+ Bangkok | More Shopping

Woke up at 6:30am and got ready to attack the shops after breakfast at the hotel.

On Saturday, most shops opened at 10am. Our half-day city tour was at 10:30am, so we whiled our time walking along the streets around the hotel until we were followed around by a pesky "tuk-tuk" driver.

Since we never experienced the ride, we caved in and took the "tuk-tuk" - a modified motorbike that could seat 4 people to bring us around the few blocks. He suggested a few places, but time did not permit as the traffic jams were sure to hold us up.

We decided on Gems Gallery - National Jewellery Centre, run by the Thai government. There, my wife had a great time admiring the many beautiful jewelleries, but could not pass on the Thai silk blouses. She bought two for 2,200 Bhat. The driver got a diesel coupon for bringing tourists there. He was very grateful to us.

Came back a different route, with some navigating help from the driver, we then knew how easy it was to actually move around Bangkok.

First Hotel, where we stayed-in was located on Phetchaburi Road, two bus stops away from Pratunam, a garment wholesale centre in between Baiyoke Suites and Baiyoke Sky Hotel, an impressive 88-storey high tower.

The BTS Sky Train nearest station called Ratchathewi Station, was a ten-minute walk to the right of our hotel. The train could take us to either Chatuchak Park Station where the infamous Chatuchak Market - Thai's largest weekend market is located, or the other direction, National Stadium Station where MBK is located - an uptown shopping centre.

We could also alight at Si Lom Station in Patpong for the night market and the other attraction, famous for the men, the bars and pubs and the infamous Thai Girls. The place started bustling with life at around 8 to 9pm, until 2 to 4am the next morning.

Finally got to meet the Thai tour agent, Kathy. Surprised we were not pooled together with the rest of the tour group who left us the airport. She gave us a tour herself instead of her tour guide in her car instead. On the way, she exhaustively explained the justification of leaving us at the airport under the pressure of group.

She also told us that Singapore agents included complimentary half-day tours to only entry-free sites like temples and markets, never at least to a paid attraction.

The normal options would have been the Thai Elephant Shows, The Crocodile Shows, The Thai Palace and their Water Theme Park or even a Calypso Show - a transvestite cabaret show. We settled for just shopping for wholesale goods. Yes, a bumber for our son, and me?

Pratunam and Chatuchak were Kathy's immediate reply. She took us to Gems Gallery again, and later arranged a free shuttle service the gallery provided to Chatuchak.

Wow! Was our reaction. The market was massive with little 6 to 8-square feet stalls, all clustered together in thousands, leaving a small passageway in between to squeeze through. You can practically find everything sold there. That was the shopping haven definitely for the ladies.

We got many bargains there and off we went to the Sky Train at Chatuchak Station headed for MBK. Had to see what was the fuss about this "Orchard Road" of Thailand.

We had to pass 6 stops with a change on the 5th at Siam Station to another line and alighted at National Stadium Station. It cost 35 Bhat or S$1.45 each to get there.

Nice and modern train, reminiscent of our earlier MRT stations, with its magnetic tickets and slot gates. Even nicer view from the four-storey high tracks. Noticed the station platform was a lot longer than the train, so we could never know where the train would stop along the platform.

At MBK Center, we finally get to sample the halal Thai dish we kept seeing being sold along the roadsides with normal working Thais slurping their meals surruptiously.

The halal Beef & Noodles Stall was on the 6th floor where the large foodcourt was located. We had to change Thai Bhat with coupons to buy food and drinks. The remaining coupons could be refunded back within the same day.

Did some window shopping after lunch. The place reeked of top-of-the-line merchandise, something like Orchard Road in Singapore, with the fancy department stores like Tokyu and all the famous brands you can think of.

We did not spent time shopping there since there was nothing unique about it. We went back to out hotel to rest and perform our daily prayers before we ventured out again.

This time, Pratunam!

Our son stayed behind in the room. We were out at 6:30pm. Noticed the makeshift pushcarts already started packing for the day alongside the pavement. We missed the buzz.

Pratunam was to the left of our hotel, we walked along Phetchaburi Road and took to the small alley on Soi Phetchaburi 21. Again, many makeshift pushcarts and some shops already called it a day. Most closed at 6pm.

A few fashion jewellery shops that were still open. Thank goodness they were wholesalers too. Got a few contacts for future purchases.

There, we found our first garment shop that had our taste for ladies blouses. Changed more Thai Bhats at Baiyoke Suite money changer across the street, for the blouses.

While choosing the blouses, we noticed new droves of makeshift pushcart vendors filling-up the roadsides and pavements. Setting-up their pushcarts with accurate locality in unmarked spots, leaving a weaving lane for cars to slowly pass through. An exhuberant sight to behold as the vendors rushed to set-up with much zest.

Night came and the whole place that was a dark alley before, now changed to a bright lively and happening night market right before your very eyes! The magic of "Thai Retail Industry", I think.