Travel Journal: My Bangkok Verdict.
by
JiaWenChan
- Sunday, July 02, 2017
Before this, everyone would tell me that Bangkok is so crazy and all like how they have super cheap clothes and delicious food as well as everyone in Bangkok is so fashionable- almost as if Bangkok is the second Shibuya/Tokyo (The cheaper one though haha). I believed them. After all, I've only been to Hatyai and Pattaya. Where one is a little town and another is seaside. I had never experience the City Life in Bangkok before...
But now I have and this is my verdict.
Generally, infrastructure in Bangkok is similar to Malaysia. So I didn't really feel like I was in another country; just an unfamiliar Malaysia. The only difference between Hatyai and Bangkok is that Hatyai is a tiny town and Bangkok is a busy city.
First thing first, I feel like I NEED to comment on the choices of Fashion in Hatyai v. Bangkok. Usually, I already spend like mad in Hatyai so it wouldn't take a genius to conclude that I will go bat shit crazy in Bangkok.
Although it is very true that the selection in Bangkok is far more wide but I think that it's very overwhelming. Especially Platinum Fashion Mall. Everyone is practically telling me that I NEED to go to Platinum because everything there is dirt cheap etc etc but to be completely honest, I didn't really like it because it was packed and there are so many stores and clothes hanging around that it becomes too overwhelming for me. I couldn't focus on looking at things because the next store seems to have things which are more appealing. I have a short attention span and am the kind of person who will not buy anything because I constantly think that other stores will have better deals or designs. So at the end of the day I bought only less than 10 items from Platinum. Moreover, the prices are sometimes a tad bid overpriced. One blouse costs about 400 baht when I only perceive the price to be around 200-250 baht. So my Platinum experience was on the meh side. But I need to add that the outdoor street market in Bangkok is worth it. I prefer shopping in markets than Platinum to be honest. I bought more things in the market in an hour than I did in half a day in Platinum.
On the other hand in Hatyai, there wasn't much choices but it is just right; not too overwhelming and I can comfortably glance through everything without feeling like there's too much to see. Every night, you'll walk the same street and look at the same things but at least you know what to expect. In Bangkok, you'll never know what to expect; Same street, different day, different things. I guess that's what makes Bangkok exciting.
In addition, one significant difference is the people. People in Hatyai are definitely more friendly. This I can confirm 100% because people in Bangkok are like they don't care. They don't even bother to try and communicate with you. They'll glare at you and pretend like you don't exist. And let me add that all these people are merchants. Yes, how do you expect to do business like this?? or maybe they've reached their daily quota so they don't even want your sales. However, I don't want to just generalize all merchants like this because there are a lot of friendly ones. One even told me to be careful because there were a lot of pickpockets. She told me to have a nice day too. It felt sincere so of course, from that point on my day was well.😄😄 (It was in Pratunam Morning Market by the way.)
I hadn't been to the grand palace, temples and cafe hopping yet but I hope to be able to do so one day. Moreover, I am yet to experience all their night market.
All in all, I wouldn't say that there is a HUGE difference among the two. Bangkok is also known for cafe hopping and a whole lot of other places to go in comparison to Hatyai. Nevertheless, if you're just looking for a simple shopping trip to rotate your wardrobe every now and then or a short trip overseas with your friends then Hatyai wouldn't be a bad idea. Then again, everything boils down to personal preference. If you asked me if I would go back to Bangkok, Definitely! and if you asked me which was better, I can't tell. But there is one thing for sure that I can say, I am not a proud fan of Platinum.
Below are some pictures from my Trip to Bangkok !
Till I blog again, x
But now I have and this is my verdict.
Generally, infrastructure in Bangkok is similar to Malaysia. So I didn't really feel like I was in another country; just an unfamiliar Malaysia. The only difference between Hatyai and Bangkok is that Hatyai is a tiny town and Bangkok is a busy city.
First thing first, I feel like I NEED to comment on the choices of Fashion in Hatyai v. Bangkok. Usually, I already spend like mad in Hatyai so it wouldn't take a genius to conclude that I will go bat shit crazy in Bangkok.
Although it is very true that the selection in Bangkok is far more wide but I think that it's very overwhelming. Especially Platinum Fashion Mall. Everyone is practically telling me that I NEED to go to Platinum because everything there is dirt cheap etc etc but to be completely honest, I didn't really like it because it was packed and there are so many stores and clothes hanging around that it becomes too overwhelming for me. I couldn't focus on looking at things because the next store seems to have things which are more appealing. I have a short attention span and am the kind of person who will not buy anything because I constantly think that other stores will have better deals or designs. So at the end of the day I bought only less than 10 items from Platinum. Moreover, the prices are sometimes a tad bid overpriced. One blouse costs about 400 baht when I only perceive the price to be around 200-250 baht. So my Platinum experience was on the meh side. But I need to add that the outdoor street market in Bangkok is worth it. I prefer shopping in markets than Platinum to be honest. I bought more things in the market in an hour than I did in half a day in Platinum.
On the other hand in Hatyai, there wasn't much choices but it is just right; not too overwhelming and I can comfortably glance through everything without feeling like there's too much to see. Every night, you'll walk the same street and look at the same things but at least you know what to expect. In Bangkok, you'll never know what to expect; Same street, different day, different things. I guess that's what makes Bangkok exciting.
In addition, one significant difference is the people. People in Hatyai are definitely more friendly. This I can confirm 100% because people in Bangkok are like they don't care. They don't even bother to try and communicate with you. They'll glare at you and pretend like you don't exist. And let me add that all these people are merchants. Yes, how do you expect to do business like this?? or maybe they've reached their daily quota so they don't even want your sales. However, I don't want to just generalize all merchants like this because there are a lot of friendly ones. One even told me to be careful because there were a lot of pickpockets. She told me to have a nice day too. It felt sincere so of course, from that point on my day was well.😄😄 (It was in Pratunam Morning Market by the way.)
I hadn't been to the grand palace, temples and cafe hopping yet but I hope to be able to do so one day. Moreover, I am yet to experience all their night market.
All in all, I wouldn't say that there is a HUGE difference among the two. Bangkok is also known for cafe hopping and a whole lot of other places to go in comparison to Hatyai. Nevertheless, if you're just looking for a simple shopping trip to rotate your wardrobe every now and then or a short trip overseas with your friends then Hatyai wouldn't be a bad idea. Then again, everything boils down to personal preference. If you asked me if I would go back to Bangkok, Definitely! and if you asked me which was better, I can't tell. But there is one thing for sure that I can say, I am not a proud fan of Platinum.
Below are some pictures from my Trip to Bangkok !
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| haul heh (about rm600 TT) |
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| Little boy that looked like the genie from Alladin! |
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| Airplane food on the way to BKK |
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| My supper literally every night in BKK |
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| @ Asiatique |
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| The Chan Girls |
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| Airport food on the way back |
