First thing that strikes me about Bangkok? Their public toilets – dry and clean, unlike in Malaysia – always wet, dank, and stinking! This was true even in very busy, high human traffic shopping complexes like MBK and Platinum Mall, etc. And we are not even talking about in a 1st world country like Australia or the U.K. There you can see the cleaners on stand-by ready to mop up any mess. Here? They collect your money and just sit outside at the table and yak-yak-yak away or their only semblance of cleaning is to hold up the hose and splash all over the toilets!
2nd thing – their light rail (BTS) and underground (Metro) transport systems – so efficient, so well connected and convenient, and easy to understand. Over here in Klang Valley? Want to get from PUTRA to STAR or KTM to PUTRA? Get in the rain or sun first la! It was so obvious when they planned the system in Bangkok that the commuters’/tourists’ convenience was the priority. Here in Malaysia? It is the stakeholders first, then only the commuters! You don’t touch my line, I don’t touch your line – no cohesion at all! Again, we are talking about a country where some Malaysians will thumb their nose at and declare we are more 'advanced'!
We were further impressed that in the main busy commercial/shopping areas, built right underneath the LRT line, was the pedestrian walkway (makes economical sense!), so pedestrians have the choice to walk from one station to the other, well-covered, and these connects directly to big shopping malls like CentralWorld, Isetan and Siam Paragon, etc. – away from the rain and hot sun, straight into the air-con comfort of the shopping malls! What bliss!
Where shopping is concerned, Bangkok is still a lady’s paradise. Although not that cheap anymore (maybe cheaper by 10%-20% on average), there are definitely more varieties to choose from compared to here.
What do I think are worth buying? Good quality, locally made, leather products (mainly cow leather) which seasons really well. But sorry, brand-less la.... ;-p
Food? Not that cheap, really, for regular meals, unless you are going for seafood, but you do get quality in return.Singaporeans seems to be more popular than Malaysians because couple of times I was asked whether I’m Singaporean (and once, whether I'm from China!) but of course I proudly said, ‘no, I’m Malaysian!’
But, all said, when we were finally on the plane and touching down, I turned to my girl and said, ‘everywhere we go, at the end, it’s still feel good to be back in Malaysia soil, hor?’ How ironic, to be so proud and happy about being Malaysian, and yet sadly here we are, still being called ‘pendatangs’.
Pic left: The BTS line connects straight to CentralWorld and into this pedestrian walk on the side of the shopping complex (2nd floor), in one end and out the other, in air-con comfort. You need not even step into any of the shops unless you want to. This walkway runs parallel to, and affords you a view of, the busy Pratunam Street underneath where cheap shopping is the order of the day.
Pic left: Above the clouds - beginning of sunset taken from the plane on the flight home - just beautiful. :-)
October 2009
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