Bangkok - Day Two

Day Two touring in Bangkok proved interesting.  We saw some of the things on our list but also learned a valuable lesson about being a wary traveler. 

I’ll preface my story with the facts that Thailand people, from our brief experience, are extremely friendly and pleased to have tourists form the centerpiece of their economy.  The city of Bangkok even has a dedicated Tourist Police force.  The existence of the police force and the various public signs and announcements, clearly demonstrate how much they care but scammers are in all cities and countries.

After a huge breakfast/lunch we set out for the Grand Palace.  The Skytrain to Riverboat portions went without a hitch.  We did get on the more expensive riverboat but in the end it made no difference since we never bought a ticket.  We felt unintentionally fortunate getting off at Pier #9 and headed for the Grand Palace.  A huckster approached us offering a ride to the Palace entrance 100 meters away.  I simply replied “no English” and he left us alone.

As we approached the Palace gate a man in uniform told us the palace was closing for an hour.  I had read that the Palace had regular noonday closing and it was 11:30 so it made sense to us.  It was at this time that a young man approached and offered some advice in English.  He disarmed us immediately by stating that he was a volunteer/teacher from the university and he did not want any money.  He said that we since we had to wait an hour we should take advantage of the time to see the Smiling Buddha.  Before we knew it he escorted us across the busy street, arranged and negotiated a cheap price on a Tuk Tuk, and away we went.  Red flags were rising in each of our minds but we weren’t saying anything.  As we began motoring away from the Palace we looked at each other and immediately knew something was not right.  At the first stop light we leapt from the vehicle and screamed out “changed our minds”.  I threw him 10 baht for his trouble.  Maybe it was legit but it didn’t feel right and it was only after that Deborah mentioned she had noticed the “volunteer” making a cell phone call as we pulled away.  We assume it was to one of his cronies saying, “we got two more.”

Later in the day our suspicion was further confirmed.  We were walking by an entrance to the Palace we knew was unused because a tourist policeman told us the day before not to go there.  As we walked by a man approached us wearing a Tourist Police badge but not police shirt.  He had a piece of paper (looked like a bookmark) with “Tourist Police” sticking out of his pocket.  It was the same piece of paper I had in mine.  He intercepted us talking as if we were headed to the unused entrance.  He stated emphatically that we could not enter because it was a Buddhist holiday and only Thai citizens could enter.  Before we could say a word… you guessed it, he suggested that we should … visit the Smiling Buddha and that he would arrange a ride.  We walked on.

We never did go into the actual Palace.  We did wander the Palace grounds.  Unnerved, we visited the Wat Pho temple next door instead.  It was beautiful and while wondering the grounds we came across the WatPo Thai Traditional Medical Massage School.  Feeling a little stressed we went in.  Deborah opted for the Foot massage and I the full body.  My massage was relaxing by the end but difficult during.  Being a little larger that the average Asian citizen, they brought out the largest young man they had.  For a full 30 minutes he pounded me with his hands, ground me with his knees and elbows, and stretched my joints to degrees I didn’t think possible.  I have never had a man's hands all over my butt but this guy squeezed and ground my butt with his elbow (at least I think it was his elbow) for at least five minutes.  He pulled my joints to a point I felt they were coming apart.  Later, Deborah was pleased to hear that there were no embarrassing incidents as a result of him pulling each of my fingers.

Enjoying the Grand Palace Grounds

The Tranquil area at Wat Pho

Note the New Buddha Deborah is Sporting!

Way Pho Temple Grounds

We were finished with touring by the end of the massages and returned to the hotel to put in some pool time relaxing in the sun.  Karma got us on the return trip when we got on the wrong riverboat again.  This time we were asked for the tickets we didn’t have and it cost us 40 baht each instead of the regular 15.

Beers and Pizza Back at the Ranch.

Our time in Bangkok ended with a trip to the night market and a little shopping.  Tomorrow is the final leg of flying to New Delhi and a reunion with Team India.

Don’t know when but more to come.

Ps.  I just remembered something noteworthy.  During our last evening we were in the Skytrain station at 6 pm.  The public address system played a short bar of music and everyone froze in his or her places.  It was rush hour in Bangkok so this represented a large number of frozen folks.  I thought it was the start of some kind of flash mob but then the music started again.  The people in uniform stood at attention and everyone else just stopped moving.  We think it was the national anthem.  It lasted about a minute and as it ended, everyone else started.  Kinda cool and weird.