Bangkok

After a backbreaking mini-bus ride to the Thai border from Siem Riep (we're talking dirt roads w/flooded potholes), we changed to a German made double decker bus for a smooth cruise to Bangkok. I've heard tales of people having to change buses 9 times in Cambodia due to breakdowns. We got lucky - thought the total travel time of 11 hours is far more than the 6 touted in Siem Riep.

The difference is immediately noticeable across the border. In Cambodia, limbless beggars and dirty children hawking postcards and trinkets abound - while Thailand certainly has poverty, a good number of the people seem to live a middle class lifestyle surrounded by modern amenities. Its interesting to note that Thailand was the only country in southeast asia to never be colonized by western imperial powers - and today is doing much better than its neighbors (Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia).

Its nice to be back in Thailand, land of smiles and friendly people. Found a room near Khao San on Rambutree. Many are put off by Khao San as a notorious backpacker ghetto (a la "The Beach") - but I found its conveniences, my second time around, comforting. You can get your laundry done, buy CD's, cloths, see the latest pirated films, book travel plans, see familiar faces from your travels, get drinks, cheap food and budget digs.

I took the afternoon to walk around Siam Square and the nearby shopping/entertainment complexes. Shopping options in Bangkok must be up there with Hong Kong and Japan these days and has certainly surpassed Taipei. Got a haircut for $5 and a pair of designer jeans for around $10. I toured all the sites last time around so now I'm just enjoying the city as a convenient transit point.