Bangkok Red!

A lot of people ask me about the political turmoil that is going on in Bangkok now.....so I would like to dedicate this blog post to update you with the current situation in Bangkok

The red-shirt protesters who have taken the streets of Bangkok for about 5 days now are demanding the government's resignation. They went on a strange ritual and took their campaign to a bizaar level - collecting blood from the protesters and splash it all over the front gate of the Thai government house and the Prime minister's residence --> To me that is a health hazardous act and it shows that the red-shirt leaders are running out of trick to overthrow the goverment ;p

Local people still go out and play but obviously not where the protesters are rallying. The Tourism Authority of Thailand has put together a list of areas and map that people should avoid:

AREAS TO BE AVOIDED ADVICE FROM THE TOURIST POLICE, SUB-DIVISION 1

Tourists are advised to avoid the following roads:
- Ratchadamnoen Avenue (consisting of Ratchadamnoen Nai, Ratchadamnoen Klang and Ratchadamnoen Nok)
- Vibhavadi Rangsit Road
- Rama 9 Road
- Samsen Road
- Victory Monument
- Rama IV
- Silom Road
- Rajdamri Road

There are so many things to do and so many places to go in Bangkok so if you avoid those risky areas listed above - everything should be fine.

It is also noteworthly to mention that foreigners have not been targeted in the on-going political conflict, but we are all advised to be vigilant, particularly in those areas where crowds may gather. The Royal Thai Government will continue to step up measures to ensure the safety and well-being of all people in Thailand.

5 tips for successful shopping in Bangkok

Shopping is one essential activity in Bangkok that no one could miss!! Today I have some useful tips to share with you when shopping in Bangkok. Hopefully, these tips will help you pay less and enhance your delightful shopping experience.


#1 How to bargain:


You can bargain almost at every shopping place in Bangkok – except for the big department stores, supermarkets and large retail stores. Smaller-scale shops allow, or even expect, you to bargain! Flea markets in touristy places like Kaosan Road or Silom Road have their goods marked-up pretty high and you can sometimes haggle it down half price. The word of advice when it comes to bargain is SMILE!


When a seller offers you the first price, smile and offer your price that is lower than what you expect to pay. If the seller still doesn’t show any sign of giving up, offer another price (with a smile). If the seller still resist, pretend to walk out of the store – turn around and offer a slightly higher price. By this point, the seller should come up with a price that is satisfactory for both parties. This trick works well for local and my friends from abroad.

#2 Shop around

Common sense in shopping is to shop around if you want the cheapest price possible. There are stores that sell the same or identical merchandise in most of Bangkok’s shopping places. Make sure to walk around, asking and comparing prices. When you find a store that offers you the lowest first price, then you can go ahead and initiate your bargain skills!

#3 Be street smart

Picking-pocketing is expected in busy markets such as Jatujak weekend market and Sampheng market. Watch out for your personal belongings and have your bags in front of you at all time. I love to go to these busy markets myself because I can get quality products for less. Just be alert of your surroundings and you’ll be fine!

#4 Thai shopping phrases

It might be difficult to speak Thai because it’s such a tonal language. However, if you at least try to speak some of these phrases when shopping – you’ll win some hearts and might even get some extra Baht off just because you try!

Hello – Sawaddee
This is pretty – Suay dee na
How much – Tao rai?
Can I have a discount? - Lod dai mai?
No thanks, I’m not interested – Mai aow
Thank you very much - Kob Khun maak
You are very kind – Khun jai dee maak
**Add ‘Ka’ to the end of each sentence for politeness if you’re female and ‘Krub’ if you’re male.

#5 Where to shop

Now you have basic shopping know-how and ready to apply these tricks to the real world!
Some of my personal recommended places to shop are as follows:
Jatujak Weekend Market, Sumpheng Market, Suan Lum Night Bazaar, Platinum Shopping center, MBK Shopping center, Pak Klong Talat (flower market) and Major Ratchoyothin Flea Market.

Next post, I will write about my favorite shopping heaven of all time!

Siam Ocean World

Who would have guessed that underneath the glamorous upscale shopping mall hides the 10,000-square-metre world-class aquarium?

Siam Paragon is the newest and chicest shopping destination in downtown Bangkok that everyone, local and tourists alike, talk about. Situated underneath the shopping complex is Siam Ocean world, an aquarium with impressive underwater tunnel housing more than 30,000 maritime creatures including sharks, stingrays, giant spider crabs and octopus. The aquarium is Thailand’s first and Southeast Asia’s biggest aquatic education and entertainment centre.
The journey at Siam Ocean world will take you through 7 different zones: Weird and Wonderful, Deep Reef, Living Ocean, Rainforest, Rocky Shore, Open Ocean, and Sea Jellies.

My favorite has to be the sea jellies zone where you can relax on a comfortable couch in a dim-lighted room, watching the glowing jellyfish gliding around the tank while soothing music in the background serenades you to sleep! I seriously did took a five-minute nap in this zone and I would have slept in a lot longer if there wasn’t someone else waiting to be seated.

Another fun activity at Siam ocean world is a bottom-glass boat ride. A 25-minute-ride will let you explore the aquarium from a whole different point of view. You can also take a plunge into the oceanarium where you’ll encounter with sharks and other creatures of the deep sea. Floating above the 2.8 million liter oceanarium or dive in it will surely unleash the adventurous side in you.
Siam Ocean world is located on the lower levels of Siam Paragon shopping center and opens to visitors daily from 9am-10pm. Ticket costs 450 baht for adults and 280 baht for children.

Check out my Bottom-Glass Boat Ride!

Ampawa Floating Market

Since the Tourism Authority of Thailand has promoted ‘Nostalgia Tourism’ for domestic tourists, floating markets are becoming more and more popular as they used to be a major part of Thai life.

Nostalgia Tourism refers to a tourism that brings us back to the past. Outdated destinations remarket themselves by adding new aspects to the old favorite to keep the original charm and create new excitement.

Ampawa floating market is extremely famous among local Thai people. Located only 37 miles south of Bangkok, Ampawa market opens only on weekends (Fri-Sun) from 2PM to 9PM. Both sides of the canals lined with houses, shops and restaurants. Boats pull up near the stairs leading down to the water, letting tourists buy and eat their food fresh from the vendors.

Food at Ampawa floating market is extraordinary, ranging in variety from seafood to Thai desserts. Some creative dishes can also be found here such as mango ice cream with sweet sauce topping or guava ice cream with pickled plum topping.

At sunset, a fleet of tourist boats travel upstream to witness Ampawa’s hidden treasure - firefly. Firefly watching is considered to be the highlight evening activity of Ampawa floating market. Many home stays are open to tourists to spend the night at the market and get a glimpse of the typical Thai lifestyle.