WHAT EXACTLY IS A FIVE—DAY WORK WEEK?
Thais embrace holiday. Who else do you know celebrates the New Year three times in four months—Western, Chinese and Thai? On the local calendar Thais highlight all the Buddhist holiday, which is not so surprising, but also traditional holidays such as Christmas holidays, bank holidays and if you are willing to own up to it, even your birthday. And if any of these fall on weekend, the working day enters the equation as a substitute break.
THE SIAMESE DOUBLE TAKE
The country has always been totally at ease injecting foreign traits with a local colour to make them uniquely Thai. Double takes for the first-time tourist include bumping into Thai classical dancers in the McDonald’s outlet next to the Erawan Shrine or on their state-of-the-art mobile phones. The English language becomes Thai with words like “dern” (modern) and “inter” (international) added to the lexicon. Thai food is a bubbling pot of Chinese, Burmese, Malaysian, Portuguese, Indonesia and countless other influences. Oh, and the tuk tuk is originally Japanese.
SOIS WITH IT ALL
Bangkok has many streets dedicated to a particular trade or service, such as the gold shops and host of mechanics that line the thoroughfares in Chinatown, and the religious paraphernalia shops found in Phra Nakorn. So it shouldn’t come as any surprise that, when the talk turns to modern nightlife, things are no different. The appeal of bars grouped in single areas such as the lively Silon Soi 4, the always evolving Lang Suan and Soi Sarasin with its collection of old stand bys is obvious—if nothing shakes your booty in one, just slip next door until you run across something that does. The commute is minimal. Yet, the mother of all after-house strips these nights is Royal City Avenue, better know as RCA, which contains some of the largest clubs in the city, along with a few oddities thrown in for both good measure and good times such as a bowling alley, go-kart racing and small watering holes such as Prop Bar. Multi-room venues like Flix offer a choice of hip hop and house—in all their sub genres—and live pop-rock bands in a pub-style interior. Also check out Astra, Route 66 and Zeta, which is woman-only. Just don’t be too put off if you feel the years a bit more than in your run-of-the-mill hotel cocktail lounge: RCA definitely represents a younger take on the city’s nightowls, which is why it’s a forever-changing spectacle after hours.
JUST SAY ”JJ”
Thailand has developed affection for breaking world records, most notably with anything big. That might explain Chatuchak Weekend Market. “JJ”, as it’s known locally, is only open at weekends, but its 9,000 stalls attract nearly half a million visitors a week. There is a floor plan of sorts, with sections loosely divided by product type, but even locals can get lost in these labyrinthine alleyways. So the best plan is to be adventurous and follow your instincts. Just remember to purchase as you go since your instincts won’t necessarily come in handy when you try to remember where the woman with the vast wooden chopstick collection was. Sections 22 to 26 are good for home interiors, with loads of antique furniture, textiles, art and décor. Try section 24 for clothes, 19 for ceramics and 13 for dogs, cats, snakes and turtles. You can also buy amulets, books, glassware, orchids, gemstones and ethnic items from Laos, Burma, China and Cambodia. When you need a breather—and you will—there are plenty of food stalls, even some with air-conditioning in a section called Chatuchak Plaza. Oh, and before we forget, in a weird twist of fate that could only occur in Thailand, it’s also possible to buy copies of Sawasdee for 20 baht at the back of the Dream Section almost as quickly as they appear on the planes.
Thais embrace holiday. Who else do you know celebrates the New Year three times in four months—Western, Chinese and Thai? On the local calendar Thais highlight all the Buddhist holiday, which is not so surprising, but also traditional holidays such as Christmas holidays, bank holidays and if you are willing to own up to it, even your birthday. And if any of these fall on weekend, the working day enters the equation as a substitute break.
THE SIAMESE DOUBLE TAKE
The country has always been totally at ease injecting foreign traits with a local colour to make them uniquely Thai. Double takes for the first-time tourist include bumping into Thai classical dancers in the McDonald’s outlet next to the Erawan Shrine or on their state-of-the-art mobile phones. The English language becomes Thai with words like “dern” (modern) and “inter” (international) added to the lexicon. Thai food is a bubbling pot of Chinese, Burmese, Malaysian, Portuguese, Indonesia and countless other influences. Oh, and the tuk tuk is originally Japanese.
SOIS WITH IT ALL
Bangkok has many streets dedicated to a particular trade or service, such as the gold shops and host of mechanics that line the thoroughfares in Chinatown, and the religious paraphernalia shops found in Phra Nakorn. So it shouldn’t come as any surprise that, when the talk turns to modern nightlife, things are no different. The appeal of bars grouped in single areas such as the lively Silon Soi 4, the always evolving Lang Suan and Soi Sarasin with its collection of old stand bys is obvious—if nothing shakes your booty in one, just slip next door until you run across something that does. The commute is minimal. Yet, the mother of all after-house strips these nights is Royal City Avenue, better know as RCA, which contains some of the largest clubs in the city, along with a few oddities thrown in for both good measure and good times such as a bowling alley, go-kart racing and small watering holes such as Prop Bar. Multi-room venues like Flix offer a choice of hip hop and house—in all their sub genres—and live pop-rock bands in a pub-style interior. Also check out Astra, Route 66 and Zeta, which is woman-only. Just don’t be too put off if you feel the years a bit more than in your run-of-the-mill hotel cocktail lounge: RCA definitely represents a younger take on the city’s nightowls, which is why it’s a forever-changing spectacle after hours.
JUST SAY ”JJ”
Thailand has developed affection for breaking world records, most notably with anything big. That might explain Chatuchak Weekend Market. “JJ”, as it’s known locally, is only open at weekends, but its 9,000 stalls attract nearly half a million visitors a week. There is a floor plan of sorts, with sections loosely divided by product type, but even locals can get lost in these labyrinthine alleyways. So the best plan is to be adventurous and follow your instincts. Just remember to purchase as you go since your instincts won’t necessarily come in handy when you try to remember where the woman with the vast wooden chopstick collection was. Sections 22 to 26 are good for home interiors, with loads of antique furniture, textiles, art and décor. Try section 24 for clothes, 19 for ceramics and 13 for dogs, cats, snakes and turtles. You can also buy amulets, books, glassware, orchids, gemstones and ethnic items from Laos, Burma, China and Cambodia. When you need a breather—and you will—there are plenty of food stalls, even some with air-conditioning in a section called Chatuchak Plaza. Oh, and before we forget, in a weird twist of fate that could only occur in Thailand, it’s also possible to buy copies of Sawasdee for 20 baht at the back of the Dream Section almost as quickly as they appear on the planes.
Resource: Sawasdee Magazine / April 2007
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