Asian Current

When in Bangkok, there’s no dearth of activities to take part in. The “City of Angels”, as it is fondly called by the locals, offers something for everyone. However, when you mention Bangkok, there are a few things that spring to your mind first. And among these are the famous Bangkok massage parlors. Paying a visit to one of the many massage parlors for the perfect end to your day’s activities is a favorite with many tourists and locals alike.

For the first time visitor to one of these massage parlors, it’s often asked: “When do I get there?” What’s the best time to visit these massage parlors - is it after midnight, or perhaps early in the afternoon? In general, the best time is between 5 - 6 pm, as that’s the time when you get to see the maximum number of girls in the “fish tank” or “fish bowl”. 

However, there are exceptions. Different establishments may have different timings. So it’s perhaps a good idea to call up the authorities at the parlor of your choice, and ask for the best time. The best models (even those featuring on the covers of the local Penthouse magazines) are available during these “best times”. You surely don’t want to miss out on an opportunity to let them be at your service.

It’s worthwhile to remember that most of the massage parlors close at 1 am. So their last call would be at around 11 pm. However, like always, you can also find parlors that remain open 24 hours.

Many look upon Bangkok massage parlors as the ultimate entertainment experience in this exciting city. If you have not tried it, you ought to, at least once. Most massage parlors in Bangkok observe a similar operating procedure. Upon entering the parlor, you will be ushered into a reception area where you get to meet a bevy of attractive young girls in a glass gallery. This gallery has a nickname - the “fish bowl”, based on its resemblance with one. Help yourself to a drink if you like while you admire the ‘exhibits’.

And then, you make your choice.

Once you have decided on your girl (or two), just beckon the manager and tell him the number. The girl you have picked will be brought out to greet you, and have a drink with you, or just head up to the private room.

In the room, you can choose to order another drink and one for the girl, from the tea lady. Have a quick chat if you are similarly inclined, and get on with the business of pleasure. Depending on the option that you have chosen, you will first be treated to a sudsy bath, or, if you have chosen the body massage, you will receive the rubber mattress treat. At a massage parlor, two’s often better than one. Opt for two girls and ask for a “sandwich” massage. It’s an extremely pleasurable option that you will remember for long.

Phuket and Krabi together make the brightest jewels in South East Asia. Situated in Thailand on the banks of the Andaman Sea, these two provide some of the finest beaches in the world. But that is not all. Phuket and Krabi have coral reefs with exciting under water sea life making them a diver’s dream, great mountains from where the adjoining blue lagoons look lovely, hundreds of small islands in various shapes and sizes, and forests including marshy swamps.

Phuket is actually an island, actually the biggest in Thailand, and is 900 km south of the capital city of Bangkok. But the easier way to reach Phuket is by air - just take a flight to the Phuket International Airport which has seen a lot of foreign tourists in recent years. And these tourists have not been restricted to Asian countries only, who have known about the beauty of the place for decades, but from far away Europe, America and Australia as well.

Krabi on the other hand, though just a hop away from Phuket, has not enjoyed so much international acclaim as a tourist destination. Though Krabi has a long history of continued settlement - archeologists have dated skeleton and pottery remains back to the Stone Age, but the fact that Krabi is probably as beautiful if not more as Phuket was known to Thais only, until a few years back. But now things are beginning to change. An increasing number of tourists are visiting Krabi as well, and the tourist figures are rising - notwithstanding the Tsunami, which hit hard these twin jewels in the South East.

Among all other attractions at Phuket and Krabi what mesmerizes the tourists the most are the coral reefs and the impossibly sheer limestone outcrops that rise out of the sea particularly in the Phang Nga Bay. But there are other places as well like the Phi Phi Island, Racha Islands and the Similan Islands. Never miss out on the Phi Phi Islands while you are at Krabi as the islands have some exciting caves that contain prehistoric paintings of men, women and animals. Also see how the locals erect bamboo poles in stiff cliffs to get birds nest for the popular bird’s-nest soup. An accidental drop would mean sure death. Another great cave in a stiff cliff and surrounded by water and mangrove forests is the Hua Gah Lohk cave. Legend has it that this was home to a bigheaded ghost. Apart from the paintings, you will also find thousands of shells here, one on top of another. How they got here is a mystery. Did the ghost love shells?

Diving is a popular sport here. Actually the Similan Islands is among the top 10 dive spots in the world, and so divers from all over the world come to Phuket and Krabi to visit the abyss and be one with the corals and the marine life. Diving trips lasting up to weeks are also organized for the distant islands. Many of these islands are uninhabited and pristine.

Another activity that is picking up is rock climbing. The exotic limestone cliffs jutting out of the sea look awesome but are not without danger as well. And this is what attracts adventurers from across the world to try their skills.

Speak of nightlife in Bangkok, and it’s sure to raise a few eyebrows and elicit some hushed sighs of excitement. However, Bangkok has come a long way from its sleazy old days of bawdy and rowdy fun, and has emerged as the capital of “cool” of East Asia. Today, a night in Bangkok promises a host of entertaining activities, and provides plenty of opportunities to have fun in a safe and wholesome way.

Bangkok today boasts of a richly diverse nightlife scene featuring everything from excellent live music and good jazz clubs to ultra cool bars, trendy clubs and great restaurants. Take a walk along the Khao San Road and discover the throbbing heart of the backpacking universe. It’s the definitive destination in Bangkok for a raucous, anything-goes night out with its laid-back, cosmopolitan milieu. A growing contingent of fashionable locals to complement the multi-cultural mix, along with a slew of sophisticated bars and clubs, makes this the perfect spot in town to eat, drink, shop and dance without a care in the world.

An assault of high decibels of the latest techno groove will greet you as you walk down the road, but you can also find scattered servings of Indie, rock and reggae to add variety. In fact, there’s something for everybody here!

The locals often call Bangkok “KrungThep”, which means “City of Angels”. KrungThep is actually an abbreviated version of its full name, which holds the record for being the longest name of a city in the world. As I was saying, in Bangkok, there is always something for everyone. If you like clubbing, you’ll find no dearth of clubs in the City of Angels. Perhaps you enjoy watching your favorite sport while sipping beer. Sports bars are where you should be at. If you feel like playing some pool, the sheer number of pool bars in the city will overwhelm you, not to mention the plentiful players to test your skills with.

To pacify your belly rumbles, taste the finest in Thai cuisine at one of the countless restaurants and food-joints around. Just be aware of the legendary traffic jams of Bangkok. They can slow the pace down a bit if you’re not careful. It’s probably a good idea to travel with a local guide if you are not familiar with the city.

Bangkok has superb venues that appeal to all sorts of musical tastes. Thais are known to enjoy live music, and Bangkok offers great opportunities to listen to great tunes in a number of settings, ranging from loud and lively pubs, to dimly lit bars and classy hotel lobbies. Cool jazz, classical, retro, rock - Bangkok serves all.

Looking for something more adventurous? Take your pick from the many so-called Go-Go Bars in Bangkok. These much talked about (and somewhat notorious) bars that put Bangkok’s nightlife on the map still draw a lot of attention. Beautiful women and hunky guys bare almost all in sizzling live performances while moving sensually to rhythmic beats.

Other attractions of a night in Bangkok include attending the famed Ladyboy shows, featuring a fusion of Hollywood glam, disco diva and mythical creatures from the East, with a dash of comedy and spectacular costumes, cultural shows showcasing the best of Thai arts and culture. Last but not the least, pay a visit to one of the massage parlors for the perfect end to your day’s activities