Thailand - Land of Smiles... or is it?

Thailand - Land of Smiles; Capital city, Bangkok - Land of Angels: long known to the tourism industry as a land steeped in culture and tradition and the deepest respect for Religion, Family and Royalty, all giving Thailand a good name for peace, internal security and safety. So who would believe me if I say I saw my first gang fight right here in the City of Angels, in the heart of Suan Lum Night Bazaar, on the doorstep of the Joe Louis Theatre? But it's true. Allow me to start from the beginning...

I arrived in Bangkok and stepped out of the international airport into, quite frankly, a cloud of smog. The waiting area for the airport transfer buses is located under the highway and I was getting dizzy from holding my breath while waiting for my bus to arrive. Although I could just wait inside the airport, I was afraid I will miss my bus. But I did dart inside from time to time and it was on one of these forays that I saw a brochure advertising the Joe Louis Puppet Theatre. "Interesting...", I thought and so decided that I would brave the night crowd and "dangers" and head over to Suan Lum. It was the first time I've heard of the place and I didn't know what to expect.

After checking into my guesthouse, I grabbed a road and BTR map and figured out how to get to Suan Lum. It was easy and it was to become my favourite place throughout my stay in BKK. Upon arrival at the Metro station, I emerged from the underground to see Suan Lum in all its bright glory. It was not how I had imagined it to be. I would describe it as a more organised and better ventilated version of Chutuchak market. Being a night bazaar, it was a pleasure walking around the stalls and not be drowned in pouring sweat.

The Joe Louis Puppet Theatre is located somewhere in the middle of the bazaar, at a cross-roads of sorts. After purchasing my ticket, I decided I would take the tourist route and sit at the al fresco restaurant of the theatre, drinking Singha and eating very, very, very spicy food. Being Malaysian does not prepare you for the stinging heat of their spicy dishes! Anyway, it was while gulping down Singha beer to quench the sting of the Hor Moak that I suddenly heard a loud baying. "Crash! Bang!" went some chairs and the railing as a canine gang took offence to the intrusion of a, perhaps, stranger. I was stunned and could only stare at the fray right in front of my eyes while 2 dogs went head to head, fangs baring and foam frothing at the jaws.

Cliched, though it may sound, it was over as quickly as it started. And the pack turned and ran off. My heart was pounding as I imagined the worst that could have happened. What if they had turned in my direction and flown over the fence at me?? It was truly a first for me and I experienced it right here in the Land of Smiles.

What else can surprise me now on this trip? Ahh... that would have to be another post!

How I survived travelling through Thailand alone - Part 1

"Hah? You're going alone? Are you sure it's safe?", asked the people I told about my plans to travel to Thailand alone for 8 days. Plus, the look of concern and slightly mild disgust as they, probably, imagine what it's like doing what I was proposing to do in a country like Thailand. All these, I find rather unnecessary as travelling through Thailand is, I feel, exactly the same as travelling through Malaysia. Of course, some argued that they wouldn't travel around Malaysia on their own either but they just have very different tastes on holidays and travelling. Somebody else cited the language as a potential problem since I wouldn't be able to understand if somebody in the crowd is plotting to drug me with opium dissolved in a magic fruit-shake and rob me of my highly-valuable Malaysian passport. (I've heard it can sell for about RM100,000 in the black market!) To which, I reply that I don't speak Malay either so what's the diff if I were to travel Malaysia alone?
So, anyway, I went and made it back, not only in one whole piece, but with the memories of places I've seen, experiences I've encountered and people I've met. In order that I may always remember this trip, I've decided to blog the highlights of my trip right here. So begins Part 1: how I witnessed the first gang fight in my life right here in the Land of a Thousand Smiles...