This is one time when I was grateful for the heat in Manila. What???!! Yes, readers, because if Manila was hot during the Holy Week, Bangkok was near-scorching. And yet, I had an incredibly satisfying time in the land of tuktuk and traffic (I think, Bangkok traffic was even worse than Manila, or maybe “patas lang”). No wonder that Yudee and Jody, the gracious and lovely Thai friends of my daughter Alex, gave up driving to work, and opt to either take the BTS (no, not The BTS of South Korea fame, but the Bangkok Mass Transit System) or their version of our Angkas system. We met for dinner at Rongsi Pochana, a hard-to-book Thai fusion restaurant with delicious food, divine architecture and interior design. Each of them, separately, that is, came to the restaurant through Grab Bike, Bangkok’s very own angkas system.
Alex and friends have kept close touch with each other after having worked for many years based in Abu Dhabi with Etihad Airways. I had not seen them for quite a number of years and appreciated their hosting a wonderful dinner in the middle of their busy weekday. If you ever go to Bangkok, check this incredible restaurant in the middle of Bangkok. It will be well worth your stay, aside from the unbelievable prices of goods in the markets and malls.
Of course, I am not referring to the Louis Vuitton store at the high-end Siam Paragon mall. I was hoping to catch the launching of the Louis Vuitton/Yayoi Kusama line of products thee, but alas!, I was too late. But no regrets, I did get to make “usisa” the refreshing Vuitton/Kusama products. I was seriously eyeing the pumpkin coin purse but it had sold out already. Was it a sign that it was not meant for me? I mean for me to spend that much for a coin purse. One LV/Kusama pumpkin coin purse is worth a tankful or tanks full of coins, that’s for sure.
Bangkok is impressive. Maybe being under military rule has its advantages but I can see the orderliness, and relative cleanliness of the city. There may be sidewalk streetfood places all over the city but they are clean and neatly arranged. I understand the BTS is a great boon to the citizens. Next time, I will definitely make use of their Bangkok Mass Transit System. This time, I either used my legs (walking, that is) like to the Platinum Mall, or the tuktuk, when the traffic was bad, or if light, their Grab taxis. I must say, that I saw the difference between the Grab cars here in Manila and in Bangkok. Suffice it to say that I think that the Grab car system in Manila has a lot to learn from Bangkok when it comes to better and more consistent quality control. And their car cooling systems work perfectly. This is inspite of the sweltering heat in Bangkok. Their temperature during Holy week reached 38 degrees, I believe.
The cooling systems of the hotels and malls are full blast. No scrimping there. Wow! I was impressed.
Originally, I had planned on soaking in some culture and art through some tours but the heat was a bit much for me for outdoor walking tours. Thanks to the suggestion and reminder (reminder that I love going to museums and art galleries) of my daughter Alex ( a real life-saver indeed )who was thousands of miles away in Ajax, I did take an indoor tour of the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Bangkok. An excellent idea. I had pure unadulterated relaxation and joy for hours taking in the art pieces exhibited in all 5 floors of the MOCA.
One thing that I appreciated with the museum is their attempt at piecing together the art and culture of the countries of Southeast Asia and India which, at one time, were, in many aspects, closely connected, literally and figuratively. All these in a comfortable, air-conditioned setting complete with a museum store and café. Check this out when in Bangkok, especially if you are into history and art but still prefer a cool and relaxing atmosphere.
Another suggestion I have is a visit to the Jim Thompson House Museum which is only about 100 to 150 Thai baht away via tuktuk. At least from my hotel in the Pratunam area of Bangkok. Fascinating and beautiful place. No less fascinating is Jim Thompson’s life story. Exciting, admirable and mysterious. I can go on and on about this place but you have to see it for yourself. Perhaps, if you find yourself in Bangkok and are not so keen on the usual tourist places, or shopping( not that their deals are not tempting), take a tuktuk or a taxi and soak in some art and history at the same time. Especially on how a Westerner brought together the East and West in his fascinating and fabulous home. You may want to research on Jim Thompson and find yourself one day exploring his house in Bangkok.
More from me as I give you a glimpse of Tokyo through Leia Tanaka Taylor next time in This and That. Till then….
Mabuhay and take care!
Tessie O. Taylor