always been this shallow and insecure but it saddens me everytime when I see this society look up to expensive gadgets and look down on those who can't afford them. I have nothing against those who can afford the newest things that have just hit the market. But, I have everything against those who say they cringe everytime when they have to take calls in public places with their inexpensive phone. The most common place in this case is the public buses. Can you believe it? Who the fuck do they think they can fool?

And, I have nothing against those Blackberry's or iPhones. I just find them rather unsexy. They look like the floppy ass of your middle-aged next door neighbor. Call my point of view sour grape if you will. Right now, I'm just gonna say "Viva La 27-Dollar NOKIA!'

SURPRISED

Much to my surprise and, of course, delight, Bangkok ranks No. 3 in this year's Travel & Leisure Magazine's best city list. I was convinced it would fall out of top million after what had happened last December & this April. What is it w/ this metropolis?

What is equally surprising is Chiang Mai is back in top 5 after it was nowhere to be seen in last year's list. Not that this and that poll really matters. Well, it doesn't matter when you don't make the final cut!

If you notice, you will see that I last wrote in Jan 09. I was too depressed and ashamed to bring myself to brag about this city. I thought Bangkok was done, over, finished, kaput...forever. The chaos in April further confirmed my conviction. But now this stupid poll?

Confused Joe

Yeah, it's hot but that's way too cool!

Ryan, our photographer guest from Denver, Colorado, has made an interesting comment on the general appearance of Thai people, something I had thought about but never said out loud.

Being from a cold climate as Ryan was, he found Bangkok a sweaty place. This year, we'd had a lot of rain and "winter" was creeping in. Apparently, our Thai 'winter' was a bit inadequate for our poor friend.

He was left wondering why Thai people were so "unadorned" when conditions of the weather could be so unbearable at times. From the way he saw it, Bangkokians could probably take good solace in sunglasses and/or hats. But
we don't. And do you wanna know why?

You could probably assume that cost is a reason. No, it's not the case.

Street vendors of Bangkok supply affordable odds and ends to the entire city. Reasonably-priced sunglasses of 150 Baht (USD 4.4 or Euro 3.3) or cheap, cheap hats of any factory design of 100 Baht (USD 3 or Euro 2.5) are just two items on this endless list.

Or you might try your guess that it's the being-used-to-it factor. Yes, but only to a certain degree. Just like how westerners will never be able to withstand the harshness of the cold weather w/ bare skin, Thai people will always find it intolerable to bear the glaring sun for too long. This is why air-conditioned malls are so popular in this culture. When it's not cool to don a pair of sunglasses or a hat when it is hot, people naturally turn to something else that other people disapprove of not.

Now, let me elaborate.

While Thai society is a free society in many respects (homosexuality for instance,) she is rather strict when it comes to how you should feel about the image you portray to other people. I'm talking about appearance and mannerism here. What this society always champions is the 'not-in-your-face, the quieter the better' attitude. Understatement is explicitly valued over ostentation. So, can a hat and a pair of sunglasses be too much?

Well, let's just put it this way. People here do not say it out loud but if the word is really squeezed out and put on paper so the whole world could read, it will either read Pretentious or Affected. "Where are you from? Your family has such a high standing? Or, you've graduated from abroad? Even so, is there really a need to go around advertising your social status w/ how you look?"

This thought alone of how other people might be viewing you keeps a lot of people away from those cool stands in the market. However, farangs are not subject to this "scrutiny." We Thai people have such an knack in discriminating against our own kind. So, don't worry. Wear a hat if you feel hot. Wear the flashiest pair of sunglasses if uncool you feel not.

Loft Living at Its Best

- 50 sq.meters plus open plan

- vaulted ceilings

- stylish loft style decor

- character sliding wood/glass doors opening onto a large terrace

- terrace is a tropical garden waiting to be enjoyed

- sublime view of BKK's skyline especially at night

- under renovation, scheduled for completion by Dec 20, 08

- introductory rate of THB 1,500 per night

PATTAYA

Eric was conjuring up dinner in the kitchen of his Pattaya apartment. Me, I was enjoying the gin and tonic he'd just prepared as an aperitif. A fragrant mini pyramid incense was burning dutifully from across the room. A French film could be heard from TV5. Even though the language sounded, as usual, really smart and sophisticated, I couldn't have been more unconcerned with what was happening there.

Even though the thought of the Italian dish and fine wine was exciting, I was still hung up on my splendid session at the Pattaya Gay Beach that past afternoon. You can't know for sure if you and your favorite bikini have caught a lot of eyes there, but it certainly feels good to believe they have. Maybe this is something a thirty-year-old has to cling to for a few more years. Just maybe.

The ambience of Eric's cozy apartment was giving me all the comfort in the world that everything was alright. His political point of view, particularly regarding Thai politics, however, was not.

Fireworks were gracing the starless sky of Pattaya, singing praises for His Majesty the King on his 81st birthday. Despite her colonial outlook and feel, Pattaya remains defiantly Thai and devoted to the Father of the Kingdom. The man-made spectacle was majestic and I was impressed with the celebratory note permeating the cool breeze of this tourist town (well on her way to becoming a city.)

I would have one more day to play the role of a visitor from Bangkok. No matter how impressive Eric's culinary skill may turn out to be, I would have to make sure my stomach remained flat for my final day on Pattaya's decadent beach. Before heading back to work, back to Bangkok, back to reality.

The airport had just been re-opened, but not everybody was relieved. A lot of people seemed convinced it was only a hiatus. More fights and lawlessness, in one form or another, would come when due. These unhappy people could be right, but I am hopeful that they were wrong. I am somewhat disappointed that people can't seem to enjoy the moment without thinking of some awful thing that in the end might not even happen. As for me, I prefer not to borrow any trouble but to deal with it as it comes. If in fact it does.

Eric's description of the Thai conflict was “very typical.” New power busily tightening its grip on society. Old counterpart desperately seeking ways to stop it. We all have seen what the old money was capable of, haven't we? It is interesting to note that the Suvarnabhumi International Airport was built by the government of the emerging regime. I am not gonna tell you which side Eric is on. Yes, he is a foreigner but he does take sides. Anyway, there was always a hint, wasn't there ? - he said that PAD's seizure of the airports was just one small thing.

Naturally, as we hadn't seen each other for a while, I was curious to see more of the mind of this ex boyfriend of mine. So, I sought his opinion on Barrack Obama. American friends, guests, and acquaintances of mine, and of course ex's seemed to be infatuated w/ this guy. My French ex couldn't have looked more bored when answering my simple question. He was simply wondering what would be the slightest difference between Monsieur McCain and Monsieur Obama? America would always have her way over any individual she called the President.

Here they came. The much-anticipated pasta and red wine. Le chef du jour was intent on observing my outward show of appreciation. And I totally did! If only he would put all his points of view aside. Let's just eat and savor the moment.

After everything, I am still hopeful about my country, her politics and all that crap. And I'm not gonna live a life of servitude, a life of being chained to a dubious future that so far exists only in our silly imagination. Once again, I'll deal with that when, and if, it comes.

Oh, I remember now. My bikinis were still soaking in the bathroom sink. I'd better wash and hang them now. Who knows? Looking fabulous on the Pattaya Gay Beach tomorrow might lead me to something that really matters. Don't count me out just yet. One day I might be able to truthfully type such words as my Chinese ex, my Russian ex, my Iraqi ex, my Iranian ex, my North Korean ex, my Cuban ex, etc. Let's see if there will be only America that continues to dominate the planet.

Hopeful Joe

FAITH

I guess you all must have known by now that Bangkok’s international airport is under siege by an anti-government protest group. People’s Alliance for? Democracy or PAD vows not to leave unless the democratically-elected government packs their suitcase.

This is the new peak of our political deadlock that has been going on for a while. Seizure of the Government House since late August doesn’t seem to be working. So, the most important airport of the country has become the natural next target.

You might be wondering why our authorities have allowed this to happen. Well, Thailand is one complicated country baby. I hope that one day I will be able to give all the details without worrying about anything.

Anyway, I’ve been hurt long enough. Hurt from seeing my beloved motherland being betrayed. Hurt from witnessing her being raped while I am unable to do anything to rescue her.

But now, I’m not gonna hurt any more. I’ve come to a realization that my being hurt for her equates into a hideous insult to her. I mean, that all along I regarded her as a victim when she’s fucking NOT.

She is a beautiful, kind-hearted and forgiving mother who, however, won’t take shit from any ungrateful child for too long. She’s INDEPENDENT. Nofuckingbody owns her. It’s been proven in history, time and time again. Whoever (let me repeat…Whoever) thinks that they can do anything and try to claim her will be more than sorry. Mark my word! Soon enough, they will see, feel, and witness their ass, whether it be big, flat, sagging, or stretch-marked, kiiiiicked big time. Mark my word.

Faithful Joe

Loy Krathong Festival

Tomorrow night (Nov 12) will be a night to remember. Thousands of people across Bangkok (and millions throughout Thailand) will be out and about for a spiritual yet romantic little outing. We will all chip in to decorate our rivers, canals, ponds, swamps, pools etc w/ a gorgeous thing.

“Loy” means to float. “Krathong” refers to a small raft holding a lit candle, burnt incense and of course ornate flowers which could be lotus, banana leaves, orchids, jasmine, roses, or daffodils. Anything goes.

On this night in early November, everybody knows it’s time to be humble in a flamboyant style. The moon is full. The tide is high. The rainy season is bidding goodbye. The cool period of the year is saying Hi. Let’s apologize.

But to whom?

To the Goddess of Water, for any wrong doing that has been done to her during the past year, whether it be - taking water for granted, taking fish and other water animals away from Her, …….or peeing into Her, oops.

To be eligible for Her forgiveness, one needs to send a beautiful gift on this full moon night.

Unlike folks in small villages where a temple pond is the only place to go, people of Bangkok will have many choices to choose from. Wisit and friends might be planning to launch their Krathong’s on the Chao Phraya River. Warunee has probably set her eye on a canal close to her house. Surasak should just go to a pond in the Lumpini Park ‘cause it’s a minute from his work. Munlika will stick w/ the swimming pool of her condominium as every other year.


But take note: lovers must never float their Krathong’s at the front pond of my school, Chulalongkorn University. We believe it has a breakup curse. But, if that’s your goal, hail a cab!

Besides the apology, everybody is free to make a wish for whatever they feel they deserve, and let me tell you, for some people, it is strictly worldly. More money, another promotion, men wishing for bigger boobs on their next girlfriend, chicks secretly asking her man’s hairline to stop receding. Me? Let me think.

A monthly hot fling!

You would probably be right if you have already started to feel sorry for the Goddess of Water.

Back to the raft, Thailand has almost come full circle. A few years back, styrofoam was ubiquitous. Nowadays, whatever is being used, it must be natural. So most people use banana trunk as in the picture below.


The three cut slices belong to one of my colleagues. She’s not gonna buy but make them all herself. One is for her. Another is for her boyfriend. The other will be for another man her boyfriend doesn’t need to know.

Trust me it’s gonna be a hectic night for Peggy.

Joe

P.S. Special thank to www.thaiworldview.com

TIGHT

A week after the end of Oct and a lot of people seem to have recovered from the reckless spending spree that revitalized and jeopardized Bangkok.

Myself included.

Having spent all of our extra cash from our monthly pay, we will now have to stay lean every single day. Well, until November ends. Until then, we’ve got to describe this period as TIGHT.

But, this doesn’t mean we will be totally denied any fun which, in many cases, is totally free when it comes to Bangkok. Look at our police officers.

That’s right. You didn’t misread anything.

When my mother first moved to Bangkok last year, she didn’t quite know her way around. So, it was more often than not that she ended up violating this and that traffic rule. You know, you can’t make a u-turn here, turn left there and the police will chase and place a ticket upon you. Those types of things.

But, she always ended up escaping any form of punishment by the officers. What they would give her is a sighhh saying “Auntie, don’t do this again. It is not as simple as your home town.” And, she was let go. Auntie? I’ll explain this cultural stuff in a future post.

True, such leniency towards the elders makes our guys in khaki uniform cool in some people’s eyes. But what will really arrest your eyes cannot be anything but the really tight outfits that accentuates the shape and form of the officers themselves.

It is something that I grew up w/ and, hence, have taken for granted. But, as foreign guest after foreign guest commented in unison about how TIGHT it is, I began to notice.

From what I understand, the tight uniform is supposed to keep our boys shape-conscious. Good appearance is definitely part of the whole package of this section of civil servants. That will inspire admiration and cooperation from the general public and of course, intimidate the crooked.

Whatever. None of these dudes inspire or intimidate me. But many of them sort of excite me. Look at the same guy from behind.


Well, officer, tell me how I can direct your official attention my way. What offence should I commit so you could pronounce me a trouble maker? Just tell me so you would have a valid reason to handcuff me!

Curious Joe

Monthly Bailout

On average, each month contains 30 days. According to any estimate, Bangkok harbors millions of men and women attaching their lives to their monthly pay. I can’t help but wonder how many days in a month an average Joe is allowed to feel “affluent.” Also, I’m curious about how many of those can spend relatively freely for more than a few days in that month.

As far as I have seen, there are not too many days or too many people, which doesn’t come as a big surprise. Just ask any big city about the subjects who roam her streets on a daily basis.

But one thing that I know for sure is that when the ordinary people of the City of Angels rejoice over their payday, they do it in unison.

The starting monthly wage for college graduates holding a bachelor’s degree is an average of THB 12,000 (approx USD 350 or Euro 266.) (side note: minimum salary to have a regular credit card approved is THB 15,000 (approx USD 440 or Euro 330.)) Almost all monthly salaries in Bangkok come wired to a person’s bank account at month’s end. Pay day, hurray!!!!!

That is when it all happens.

There are a few reasons why a celebration en mass happens across the city. First of all, many young workers, esp. those leaving their parents behind in the provinces, get to take pride in sending a portion of their income home in support of the elders. This is on top of the Social Security Fund introduced some 15 years ago, a program that has been in place longer than most people can remember.

What is left after the above mentioned ‘gratitude’ tax is for city necessities. Rent (approx 4,000 - 5,000 Baht/month for a basic studio &, if you as a Bangkok native don't live w/ your parents anymore, which is increasingly common,) food, clothes, CELL PHONE BILL, and OTHER SOCIAL TAXES. Month end seems to be the only time of any month when most people can flirt w/ luxury, whatever that means individually. The best pay day is the one that falls on the Friday preceding the last weekend of a month. Call it Mad Friday if you will.

Vendor stalls that form part of canteen tents welcome administrative and secretarial staff who otherwise would only gobble up a 25-Baht meal in the food section and then head back to work. This day of the month sings a much more pleasurable tune. This day also sees office maids brandishing their 100-Baht bill at the vending section of the tent as well. But, higher earners from the same company go far beyond the tents.

After work these folks congregate with friends and lovers and flock to malls, restaurants, movie houses, bars, and concerts. It is so typical of department stores and retail shops to be flaunting discounts of 50-80% at midnight sales or clearance discounts over the last weekend of the month. This is when Bangkok is at her commercial peak. The traffic is beyond ludicrous, the sidewalks congested, taxi drivers happiest, night scenes the most flamboyant and of course spenders the most reckless. The entire city becomes a kite, flying high on ecstasy.


Euphoria is rampant.

After the happy pill makes you go up, it will eventually take you down. This very same law of gravity applies w/ Bangkok's spree as well. Taxi drivers told me they make good money from the 25th of any month until around the 10th of the next. Between then is not their favorite period. Also, I've never seen any out-of-this-world campaign to boost earnings by any establishment in the middle of a month. The hyper metropolis becomes sober for a while. Then, another pill is popped and the gorgeous numbness kicks in again.

Speaking of public spending, I can't help but be reminded of the financial gloom merrily spun by the world’s media at the moment. In Thailand's case, our central bank keeps assuring us we are just fine. For one thing, they say, non-performing loan accounts for only 4% of the total assets by all commercials banks in the country.

So, fine it is.

Travelers usually ask what time of the year is best to visit a place blah blah blah. Now, it’s not exclusively about which time of year anymore, is it? Come see right through most Bangkokians at a month's end or otherwise. Just pick a schedule you fantasize.

Oooh tomorrow is Friday, the 31st of October. What Chilean wine should I get for dinner? Should it be Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, or, Syrah? Oooh, can't wait! (side note: I'd rather use cash on "luxurious" items ‘cause I absolutely detest receiving a credit card statement from some heartless bank that demands at least a thousand Baht as the minimum payment.)

Struggling Joe

She Bangs!

A question to those who have been to Bangkok: did you ever wonder why a lot of places here start w/ a "Bang"? For those who have only heard of Bangkok, know now there are tons of Bang's in the city.


The other night, our guest Mohsin couldn't remember the entire name of a district where he was going to attend a wedding of his Thai friend. He showed me an address and it read Bang Khun Prom. Oooh, that's far!

Before Mohsin, we had four fab girls from the States. One night, they dragged my husband w/ them to see pussy shows at Patpong.

On top of some of the wackiest sex shows in the city's main red-light district, Patpong is also good for counterfeit enthusiasts. What are you thinking of? Rolex, Tag Heuer, Casio, Louis Vitton, Chanel, Prada, Ray Ban. Anything you wish for! But too bad, we human beings haven't figured out how to copy a Rolls Royce or Lamborghini yet.

Before I digress any further, let me just state that Patpong and all its unsavory offerings (or savory, depending on your point of view) are under the jurisdiction of Bang Rak District. "Rak" means love. So, back in the day, this area must have been crammed w/ love trees. Pls don't ask me what it looks like 'cause I was apparently born way too late. Now, move on to another district also w/ a Bang.

The last stop of our underground MRT is 'Bang Sue." Oooh, why would you bang someone and then sue them? Is that level of dissatisfaction even fathomable? Ok, "Sue" means honesty or naivety in the Thai language. Whatever that means in this case! The district could have been the neighborhood of honest or naïve people to acquire such a title. Or, perhaps there's a tree or creature called "Sue" too?

Anyway, let's emerge from the subway and fly in the sky w/ the city's BTS skytrain. The up and coming extension to be in service next August will pass two areas w/ a Bang – Bang Chak and Bang Na. I'm not sure what's worth seeing in Bang Chak but you might wanna check out BITEC Bang Na, a huge exhibition hall notorious for its motor shows held quite often throughout the year. You know, apart from the cars, you also get skimpily-clad girls who might make you appreciate the vehicles more (which might not be the case in the first place.)

Get off the skytrain at Saphan Taksin Station and venture out on a boat to an older part of the city, Bangkok Noi (small Bangkok) and Bangkok Yai (big Bangkok.) What you will get here is mostly cultural stuff – the Chao Phraya River, canals, palaces, a train station w/ long history, villages specializing in various craftsmanship, the Thai Royal Navy base, and of course temples after temples. Want a famous one? Sure – Temple of Dawn or Wat Arun.

Contrary to a popular belief, Bangkok is indeed on the sea – the Gulf of Thailand. But only one district (out of 50) can claim this title and it is called Bang Khun Thian.

In summary, the city is subdivided by 50 districts, 12 of which starts w/ a Bang for the name. We all know what Bang as a verb in English means and what type of pleasure it can lead to. In the Thai language, the noun form is used to refer to a village or settlement situated on a river or canal. Once upon a time, Bangkok used to be a small trading center and port community on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. Now, you wanna know what "Kok' means?

On its own, it isn't a word yet, but possibly comes from "Ma-kok' which means olive. So, the once small town of Bangkok may have been abundant in olive orchards or traded olive as her main product.

Whatever she used to be or do, Bangkok now is a city that bangs. Here, you should easily get what you want, depending on how you look at it. She bangs you. You bang her. Or, you bang each other.

Joe