What NOT to do in Bangkok, part 1

Khao San Road - a dead end road

You're a backpacker and you've just landed in Bangkok with your trusty guidebook?

Most likely you'll head straight from the airport on over to Khao San Road to join the throngs of other like-minded travelers. KSR is a mesmerizing funnel that sucks up world travelers into its labyrinth of tattoo parlors and dreadlocks; where fake teaching certificates or passports are as readily available as falafel and banana pancakes.

But, please - try to resist the primal calling to head toward KSR. It's not Bangkok.

This overly commercialized strip of independent shops/stalls, $4 a night guesthouses and Starbucks (among a swarm of other, even less tasteful Western prodigies), has only sold more and more of its soul to the devil called tourism over the past 8 years when I first stepped foot on it.

The place feels like it is Lonely Planet setup; a mere stage for the Westerners who want to experience Bangkok, but are far to comfortable in their little pocket of security to actually get out and do it.

My tip? Well, I'm not going to tell you where to stay, on the account that I don't want my corner of Bangkok to turn into the next KSR, but I will tell you that its easy enough to scoot around the city independently and find a less contrived area to stay in. Even Suhkimviht, just down the road, is a slight improvement.

Just explore. It's why you're in SE Asia anyhow, right?

Watch out for friendly strangers at temples

It almost sounds too movie like predictable to be true, but.....true it is.

If you meet someone at a temple who strikes up a friendly conversation with you which leads the sociable someone to invite you to a *today only* special at a jewellery shop - just flat out decline.

Otherwise, you like my friend and thousands of other greedy, hopeful foreigners who hope to strike it rich, will be just another victim of theft and fraud.

Don't believe anyone when they tell you that a major jewellery chain in your country is going to buy some gems off you for quadruple what you bought them for in Bangkok. That's what these major jewellery corporations have buyers for.

And that tuk tuk driver of yours? He's getting a commission off the stores for taking you there, as well as a big bonus if you're stupid enough to buy something.

The Floating Market

If you arrive early enough, via tuk tuk, you'll have a much more pleasant experience navigating your way through the market with your own private guide. Don't go on a tour. Lots of Thais hire boat drivers when they have shopping to do at the market, and following the Thai way will ensure you have a properly authentic experience. Otherwise, the only part of the market you'll see are the long stretches of fake jade elephants, resin 'teak' buddhas and some overprice floating phad thai.