Buzzing Bangkok

Rain washed view of  Sukhumvit

Bangkok definitely means business. It is gearing up to become the next business destination of Asia. The buzz strikes you only too well everywhere you go. Milling tourists, expats working and thriving with population of its own lends it a very unique busy flavour. Westernized yet still retaining it's distinct Asian culture makes it a welcome destination for affordable businesses and bummers in the same breath. 

As efficiency becomes the striking feature the number of bummers are on the decline in the capital and are cornered to Pattaya and elsewhere. The Thai government is definitely trying to change the scene by severe crack-downs on flesh trade in recent times. Although it is still visible and quite on - your - face but there is a welcome change in the intent. "Progress" has become the mantra and it is visible and buzzing in the capital city. From the roads, transport and markets, everything works systematically from the early to late hours. The private health facilities I am told are better than Indian counterparts so medical tourism is also on the rise like never before.

This city - scape is so characteristic Kolkata I was overwhelmed with deja vu. Happily so. The rain washed weather, the evening breeze and the narrow roads with elevated corridors all made me feel as if I was in charming Kolkata of the future, West Bengal can actually take a look at closer - to - home model rather than across the Thames. Elevated walkways around the commercial city center and up market areas for shopping made pedestrian life secure and hassle free in this busy Thai capital.

A conversation with the locals however, jolted me back to my zero knowledge of Thai. However, the daily struggles of water- logging  now made viral by social media apps - the man believing himself to be a champion swimmer and swimming in a water logged street - remain again quite similar to that of Kolkata.  One of my colleagues had to call a bike-cab to get out of her hotel area as there was knee - deep water due to heavy overnight downpour.

It's a balanced mix of modern living requirements with traditional architecture. Old churches and art  - deco style buildings co-exist happily in this hum drum capital. Day markets and night markets across the city thrive and do brisk business round the clock.

They love their monarchy quite strongly. The country is in mourning for it's King and long ques can be seen in the Royal Palace for paying last respect. One is encouraged to dress in black found written at the entrance of the royal palace. Me and the rest of the tourists however had no clue. However, I was aware of the dress code of covered ankles and covered arms and was prepared. But many had to go across the street to buy suitable covering up garments to visit the palace. Quite a successful business model for the garment store we think. But the best part is the readily available currency exchange booths everywhere, from the bustling metro stations, monument campuses to swank malls. Currency changing is not a problem and allows brisk business to take place everywhere.

Although the new Sukhumvit area has developed as the nerve center of the town the locals go to busy seven-point memorial where you can get luggage to dresses - on - hire for theme parties, weddings and special occasions. 

Station: Asoke: People wait patiently in ques at rush hour 

The city with it's high rises is bound to remind you of Mumbai as well. Like Mumbai surface traffic is thick, orderly and slow. As we had only one day at our disposal to check out the city we had little choice but to travel by cabs from various destinations and also the mandatory Tuk-Tuk ride. But Sky train, metro and ferries are the best to avoid long traffic snarls.

Recommend the exotic Tuk-Tuk ride for short hops as they try to fleece you otherwise. I paid 4 times for a regular 2 km hop just for kicks. So be careful. Cabs more or less work on meter but at times can insist on lumpsum amounts for shorter distances (as we found for our trip to the famous back packers world of Khaosan Road), so get a sense of the distance and bargain to the best of your ability. Although Khaosan road and MBK Mall used to be a shopping destinations for but the Grand Central Mall in Sukhumvit is the best in affordable quality fashion stuff.

Don't forget to browse the numerous stalls in the metro stations everywhere, they have great collections of bags and shoes. Another must do for the vegetarians who cannot unfortunately enjoy most of the food here is taste the coconut ice-creams. They are yummy and filling on those long trinket shopping rounds.

The royal palace, the reclining Buddha are a must visit in terms of sights. In case you have more time pack in Wat Arun and the city forest.

"Located on Sukhaphiban 2 Road, only 15 minutes drive from Suvarnabhumi International Airport, the 12 rai, man-made forest is the brainchild of PTT. Since 1994, the oil and gas company has committed to afforesting more than a million bhatt across the country." As I did not have time could not visit this lovely space. So wish we can have more of this in Delhi.

All said and done like any other thriving metropolis it has it's challenges, but with efficiency and a clear vision and friendliness it is bound to become one of the best business destinations in the world soon.