Into Thailand - Are we in Reno?

Thailand and Cambodia have an interesting agreement with each other at the border where we crossed in poipet. It seems the "neutral zone" is much larger than other border crossings I have been across, large enough even for 6 casinos. Are we in Reno? See, gambling is legal in Cambodia but not Thailand and if the casino's are in the neutral zone rich Thai tourists can visit the casino without having to buy the $25 Cambodian Visa. Both countries share taxes, everyone wins. I popped onto one of the gaming floors while Sarah used their facilities and it was 80% baccarat which helped to facilitate our next move, crossing into Thailand. The Thai border guards where maybe the friendliest I'd ever met. They were giving us all sorts of info on the town near the border, tips on taking the train, where to stay in Bangkok, all sorts. We'd been planning on taking a train from there but as we walked though customs we saw buses so I enquired. Destination Bangkok, 3 hours, 3 quid, job done. The decor though of the bus could have come straight from the Peppermill. Are we in Reno? Arriving late into Bangkok, 11pm, was almost like being inside a video game. Neon lights everywhere, taxi cabs were suped up Toyotas, the natural gas powered

tuc-tuc's had their mufflers punched out so they have a beefy motorcycle sound. Though the bus dropped us in a very random part of town we were easily able to find one of these taxis and he chauffeured us speedily through the traffic. We checked a few rooms out and although 12 pounds a night, the location is much better than the backpacker area and a mall opposite, we took it. Slightly hungry and tired from our long journey we ventured out to the street to find nothing open. We did find one beacon of salvation though. Oh thank heaven 7-11! Much to Val's disgust we found ourselves dining on hot dogs that had been warming for a few hours too many though they hit the spot.

Next morning after another long lie in, these seem to happen after long journeys overland, we hit the malls. First the one across the street where I found a great camera shop and have the camera I want at a decent price, depending on exchange rate. Then diagonally across the intersection there was a string of 3 very ritzy malls all connected to each other. They were very nice as they had the first Christmas music and decorations we had seen, though in the sun was burning down on our faces. Down the street more malls, had lunch in one with a great food court and a deli to rival Harrods.

We did even more walking after lunch but then jumped on the above ground metro, they call the sky train, to the main train station. We were there to enquire about tickets but could have eaten a meal though still full from lunch. The selection of food stalls in the place was amazing. From traditional Thai to German sausages wrapped in bacon, dunkin doughnuts, ice cream you name it. And whats more it all looked good and filled the are with some sort of "come eat me" scent.

That evening we had a walk though the seedy sex show part of town and while it could have been titilating but tasteful, as it is in Amsterdam, it was just Tacky. Later we found a "London Pub" with pricey beers, had one then hit the sack.


Dec 5th is the kings birthday and the Thai's make Independence Day look like a Tea party. Everyone, young, old, cool, lame, hip, square, everyone was wearing a yellow t-shirt to celebrate his birthday. There was a parade, fireworks and most people had the day off. This made it very interesting for walking anywhere though we did. Chinatown was mostly shut but still cool with lots of weird smells. We also saw a massive Buddha, no belly though, that was laying on his side. 23m tall if upright. Also after checking the exchange rate, from cash that we had withdrawn while crossing the border, we found it to be very good and I bought my camera. I had very average Pad Thai for lunch(spicy rice noodles with peanut) while Sarah had a rocking beef, onion and pepper with rice dish.