I left my home, late in the morning to begin my journey. It was a kind of journey I haven't taken for long time, that is, exposing myself to the hidden attractions in Bangkok. I paid 8 Baht for a ride on bus No. 35 to the end of its route at Siripong Road. I kept walking along the row of old shophouse buildings to the end of the street. Turning right to a small side street, called 'Soi' among Thai people, I saw a sign saying “Wat Suthad Temple.” At first I wasn't really sure if I was in the right place because it looked strange to me entering from the back of the temple. I called on the temple's hall where many priceless pictures drawn in the reigns of King Rama I, Rama II, and Rama III are displayed.

Those pictures tell the story of what happens to bad people when they are tortured in hell.

Like most tourists to Wat Suthad, I only visited certain parts of the temple compound and didn'y explore every building. I entered the chapel, where a big and beautiful Buddha image is located. The Chapel walls are painted with a series of murals relating the Buddhist epic. It looked to me like the paintings had just recently been renovated.

When summer winds start blowing, people's travel destinations also change Phetchabun duly bids farewell to the flow of tourists who visited the place these last couple of months in search of a winter experience.

This time I intend to take a break in Khao Kho, armed with a big tome. Before ascending Khao Kho, a beautiful lady vendor tries to solicit me into buying her sweet tamarind, which tastes like real sugar. Unable to resist, I buy two kilograms, and directly wonder what I'm going to do with it. The tamarinds that line both sides of the road suggest that, indeed, sweet tamarinds are in season.

Khao Kho is 47 kilometers from the inner city. Cutting through the city, you turn left at the intersection marked by the monument of Pho Khun Pha Muang towards highway 12, the short cut to Khao Kho.

He Imperial Phukaew Hill Resort on Khao Kho is the place I choose to stay. A small hotel, it offers accommodation of small cottages like those you find at the foot of hills in southern Europe where the weather is mild all year round. These cottages were built perched over big and small hills. Surely, in this romantic setting.

Bangkok has many shopping streets, where you can buy just about anything from clothes, souvenirs, all kinds of antiques and electrical good. Generally, you can obtain a final figure ten-to-thirty percent lower than the original asking price. Much depends upon your bargaining skills and the shopkeeper's mood. With patience, and a broad smile, you will not only get a better price, you'll also come to recognize shopping in Bangkok as an art-form!

Phat Phong Nigh Market

Phat Phong Night Market, apart from the colorful night life, where an amazing variety of bars, clubs, discotheeks and other exotic venues exist, there is a pulsating night market to attract all-night revellers. This is where you can buy clothing and souvenirs of all kinds. Phat Phong's lively night market spills over on to Silom Road in one of the city's main commercial district.