Jet lagged and running on very little sleep, we dragged ourselves out of bed and checked out of the hotel at noon. The Bangkok smog and heat hit us immediately — 28°C with heavy humidity — but that was part of the city’s charm (so I've been told).
Declan spent a month in this country last year, and he text and suggested we head to Banglamphu Market, so we set off on foot. Not long into our walk, we were approached by the inevitable tuk-tuk driver. With a big smile and the usual line — “Hello my friend, where are you from?” — he tried to strike up a deal. We knew his game but decided to play along when he suggested visiting a Buddhist temple.
Once inside the souped up tuk-tuk, the script continued. Another man appeared at the temple, pretending he was on his way to his daughter’s wedding. He chatted away about how suits in Bangkok were the best in the world, made for Armani, and how we could get great deals if we wanted. Tim saw him for who he was right away and cut him off; me, I thought he was just being chatty. It was classic theatre — entertaining in its own way, but definitely a hustle.
The driver then tried steering us towards a Clothes shop, we politely, but steadfastly refused. Then on to the so-called Tourist Information Centre, a well-worn trick designed to funnel tourists into overpriced tours and shops. Recognising the scam, we again politely refused to play along and instead paid him a modest 50 baht for the ride.
Later, Tim suggested something far more authentic: watching a Muay Thai boxing tournament. Earlier in the day we had passed the arena, so it felt like fate. We bought tickets (not cheap), found a nearby hotel, and headed to the fight.
The atmosphere was electric. The drums, the chants, the raw energy of the crowd — it was an unforgettable experience. The tournament was brutal, beautiful, mesmerising and absolutely exhilarating. We left the arena drunk and exhausted but buzzing. (Beer was £5 a pint - VERY expensive for Thailand).
I realised I had booked the wrong hotel, it was a good half an hour walk away. And walk we did! That's no bother - it was simply fate that the mistaken booking was situated on Khaosan Road - the world-famous, vibrant, and bustling street, widely known as the "Backpacker Capital of the World." Though it is only a short street, it is the epicenter of budget travel, offering a unique blend of nightlife, shopping, and a distinct, carefree international atmosphere.
We checked in, stashed our passport in the celing in the bathroom (no safe in the room) and then continued our quest to drink silly amounts of beer (now £1.95 a pint), eat street food, watch music, watch people of all creeds, colours, sexes, and species and soak up the absolutely mental atmosphere. Before we knew it the night had gone and it was daylight!
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