I had a chat with a Singaporean friend staying at Bangkok for 2 years. Both of us were amazed by the Thais, particularly on their accepting culture no matter who you are and who you like.

I just returned from Bangkok and it was just so unfortunate that the Thai King Bhumibol just passed away recently.

Black and white cloth everywhere

It was one of my work trips to Bangkok and a tiring Monday after my arrival there. Work ended early and I was deciding where to go for dinner alone. I usually go to Central World for dinner as I could take my pick on Nara Thai, Maisen or many other restaurants. It's a good place to relax and walk around or people watch.


The land of smiles turned to land of fear and trepidation

Shop and eat and shop and eat. That's basically what you do when you go Bangkok and staying in Pullman G makes it convenient. I did some research on the top food to try and here are my reviews:

Street food is always the best! (Source: wikipedia)

A real shopping heaven for cheap bargains... that's Bangkok. However, my Thai friends think that Singapore is a better place to shop.... Oh well, distant pastures always look greener. If you are taking a taxi to go around, do read this guide. A few places that you must visit:

Lovely Bangkok at night (Source: wikipedia)

It definitely requires some skills.

Lovely scenic view in Bangkok

And you thought I was kidding that taking a taxi requires a guide. Seriously, for some places, taking a taxi is faster and may be cheaper than taking the train, particularly when you have a few more friends travelling together. However, Bangkok is the only place I have been to that will have taxi drivers rejecting to ferry customers. Mainly because the price is not worthwhile for them to travel and brave the traffic jam. The taxi drivers will rather not drive anyone and sit around doing nothing rather than earning a few bucks more. They really know how to relax, huh.

It's the best time to visit Thailand as the exchange rate is at an all time low!

View from my room... the Silom area

I think the number of times I have visited Bangkok in a year is more than the number of travelling trips an average person take in a year. The Pullman G Hotel is like my second home now after I switched over from Banyan Tree Hotel in my last review. From Suvarnabhumi (pronounced with a silent 'i') airport, taxi costs at most 400 Baht, including toll. Here is why I like Pullman:

I am attracted to woman.

That was what my good Thai friend told me when I first got to know her and asked if she has a boyfriend. I was curious so she told me all about her coming out story. She knows that she is physically attracted to girls from the age of 13. She finds them more attractive and got more excited around them.
She is called a Tomboy in Thailand. This is a different definition than what is known in Singapore, whereby girls who are more boyish in nature like me are called Tomboy. In Singapore, we call them 'Butch' and they want to be men. This is different from 2 females and those are called les-king and les-queen.

From a young age of 13 during the start of puberty, she already knew she was different but only at the age of 16 did she tell her family. It was just another normal day and she just told her parents upfront that she is different, that she likes girls. Her parents walked out of the room after hearing this. She was heart broken but accepted that this is who she is and she can't change it. Luckily for her, her parents approached her after an hour and accepted her true self.

She is lucky, not everyone is so open to this.

She also tried to change herself as she has a good buddy who is in love with her for 13 years till now. She tried to have feelings beyond that of friends for him but was unable to do so. She was so disappointed in herself and cried for some time. It took her some time to accept who she really is and that she can't change it.

How interesting because my homosexual friends in Singapore do not reveal their true self. I find that  in Thailand, people are more open to differences in sexual inclination and gender change. Their society has seen too much of it that there is no stigma now. Even some boys in school wearing uniforms would put on make up and take hormonal pills for a physical change and it's accepted.

However, my lesbian friend find that this is the wrong way to go. In schools, dress code should be followed as teenagers are more impressionistic. Gender change or any intimate actions should not be encouraged during school. Neither should they be encouraged in television programmes. They can dress however they like and hold hands with whoever they want when they are older and more mature.

Gay or not, transexual or not, you can decide when you are of age.

Even though she knows it long ago, she behaved normally and did not act on her impulse. She took time to get to know herself and confirm that this is who she is. She did not actively seek out lesbian partners but became close to straight girls and found that they could click well and communicate at the same level. In her words, "it's more of a companionship ". They cannot get married legally but they would normally hold a party and inform everyone of their union.

"If in fact it is true, and I have asked doctors this, that you are genetically born a homosexual - because that's the nature of the genetic random transmission of genes - you can't help it. So why should we criminalise it?" - Lee Kuan Yew

Listen to this wise man!

I like her mature behaviour. I am also supportive of being who you are and being with who you like.

Indeed, life is too short to keep caring about what society expects of you but I still hope Singapore can work towards an open mindset like Thailand.

Last week, I was in Bangkok for business and I had the chance to stay in Banyan Tree. It is classified as a 4.5 star hotel and is ranked #17 on Tripadvisor. It's not a bad stay overall, but it's puzzling why it's not even better for the price of more than SGD180 a night.

For a start, I can't find where to adjust the aircon temperature. I know I should call and ask the reception but it's pretty mundane...Thought it should be located at some walls but strangely, nowhere at eye level.

Anyway, the real reason why I will not go back to this hotel is that the power socket to charge my handphone is located at the foot of the bed instead of near the bedside tables. This is my first encounter of such strange layout, even though I have tried many 3 to 4 stars hotels. I hated not being able to read and charge while lying on my bed, and also not being able to snooze my alarm hehe.

Charging is located at the partition beside the toilet at the foot of the bed (Source: wikipedia)

Another thing is about the shower. I know I am whining about trivial things but it's because I expected better services from a high class hotel. The towel rack situated at the glass door is usually facing the outside. For this hotel, it's placed on the inside. It is definitely not practical as the water will hit the glass door and if I hang my towels there, it will become wetter than myself. Weird design you see. Also the first time I see this. Maybe it's not to hang towel but used as a handrail.

My most hated thing is that the shower water temperature alternates between extreme hot and cold. I wanted to enjoy a hot shower but was denied after a hard working day. What's wrong with this hotel? Probably because it has 59 floors and I am staying on the 38th so the water needs to be pumped up, causing the fluctuations in temperature.

Doesn't matter, there are many more hotels that are cheaper and better in Bangkok. Anyway, happy new year everyone!