Saturday, October 22, 2005

Shopping


Shopping for groceries in Bangkok are a little different to the UK, most locals still shop from stalls off the street or small markets, everything from food to clothes.

However Bangkok is now getting loads of options, the lower end of the scale are the 7/11 Stores, then come the local Supermarkets like Tops. Tops are like the local Co-ops, stocking a good selection of everything at cheap prices. Tops are the one we use the most. Then come the larger supermarkets like Carrefour and Tesco. These are big affairs with loads of syndicated fast food joints and their own markets outside.
Even though they are big, each isle contains pretty much one thing, oil in one isle, water in the next and noodles in the next. No where the choice you would be used to in England. There is also a Makro, which like England sells quantity very cheap. If you smoke, you can pick 200 cigs up for £6.80.

What Bangkok does best are the Shopping Malls. These are huge affairs, Rangsit Future Park as the same floor space as Meadow Hall but as five stories. There are two close to us, Central Lad Prao and The Mall. You can get everything you would ever need, they usually have a multiplex cinema and Bowling Alley attached.

At a recent visit to The Mall, Nuch was after some top of the range make up. So we went to this stand, and from behind the counter this gorgeous assistant came out, Body of a model and the demur of a Lady.
Then things started to go Pete Tong. Her voice was deeper than mine, and other things began to fall into place. Big Feet, Wide shoulders and just that bit to tall for even a tall Thai Bird. A Lady Boy and a very attractive one. Nuch asked if I liked the make-up so I said “ I don’t ask you questions about football, don’t you ask me about make-up”. I paid for the make up and was handed the receipt my the girl/boy and then there was a conundrum, do I say “Cheers Mate” or “Cheers Love”. So being the modern bloke I am said “ Thank you in a non cross gender fashion, Mate”.

Anyway enough of my Lady Boy tales. (I’ve got loads of them). These big Malls are top to go round; you could easily spend a day in one easy.

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