BKK Day 3: No photos here sir!


collageMBK
Swiped from williamnyk.
The 3rd day at Bangkok is quite a blur for me. Can't really remember the details, but I'll try anyway. Spent most of the day at the wholesale clothes outlets at Pratunam, kind of like the Ho Ching Yuen beside the Hang Tuah LRT station. Clothes, clothes and more clothes. We were mostly at Indra Square and the Baiyoke Garment Center nearby where my sister was staying. My sister and mother bought tonnes of clothes, handbags and other accessories. All at cheap prices. After baking in the hot and humid Bangkok weather, we decided to move to someplace with air-conditioning, so it was off to MBK for more shopping.

The layout is simple enough. Just one long stretch where you walk, and walk, and walk..... from one end to the other. 5 floors of shopping. Made me wish for the electric buggy from Muang Boran. Typical shopping paradise with a stronger muslim presence, for unknown reasons. Anyway, saw an interesting scene there. Two women were sitting on bar stools in front a goldsmith sipping something that looked like whisky to me. They were sitting in front of a counter where two craftsmen were setting a buddhist amulet. An interesting process using balsam wood, acrylic sheets, blowtorches and a wire saw. The Thai people's love affair with Buddhist amulets. They even have magazines!

After just 3 floors, our legs refused to go any further. We dragged ourselves up to their posh food court, The Fifth. A culture shock really, a concept food court that seems to be taking hold everywhere in Bangkok, from Central Chit Lom to Sky Loft Suvarnabhumi Airport. The idea is that every customer that goes into the food court will be given a prepaid card (usually preloaded with THB1000). Every single order is made via the card through a barcode scanner or other electronic means. Before you go out, your card will have to be surrendered and they will charge you accordingly. If you lose the card, you must pay the maximum amount (plus a fine at certain places). The concept is upmarket, with fantastic decor, good ambiance, attentive service staff (who in addition to clearing tables will sometimes carry you food for you) and expensive food. Food is normally segregated by country, the usual fare being from Malaysia/Singapore, Japan, Italy, Vietnam and Thailand. The idea was alien to us, but we did quite well ordering a Vietnamese Tangerine Salad that was very refreshing. And their mango slurpee is to die for. Practically drinking sweet mango pulp. On the way out, only did we notice that the cheaper food court was just one floor down. Dang!

Comments

Little Prince said…
... cheh... i don't shop all the time ok! just everyday! but not all the time... HAHAHA...
well see you maybe next week la. dead tired this whole week... next week also probably will die... omg... ok la... in end July la... and that's if i'm alive or not greedy taking other projects... HAHAHAHAHA...
Little Prince said…
OH MBK... i don't miss that building... so the sg wang... but the owners of that building is said to be very nice people tho... mmm... nice rich people... i LIKES!!!

korea korea korea korea!!!
Ganymede said…
How come no stories about banging cocks one?
William said…
@Daniel:
Makan time! Makan time! Makan time!

@Defiant:
Cock fights? Haha.

@R2k:
Ohhh... I'm getting slack on the nybathrooms submissions....
Anonymous said…
Regarding the upscale food court, you can get a similar experience with mid-range prices at Gurney Plaza here.

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