Bangkok for the first time? Here are a few tips from this frequent visitor...

Bangkok (BK) is one my my favourite places. It's an onslaught on the senses to which I'm so accustomed by now, but it can be very overwhelming for first timers and solo travellers, so I've put together a few tips to help ease you and my fellow SAfricans smoothly into BK.  May your experiences in this unique city be amazing at every turn...

At Suvarnabuhmi airport (don't even try pronounce that) ~ 

* Be aware that African and South American citizens have to fill out Ebola forms which must be signed by a doctor on site. The forms and the doc are at a booth near to where you disembark from the plane;

* NB the immigration queue is long, can take up to an hour to get your passport stamped;

* Make sure you fill out the arrival/departure forms on the plane or do so in the Q-there are helpful officials everywhere;

* Get a local sim card at the airport once you’re through immigration: AIS/DTAC networks etc, all offer amazing inexpensive packages - you'll have no need for 'roaming' and can negate those hidden expenses that tend to pop up no matter what.

The Q at the airport...people for days...

Greeting Thai people ~

* Be courteous- women greet saying 'Sawadee Kha' and guys say 'Sawadee khap'. It's also appreciated if you put the prayer hands together under your chin in response to the same. 

Transport to & in town ~

* If you’re worried about getting lost, book a shuttle through your hotel (pricey, up to 1,200 THB);

* Or take a taxi- and barter - the fare shouldn't cost you more than 400-500 THB;

* Or, my choice if I have a lot of luggage,  Uber (cashless) - rather use Uber Black in BK and make sure you have downloaded the app before you leave SA (if you're an Uber newbie, use my Uber code uberCTdiva for a once-off free ride in SA);

* If you’re confident re your directions (as I am by now) and only have 1 carry-on bag (one can really travel light in Thailand, even if you're a 'diva'), take the bus (30 THB) to the Mo Chit BTS station and then a skytrain to your hotel (cheap and fast).

* Re getting around in the city, Tuk Tuks are fun but impractical and way overpriced - cool for a once-off experience but that's about it;
* The BTS Skytrain is the easiest and so cheap. Buy day/week passes. Exchange bank notes for coins at the info booth and they will happily explain how the system works.

* You can also catch a ride with the licenced scooter guys (in lumo jackets) parked near the BTS stations...it's a lot of fun for short distances, and from 10 THB depending on where you're off to;

* Don't eat on the platform / station / train. Keep your grub out of site.

* Obey the arrow markings on the platform that tell you where to stand safely when Q'ing to get on the train

Typical BTS station below...the numbers encircled denote the cost to each destination...

Try a Tuk Tuk once for fun...but be prepared to bargain! Random leg hoists are optional :)

Blow your hair back a bit on a scooter... such FUN!

Hotel ~

* Choose accommodation close to a BTS stop. I can recommend the Galleria 10 in Soi 10, Sukhumvit, right between BTS Nana and Asok - it's stylish, well priced and has a fab rooftop pool, bar and deck. 

Mosquitoes ~

* Never leave your hotel, day or night, without generously spraying repellent (NB to use an eco friendly brand); leave no patch of skin unprotected-the blighters will find it and bite it! 

* To soothe itchy bites, use tiger balm (sold at 711’s) or Dermovate if you react badly to BK mozzie bites like I do (sold at Pharmacies / Boots that stay open late, like pretty much everything else in BK)

Street Food ~

* Totally safe, delicious, traditional and oh-so-cheap - sit and eat...it's a great experience and you have to try the incredible noodle dishes and the sweet sticky rice with coconut milk and mango (for the best, go to Mae Varee in Thong Lor , one of my fave areas as well);

* Those orange drinks you see on sale on the street in the small skinny bottles are loaded with extra sugar fyi; let them make it and also pomegranate juice in front of you- very refreshing when done right;

* Bottled water only people, even when rinsing after brushing your teeth

Mango, coconut cream and sticky rice...

Flat noodles etc...best!

Fresh pomegranate juice...

Emergency dentist ~

* Dental Hospital. 88/88 Sukhamvit 49

Street dogs & cats ~

* Don’t assume they’re all friendly-they're not all used to being petted; those with collars are usually ok but be cautious and check first with the person/owner nearest to the animal. I want to love them all but need to approach carefully...(collared) cats on the other hand...

Cat love...

Coffee & Beer ~

* There is superb coffee in very stylish coffee shops in Bangkok, as good and sometimes even better as what's on offer in Cape Town. Try Rocket in Central Embassy, Hello Strangers, Blue Dye Cafe, Library ;

* Beer is nothing like what I am used in Cape Town ie our fabulous home grown craft beer, but go for Singha when in BK...and make it even more refreshing by adding ice. Yes, trust me, with eish.

Singha, with ice...

Coffee at Blue Dye Cafe...

And iced coffee from Hello Strangers...

Shopping ~

* There are tons of shopping centre monoliths in BK but I prefer the slick environment and the best movie house in town at Siam Paragon , and right next door is Siam Centre an ode to emerging designers, and of course Central Embassy showcases it's winning design and architecture, although shopping here is mostly for those with black plastic;

* Shopping at street stalls (try the ones across from Siam Centre where there’s also a fabulous little mall) is fantastic, if you’re after those floppy pants and vintage style voile shirts and quirky frocks. Stalls are set up from around 5pm every day;

* Fake watches, and all other labels, at the markets…rather not. They only last around 6 months. And they look cheap.  

Massages off street ~

* Amazing and cheap but take care to suss out how clean they are before laying your tired bod down on a grubby towel

Laundry ~
* Drop it off at any street laundry service - it comes back beautifully packaged, ironed and ready to wear. Way more reasonable than at your hotel. Prices start at 30 THB per kilo. (Leave your Prada shirts for the pro laundromats at home)

Other ~

* Bring extra Ziploc bags and 100ml empty plastic bottles. You can't find those easily in BK.

* Re tipping, it's not expected but why not show some love and do it anyway. 

* Be respectful of the King of Thailand and his family. 

* Leave your shoes outside establishments where it's required. Never fear, they'll be there when you go back for the them. This is a country where stealing isn't a national pastime. 

Bon voyage! การเดินทางที่ปลอดภัย !

Slow breathing at the Li-bra-ry coffee shop in Bangkok...

For me it starts with amazing chairs and the rest follows suit in terms of a well styled interior. In the case of the Li-bra-ry coffee shop in Bangkok, the tasteful Scandinavian-esque interior extends into excellent food, and some very creative and delicious menu offerings (see my waffle pic). And tralaaaa, Li-bra-ry scoops the LPCS (Lateral Paul Coffee Snob) gold medal as our Number One coffee destination in BK. 

Walking through the tall wooden swing door at Li-bra-ry feels good- it's calm, quiet...a place for slow breathing where you leave your stress at the door with your shoes. The wooden floor is cool underfoot as you tread softly (it's a library after all) over to one of the beautiful mustard yellow chairs or soft sofas to settle in for a spot of blogging, a mag read, a flip through one of the cook books on the shelves, or a bit of a day dream over a latte in a bowl. Yes, you heard right, a bowl. All this while Sinatra and a bit of 50's music plays unobtrusively in the background to add to the mellow mood.

Li-bra-ry had the same effect on me as Vanilla Garden in Ekamai did when I first walked in...a soothing space in the madness that is Bangkok, a city to which I'm now addicted, thanks to Lateral Paul.

Oh, if your kids are unruly and used to tearing around the place, rather don't take them. The place is sophisticated - not ideal for busy, noisy smallies...it attracts, amongst others, quite a well heeled set of people who (noted both times I was there) pull up in posh cars seeking respite from the city bustle. 

What I really want to know is who conceptualised and designed this place...whomever you are, take a bow. See you soon in March...

(Directions follow after the last pic)

Follow the arrow...

Looking in...

You can order teas, coffees and juices from the board or go larger and select your hearts desire from a separate menu..starters, mains, desserts...really, really good food..

Chairs...

Loved the lights...

Style...a touch of Scandinavia perhaps?

Books for squizzing...it's a library of sorts after all...

Again, chairs....

Looking through a book shelf to the sofa side....

Floor art...

A delish latte....

Surely a world first in waffle design...it's called a pandan waffle FYI, eaten plain and of Vietnamese origin...

Boiled egg for breakfast...the bread soldiers deserve a mention...sweet and a savoury 

Another beautiful light shade...

A lovely line up of those fab chairs...take me to your chair leader (ok, cheesy and only funny for me..) 

On the patio..

The famous orange yoghurt drink...I always go back for more...

The Li-bra-ry is open daily from 8am – 9pm - Sukhamvit 24.

Take the BTS to Phrom Pong, walk about 500m or 5 minutes down into Soi 24 and turn right into Soi Metheenivet. Li-bra-ry will be on your right, most likely with a red Ducati  monster parked outside. Enjoy! 

All photos taken on my Canon 600D, copyright DIVA PR*

Talad Rot Fai weekend market, Bangkok

The massive Talad Rot Fai night market (vintage and not) has relocated to Seacon Square in Srinakarin road (next to Dusit Thani college). On my last visit in April this year, it was still at the old train station near Chatuchuk market that got unceremoniously flattened to make way for a new development. For me, the new position lacks much of the style of the previous fabulous olde landmark building, but there is still tons of amazingness to discover, so get there on your next Bangkok weekend.

The stores in the main 'mall' are mostly the glass fronted cubicle type. I spotted a few amazing interior concepts - great lights fixtures, cool floors, display units and even a plump English bulldog as a piece de resistance! 

The open air stall section buzzes with people from all over the world and really friendly vendors selling typical cheap, fun goods, from mobile covers to backpacks, cheap pashminas, nail art, Hello Kitty paraphernalia, hair accessories, toys, second hand voile shirts (this time around I didn't find anything worth buying), flip flops, second hand car and bike parts, CD's, fake designer t shirts, and of course, as always, delish street food. 

My best stores with the most amazing stuff? Those at the very start of the market (where the pie man statue stands with his tray), selling very cool vintage items (I scored a legend leather handbag), retro bicycles, home decor, cafe racers (the motorbike culture in BK is huge) - there are a few well styled bars on the street side to kick back after the mandatory mall shlep, sip a Chang and people watch. The second hand men's shoe shop right next to the main car park if you're looking for it, has killer deals on trainers and sneakers in varying degrees of oldness; Lateral Paul picked up an exceptional, good-as-new pair of Prada brogues- I won't lie, I was very jealous.

The only thing I hated (always do no matter where I am or where they are), was the pet shops, with dogs and cats, puppies and kittens, in small wire cages (at least there weren't any monkeys or squirrels)- don't look though, it'll make you sad. 

The market trades weekends only, Fri-Sun from 17h to midnight. Take the BTS to On Nut, then a cab to Seacon Square- traffic can be heavy so get there earlier to avoid rush hour. 

This guy stands at the start of the market, on the street side..amazing vintage shops are found here...

Vintage bicycle store...

Travel the world...it's the meaning of life...

I've always loved these oval wooden benches...they're all over the market...

Bars with amazing chairs...

Bikes are big in BK...

Some fab interior design elements...

Another side of the market...lots of street food can be found opposite...

amazing pork noodle soup...

And teddy bear faced puppies in handbags...

This shops sells small leather goods and cool retro shirts...

One large bulldog- a bit of a tourist attraction himself...

Beautiful clothes by local Thai designers... 

Cool fake grass floor tiles in the sunglasses shop...

Amaze chairs are all over the place...

Pavement chilling...

Hello Kitty just never dies...

Fab shapes these steel wire chairs..

Love the chandelier...

And just so you know...

All pics shot on my Canon 600D, copyright DIVA PR