Land of Smiles

Always have good impression of the Thai people. They are always ready with Smiles, Softspoken, and Sincere. It's really interesting when you talk to them, and get them to explain how they decided at whatever nickname they've chosen. :) Grateful that they've got this habit of having nicknames.. their original full names are usually tongue-twisters! :P

First Visit
The 1st time i visited Bangkok was long long time ago as a rookie, tagging along my senior colleagues to do a presentation to the JV partner. Our arrival date happened to be my birthday.. What a pleasant surprise when i came back to my room after dinner to find a bottle of red wine, complimentary of Sheraton. :)

I didn't know that the students in Thailand dress in White Top and Black Skirts... and that's what i brought in my suitcase!! Brilliant Me... thot i could tackle the problem of the scorching heat... so brought my favorite white sleeveless top, with lotsa holes!! It's quite elegant kind of weaving designs with the small white flowers covering strategic areas. It was only after the quick afternoon shopping, that i realized that i brought the wrong clothes... the black&white combo was school uniform.. and decent girls don't wear sleeveless tops! Throughout the presentation, i had my cardigan buttoned up over the blouse. *bleah*

Pampered

Bangkok is a favorite location for conferences in the region, as the accommodation prices are relatively cheaper, and BKK is a central location in this region. This is also my only opportunity to stay in posh hotels and get papmered with special treats. :P My favorite hotels were Conrad, Hyatt, and Marriot.

Dining on the rooftop of the Banyan Tree Hotel was kinda unique. :) You also get the privilege of dining @ the exclusive restaurant where the chefs are trained or used to serve the royal family. Another memorable visit was when the host organized a cruise on the Chao Phraya River after dinner. Each of us were given a lighted flower lantern (it was near the Loi Krathong festival period, i think). According to the Thai belief, you whisper your wishes and then let the lantern float away on the river... and your wishes will come true. The night lights, the evening breeze... it's so romantic as you stared @ the bunch of floating lanterns drifting away with the current. ;-) But it's also because of these biz trips, i didn't get any chance to see the touristy sights in BKK. The 1st thing we do after the day's meeting, (and there're no biz dinners), was to rush to the shopping malls or patpong. Frankly speaking, my mental map of BKK is restricted to: the entire Sukhumvit Soi stretch of Hotels and shopping malls, Patpong, Chatuchak weekend mkt, Siloam Nite Mkt. It's such a shame that i've yet to get the chance to visit the Royal Palace, and museums... I'll make sure that i'll do just that on my next private visit to BKK.