Celebrity elephants are perhaps the most exotic tourist trap on the streets of Bangkok, but they are certainly not the most noticeable. The tourism industry in Thailand seems like a frantic competition to rip off every farang who ventures across the border. You and I are at a disadvantage: everyone lies flat out to our face, every price is negotiable (but the seller will deny it), and English is a second language of convenience – but we still play the game, because there are still good deals to be had.
I learned all of this right away. At the taxi stand of the Bangkok International Airport, an English speaker writes the destination of the traveler in Thai, then hands it to the taxi driver. The driver is then supposed to be metered, with a 50 baht fee for the translation service. My cab ride ended up being a flat rate of 500 baht: three migrating Oregonians were no match for a fast-talking Thai. Our mistake was to enter the cab before agreeing on a price – we lost bargaining power when we couldn’t walk away. Later in a metered taxi we learned that the hour ride from the airport should cost 250-300 baht. So while we were taken, it was only for $7 – and we still only spent $15 for an hour in a cab! This was the solace we continually turned to during our spending: getting fleeced by better bargainers is only expensive by Thai standards – it’s all a good deal for an American doing Christmas shopping.

Pad Thai in Thailand, across the street from the Grand Palace. It wasn't as good as the Pad Thai in Eugene, to be honest.

You can't tell, but I'm in Bangkok
Sorry these pictures aren't very good. I'm having trouble uploading them. More will come...
3 comments:
Love your stories, admire your wisdom in seeing the forest rather than the trees (regular fleecings). Can't wait for more photos!
I'm sorry, I guess I'm more of a trees not forest type person but the bald eagle is no longer in danger of extinction and I think they took it off the endangered species list.
You're right, I can't tell that you're in Bangkok at all in the Starbucks picture! I can tell you took it of yourself though... does that count?
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