Bangkok Thai Pavilion

Reema Sisodia gets a glimpse of one of Asia’s most vibrant cities which maintains a fine balance between the contemporary and the traditional

In four hours and 10 minutes, you are transported from one rich cultural and diverse land to another – from India’s most vibrant metro ‘Bombay’ (now Mumbai) right into the heart of South East Asia’s gateway city ‘Bangkok’.

Your cultural journey into Thailand begins on board the Thai Airways aircraft as your cabin crew will welcome you with folded hands, except that their version of ‘Namaste’ is ‘Sawasdee’. In fact the national carrier offers you a sampling of every slice of Bangkok’s rich cultural pie – from the traditional welcome, to the cuisine on board, to the interiors and décor of the aircraft which is an ensemble of Thai architecture adorning the walls; every aspect is very Thai in style and presentation. For instance, every lady passenger on board is greeted with Madam Pompadour orchids - the symbol of the country and its airline.

The Thai menu on board comprised ‘Tom Yam Kung’ (hot and sour soup with prawns), ‘Kaeng Massaman Kai’ (Massaman curry with chicken) and desserts like ‘Khanom Ba-Bin’ (coconut cake). Thai food lovers are sure to enjoy delectable Thai cuisine on board and you don’t even need to worry about calories. Said my co-passenger Venna, “Being slim for the Thai people is quite effortless. If you walk through the streets of Bangkok and you happen to see an overweight person, in all probability he or she would be of Chinese origin and not Thai. We love to eat but we eat small portions the whole day. Our food and flavours are a rich blend of special herbs, spices of medicinal value. Soups, salads, curries, sea food and rice form part of a typical Thai menu which you would get to savour in every street of Bangkok from the fine dining restaurants to the local roadside joints but all prepared in a way that is light and healthy. Thais believe that spiritual contentment begins at the stomach."

Although if you’d much rather stick with Indian cuisine, Thai Airways has recently brought on board an Indian chef to cater to their Indian passengers. Their catering service in fact offers a range of over 1,500 menus, including those covering special dietary and religious requirements.

In fact if you’re a gourmet then Bangkok will never let you down. From the food parks, local streets, open-air garden restaurants, river side restaurants, this ‘Venice of the East’ (canals and rivers are part of Bangkok’s make-up) has something to suit every palate. A must do is the dinner cruises along the river Chao Phyaya. If you have had enough of the Thai flavours and are longing for something from back home, you’re sure to find it in Bangkok’s pot pourri of international cuisine, no matter where you’re from. If my friend Devangi and her Palanpuri (Gujarati Jain) husband can find food to suit their restricted palate, anyone can! In fact they even have a Jain Temple (Derasar) very close to their home!

I had just 20 minutes to go before I could touch down on ‘Krungthep’ or what we know as Bangkok. With suggestions from the airline crew on what to see and where to go, coupled with the recommendations given through a short documentary shown on board Thai Airways, I was totally prepared to step down on Don Muang International Airport (Bangkok).

Bangkok is Thailand’s spiritual, cultural, political, commercial, educational and diplomatic centre. It exceeds 1,500 square kilometres in area and is home to one-tenth of the country’s population. Bangkok, also called the `city of angels’, is generally referred to as the gateway to experience the life of Southeast Asia. Bangkok International Airport is located 25 kilometres north of the city of Bangkok. It serves the city and the areas around it and acts as a hub for Thailand and other parts of South East Asia. The airport is busy, due to its constant flow of business travellers, vacationers and backpackers. Bangkok International Airport has two international terminals and a domestic terminal. The airport is improving facilities at Bangkok in order to handle increasing amounts of traffic. There are plans to open a second international airport in Bangkok in 2004.

The airport, a stark contrast to the one I left behind in India, reflects the Thai theme of orchids and colours all over. With the help of Thai’s special unit officers, I completed all the regular arrival formalities, got my visa on arrival, lifted my extremely light baggage (so that I can buy the world in Bangkok since shopping is one of Bangkok’s USPs) and headed straight toward the arrival section.

If you have time on hand please treat yourself to authentic Thai foot massage treatment within the airport premises. I am sure it would set you on the right footing to take on Bangkok.

The visual appeal from the airport to the hotel seemed different since the last time I set foot in the city around two years ago. Bangkok has been regarded as a city on the fast track with construction and development taking place at amazing speed. High rise commercial structures, state-of-the-art towers and mega infrastructure projects, hotel chains, entertainment complexes, form part of the ever changing skyline. Getting into the city in the early hours of the day has its own advantage as you can escape the ‘infamous’ Bangkok traffic. The expressway has done its bit to ease out the jams but with the super sonic development of the city as an emerging business centre and convention destination the pressure is always rising. As you move further into the city centre, authentic Thai architecture and structures engulf you. Strikingly contrasting styles of architecture are a speciality of this city. Another prominent feature is the peaceful canals and river paths add to the city’s beauty. Dodging through modern high rises and the typical Thai pointed Pagoda structures, passing by the famous city palace, I reached my abode for the next four days. A traditional Thai welcome, along with the symbolic purple orchid marked our reception at The Royal Orchid Sheraton, Bangkok. The splendid view of the Chao Phyaya river from my hotel room was a treat in itself.

If it’s your first time in the city, a half day or a full day city tour is a must that takes you to the most famous landmarks of the city. The temples, the Buddhist architecture, make for a great orientation into the Thai royal culture. If you’re a shopaholic then Bangkok is your Mecca. At the top of anyone’s shopping list should be Thai silk and gems and jewellery. If you are hard pressed for time and can’t scout around the famous shopping areas, just make your pick from the selection of the in-flight shopping list on board Thai Airways.

For those of you shopping in the city, remember a warm and friendly smile is your trump card in the city. If you are a people’s person, you cannot miss the warm smiles and calm disposition of the locals. A Tuk Tuk driver Jack informed me, “We come from the land of Buddha and we believe in experiencing Sanuk (happiness)."

So if you want to win your client over, keep in mind that nation, religion and royal family are deeply revered by Thais and respect to the elders is ingrained in their culture. A little cultural insight can take you a long way in clinching that much sought after business deal.

If you happen to be hosted by your Thai associates in one of their homes, try and finish the food on your plate. This will please the host communicating the message that the food was delicious. Avoid filling up your plate at one time and if rice is your preference then Thailand is your destination. In fact if you’re a foodie Bangkok’s your destination. Check out the various street joints selling a variety of fresh fruits, noodle and herb broth and of course fried insects, dried squids and other locals delicacies prepared right in front of you. And live cooking is not all that you can get in Bangkok, the city boasts live entertainment, night markets and the choicest nightlife.

Basically, when in Bangkok you name it, you got it. It is indeed a city that never sleeps.