6 June 2008 Friday | 2008/06 Bangkok
The escape plan was confirmed over mahjong a few weeks earlier. It’s a shame Ryan couldn’t join us because of his new job- that shattered any idea of mahjong in Bangkok. So, it was down to me and two of my closest friends. As always, they settled the air tickets and hotel bookings, as well as currency exchange. I just turn up at the airport with my luggage, passport, and a wide dimpled smile

The night before we flew, I saw this introduction on Ayutthaya. We booked the day tour, which included a coach ride to this ancient capital and a river cruise back to the city.
In view of the unearthly reporting hours of 0645 hrs (GMT +7) on Wednesday, we decided not to go to the Patpong market on Tuesday night and returned to the hotel at 2100 hrs. Because we were a talkative trio, we were still wide awake at 0000hrs. Don picked up the room service menu and suggested we share a fried chicken. The order exploded to include a tom yam soup and mushroom omelette. By the time we were done, it was nearly 0100 hrs.
“Erm… Are you sure you guys still want to wake up at 0530 hrs for the trip?”
“Erm… But it’s non-refundable ley.”
“Erm… But not enough sleep, oso won’t enjoy right…”
“Haiyah… See how lah…”
That conversation took place at 0300 hrs.
And we slept till 1300 hrs. Muahahahhaa.
The lady who took our booking two nights earlier waylaid us at the hotel exit later that afternoon, “Why you all never come down? You go tomorrow ok? I arrange for you. Or else no refund.”
The same thing happened again. Although there was no supper, no one bothered to set any alarm. And although I picked up the morning call again the next day, the other two laid motionless and didn’t show any intention of waking up for the tour.
Fine. Let’s sleep.

Yaowarat- the Chinatown of Bangkok, has a wide selection of Chinese delicacies. I love birds’ nest!
NAM SING, 39-47 Soi Texas, Th Phadung Dao (off Yaowarat Rd)

Bangkok is not only about cheap shopping, cheap dining, and cheap everything. In celebration of my secret project (to be announced on this blog soon), we had a splendid 9,000 baht dinner at The Dome. Compared to Singapore’s Equinox (at Level 72), Sirocco‘s tables are set on the rooftop and provides a far more panoramic view. The moment I stepped out of the elevator, my eyes lit up and I had to control any urge to exclaim. Going ooohh and ahhh like a suaku isn’t the right thing to do at such an atas place lah.
SIROCCO, The Dome, State Tower- 1055 Silom Road, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500.
By the way, Vertigo at Banyan Tree offers a similar experience. We’ll drop by on the next visit.
And to do that, we have to return here to work our asses off.

Work mode began at the airport last evening. While holding to the ipod, I started a mental sketch of my next radio drama… …










