The 5000 Project

I have been to Bangkok twice before both times I stayed in khao San rd, being the cheapest accommodation for backpackers in the city, it also hosts a lot of bars with western food and little culture (great place to purchase a cheap fitted suit, though)

This time around I ensured that I had Couchsurfer hosts so that I can get a more accurate opinion of what Bangkok is. My first host was an Aussie guy who lives in a nice apartment complex close to were the president lives, he mentioned that due to the political situation, he’s going to be quite worried and cautious within the next month. Election time is coming soon, there are about 20 candidates, but according to the yellow shirts, it doesn’t matter who you vote for; they are promoting a ‘dont vote’ campaign.

To try and understand the political situation, we have to look back at the troubles from last election; a man of great wealth was elected possibly by the people, the yellow shirts didn’t like this, there were a whole bunch of violent riots and the president elect was sent to exile. 4yrs later noone is sure what will happen, noone knows for sure if the elections are rigged or if the red or yellow shirts will return if its a decision they don’t like. The main advice I was given is to never talk about politics in public, there is a good chance it will offend someone in a big way. If you are offended while reading this, please direct your anger into a comment and bare in mind I have probably only heard one side of the story.

We went out on the town that night, there were two Portuguese couchsurfers also being hosted by the Aussie who joined us, as well as a local Thai girl and her French friend. We had a few beers out the back of a mobile bar, which is a customized combivan; known as a combibar. There were a group of prostitutes on that street, incredible bodies – I was told by my host that every single one of them is male, the news came as a shock, especially considering I was just groped by one on the way to the toilet.

I had a good conversation with the local Thai girl in our group, she has been highly frustrated with the current social situation in Thailand, according to her 80% of males are gay, she has a few female friends who are prostitutes and there is an approaching trend of lesbianism due to sexual frustration.

I began to wonder who started this, was it the farangs (foreigners) who stole all the ladies to cause the men to turn gay. This can’t be as there is a prostitution culture even in the remote villages (I blogged about this during my last trip). Or perhaps there’s just something in the food?

After the interesting night and drinking till 5am and then swimming in the host’s pool before passing out, I endured my hangover and took a skytrain to my next couchhost, a local girl who doesn’t normally let guys stay at her apartment but she read my blog and figured I wasn’t some dodgy farang.

We went out for dinner, awesome street restaurant that serves north eastern Thai food, very similar to the Laos omelet I had when I was in Laos last. It involved grabbing some sticky rice and dipping it in this awesome sauce, with a bit of beef, quite a lot hot. She too agreed that 80% of guys are gay, she provided a bit of info on the political situation – however her English was a little poor so the conversations were difficult.

After a decent night’s sleep, I hiked to the bus eastern bus terminal. I mentioned to the host that I might be staying another night if I couldn’t get a ticket to trat in time; I bought the ticket at the bus terminal at 12:20, the bus was leaving at 12:30… perfect timing.

During the bus tip, there was a guy who walked up the isle asking if anyone is going to Koh Chang, I said I was only going to trat. Moments later I checked couchsurfing (3g on the Thai sim) to find that there were no hosts available for trat, but there was one for Koh Chang. I changed my mind and hopped off at the interchange to Koh Chang island instead of trat, the couchhost confirmed and gave instructions. Little did I know that the island is very touristy and well known by wealthy scandanavians, thankfully I had a free place to stay and cheap local food to eat, surrounded by fancy resorts. This is turning out to be a rather  unexpected journey.