Hi all,
Im back fr Bkk & all is fine der...except security checks @ major shoppin ctr & mrt lines but not in-depth checking.
Went alot plcs except Chinatown bcos cabbie say Mon no street selling, Govt cleaning day & send us to "Govt shop" alot jewellery, the tourist items mostly differs fr Chatuchak/JJ, Suan Lum typical tourist shops. Warned by cabbie to hide the shoppin bag/place in hotel 1st as attracts thiefs, gd selling price as supposedly better quality.
Was disappt by Platinum Mall as alot cheap clothing bt meant for wholesale thus no dressing rm, cant try. Saphan Poot/Phut was long stretch (start fr 9pm) bt again clothing etc typical like Pratunam, infact more expensive for items like caps duno if bcos we're tourist. Saw tourist coaches der but t-shirts range & price best. There are abt 8-10 potraits artist @ 1 end corner, price reasonable.
Our interest not in shoppin ctr/night mkt as feel typical same items. Fav 2 plcs were infact the Ratchada Night Bazaar (Like Sungei rd but much much better, b prepared for sudden lights off, happened 2x) & Siam Square Soi 1-3, Fri Student Mkt (Which regretfully didnt buy anytin, tot sat will hav, went back on Mon also don hav). bcos cheaper & very creative! Alot self-made stuff, u can c students in the midst of sewing/assembling.
Taxi fare fr Airport was very exp, toll 80 (suspect hacked) & meter 240 (jam) + surcharge 50=370. Back trip honest cabbie, Toll 25 + 210 (jam also) =230 only! aft cabbie disc 5 baht. Fr 1 Feb airport tax is 700 baht (raised 200), luckily we hav extra cash.
Travelled fewx in tuk-tuk, asking for almost same rate like cabs but we jux pay cos my hb like. Not so ez to baragin for more discounts, as mostly their attitude was next tourist will com along. My hb liked 1 shirt, was quoted 1200 in 1 street shop, aft disc 800. Chatuchak cheapest quote 700, aft disc 450! other plc standard 800 bottom line. Som stall/eatery owners wasnt very friendly before we even bargain so didnt bother to patronize.
Overall experience impressed by Thai's creativity in handicarfts & arts, but next visit not so soon....