Damnoen Saduak-The colourful floating market

Juvenile taut or future best saleswoman?

We had to walk along a wooden walkway that was supposed to lead to the tour buses. Along this covered walk way, there were many people hawking jewelery, handicrafts and all sorts of souvenirs-anything that allow the tourists to bring back some memories of Thailand. This is obviously a tourist trap!

A wooden set of chopsticks and place holders caught my eyes. It would be a perfect gift for my friends who have just moved into their own love nest.

It is quite amazing how the little girl (probably around 10 years old) quickly realised what caught my eyes and quickly handed the set to me, and punched the price into a calculator. 1500B! Wow, that was really expensive! I was put off by this rip off, and quickly put the set back. What ensued made me uncomfortable.

“How much you want, tell me”, she held on firmly to my arm. I was quite take aback my this aggressive approach. I just said “No, thank you”, as firmly as I could. “1000B?” “No, thanks. I shook my head and tried to walk away. “750B?500B? Ok, ok 350B.” At this point of time, our eye balls almost popped-out of our eye sockets!

Ok, we were poor bargain hunters. Instead of grabbing this relatively good deal (I am sure she could offer 250B as well), we shook our head, said our “No, thank you, and walked off”. We are more indignant about the rip off than recognizing the good bargain. Oh no, we failed to apply the basic principles of negotiation!

Read more about my experience in Damnoen Saduak:

1. Damnoen Saduak: The colourful floating market


2. Alfresco dining at Damnoen Saduak


3. Visiting Damnoen Saduak in a James Bond boat

Juvenile taut or future best saleswoman?

Juvenile taut or future best saleswoman?
We had to walk along a wooden walkway that was supposed to lead to the tour buses. Once out in the open area, we just had to do a left turn and head to the other side of the canal. Along this covered walk way, there were many people hawking jewellery, handicrafts and all sorts of souvenirs. A wooden set of chopsticks and place holders caught my eyes. It would be a perfect gift for my friends who have just moved into their own love nest.

It is quite amazing how the little girl (probably around 10 years old) realised what caught my eyes and quickly handed the set to me, and punched the price into a calculator. 1500B! Wow, that was really expensive! I was put off by this rip off, and quickly put the set back. What ensued made me uncomfortable.

“How much you want, tell me”, she held on firmly to my arm. I was quite take aback my this aggressive approach. I just said “No, thank you”, as firmly as I could. “1000B?” “No, thanks. I shook my head and tried to walk away. “750B?500B? Ok, ok 350B.” At this point of time out eye balls almost popped-out of our eye sockets!

Ok, we are poor bargain hunters. Instead of grabbing this relatively good dead (I am sure she could offer 250B as well), we shook our head, said our “No, thank you and walked off”. We are more indignant about the rip off than recognising the good bargain. Oh no, we failed to apply the basic principles of negotiation!

Read more about my experience in Damnoen Saduak:

1. Damnoen Saduak: The colourful floating market


2. Alfresco dining at Damnoen Saduak


3. Visiting Damnoen Saduak in a James Bond boat

Alfresco dining at Damnoen Saduak!

Alfresco dining at Damnoen Saduak!
We took a while to recover from our experience with the little girl and headed to the market again. We saw some locals indulging in alfresco riverside dining, tucking into noodles and ice-cream sold by women in boats. All that was needed was two wooden planks. One served as the table, the other as the seat.

Despite our hesitation about the hygiene standards (after the canal tour), we still could not resist trying the ice-cream. Oh, that was a once in a life time experience, one that will be forever etched in my mind- just like how I still have a mental picture of my first “sundae in flames” experience in Swensons’.

We ordered one cup of ice-cream each. She scooped out the ice-cream from some curious looking stainless steel bin into two small styrofoam cups, and put them in a net. The net look something which you use to scoop fishes out of an aquarium, and was attached with a long bamboo handle.

In one deft stroke-whoosh! The ice-cream appeared right before out eyes. We picked up the cups and placed 20B in the net. “Whoosh….” And our money was now safely in her pocket. Her “stunts” turned two “intellectuals” into giggling school-girls. Her ice-cream made us wanting more! However, she had paddled away, before I ordered my second scoop. In her place, someone selling fried bananas appeared. It is amazing how they could row around with a big wok of boiling oil.

Thai massage- just what I need now!

I want a good massage, a really good massage. I wish I am at a spa somewhere out there (Hua Hin will be nice!!) I am aching all over the past two weeks, thanks to my arthritis!

Images of spas start to float in my head and I think I am getting schizophrenic about spas and massages. Hua Hin, Banyan Tree Resort, The Datai...... wow! The Davis at Bangkok will be a good boutiques hotel choice too. Heard that they have a good spa!

You see, I am a sucker for a good massage, anytime but esp when my arthiritis and perhaps fibro was flaring up. Bangkok did what my doctors could not do. Yes, I spent a week in Bangkok and I got better! I did what most doctors who frown about. And I would not advise any arthritic to do what I did, it may really make you worse. Thai massage is not 'gentle massage'!

They offer awfully cheap and good quality massage in Bangkok. I remember getting the herbal massage in Wat Pho. It was painful in certain places when the massuer work on it. However, I had a nice distraction; I really enjoyed observing the Thais observing the caucasians or farangs. To see a petite lady working a man twice her size into a grimace is something that is funny? I am not sure, but I was surely amused. This 'entertainment' made me more relaxed.

When you are more relaxed during the massage and do not 'resist' the deep pressure your masseur is applying, the pain is less. I have also to learned to breath in and out based on the rhythm the massuer applied. Yes, I suspect that there is a rhythm. And you can see these small bodies actually rock with each pressure applied to intensify the strength. No wonder a Thai massage is supposed to be a 'dancelike' thing. You are expected to coordinate with your massuer and focus on the massage you are getting . If you do this, which I eventually learned and achieved, you get in to a very relaxed and almost meditative state.



At Wat Pho, they do not advise a daily massage, but I was just too much in pain and my muscles had tensed-up and bunch up like rocks. I am every massuer's night mare.

Thank goodness, I only need to spend about 300-400B daily, and I get 1-2 hours of massage everyday. I had alternate days in Wat Pho (I doubt they will entertain me daily, and I could explain to them why I needed everyday, since we did not speak a common language), and at the shop opposite my hotel.

Thai massage do wonders to your legs, especially your thighs. They cleverly bend your legs to different angles to reach those deep tissues. Painful at first, but it worked wonders. By the second or third massage, I could feel the muscles around my hips, knees and ankles loosen up. The hard knots or bands also dissapeared. I could not achieve the same effects with my regular Tui Na (chinese style massage), and also the Javanese massage, Balinese massage and Swedish massage.

The traditional Thai massage concentrate more on legs and the back. If your shoulders are killing you, I suggest getting an oil or aroma massage at your hotel spa or some more touristy place. I realised that these massuer pay more attention to head, shoulder and wrists, perhaps due to their experience with tourists. Those really 'traditional' places will work your legs and back more and less on your shoulder or wrists. They are particularly great after lots of walking. Is it due to the fact that 'traditionally, most people use these muscles more?

Whatever pain you have, try your best to communicate to them. Language may be a barrier, but i realised that most of them are really keen to help, and will look at whichever part you point to to examine and check whether you are in pain. After all, Thai massage is supposed to be a branch of medicine and you will notice that those massuers in Wat Pho and some other places will actually put their hands together and 'mumble' something before starting the massage. I am told that they are asking for their 'medicine deity' for clarity of mind to focus on 'healing' their 'patient' and also pray for your 'wellness'.

Got to end here... my arthritis is killing me again . I need a Thai massage ! ( not body masage).

This "Thai little boy" is now a dad!

I had been using Nattawud's(aka Gor) websites for my researching the places I travel to whenever I went to Bangkok, and to gain an insight into Thais' life. His website is one of the best online travel guides for Thailand.

To my suprise, I found out that he is now a dad at the ripe old age of 18, and have a two year old daughter. He is also a regular columnist in Bangkok Post every Tuesday, and work full time as managing his sites.

I remember this very cute chubby boy's 'school projects'- especially those featuring the amazing Ayuthaya and his life in Thailand. I was very impressed with the amaturish website then, for it was packed with observation and important facts, from the eyes of children who were trying to find out more about their own culture and history. His is definitely one of my favourite online travel guide providing very good and "sincere" information for the traveler.

That was the travel website that gave me to urgency to visit this ancient city, which ia about 1 hour plus away from Bangkok. The ruins in Ayuthaya is threatened by floods every raining season. With each flood, more damages are done to those 'ruins'.

Checklist for travelling to Bangkok

Travelling check list- what every woman should bring!

1. Credit card- better to bring both Visa and Mastercard. I have seen shops accepting on but not the other. Bring at least one credit card, it will come in handy when you suddenly see somthing gorgeous.
2. Cash! How much? depends on how much you want to shop. You need not do the exchange at the airport in your home country. There are plenty of little machines and kiosks in BKK airport for exchange purposes, and these give you good rates. Just insert your USD/SGD/RM and watch them turn to Bath!! Unless you are exchanging a lot of money, it is not worth the special trip to your favourite money changer. Tip... make sure you keep some cash in your hotel safe, we advise at least 1000B for your exit airport tax (500B), and cabfares + a little extra for last minute airport shopping. BKK is a place that we squeeze even the last Bath out of ''rational'' shoppers due to the good bargains. As I am a credit card person, I find that around 1000B per day is enough as a 'small change'.
3. Sunblock! Cap! sunglasses? Umbrella? Forget it... if it rains, your umbrella wll not help much. My favourite sunblock is Sunkiller, definitely the best in terms of coverage, and it is non-oily!
4. Disposable panties! It is worth investing in the ''cotton'' ones, although they are double the price of the ''paper'' ones.. you will definitely feel more secure and comfortable in it.
5. Camera!
6. Good comfortable pair of walking shoes/sandals. If you need to go to Grand Palace, make sure you bring along a pair of shoe which cover up your toes, they guards may not let you in if you are wearing your fav pair of TeV**sandals. But then again, this depends on whether you will be heading there straight or after doing some something.... read more about shoes in in my ''BIG WIDE feet -- the FEMALE BIG-FOOTs guide to getting pair of shoes in Cinderella land''
7. Disposable chopsticks! If you are very adventurous about road side food, and like me .. want to try EVERYTHING, and EVERY STALL which looks terribly crowded, bring one or two pairs of disposable chopsticks. While the washing standards done in the road side stalls are comparable or even better than many places in Singapore-Malaysia... let me warn you that they RECYCLE DISPOSABLE chopsticks!!!!!! It is not a exactly appetising to when you are handed a pair of dripping wet recycled chopsticks which had been washed in soapy water. Recycle chopsticks are permeable(do not have the coatings like your regular wooden chopsticks).
8. Wet Tissues (body and face) BKK is extremely hot and humid, and let me warn you , you will SWEAT big time and STINK. It will be quite embarassing to try out clothes in that state! The wet tissues how in really handy to give your self a wipe down. As my skin is pretty sensitive, I usually buy a small packet of baby wipes in Watsons or Guardian before heading there. This is something that you got to buy in your home country, in a place where you are familiar, and I suggest you try out these wipes first before you actually bring them there (Test whether you are sensitive to it, and try to buy something that is not fragranced). I tried to get it in BKK, and was really disappointed. I found them.. but they were in huge banded packaging... I guess mums always look for savings and bargains. Other than wiping myself, my baby wipes have also cleaned tables, chairs, toilet seat in my hotel room (yeah... I did that). It will also be handy when you REALLY need to do your big bussiness in a public toilet. (Note: This is not something impossible to happen... after eating so much!!)
9. A tiny bottle of soap/ one of your cheap facial cleanser samples- this is for washing your hands after going to toilets. Toilets in major tourist attractions and shopping centres are world class, but many of the lesser places do not have soap. To a foodie like me, my own bottle of soap will come in handy when I need to eat the tidbits that I bought, or use my fingers to pick up some nice food samples. (otherwise.. it is quite yucky to use your fingers after the toilet trip.... yucks.....)
10. Your phone charger/extra battery
11. A luggage that is at least 2/3 empty....to lug back all your stuff. I have seen may girls bringing the large size trolleys luggage there ... haha. Whether you want to bring extra bags depend on whether you want to get another piece. Luggage bags in BKK starts around 199B!
12. Clothes- skirts. I used to go for pants, but I realised that they are very useless when I need to try clothes!
13. Optional: Travel detergent n plastics hangers!-- if you like to travel extremely light like me, I think a small bottle will be very handy. I use it to wash the new T-shirts that I buy and also my sweaty smelly T-shirts. I usually bring 2-3 light weight and flat plastic hangers and put them at the bottom of my luggage. These do not take up space and will be useful to hang up your clothings. I do not like to use those wooden hangers in hotel rooms for my wet clothes or clothes that I need to wear....

If you got these things in your bag, I would say... relax and just go! You could almost buy anything you want/need in BKK! wait.. how about toothpaste and toothbrushes? If you paid USD25+ for your hotel room, you should have it there. What happens if you do not see it in your room?? Just call the housekeeper-- ask and you will get it.. FREE. Yeah... you might need to ask for your paper slippers too.

Well actually you need not bring anything but your cash and credit card :D

Here is a different travel check list for cold and wet November London: Travel checklist for Nov London

Other household things to shop about!

My biggest regrets (what I did not buy.. or did not buy enough)
Most of these are handicrafts unique to Thailand.

1) Scented candles-- those that can float in water to create a spa like ambience. It costs only around 100B, (you can bargain to 70 or 80B) for 10. Can get at night market , MBK or JJ.

2) Chopsticks set: They have this very nicely lacqured sets. I guess I was really put off by the girls attitude and missed a good bargain. It was an intricate set, and she offered me 3200B (wow!). I told her no way, and she offered 1500B. I was really appalled and the she would let me have it at 750B. I was more shocked than anything by then... she offered me 350B. Shucks... I should have bought it!!!! It is so much more beautiful that those sets which go for more than 20-30SGD!!

3) Water feature: I was lazy to bring them back, cos they could be quite heavy. But now that I am not there I realised that you get better choices there!

4) Towels: This is so 'auntie'; but the stalls in JJ are main distributors for towels! You get really good quality and nice towels there! We bought from a corner shop and each towel was around 200B (did not bargain). The towels turned up to be much better than those that I obtained in Singapore ... for only about 50% of the price here.

5) Lamps: Yes, lamps! Again, lazy to carry and hoped that the designs will be here soon. It never arrived. If you cannot get the whole thing, just get the lampshades and use it to replace your cheap and common table lamp from IKe* :)

6) Paintings, art pieces : there are so many creative things there.. things that you do not see out of Thailand yet. There is something that will definitely make you feel like buying! I fell in love with the salt and pepper sets. Check out those pewter sets!

7) Fine ceramics: Yes, they have really good ones there. You can get this at SL might market and MBK too. I was really attracted to the ''bowl'' like thing, but decided not to buy when suddenly reminded that it look like an urn holder... hmmm have been watching too many horror shows

hint: Thinking of getting a gift for someone? Bangkok is a handicraft haven. There are so much variety in Thailand, and at a cheap price. I suggest you check handicraft websites such as Productthailand.com or other sites in the internet. See what are the pieces that your friends/family like. These sites also frequently list the places where you can get the products, and give you more information about it.

Shopping for home furnishing in Bangkok

If you are thinking of getting a gift from Bangkok for your mum, aunts or all your house proud friends, cushion covers are a safe bet. These are really beautiful, with a wide variety of designs and materials. They also do not burst your wallet nor your baggage allowance..

Cushion covers brighten up your homes, cover up your coffee spills and it is really really cheap!!!!!

I thought that these two silverish-blue cushion covers are really cool! Really look modern and not going to look dated at all. Some more it is silk leh...

Price? 150B per piece.
But this nosy woman have been enjoying the bargaining strategy of a true blue Hong Kong 'si lai' (teh less rich equivalent of Tai Tai), and she managed to get it down to 70B per piece for silk cushion cover! Where to get? We suggest trying the night market! JJ and MBK have this too.. but JJ will really be hot.. you will give up bargaining and MBK cannot give you too rock bottom price. Any comments from readers?


This pair of cotton covers have intricate design.. price? Not too sure...I think my mum would love it! Great gift for your aunties too.

And every one is gonna be tempted to buy something like this. There are lots of much more beautiful designs, and it come in many sizes. Price starts from around 150B depending on size and design. JJ market got the most choices (as far as I know). However... do not be tempted.... it is HEAVY! You can get one from City Square (JB)for about 20% more.. but it is worth it. I would not take up my luggage capacity this! Oh ya.. must also tell you that I do not find it very comfortable if you sit there long.

JJ market-- getting everything there? Forget it.

This is a quick post for my lucky friend who is jetting to Thailand. The posts here are mainly for first time visitors, or the 'high-class' gals with deep pockets and have been buying the more expensive things. There are really lots of cheap, good and beautiful things in Bangkok to shop for!

When you go to Thailand and you shop, you must plan too! Even with a tall, dark and handsome(?) husband in tow, I could not carry all that I wanted to buy from JJ market. So do not assume that you will be able to manage if you really want to BUY and BUY, especially when you have just shifted to a new home and a first time visitor.

In Thailand, you will be so tempted to turn your home in to a spa, with everything so beautiful and affordable! It is very disgusting to know that the small zen like water feature that you have been lusting after sells for 1/3 to 1/2 of its usual price in Bangkok.. before you even before started your bargaining!

As far as possible, get some stuff from the other markets you are visiting and you will be spared some bargaining under the terrible heat in Chatuchak market. This is the weekend market in the world and you can really shop till you drop without burning a hole in you rmarket. You might want to try getting some small home furnishings, T-shirts, some spices, cute little things that are perfect to shop for when your hubby is not going with you. You can really take your time shopping for them and enjoy it!

And yes, bring CASH for you trips to JJ market. Most stalls there do not accept credit cards.