Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(Soi Patpong 1 & 2, Th Silom; 6pm-midnight; Si Lom exit 2, Sala Daeng exit 1)
You'll be faced
with the competing distractions of strip-clubbing and shopping on this infamous street.
And true to the area's illicit leanings, pirated goods (in particular watches) make a prom-
inent appearance even amid a wholesome crowd of families and straight-laced couples.
Bargain with determination, as first-quoted prices tend to be astronomically high.
SOI LALAI SAP
(Soi 5, Th Silom; 9am-4pm Mon-Fri; Si Lom exit 2, Sala Daeng exit 2)
The ideal place to buy an
authentic Thai secretary's uniform, this 'money-dissolving soi' has mobs of vendors
selling insanely cheap but frumpy clothing, as well as heaps of snacks and housewares.
CLOTHING
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
THE UNIQUITOUS 7-ELEVEN
Be extremely wary of any appointment that involves the words 'meet me at 7-Eleven'. In Bangkok alone, there
are 2700 branches of 7-Eleven (known as
sair·wên
in Thai) - nearly half the number found in North America. In
central Bangkok, 7-Elevens are so ubiquitous that it's not uncommon to see two branches staring at each other
from across the street.
Although the company claims its stores carry more than 2000 items, the fresh flavours of Thai cuisine are not
reflected in the wares of a typical Bangkok 7-Eleven, the food selections of which are even junkier than those of
its counterpart in the West. Like all shops in Thailand, alcohol is only available from 11am to 2pm and 5pm to
midnight, and branches of 7-Eleven located near hospitals, temples and schools do not sell alcohol or cigarettes at
all (but do continue to sell unhealthy snack food).
All 7-Eleven stores carry a wide selection of drinks, a godsend in sweltering Bangkok. You can conveniently
pay most of your bills at the service counter, and all manner of phonecards, prophylactics and 'literature' (al-
though very few English-language newspapers) are also available. And sometimes the blast of air-conditioning
alone is enough reason to stop by. But our single favourite item must be the dirt-cheap chilled scented towels for
wiping away the accumulated grime and sweat before your next appointment.
