MensXpert.com - A Bangkok Weekend

Bangkok, Thailand’s capital city, welcomes more tourists than any other city in Southeast Asia. And if you think that the visitors converge only to sample authentic Thai cuisine, marvel at the picturesque Buddhist temples and shrines or to ogle at the luxurious splendor of the grand Palace, think again. The city certainly offers these treasures, breathtaking enough to send a seasoned tourist into raptures. But if you plan to leave Bangkok without indulging in its purely sinful offerings, you had no business being there in the first place. That’s right!

You decide to head out with your friends for a weekend of fun and frolic - preferably without your significant other. Maybe your friends love you enough to throw a bachelor’s party in your honor at the ultimate bachelor’s haven - Bangkok. Or you’ve worked hard through the year and spent day after day in morbid conferences and now want some time off. Bangkok, with its wild and rowdy reputation and decadent reality, offers something to satiate all kinds of desires. And how! A weekend seems like too short a time to enjoy the indulgent offerings. But if that’s all you have, sin in style, so to say.

Bangkok - Get Used to Chaos

As you drive out of the Suvarnabhumi airport, take in the sights and sounds of the controlled chaos that represents Bangkok. The busy streets and loud ambiance will threaten to overpower your senses, but acclimatize yourself well. And quickly. Remember, you only have a weekend. This is just a hint of what is to come later. Depending upon the depth of your pockets, check yourself into one of the luxury accommodations in the GlassTower district, or head towards the relatively modest lodges and guest houses.

Although Bangkok is similar to Las Vegas in being a 24-hour city, the hint of the night life is still a few hours away. You might be tempted to utilize this time to gawk at the GrandPalace or enjoy a ride in one of the royal boats. But remember, this trip is about decadence, a sinful indulgence of your senses and not about sightseeing. And what could be better than to succumb to your material senses and indulge in shopping?

Shopping Extravaganza

Bangkok is a shopper’s haven. Mostly, its women who are associated with frenzied shopping. But beware! Bangkok will turn you into a shopkeeper’s delight too. You are liable to find almost every western brand at a price so low that your mind will go happily numb. Tailor made clothes are a must buy. If you have been looking for a jacket with the perfect cut or an elusive suit which you can carry off with aplomb, this is the place to get it. Most clothing establishments take only a few hours turnaround time to tailor clothes to your taste. And believe me, the price will suit your wallet. Some of the shopping areas that are worth a mention are Siam Square, Rama I Road, Silom Road, and Rama IV Road.

A weekend visit to Bangkok is not complete without visiting the Chatuchak weekend market- one of the world’s largest flea markets with more than 15,000 stalls. It is widely believed that if you don’t find something in this market, you may not find it anywhere else in Thailand. Time to test that claim, do you think? At Chatuchak, a mind boggling array of wares wait to tempt you - clothes, shoes, bags, eateries, handicrafts, traditional Thai silk stoles, live animals. This is a good place to stock up on clothes and souvenirs; you’ll not find a better bargain elsewhere. Walk through the maze which is the market, with a drink in your hand and a meat savoury in your mouth. Ah! Such is life!

Another shopping destination that you should not give a miss is the ‘Floating Market’. Unique to Bangkok, these markets comprise of sellers who pack their wares onto little boats along the waterways. Take a leisurely walk along the canals, perusing through the wares which range from flowers, fruits, spices, and souvenirs to clothes. If you do decide to buy something, awaken the sleeping bargain-hunter inside you. Haggle with a smile, and more often than not, you might be able to pick up something nice - a Thai silk stole which is just right for that special someone.

Massage Your Woes Away

If shopping left you with painful feet and tired limbs, then Bangkok has just the remedy to invigorate you. Give your sinful weekend a boost with a traditional Thai massage. Remember, you are in the land that invented the Thai massage - the ‘lazy man’s yoga’. A traditional Thai massage is not only rejuvenating, it’s also extremely affordable. Ranging from 300 Baht to 500 Baht, the one hour long session of pummeling, kneading and stretching is quite a steal.

If you are inherently unmotivated towards yoga and struggle to contort your body into seemingly healthful postures, a traditional Thai massage is just right for you. With this massage, you get all the benefits of yoga without having to lift a finger under your own steam. While the massage therapist does the work, all you have to do is lie back and soak in the pleasure. While most hotels have an in house massage service, a walk along Sukhumvit Road will offer you more choices.

A Word Of caution

Select the massage parlor with care. Many parlors in Bangkok are associated with sleaze, something the faint-hearted could do without. However, if you are the adventurous sort looking for a discreet and sensual experience, ask your tuk-tuk or cab driver to take you to one of the ‘full body massage parlors’. Be prepared to fork out a price of 1000 Baht upwards for a two hour session which will include drinks, a massage, and a leisurely bath with a little extra something thrown in! And what do you know, you haven’t encouraged anything illegal! It’s all above board and legal. Only in Bangkok!

Boogie All Night Long

If shopping left you exhausted, and the traditional Thai massage brought the zing back into your tired soul, the night life is Bangkok will leave you speechless. Literally!

Get everything out of the way and relax as much as you can during the day, because once you hit the night spots in Bangkok, you won’t be getting much sleep. The night life in Bangkok offers a mind numbing range-western style pubs, hostess bars, go-go bars, cocktail lounges, super clubs, and cheap street side bars. You are sure to find something to suit your eclectic taste in music as well - jazz, hip-hop, trance, chart music, Thai music, and rock.

Start slow; knock back a couple of drinks in the bars along Khao San road and Sukhumvit Road. Hit the dance floor and burn the drinks away before you pub hop. Most night clubs are open as late as 2 am, and some open only after 3 am. It is literally a long, all night party.

If you are a veteran clubber, and find the idea of bar hopping, drinking and dancing, way too sedate for your taste, head to one of the many yo-yo bars. Loathed by the proponents of the feminist movement, the yo-yo bar phenomenon is one of Bangkok’s extremely popular attractions. While the yo-yo bar scene is tamer today when compared to the naughty 80’s, it is still sinful enough to lure men looking for a night of fun.

Women have a way of being the ultimate indulgence, don’t they? A sinful weekend wouldn’t be complete without getting to see skimpily clad women dancing under bright lights, leaving nothing to imagination! To get the most bang for your buck, make sure you settle into a yo-yo bar where the ladies are doing more than just listless dancing. Many yo-yo bars offer improvisations such as theme parties, where the girls are dressed to give life to a theme. The yo-yo bars are mainly concentrated around NanaEntertainmentPlaza, Soi Cowboy and Patpong.

Bangkok is known for its sleaze and legal sex trade. You have to make sure you know what your limitations and tastes are. Don’t get turned off by the sleaze, take it in as a part of the culture of Bangkok. What you might find sleazy or over-the top might appeal to group of young men in a stag party.

A Boxing Finale

Not had enough of shopping and clubbing? Still raring to go? Oh well! You might as well take in a bit of Thai boxing. A little bit of violent action to add to the extravagance. You can enjoy Thai-boxing, a popular sport in Thailand, in one of the several stadiums in Bangkok. To see the action up close, splurge 1500 Baht on ringside seats. Although it may appear to be a violent sport, it is difficult not to get enraptured by the hypnotic beat of drums at the opening ceremony, the traditional prayers offered by the boxers, and the hard kicks and punches thrown at the opponents. You are sure to feel your adrenaline pumping.

Time will fly in Bangkok, and a weekend will seem like too short a time to enjoy all the indulgences that Bangkok has to offer. Whether it was your last lap of freedom before getting hitched, or a break from your monotonous routine of work, Bangkok will make the weekend memorable - for a lifetime!

Travel Tips

o While walking through the Chatuchak weekend market, keep a watch out for your belongings. The crowded environ of the market makes it a hotspot for pickpockets.

o To enjoy the nightlife, remember to keep your identification on you at all times. In a bid to make the after hours a safer experience, bar owners require identification to let you into the bar.

o Transvestites or Katoeys or Lady Boys frequent yo-yo bars and night clubs. A little bit of awareness about the local culture will go a long way in saving you some trouble and embarrassment.

o Taxis are common, but taxi drivers are rather competitive. Remember to settle the price before you get into a taxi.