A Guide to Things I Learned While on Vacation in Asia
Feb 9 — Leave SFO for Taiwan
Feb 10 — Arrive 11PM in Taipei, Taiwan
Feb 15 — David arrives around 10:30PM in Taiwan
Feb 18 – Leave at 11PM for Bangkok, Thailand
Feb 19 — Arrive at Bangkok hotel at 4PM; later that day, boat canal tour of Bangkok and visit Si Lom night market
Traveler’s Notes—Thailand: Taxi Rides in Bangkok
Feb 20 — Leave for Mumbai, India 11PM
Traveler’s Notes—India: Disembarking from the Mumbai Airport
Feb 20 — Arrive in Mumbai at 12:30PM, take really rickety taxi cab ride to hotel; am appalled by living conditions
Feb 21 — Wait at Mumbai airport for 10 hours for departing flight back to Bangkok; do not want to go back into city
Feb 22 — Hop back onto plane to Escape from Mumbai at 2AM in the morning
Feb 22 — Arrive in Bangkok, Thailand and readmitted to lovely city at 8AM
Traveler’s Notes—Thailand: Negotiable Affection in Bangkok
Feb 23 — Change hotels to the Shanghai Mansion
Feb 24 — Take tour of Ayutthaya and change hotels to The Aspen Suites
Feb 25 — Change hotels to FuramaXclusive and take dinner cruise of Bangkok river
Feb 26 – leave Bangkok to return to US
Traveler’s Notes: Prostitutes in Bangkok
Prostitution is a prolific and openly practiced profession in Bangkok. Women in high-cut skirts and shorts line the major streets along tourist-heavy areas.
Sitting in front of The Landmark Starbucks, I watched several foreigners field solicitations from prostitutes, and at least two depart the area with a new female companion at his side. One charming girl in a t-shirt and short shorts begged an older Caucasian gentleman by clasping her hands together winsomely before pointing at the expensive five star Landmark hotel and turning her hopeful eyes on him. He shook his head several times while she repeated the ritual, and he finally agreed and they walked off together with her following slightly behind on his right side.
Prostitutes in Bangkok are available wherever you are, and given the careless drift of conversation overheard between Westerners, seem to be regarded as part of the consumable pleasures of the city—like the scenery, or the food, or a casual trinket purchase from a night market stand. Most non-native looking men will be solicited by prostitutes, and walking down the streets at night (or even day) can be a challenge in its own right. Bring a female companion of your own with you if you wish to avoid any unsavory entanglements. Be sure to practice safe sex and take every precaution if you choose to engage with one of these ladies of negotiable affection. Some hotels also require registration and a surcharge for additional companions accompanying you to your room. Check with your hotel for their policies and regulations.