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DaffyDuck
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http://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/international/7225498/Bangkok-looks-chaotic-but-offers-delight
Let's see if you can spot what makes it awesome 
Bangkok chaotic but offers delight by BELINDA MERHAB
"You scare the men away!" a seemingly-sweet Thai woman snaps at me out of nowhere.
Her nose is screwed up, her lip upturned and her head shaking.
I don't speak Thai but I recognise a hardcore sneer when I see one.
My heart sinks trying to translate whether she disapproves, or is plain disgusted by me.
With my left palm resting gently in hers, she bends my index finger back and stares intently, deciphering my life's destiny from the tiny crevasses of my hand.
I hardly expected to have the secrets of my future revealed on a visit to a Bangkok jewellery store.
Then again, I hardly expected to find myself in a Bangkok jewellery store.
But, having been bundled in by a tuk tuk driver whose English vocabulary seemed to stretch only as far as "go, look", my sister and I decide to roll with the punches - mainly because there is no other way to roll here.
On our first morning in Bangkok, we set out haphazard, sans map and without any plans, along the backpacker hub of Khao San Road.
Within seconds, we were swarmed by locals.
Within minutes, we were lost.
A pair of women, fascinated by my sister's pale skin, suggested some temples for us to visit - and helped us cross a major road, thank goodness - before hailing us a "government tuk tuk... much cheaper".
As promised, we were taken to countless Buddha statues and temples - standing Buddha, sitting Buddha, reclining Buddha, big Buddha, small Buddha, Buddhas here, there and everywhere.
But in between Buddhas, the driver would stop at a store and force us to look inside, supposedly a requirement for them to get free fuel from the government, or so we were told (we had been warned about this by friends and numerous travel guides).
While browsing glass cabinets of glistening jewels, we were befriended by the store attendants, Jean and Roy, who, like everyone else in Bangkok, were attracted to my sister's skin colour.
My sister, said Jean, would find love very soon.
Looking at her alabaster hand, she explained my little sister had many admirers and would marry a very wealthy man.
Keen for some similarly inspiring forecasts, I slapped my nobby, olive hand on the counter: "What about me?"
And that's when the persistently smiling and graceful woman turned.
Apparently, my independent personality has been scaring men off.
I need to be sweeter and "smiling, not so strong".
Also, the gaps between my bony fingers, means money is slipping through my hands and I need to stop spending.
I decide to act on this piece of advice immediately by leaving the store.
Setting out on foot, because yet another driver has disappeared on us, we walk through the city's tangled streets, along footpaths crowded with market stalls and vendors beckoning us in a bid to sell their wares.
Others are hunched over mobile rocks, frying up fresh pad thai, filling the thick, humid air with the smell of sizzling noodles.
A man begins walking alongside us, curious as to where we are from.
"Australia?" he asks, looking puzzled.
"Ah, Kangaroo!" he beams, before hopping around the street giving an impersonation that would make Skippy proud.
As we walk and talk with him, learning why white skin is so revered here - it means you work indoors, and therefore, are wealthy - kangaroo man leads us to a travel agency which we have already been led to three times, by three different people (I wish I was exaggerating).
The constant attention and need to decipher who is genuinely interested in meeting you and who is trying to make some money out of you - combined with the draining heat - becomes unbearably exhausting.
But we decide to drag ourselves into one more temple, much smaller and without a hint of the glamour of every other Wat we had visited.
There is just one man inside and he immediately introduces himself to us.
He explains that this particular temple is very special, opened to the public for only one day, every seven years.
He and his wife had driven eight hours from Chiang Mai, about 700km north of Bangkok, just for the chance to meditate and pray there.
We exchange names, trying for about five minutes to pronounce his name, while he stumbles upon ours (at the end, he politely smiled and gave up, as did we).
Thrilled to find it is our first day in his country, our new friend gives us a grand tour of the temple, teaches us some basic Thai words and shows us how to pray to Buddha - on bended knees, tuck your feet behind your bottom, place your hands on the floor in front and gently bow your head three times.
We also get a lesson in meditation, a daily ritual our friend says is responsible for his health, happiness and deceivingly youthful looks.
He instructs us to cross our legs, close our eyes and breathe deeply, clearing our minds.
"Make it zero," he whispers.
As his soothing words echo through my mind, melting away the heat, noise and exhaustion of the day, I think of how lucky I've been, to arrive at this temple on this day and meet this man whose name I can't pronounce or spell, but whose kindness I will never forget.
And I wonder whether my memories of Bangkok and its people would have been as cherished or vivid, had I set out with a map and a plan.
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 7:13 pm on July 6, 2012
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LocalYokul
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not sure what's the awesome part
maybe the mention of all the tuk-tuk drivers & others trying to get kickbacks which they didn't seem to understand well.
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Bangkok Women : Meet Sensual Bangkok Women
Posted on: 1:12 pm on July 8, 2012
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dirty guru
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I liked the " unsaid".....what the Thai guy might of convinced them to do after their spiritual interlude at the"one in seven year temple stint"
Obviously, these girls were naive.
I recall getting into German girls pants in Laos with wonderous stories after plying them with alcohol and stories of this being a very special night "" a spiritual moon and the opportunity to transcend karma with ancient sexual practices I had learnt that required a "" willingness -and open mind"
Whether they were just sluts I will never know"
"Open every 7 years once only....".....these girls were definitely prime putty to be worked....
It was awesome in the respect of fresh eyes....
We saw the Thais ( like those little fish that eat away the dead skin on your feet ) nibble away for a feed of flesh $$$
The usual lies, and excuses, and practices....
The writer unwittingly treading and ticking most boxes....almost venturing to say it was part of the adventure....being shanghai - ed and taken to places...
Who knows a soapie might have even been offered by some Cambodian ya ba taking tuk tuk driver with his ten year old photo shop leaflet...
"" very goods relax, want tries?special price for lady no problem, everyone love please Farang girl come this way"
And they did...
Who knows the author may have been a white male based in Bangkok typing it up for a travel writer unconscious in his bed after the alcohol and sedative and arse raping..who he knew needed to bang out an article by dawn..
There was too many boxes not to have maybe ""known"....
But yes awesome in the things we will never know.
The greatest allure Thailand used to hold for me was adventure and things that were new...
Discovering like a 6 year old there is no Santa Claus is tough..
The conclusion of that story "" where the girls finally thought being shown how to pray in their special once every seven year event temple..was real""
Reminded me of the German girls with their heads faced out the window at 3 am chanting made up words with nothing on very slowly being f***ed from behind in doggie position flicking water over their heads and tinkering my triangle bell and ending the verse with "" Buddhas love shines on us tonight"
Somehow...I feel there's more to their story we didn't get....
But a temple that is open one time only every seven years ( according to our impeccable Thai male guide) must have many special secrets...lol
: :
I am sure these girls have a better bowel movement program linked to the cosmos now somewhere in Turkey and writing away.....
A few magic beans given in Peru..
Or Fred Busterman from the bronx now resident of nearby Ko San road is tapping out another article for a girl with a stretched rectum unconscious on his bed as the fan spins above and his promise to make her famous in the travel writing world draws out on his face yet another "" knowing smirk ""
The da Vinci code we all...." can only see""
"" my journey began with mysterious bells monks toll once every July full moon when novice monks begin their induction and I am witnessing it in the rays of magical moon beams.....""
Cigarette ash falls to floor and sweat drips from Fred's face...
VoBKa bottle empty near by......
Will never know.
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Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 2:04 pm on July 8, 2012
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oreally
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"He explains that this particular temple is very special, opened to the public for only one day, every seven years."
Any truth to this?
If so, which temple is this?
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Sexy Bangkok Girls
Posted on: 6:11 pm on July 8, 2012
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DaffyDuck
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LOL!
I assume you're in on the joke, oreally
DG got nearly all of the "awesomeness" of the story.
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 7:41 pm on July 8, 2012
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dirty guru
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Other than the ironic situation an Australian travel writer is accused of scaring off men in all places, but a jewellery store.
And the hit on every base stuff.....
I guess you have us stumped Daffy....
I checked the authors credientials...she exists and is a reporter...
She likes f***ing, is bi sexual so it adds some spice....works for various news media agencies...
Ninemsn....and reports for channel nine...in NSW in freelance capacity.
For a second I thought you might have added weight to my ""Fred "" theory...( daffy )....
But alas it appears the Lebo slut wrote it.
I thought it was awesome anyhow....if for any other reason....it's "tick box" exposure of the cunning fleecing Thai ways.
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Bangkok Women : Meet Beautiful Thai Girls
Posted on: 10:44 pm on July 8, 2012
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DaffyDuck
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Every single scan that we have ever written about on the forum was being pulled on her, and she was completely oblivious to it!
A pair of women, fascinated by my sister's pale skin, suggested some temples for us to visit - and helped us cross a major road, thank goodness - before hailing us a "government tuk tuk... much cheaper".
Dude, the old "government tuk-tuk" scam, and then it takes you to the usual ream of rip off places...
But in between Buddhas, the driver would stop at a store and force us to look inside, supposedly a requirement for them to get free fuel from the government, or so we were told
Setting out on foot, because yet another driver has disappeared on us
Bwahahahaha!
A man begins walking alongside us, curious as to where we are from.
"Australia?" he asks, looking puzzled.
"Ah, Kangaroo!" he beams, before hopping around the street giving an impersonation that would make Skippy proud.
Ah, of course - surprised he didn't start with "and my sister is going to [insert country here]...
As we walk and talk with him, learning why white skin is so revered here - it means you work indoors, and therefore, are wealthy - kangaroo man leads us to a travel agency which we have already been led to three times, by three different people (I wish I was exaggerating)
What an odd coincidence....
There is just one man inside and he immediately introduces himself to us.
He explains that this particular temple is very special, opened to the public for only one day, every seven years.
How lucky....
Seriously, no one has picked up on all of these?
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 6:13 am on July 9, 2012
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LocalYokul
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of course I noticed the scam tuk-tuk people and the idea they were brought back to the same travel agent. They must give the biggest kickback in town, LOL
but what could the guy have to gain by telling them the temple is only open one day every seven years ?
I guess it would make them want to stay all day. I wonder what sort of monetary gain he expected from them though.
"Obviously, these girls were naive. ", to the point of stupidity.
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Thai Girls : Meet Active Thai Girls
Posted on: 6:32 am on July 9, 2012
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dirty guru
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Quote: from dirty guru on 6:04 am on July 9, 2012
We saw the Thais ( like those little fish that eat away the dead skin on your feet ) nibble away for a feed of flesh $$$
The usual lies, and excuses, and practices....
I think we got it.....Thais try and swindle people
Here's some article that claims Thais are too trusting....and evil forces lurk..
http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/301589/thai-character-or-plain-old-human-nature
Obviously, Thai character doesn't include Taxi drivers or wayward monks
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Thai Women : Meet Matured Thai Women
Posted on: 2:21 pm on July 9, 2012
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DaffyDuck
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It's the old "the Temple is only open today" or "I take you to special temple, because Wat Po is closed today" scam - once they get you there, they tell you all kinds of cool stories, teach you to pray, and then (however convenient) they tell you about the special "one day gem deal" or "one day special shopping deal", which is quickly corroborated by another convenient total stranger at the same wat.
I'm guessing the author had a word limit, or else we'd have been regaled by the continuing story. She did have the tuk-tuk gas coupon scam in there, though.
That's why this story is so awesome.
No, DGs, it's NOT all Thais that try to swindle people. Just *SOME* Thais.
The majority of Thais I know are honest, even to the point of running after me with "too much change" or once bringing me my wallet that I left behind.
There's a scammer demographic everywhere - the ones reaching out to shake your hand are that kind.
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 5:11 am on July 10, 2012
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