It’s safe to say that Bangkok can overwhelm even the most experienced traveller. So our group of seven, full of wild elation, stood absolutely no chance. While there are plenty of culturally awakening and unique things to do in the Thai capital, we’d ‘been there, done that’ before and had our minds set on more frivolous fun.
Two open-bar Etihad flights usher us here on 9 November, for the start of my three month South East Asian journey. Our excitement to get to Everyday Hostel @ Khaosan and unpack was only limited slightly by heavy congestion at immigration and the phenomena that is Friday night traffic. I'm talking solid rush-hour traffic jams at 9pm.
At the hostel we were greeted by a very mischievous receptionist who mocked our Mancunian accents before showing us to a ten bed mixed dorm. The rooms were basic but clean and the showers powerful and warm (which isn’t common in hostels). Within the hour we were refreshed, changed and supping on the first bottle of Chang.
Two open-bar Etihad flights usher us here on 9 November, for the start of my three month South East Asian journey. Our excitement to get to Everyday Hostel @ Khaosan and unpack was only limited slightly by heavy congestion at immigration and the phenomena that is Friday night traffic. I'm talking solid rush-hour traffic jams at 9pm.
At the hostel we were greeted by a very mischievous receptionist who mocked our Mancunian accents before showing us to a ten bed mixed dorm. The rooms were basic but clean and the showers powerful and warm (which isn’t common in hostels). Within the hour we were refreshed, changed and supping on the first bottle of Chang.
The Everyday reception area had beanbags, hammocks and even a PS4; perfect for sinking a few quiet beers ahead of the oncoming storm. Feeling suitably warmed up, we embarked on the short walk to Khaosan Road – a sort of backpacker Mecca.
An inevitable part of the experience is being accosted by old ladies selling risqué wristbands, ping pong show reps, or dodgy blokes with scorpions on a stick. It wasn’t long before one friend was munching on the latter. Luckily there was no sign and therefore temptation from any tazer salesman – which proved to be a major attraction on my previous visit.
An inevitable part of the experience is being accosted by old ladies selling risqué wristbands, ping pong show reps, or dodgy blokes with scorpions on a stick. It wasn’t long before one friend was munching on the latter. Luckily there was no sign and therefore temptation from any tazer salesman – which proved to be a major attraction on my previous visit.
Unlike my last visit, the street was full to capacity and swelling with drunken people dancing. The rabble meant there was little to no point in fighting our way inside the bars, save for a trip to the restroom, but fortunately beers were being sold on the street for just 80 baht (£1.98). Buckets of ruthless strong Sangsom (mutant rum) and mixer are also on offer for a very tempting 250 baht (£6.21).
After several slow circuits, a few dances to terrible techno, and some chats with fellow travellers or locals, the majority of us decided to retire to the hostel. Via McDonalds of course - which was where we found one member of the group, who'd wandered off, covered in tyre marks. Another returned at 10.30am with no phone or recollection of the evening.
Miraculously no one woke with a hangover, but we did cash in a lie-in after such lengthy travel. Eventually hunger got the better of us and we and we headed out to sample the local culinary delights on Rambuttri Alley. I opted for a personal favourite of mine at Macaroni Club: Pineapple fried rice, served with cashews, chicken, pork and carrots in a hollowed out pineapple. Delicious.
After several slow circuits, a few dances to terrible techno, and some chats with fellow travellers or locals, the majority of us decided to retire to the hostel. Via McDonalds of course - which was where we found one member of the group, who'd wandered off, covered in tyre marks. Another returned at 10.30am with no phone or recollection of the evening.
Miraculously no one woke with a hangover, but we did cash in a lie-in after such lengthy travel. Eventually hunger got the better of us and we and we headed out to sample the local culinary delights on Rambuttri Alley. I opted for a personal favourite of mine at Macaroni Club: Pineapple fried rice, served with cashews, chicken, pork and carrots in a hollowed out pineapple. Delicious.
With our bellies full, we contemplated what to do with the rest of the day and evening over a few more bottles of Chang. Two of us decided to postpone the mayhem and visit a gallery we’d seen advertised in Instagram.
Surreal cartoonist (‘Sir’) Joan Cornellà happened to be holding an exhibition at Woof Pack in the heart of Bangkok. As a fan of his comically unsettling artwork, it was a no-brainer at just 200 baht (£4.95) a ticket. The showcase touched on lots of taboo subjects and social issues, such as poverty, war, addiction and suicide; yet provided unequivocal entertainment and plenty of laughter.
Surreal cartoonist (‘Sir’) Joan Cornellà happened to be holding an exhibition at Woof Pack in the heart of Bangkok. As a fan of his comically unsettling artwork, it was a no-brainer at just 200 baht (£4.95) a ticket. The showcase touched on lots of taboo subjects and social issues, such as poverty, war, addiction and suicide; yet provided unequivocal entertainment and plenty of laughter.
I was equally impressed with the playlist, which featured Fools Gold by Stone Roses among many other staple Manchester tracks. We had actually timed it perfectly to meet Joan himself, but a lengthy queue of selfie-seeking fan boys and girls meant we left after offering a simple thumb up for his efforts. His trademark cartoon face remains stuck to my phone as a cheerful reminder.
Our lift back was courtesy of a tuk-tuk driven by the Thai Evel Knievel. With no seatbelts and a thin mesh on one side as protection, those things aren’t built for safety; especially not when the driver kept shouting ‘wheelie’, sending our bodies reeling backwards and hearts into our mouths. Admittedly it was entertaining, for the first four or five times.
Our lift back was courtesy of a tuk-tuk driven by the Thai Evel Knievel. With no seatbelts and a thin mesh on one side as protection, those things aren’t built for safety; especially not when the driver kept shouting ‘wheelie’, sending our bodies reeling backwards and hearts into our mouths. Admittedly it was entertaining, for the first four or five times.
When we met up with the rest of the gang, who were several more beers deep, they were keen on checking out the seediness of Soi Cowboy. That meant another twenty minute tuk tuk ride; though ours was pimped out for disco, with a Bluetooth speaker. The driver got a royal education in some top tunes as he battled to beat the other driver carrying our friends.
Soi Cowboy was as debauched as expected, with immediate harassment from girls (presumably) outside the numerous strip clubs and go-go bars. Eventually we settled on one for a drink, but in no way a cheap one at a minimum of 200 baht (£4.97) for a small Chang bottle.
Soi Cowboy was as debauched as expected, with immediate harassment from girls (presumably) outside the numerous strip clubs and go-go bars. Eventually we settled on one for a drink, but in no way a cheap one at a minimum of 200 baht (£4.97) for a small Chang bottle.
As we occupied the majority of a table we managed to swerve the advances of most of the girls, but watched on in amusement at the cringe-worthy behaviours of many older, western men. One guy in his sixties had two girls hanging on his every word as he caressed the thigh of a third.
With high costs and a sordid atmosphere, we soon sought a tuk tuk back to Khaosan, to see out the night with more shenanigans on the packed out street. Luckily no one went missing this time, though one friend learnt just how powerful the 10 baht (25p) red bulls from 7-Eleven can be. His heart rate still hasn’t slowed down.
Back at the hostel we chatted until the small hours with other guests and watched Tony Bellew’s defeat to Oleksandr Usyk. We managed to recruit a fellow Man City fan on to our flight to Phuket that upcoming afternoon.
As daylight started to break, we retired to bed still exhilarated by what the next three months had in store. After all, 'one night in Bangkok and the world's your oyster' - we'd done two. Any search for culture would probably have to wait a bit longer though as the Manchester Derby awaited us at our next destination.
With high costs and a sordid atmosphere, we soon sought a tuk tuk back to Khaosan, to see out the night with more shenanigans on the packed out street. Luckily no one went missing this time, though one friend learnt just how powerful the 10 baht (25p) red bulls from 7-Eleven can be. His heart rate still hasn’t slowed down.
Back at the hostel we chatted until the small hours with other guests and watched Tony Bellew’s defeat to Oleksandr Usyk. We managed to recruit a fellow Man City fan on to our flight to Phuket that upcoming afternoon.
As daylight started to break, we retired to bed still exhilarated by what the next three months had in store. After all, 'one night in Bangkok and the world's your oyster' - we'd done two. Any search for culture would probably have to wait a bit longer though as the Manchester Derby awaited us at our next destination.