Hazia’s Reflections

My second morning in Bangkok, I decided to follow the AA Citypack Guide on walking at Prathunum. So, that was my first experience on a skytrain. Not much different from KL except that at the Siam interchange station, you have to get out quickly and immediately ran through the door of the other train straight ahead.

I got down at the National Stadium station, asked a woman where the stadium and MBK shopping complex were. It wouldn’t be open for another hour. I realised that the book mentioned a visit to Lord Jim Thompson house first. So, I followed the direction, it was clear cut. I finally turned into a narrow street, had to watch out for stray dogs, they ran around freely. It was still early and peaceful. There was a charming little hawker stall with mini tables and chairs. I think he served breakfast food; rice, vegetables and fried ikan termenung. No, didn’t try, hehe…

I asked another woman who was selling handicrafts in a compound of a house, she asked me to continue walking. I saw the gate, there it was. I was told that the English tour would start in 20 minutes and was assigned to group N. I walked around and took photos first without knowing that cameras were not allowed in the building. A staff caught me and timidly asked me to wait for the guide.

I was put into a group with 4 Caucasions, our guide’s name was Soraya (she said it was Siamese). Her explanation was good but she could hardly comprehend our questions. There wasn’t much additional info on top of books and online but it was refeshing to listen to someone talking. That was my introduction to the country’s symblic lotus flower. Fresh single flowers were meticulously placed in the tempayan in the park. Beautiful, intricate everlasting arrangements were also everywhere. According to Soraya, these would last to 2 or 3 months.

Thompson must have really fallen in love with Siam. Interesting how he adjusted things to fit into his Western lifestyle. For example, connecting 2 square tables into a long dining table and reversing walls and windows so that he can appreciate the artwork from inside the house instead. There were lush greeneries alright, like in the jungle:)

Soraya gave each of us an origami stork as a parting gift. I dropped by the Thompson shop after that. Didn’t plan to buy anything but noticed that the t-shirts weren’t pricy. The first shop assistant was sour-faced, something unusual in Bangkok and even more unusual in such a prestigious branded outlet as that. The second one was nice. I only bought one shocking pink top without realising that the stones were actually pure Swaroski crystals. I ended up paying 2800baht, hehe…

After that I turned back and headed to MBK for an early lunch at the Food Avenue. I had Prik Khing Pla Fook Fu - shrimp paste fried rice with catfish and salted eggs, delicious:) The food courts table are set up in advance, you don’t have to get your own forks and spoons.

I checked out the Asiabook store, got additional tips from a quick glance through the guide books. I noticed that the shopping compex was filled with massage outlets. They all looked like ER units with rows of white make-shift beds close to each other. It wasn’t inviting at all. Art galleries with artists at work dominated the ground floor. I had my first coffee in Bangkok at Starbucks before taking off for the rest of the walk:)