MBK, KTA, ADSL in BKK

The last two days we spent apartment hunting in Bangkok without much luck. The agencies did not want to help unless you were willing to sign a one year contract, most people we called re:advertisements on craigslist, mrroomfinder etc, and most places we walked in, all wanted a year lease as well. The serivced apartments that would rent monthly wanted an exuberant amount of money usually 40000Baht, and or two month deposit plus first months rent. We really didn't want to drop a large amount on a deposit that we are not guaranteed to get back. Interestingly, however, we went to a builing that is full of English teachers. For 8000 baht (or 258 dollars) a month You get a very sparsely furnished room with a bathroom and a balcony. It looked clean and there was aircon. For 600 baht, or 20 dollars, you get Adsl internet as well. The location was a small trek from Ekkami Station on the bottom of Sukhumvit, but not too bad. The building had security, a mini mart and all of that. Its called KTA mansion. Im sure if you were to stay there for an extended time you could dress it up and make it feel homey enough, but for one month, I felt it wasnt worth it. I need more comfort. And space. The price was right, but as a tourist, I want a better location for a short stay. They also wanted a deposit of two months.

After a seriously long search, and hours on the internet, we decided to continue staying at hotels and guesthouses. This way we can vary between 500baht $15.50 rooms like Buri B&B and mix it up with some 4 star hotels for 80USD, and midrange business hotels for 50 USD a night. This way we can keep the average price to something comfortable like 30 a night, but get to move around the city to different areas, and vary our accomadation. Some places will let you negotiate weekly rates anyways. So on AsiaRooms, you can only book 3 days in advance, but they really have the best rates. Wotif had some okay deals, but nothing outstanding. We were looking for somehting with internet, and around 1000-1200 baht (or 30 to 40 dollars). We ended up going to Siam Centre, one of the fancy malls, and getting a Thailand Loney Planet at AsiaBooks. We looked through the accomadation guide, and went on the internet at a swank cafe for 40baht per 1/2hour. We ended up settling on one that Lonely Planet and Wotif both mentioned, called Ibis Business Hotel. By booking directly through their website, we got a room for 1000baht per night, for 3 nights, with an addtional 400 baht a day for unlimited wireless. Its North of here, at Victory Monument Station. So, our 5 star selection for later on, is Novatel Lotus, but we will wait and see.

J Avenue, where we are now, is like the Yorkville of Bangkok. This neighboorhood is flower shops, bridal boutiques and Japanese restaurants. Its nice. The area we are going to is diplomats and residential. Bangkok is not as polluted as Macau, but it is very hot. Its about as hot here at 9am as at noon the hottest day in the summer in Canada, and this is the cool season. The sun beat down. Luckily, there is a multitude of shopping centres with floors and floors of airconditioned escapism. This brings us to MBK, a mall full of thai hipsters and tourists. Everything in MBK is dirt cheap. Mikae has bought several Tshirts, Two Namebrand, one a Local design for around 6 each. Socks are 3 for 100 baht or 3dollors, Jeans are 600baht or less. The entire mall is rammed full of cheap shoes, knockoffs, Bape, EdHardy, cellphones and handbags. The sizing here is an interesting challenge for me. I take size 34 according to Thai size, which is the biggest they make and rare. My shoe size here is a 39, and most stores dont carry it. I bought a mens tshirt, and the womens clothes are tiny, and very flowy. Bras are all size AA and A and B and heavily padded. We did go to Tesco, Lotus, which is a British Walmart and they had Western Sizes, so I'll be going back there soemtime soon. MBK is heaven for Mikae, who fits into everything. Our cell phone there was 1150 baht total with the SIM card, or ? Dollars. They also have fake purses obviously, but they also have the incredibly well done fakes as well that are EXACTLY the same, quality zippers, leather, accessories, and just as heavy, for higher prices. These generally run around 5900 baht or $200 but they are incredible knockoffs. I love this Prada pony number. Not bad value for the Really large Purses. The food court area at MBK has incredible food selection. We at ate Nova. They had Thai Vegetarian Options. We had more Som Tam (Papaya Salad), Pad Thai and Vegtable Stirfry, for around 200baht or $6. Ah, MBK.

Another thing I love here is Oishi Green Tea. You can purchase everywhere, for about 10baht. My favorite flavor is Gen Mai. This could, however, be evidence of my unweilding narcissim. Its toasty and tea-like. Tastes like FenchtoastCrunchCerealTea, but not as sweet. Yum.

In Bangkok, you can spend as much as you like, with all the lifestyle and highend brands having shops here. Siam Paragon is 8 flooors of such brands. They have a MAC makeup even, I was surprised. These stores are just as expensive as back home, and the malls are not nearly as busy. The downtown Siam area of Bangkok is totally different, and really fun. The best are all the thai teens that hangout in their hip outfits, and breakdance. Also, the True store (True is the Internet and Communications Provider in Bangkok, but they try to be all hip, like Virgin) on Fridays and Saturdays, Local Thai Bands play. Amazing.

We went to inquire about opening a Thai bank account at K bank and the customer service representative gave us a "safety Bangkok package." It includes the following. One bottle of water. One Antiseptic Towellette. One condom. Theres a photo on our Flickr account of this.

Other highlights of the last few days, coffee and sandwiches every morning at Au Bon Pain J Avenue for 200-265 baht (or $6 - $6.50 ), Street Vendor Pineapple for 10baht, Street Vendor Cold Spring Rolls with intense and wonderful cilantro and chili sauce for 20 baht (or 70cents), meeting a group of Thai Graphic Designers from the University, Finding another Design Studio on our wanderings, Finding a hotel with internet, and figuring out the whole cellphone situation. There is alot to learn. The number one thing I think we have learned about ourselves thus far is how incredibly high our standards actually are. I think the big difference between backpacking in your late teens and late twenties is what you are willing to pay for comfort and safety, and what you are willing to live without.

We are off to go checkout from Buri B&B. What a nice place. We are both really excited for internet though, the cafe-scenario is very slow and lame. We are going to hit the weekend market as well, with over 15 000 stalls. Lets see if we can get lost for a bit there.
J.