Thailand Part 1

THAILAND PART 1 - PATTAYA

So yes, most of you had prolly made the correct guess by now..
I was in Thailand the last weekend and on Monday and Tuesday

Not my first time going to Thailand but oh what bliss i tell you! Honestly, i've always been captivated by Thailand rich culture. Putting aside how amazingly Bangkok is every shopper's utopia, let's discuss history, can we..?

The very reason as to why i have a soft spot for this country was due to that i was a History student before, and it was my favourite subject (shidah if you are reading this, you would remember the days how diligent we were when we studied for History exams), and Thailand history in particular had always been my favourite chapter, not only because i can easily score well on this chapter but i adore the intricates facts of Thailand politics, the rise and fall, the revolutions that had occured, how they presevered their independence (Thailand had never fall into the hands of foreign power, unlike its SEA neighbours), and of course the life and drama of the royal family!

I've always (note how i kept using 'i've always'?) been intrigued by the relationship between King Mongkut and Anna Leonowens, although many argued that the romance between them maybe just a fiction after all, i cant help but being swayed about how interesting it was, due to that its a no wonder that i love watching both versions of the movie potraying their lives, 'The King and I' as well as 'Anna and The King'..

Anyways back to present, the saga of Thailand politics continues with the recent controversy of the PM Thaksin Shinawatra causes uproar in many citizens over there, apparently its his own best friend that turn him in after Thaksin refused to offer his help when the best friend came to him with his business problem. So when Temasek Holdings was going to buy most of Shin Corp shares, all hell break loose, people going on strike outside Singapore Embassy, a car blast outside Thaksin's home, and people asking Thaksin to step down.

Obviously my family was very concerned about the situation in Bangkok but luckily the affected area was quite far away. Thus i must say, our time there was fully enjoyable. It was so enjoyable that i will love to write down every single moment that was worthwhile duriing my stay, and hence im going to (heh well not everything la)!! Since for sure to jot everything down in one entry is so ridiculous i shall break it into a couple of several parters.

Here goes..

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I spent 4 days and 3 nights, with my journey starting over in Pattaya. It was a long drive from Bangkok International Airport. Lunch was at a halal restaurant at the outskirts of Bangkok, it was the start of 'Tom-Yum galore' (which then will be another entry altogether), we then made our way to Nong Nooch Village,saw the thai's cultural dance performance as well as a mock muay thai fight!Very interesting! Oh and how could i not forget, the elephants show, which was adorable and entertaining! So adorable that i wanted to bring one of the babies home la!


Thai dance performance


Muay Thai






Looking grand and majestic

And by the time we reached our hotel in Pattaya Golden Beach Hotel it was almost evening. Freshen up before we left for dinner by the beach, it was absolute wonderful! With the smoky aroma hanging in the air, charcoal crackling, huge prawns, calamaris, fish, chicken and beef kebabs were being barbequed, we bask in the pleasant surroundings made it more special with amazing companionship. After stuffing ourselves to our hearts content my family took a stroll by the beach..


A desolate stall along the roadside by the Pattaya beach.

Pattaya, in my experience for just being there a night, was such a laid back place, people lounging around, kids playing by the beach although its already so dark, the thais grooving to the music by the road side, friendly people (take note, because im going to quote this line quite often), quaint shops to browse through, places to shop which i was careful enough not to splurge anything (saving it for major blow-up in bangkok). Actually come to think of it, its kinda similar to Bali minus the hot bod surfers that is..

I woke up to a beautiful sunrise, withnessing it on my hotel room balcony was so breath-taking! It may not be coming out from a valley or mountainous area, but watching it rise amidst the concrete jungle with a crane standing at the corner still
left me in awe


Sunrise






View from the other side of the balcony,looking upon the vast ocean..

As soon as we had our breakfast, all of us from the tour agency (did i mention my family was following a group tour?heh), set out for journey back to bangkok but after our last visit to the beach for photo taking, as well as a stopover at World's biggest Gems Gallery that made my mama and me weak in the knees! Diamonds rubies precious stones everywhere!!!I could have bought a dazzling dangling earrings but i underestimate my mind power all this while i could actually resist impulsive shopping, spending my money in Bangkok would be more satisfying..and that did it!


Speedboats along the beach

Bangkok day 2, to be continued..

**Psst the highlight of my Pattaya trip would have to be the moment when i actually shook hands with Orang Utan!! Oh my god,i was terrified at first just in case it will jump on me or something but my dad's casual self stroking the animal did it! The palm of the Orang Utan was quite smooth,was expecting it to be quite rough and hard, and yeps i got a wet kiss from it, and dare i say no man i repeat 'NO MAN' has ever been a gentleman enough to kiss my hand! Hhaha the first time and it had to be from an Orang Utan!?
Oh well,consider it a blessing of some sort,no..?