book01

Chapter 2
Welcome to Bang Cock!

I should mention if you have a laptop computer, bring it with you to Pantip. That way they can load the software right onto your hard drive. Otherwise, when you leave Pantip, how will you know the programs you purchased are up and running properly on your computer?

Probably one of the most popular places to shop for tourists during the evening is Patpong. (Yes, that's where all the bars with the raunchy sex shows are). Go there after 7 p.m. (closes after midnight) for the best in Bangkok's outdoor night bizarre. Here you will find a huge selection of watches, Thai silk, pirated cassettes and videos, and a host of other fake name brand items (sunglasses, jewelry, hats, games, toys, etc.). Be sure to bargain with the vendors as the prices the vendor will quote you are inflated. Usually, you can get the item of your choice for about half of what the vendor first quotes.

Malboonkong is one of the most popular shopping malls for local Thais. You won't see many tourists coming here, but you will see an incredible array of clothing items and other products at a very reasonable price. To get to Malboonkong, have the hotel write out in Thai the name for the taxi driver. It's about a twenty minute ride from the Nana or Crown hotel, depending on traffic. Best time to go is in the early afternoon when traffic is light (or on Saturday or Sunday anytime). I bought a pair of Nike shoes for about $20 and

several good quality shirts and shorts, each at about $4. Malboonkong is also where I bought my F-60 Nikon camera which I used to shoot most of the photos in this book.

If you came to Bangkok to shop and missed Pratunam, all I can say is you really missed it. Pratunam undoubtedly has the best shopping deals in Bangkok. Most of the shops are right on the noisy and polluted streets or in the muggy hallways that never seem to end. If you want to shop in an air conditioned, beautifully adorned mall, Pratunam is certainly not the place to gQ. But if you want the best deals and lowest prices in Thailand, this is the place. To get to Pratunam, have the hotel desk write out in Thai the name for the taxi. It's a short fifteen minute ride from the Nana or Crown. Provided you don't wait till after 3 p.m. when the traffic is at a stand still. Then it will take about an hour to get there.

The Robinson's department store is located on Sukumvit, Soi 17. Here you will find good old McDonald's, a great supermarket with fast food restaurants (downstairs in the basement), an ATM machine and money exchange booth, and lots of shops to keep you busy.