April 11th 2002

We woke at 9ish. Decided to find a suit shop to get Andrew kitted out for interviews. The place that Wi suggested it miles away and that traffic is going nowhere fast as the Thai celebrations begin. We go to Pierre's adjoining our hotel instead. A Canadian couple are having their final fittings so we examine his suits. They look really well made so we start choosing fabric. We decide on blue/grey and a grey cloth both cashmere. We check the cottons and select 4 to be used for shirts. Andrew is measured, the tailor does a final check, then he's done. They are also making 5 shirts for me 3 satin and 2 silk. They will post them to us as New Year makes it impossible for them to make them in time.

We found a taxi-meter to take us to Phaburat Road next, the Little India area recommended for fabric. We search for hours, but only find dress fabric. Some of it is wonderful thick Thai silk, would be ideal and look amazing - but the weave is the wrong way for curtains, it would look like we'd hung them sideways. So disappointing. We give up and hail a taxi to go to Pantip Plaza, an enormous 5 storey computer outlet. it's about the size of Milton Keynes shopping centre. We walk around this for over 3 hours, stopping once for some Chang and Chinese dumplings. We have bought loads here - Anais anais perfume, a keyboard and mouse in purple.16 new DVD's and a tropical fish screen saver numerous computer CD's  and some blank CD's. I went out for a ciggie while Andrew was checking the computer CD's and watched a man come out with a laden trolley. He put it alongside his bike and proceeded to load a computer monitor, screen and printer on to the back. He strapped them all on with elastic clips, and drove off. Unbelievable.

We walked down to the World Trade Centre - basically a mall for American tourists, all designer shops, not very interesting. We bought an elephant notepad. Andrew spotted a stall selling menthol Dunhill and bought me some - bless him I was down to my last 12 cigarettes. Took a taxi to the Siam City Hotel, a very classy place, the doorman was in uniform, brown silk plus fours, white knee high socks, and shoes with large buckles on them. He escorted us to the Japanese restaurant where we are having dinner. A lovely room in slate and bamboo. We had a feast, Singha beer for Andrew and Sake for me, loads of fantastic Sushi with Miso soup, then sticky rice with coconut milk and fresh mango. Wonderful and muchly enjoyed by us both.

We found a taxi and asked him to take us to Suan Lum Night Bazaar, it has over 3,000 shops and is open till midnight. We discovered as we walked through the stalls that we were in Pat Pong instead. This is a big night market too but also has all the "Pussy Shows" We were accosted from every direction by touts wanting us to go to shows. Eventually we succumbed, you have to try these things don't you? We paid 500 Bahts for a beer usual price is 40. I was handed a balloon and told to hold it in the air. The next thing I saw was a girl on the stage firing darts from her bits, the 3rd dart popped the balloon. Meanwhile a girl in a fluorescent green bikini was trying to give me a massage. A girl on stage inserted sparklers and set light to them while dancing, another "drank" a bottle of water, a stripper started winking at me, as she played with her boobs. Green bikini put my hand on her boob and I decided it was time I left!

We headed back to safety at the stalls, bought a T shirt for Teresa, 2 for Andrew, and 3 for me, blue silk trousers, sunglasses for Gracie, an antique silver chain for Barry, a new chain for my pendant and a fake Rado watch for Andrew. All in all a day of spending! We found a taxi and headed for the hotel and bed.