Christmas in Bangkok

Bangkok is the epicenter of fun and entertainment in Thailand. Its rich cultural heritage accommodates practically much of outside influences, making it a veritable city of non stop celebration. Be it Western bash or a local festivity, Thais always find a good reason to celebrate it.

Undoubtedly, as Thailand becomes more tangled in modern culture and globalization becomes more real. Western influences such as Christmas also comes unavoidable. That is not to say that Thais are discarding their wonderful age old culture and customs; they have always been zealously guarding their traditions. That Christmas celebration has become common, at least in the top tourist destinations, simply reflect the Thai people’s innate tendency to embrace everything that constitute fun.

Christmas, in fact, gives great occasion for great merrymaking. Futhermore, Thais are generally generous, and the spirit of giving that Christmas encourages blends well with their homebred values. Not surprising then that Christmas is widely celebrated in the country that is largely Buddhist.

In short, it doesn’t take a Christian country to have real fun on Christmas. Buddhist or Christian, Thai or Farang (foreigner), everybody can have a good Christmas time….

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All I Want For Christmas Is ...

Christmas is around the corner...

Santa will be coming to town...

For the first time in my life,

I will be celebrating this year's Christmas out of Malaysia.

Bangkok - That's the place I will be.

No, that's not what I really want for Christmas.

All I want for Christmas is...

To stay healthy and be happy always.

No amount of money can buy happiness and good health...

I can only pray that I can live a normal life...

Nothing to stress about...

Nothing to worry...

Just be a simple person, with a simple life.

I know it's not easy or possible to achieve that...

But that's what I really want for this Christmas...

Not only for this Christmas...

But throughout my life.

Thanks Santa ! Hopefully my wish will come true...

I will have pirated croc shoes for you and the reindeer on Christmas eve night...

Fly carefully and hope for good weather :)

Merry Christmas...and Happy New Year ! :)

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Stupid Saman

My 300 ringgit gone when I opened a registered letter from the 'great' Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM).

Not for shopping...

Not for food...

But, for our Malaysia Government.

I got a saman. Well, two actually...so it's RM600! because I went online and found out I have another one which I presumed still on the way to my home :(

First one... apparently I got clocked at 93 km/h in a 80 km/h zone around KM10 right after Ayer Keroh toll.

Second one...also same place !!! I really couldn't believe it !!!

Damn it !!! I go Melaka at least once a month, and I really wonder how many more saman I can expect from the pakciks in PDRM. As the saman I received was for October, that means I still have November and December to look for :(

I am also wondering why I am so generous to the Government of Malaysia. This year alone, 6 samans for me...I guess next time I must drive 50 km/h :(

Tèŕŕåńċę - Sad Case

Sawasdee Khrap, Sawasdee Kha...

KLIA - Boarding Thai Airways to Bangkok on Boeing 777

My souvenir from Thai Airways

The journey from Survanabumi Airport to the city center takes between 30 and 45 minutes. However, I took 2 hours to reach my hotel which is located at the downtown of Bangkok - The Amari Watergate Hotel because of rush hour.

Sawasdee Khrap...Sawasdee Kha

In Thailand, people in general greet one another with the word Sawasdee and a gesture of pressing the palm together called Wai. The word Sawasdee can be used all times of the day. A male would add the word Khrap and a female the word Kha after Sawasdee to show politeness. The Wai has much more social significance than a western handshake and in general, the younger person or the person with junior ranking wais first to an elder or senior, who returns the gesture.

I was told that there are three institutions that the Thai people regard highly and must therefore pay proper respect. The Nation, represent by the Nation Flag and the National Anthem. The Religion, represented by the Triple Gems: Buddha, Dharma and Sangkha (the monks). The Monarchy, represented by the King and members of the Royal family.

Long Live The King

Here's a quick review of the hotel I stayed...

The Amari Watergate Hotel, Bangkok

View of Amari Watergate Hotel from CentreWorld

The Amari Watergate Hotel is located in the very heart of the city in Pratunam, one of Bangkok’s main commercial and shopping district.

I was not dissappointed with the Amari. Good location, close to shops, restaurants, public transportation...in the heart of the city and brilliant all round package. I stayed in a deluxe room for 3 nights; which was modern and very clean, with LCD TV and DVD player. One night here cost me 5,438 Baht which is equivalent to RM550.

Deluxe Room with 42' LCD

Bathroom with duckling duck to play with

The difference between a Superior and a Deluxe is the floor level and room decoration; Deluxe rooms have been refurbished in a more modern/business style, but the bathrooms are still the same in all rooms - twin hand basins, a separate show cubicle and a large bath tub. Each room has a spectacular view of the city.

Staff were very polite, they try to make your stay really pleasant and will help out any way they can. The 8th floor gym and pool area are also great. The breakfast buffet is quite good and runs until 10:30am, which is also great if you're not an early bird!

Swimming Pool @ Amari Watergate

There is no air condition in the corridor - where the elevators are, and also in the elevators themselves - so it's pretty hot there... The only thing that I found a bit of the nuisance was that no free internet in the room. However, there was free wi-fi in the lobby, which I only found out when I checked out!

Right in front of the hotel, there is a new wholesale mall with not less than 1500 shops, and clothes are extremely cheap! But I am not a shopaholic, so I bought nothing at all...was tempted to buy the pirated version of croc shoe @ 159 Baht; but end up didn't buy...

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Meal Box...Anyone???

Lately, Malaysia Airlines (MAS) stopped serving hot meals on indo-china sector and replaced it with cold meals, lunch box-styled and worse still, there is practically no choice for passengers to choose as it only come with cold sandwiches.

But with MAS intention to be a 5 star airline, this change in meal policy will not do any good to MAS especially with stiff competition from other regional airlines.

The management's intention to serve cheap looking meals is part of their cost-cutting exercise but this lowers the quality of cabin service and I doubt MAS will ever be voted Best Cabin Service again this year if this continues. I am sure the cost of the box is not cheap...

I wish to point out that MAS is a national carrier and it represents the image of Malaysia, so do not compromise on service as it reflects badly on us Malaysians.

MAS should go forward, and not backward to serve passengers with cold meal box...

This is what I had during my flight from Bangkok - Kuala Lumpur ... 2 hours international flight but eat sandwiches :(

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