The Third Strike: Bangkok, Thailand!

Hot and sexy? Give me a minute, it was only 10 in the morning! I wanted to return to Bangkok from the moment I had to leave this Thai capital city in February 2025, it was all love! In my delusional era, I walked back into Silom trying to mop up and recreate several magic moments. Bangkok did receive her flowers, I revisited but with intention I knew it was the last. Sawasdee! 

Walking along 'Silom Road' healed me, I had loved that major thoroughfare because I had almost missed my first flight to Bangkok and then it was somewhat delayed! I remembered breathing in the night, knowing that a moment was ahead of me! Fast forward to October 2025, I experienced the calm before the storm, daylight really changes your perspective but let's leave that for the next post! With love, I had an idea of how I wanted this second time visit to pan out and that can't always be a good thing because who knows what will happen? I didn't know! I dropped my bag at my chosen accommodation, that was going to be something of a shock for me! Choosing a less than Thai option for breakfast, I knew that those yellow double arches would keep me going because by that time I had chowed down on all types of Thai food, I needed globalisation to kick in! I was so ready to get on the drinks but I knew that my Ayuthaya tour would be the next morning, I needed to air caution with my choices. Silom knew I was so back! 

Silom had me feeling such a feeling, I knew that a second visit was a gamble because a first time is something for a reason. I allowed Silom to be part of my symphony, if those notes were off then I would not run out of love for that part of Bangkok! Walking around aimlessly? I certainly did not! I enjoyed my breakfast and moved onto the next part of my day, I was not going to be lolling around hungover like before. I knew that I needed to take the BTS once again and from Sala Daeng I would definitely do. My first morning back in Bangkok brought back memories but I knew that I wouldn't be getting those weekend vibes, I needed to pivot and make the best of that mid-week situation. Knowing that whatever happened, I would be ready, I was unknowingly ready to analyse this part of the city with a clear view but I wasn't mad about it. It was observational at the end of the day, Bangkok had gotten me the first time, I craved seconds! Getting to the underground was what I needed, myself and Silom had plenty of time. We did, B! 

Chao Phraya River bound I was, not wasting a single moment, I wanted to smell some orchids and nothing else! I had missed the flower market first time because my night on Khao San Rd had clouded my vision the following day and the other night my brain was in other places! The transit system linked with me 'Pak Klong Talat Market'. That multi-selling market saw me crossing the road with haste, I wasn't about to make those same mistakes again. You see, my return to Bangkok was purposeful, trust me! I wanted to see purple or white orchids because they are my flowers of Thailand. I did the most, weaving in and out of those aisles. I was not looking for produce like fruit or vegetables but I appreciated them as they came into my view. I knew that soon enough I would get a surge of Thai flower power! Before I knew it, I was able to smell those flowers because why does it always have to come up roses? Choose orchids! I didn't make a purchase but my bucket list was filled with fragrance! Bangkok was coming up orchids! 

I was in familiar territory with the Grand Palace and Wat Pho in close succession, I wanted to flip the script and be amongst the vibe of Pak Klong Talat instead. I traversed between the stands and then found the riverside, Bangkok made me feel like I was marking those empty tick boxes with experiences accomplished. Would I be heading across the river? Damn right! I needed a Thai tea first, ice cold! I had heard that certain bottles had been removed from places like 7-Eleven due to high sugar content and I had noticed that certain cold drinks weren't in the fridges during my time in Pattaya! I wasn't exactly looking to ruin my teeth, I was going to sip responsibly and then brush my teeth later on! Looking closer than ever, I found the chosen bottle of Thai tea in that riverside 7-Eleven but those tourists could keep it moving on! Bangkok was giving me life, returning didn't take much thought because we had unfinished business to deal with! I got my flowers in the end, Bangkok told me to never give up! A riverboat ride? No! 

'The Temple of Dawn?' I only ever glanced at 'Wat Arun' from the opposite of the river. During that first visit to Bangkok, the first real day saw me piece things together because Silom had showed me a night to remember! I only had the strength to see the temple from a distance because the mentioned places before took precedence. I was about to change those glances from the boat pier into something more up close and personal, I wasn't playing with my own time! The riverboat service was only one stop but it was not my preferred mode of transport, people were doing too much getting off that vessel before I could get on it! Disembarkation was a blessing! I knew that a fee needed to be paid but I was dressed modestly but no elephant harem pants I needed to pack! I packed the exactly same wardrobe as before, I stayed ready! I was not ready for the hoards of visitors because they were trying to do far too much! Sabai sabai, babes! I wanted to see a Thai smile, it had a been a while since that revelation. Choices? A whole one, T! 

Once I had visually cancelled out those tourists, I was able to appreciate 'Wat Arun' from a different angle. I knew that taking a second chance on this statement Bangkok temple was better than going to 'ICON SIAM' becasue I hate shopping! That temple moment was what I had wanted, I knew that seeing this temple from a different angle was right for that October 2025 moment. I did my best to walk between those temple segments with respect but the quickness at the very same time, I didn't envisage a sunset moment in that part of town. I felt that I knew the city better, I clocked the temple, crossed the river the right way through the metro tunnel towards Silom. No shade to 'Wat Arun' but I just didn't need to be surrounded by so many happy chappy tourists dressed in the local wear, it was giving cultural disrespect! Disrespect? Girl, people were doing too much and I just wanted my temple only photos, I can see my face everyday in the mirror! Silom called me back, I had things to do and time to make the most of! 

Going back to the first night in Bangkok during February 2025, I resurfaced from the transit system at Silom Station with a familiar park in my possession. As per usual, I had chosen the wrong exit but the right to see 'Lumphini Park' for the first time. I had been much too busy to clock this 'Central Park' looking green space but later in 2025 I knew that I needed to pay attention. An 'Asian water monitor lizard?' Let me circle back to the appropriate part because that mini-dinosaur did make an appearance! I waltzed into that park during the late afternoon, I wanted to update a certain profile because I felt a certain demographic had followed me from a familiar overseas working location. I had time for the lush settings of the park but not the ignorance of those who were already fleeing from sexual repression! Wasn't I in Thailand afterall? That was the question? Be who you are but keep an open mind, otherwise colonise your own spaces! I am British! Back to the park, I saw that lizard and the sight was one to remember! 

So, the park had been enough, I had soaked in the tranquility of the park and hoped that the energy would stay within me. I was genuinely looking forward to checking out a certain venue affiliated with my hostel. Refuelling with something to eat and drink at a local Silom Irish bar, I didn't need the luck of the Irish with me because the truth would reveal itself. Connected by taste but not distance, I climbed up the stairs at '1/0 Sauna' having a preconceived image in my head, I had heard of the opportunities on offer but I know my own faults, it was another choice. Baring all, I fronted a very dark and nationalistic unwelcoming space, it did not give me an inclusive vibe whatsoever. Nothing to do with the Thai people at all! I did make a connection but I knew that I was in Thailand not in a venue catering to those who cannot be authentic at home. Dressed and slightly unimpressed, I lastly went to 'SIDE.BKK', to my surprise gave it me something at least. If you need to fly thousands of miles to be true yourself, then that is awful! 

Orchids Or Nothing! 

Desperately Seeking Adventure