COMING BACK home TO BANGKOK

Updated: 06/09/19 | Posted: 11/17/11

It’s been 18 months since I was last here.

As I rode the new train into the city, I wondered what else would be different. The last time I was here the political parties were fighting. There were protests, bombings, and citywide violence that turned one of my favorite cities into a war zone. since my last visit, many of my pals have moved on to new destinations or returned home.

But as I listened to the people around me and looked at the faces on the train, I felt at ease. I was comfortable. I knew I was home. though I’ve been away a long time, Bangkok and I are as close as ever.

I checked into my guesthouse, dropped my bags, and practically lept out the door. I needed to explore. I needed to be outside — in my city. I wanted to wrap it around me like a blanket.

I had errands to run. I had food to eat. I had pals to see.

As I made my way down the main street of Sukhumvit, I marveled at the new buildings. I felt surprised seeing new derelict buildings, after being there for more years than I can remember, had finally been torn down.

Bangkok was changing.

But it still felt like home.

The sights. The sounds. The smells. The pace.

Everything was familiar.

I was practically skipping down the streets.

I moved to familiar haunts. I ate near my old house. Fried rice never tasted so good. The guy I buy movies from gave me a big hug and asked why I’d been gone so long.

“I went home,” I said.

We make small talk, and he smiles, shakes my hand, and tells me not to stay away for so long again. 

“I’ll come back more often,” I promised.

I move on with my day — there’s a lot to do. walking into my old hair stylist’s, I ask how much for a cut. “150 baht,” she says. same as last year.

“Where have you been?” she asks me. “It’s been a long time.”

She remembered my face better than I remembered hers. I feel a bit embarrassed.

It would be hard to explain my last year. I simply tell her I went home. It’s partially true.

“Oh really? You go home to work?”

“Yeah, I work on the Internet, though, so I can work anywhere.”

“Why don’t you work here?” she presses.

We make small talk in a mixture of Thai and English. I’m impressed she remembers so much about me. She compliments me on how good my Thai still is, though I think she’s just being polite.

It feels good to speak Thai again, but as I stumble over my words, I know I’m rusty.

In typical fashion, she asks me if I have a girlfriend.

“No,” I say. “I’m not looking for one.”

She tells me Thailand is a perfect place to find one.

She laughs. I laugh.

As my haircut finishes, she admonishes me. “If you don’t come back more, I’ll raise the price of your haircuts. Thailand is your home.”

Later in the evening, I head to my favorite bar, low-cost Charlie’s. It’s the home of many good memories. “Sawadee Krap Satit,” I say. “I’ll have a gin and tonic.” Looking up from his CDs, the bartender smiles a big grin. He too remembers me. “Of course,” he says.

That night as I have drinks with friends, I can’t help but think that my hairdresser was right.

I am home.

Part of me belongs here. like a piece in a puzzle, I fit perfectly. There’s nothing unfamiliar about Bangkok and every part of it feels normal to me. It always pulls me back.

We may not remain in a place forever, but sometimes places forever remain in us.
 

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Book Your trip to Bangkok: Logistical tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner or Momondo to find a low-cost flight. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned. start with Skyscanner first though because they have the biggest reach!

Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and low-cost hotels. My favorite places to stay are:

Lub d Bangkok Silom

Golden mountain Hostel

Mad Monkey

If you’re looking for more places to stay, here are my favorite hostels in Bangkok. and if you’re wondering what part of town to stay in, here’s my neighborhood breakdown of Bangkok!

Don’t forget travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in thepast. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

Safety Wing (for everyone below 70)

Insure My trip (for those over 70)

Medjet (for additional repatriation coverage)

Looking for the best companies to save money With?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.

Want more information on Bangkok?
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