By: Jack Ellis  

 
   To date, I have traveled to 
   Thailand five times. The fascinating 
   and exciting culture of Thailand is 
   what keeps me making that 18-hour
   flight across the Pacific - from 
   Washington D.C. - to Don Muang 
   International Airport in Bangkok.
   As soon as I return home, I begin 
   planning my  next trip to the 
   "Land of Smiles." My first Thailand 
trip was in April 1998, and what follows is a brief 
description of that experience.


When the plane landed at Don Muang at midnight. 
I was one of the first people off the plane. 
I found myself in the lead of the large group 
of passengers scurrying through the airport 
in search of Immigration. I immediately 
began to worry that perhaps I would lead the
group in the wrong direction. It seemed that
almost everyone following me was a tourist 
like myself - and as equally clueless. 
My worries were unfounded as all the signs 
were written in Thai and in English - I got 
us all safely to the Immigration desk.

 

Getting out of the airport went smoothly and as 
planned. My Thai friend, Oh, was there waiting 
for me. What I wasn't prepared for was what 
you are hit with as soon as the doors open and you 
step out onto the sidewalk. I first noticed the 
smell of pollution and then I felt a tremendous 
wave of heat. Despite being nearly 1 a.m., it 
was still so very hot and humid. Oh led me to 
her car and I was soon sitting in a nicely 
air-conditioned Mercedes and was being whisked 
away to my hotel in Bangkok. As we rode into
Bangkok, I was surprised to see so many 7-Elevens
they are practically on every street corner, but
unlike in the U.S., you won't find any Big Bites
or day-old pizza places to eat at.

 

Because Oh had a full time job with the Ministry 
of Finance, she couldn't take off everyday. I was
mostly by myself on those days. I'd walk to Ma 
Boon Krong (MBK) which is a large shopping mall
where both tourists and locals go. Whatever you
could possibly want, you will find at MBK. I also
learned to take a taxi in Bangkok.  Oh would write 
down a location for me in Thai and then I'd hand 
it to the driver. This system worked well - but
when I didn't have a note scribbled in Thai, I'd 
rely on my own limited knowledge of the Thai 
language. While you'll find many taxi drivers 
with at least a rudimentary knowledge of English,
sometimes knowing a few basic Thai phrases can 
help you from driving around and a around in 
circles. On one occasion however, my Thai wasn't 
helping, so I had the driver pull over to the 
curb and I asked the first local I could find 
who spoke some English to please help us find 
our way. 


Because this was my first time in Bangkok, 
I went to all the major temples like, 
Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Po, and Wat Arun, 
which are all a must see. I did manage to 
get out of Bangkok for a two-day trip to 
Hua Hin as well. Hua Hin is the beach 
resort that the Royal Family frequents. 

  

Probably the most endearing part of Thailand I 
experienced on this trip was the Thai people 
themselves.  They were friendly, polite, and always
ready and willing to help. It is this quality that 
keeps me going back to Thailand, and enduring that 
18 hour flight - and one that you will surely 
experience if you decide to take a trip there.
Jack Ellis