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Go Backpacking > Destinations > Asia > Thailand > Chatuchak Weekend Market And Siam Paragon

Chatuchak Weekend Market And Siam Paragon

July 21, 2008 By Dave

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Street performer at the market

I figured to be a day or two from leaving the big city for weeks of island-hopping in the south, so I took advantage of the weekend by visiting the Chatuchack Market via the modern, elevated Skytrain. As was increasingly apparent, the Thais love their air-conditioning cold.

How cool would this shark be in my living room...

The market was massive, selling everything from sharks to furniture. I walked around for an hour, mostly in search of a scorpion on a stick so as to satisfy another dare, and my ego. I found a few street carts selling bugs, crickets or grasshoppers, worms, big roaches, and most disturbingly, little birds. Sober, and without peer pressure and a potential monetary payoff, I couldn't bring myself to try such treats.

Yum....bird?

Seeing piles of the critters up close under the hot sun did not make the idea of eating a large, crunchy scorpion any more appealing. It did make me realize if I do find scorpions, I won't be able to eat them without a few beers in me, and even then there's a good chance I'll have a hell of a time choking it down.

Colorful lantern shop at market

The heat wore on me and I decided to check out one of Bangkok‘s malls. Siam Paragon was along my return Skytrain route so I hopped off and admired the majestic exterior. The lobby, with it's multi-storey waterfalls, glass elevators, and foliage was quite a site. Further inside, luxury retail shops far out of the price ranges of most mere mortals, lined the halls.

Siam Paragon mall

I went to the top level, hoping Indiana Jones was still playing. I had missed it, but Steve Carrell is a favorite of mine and I opted for ” Get Smart.”? Did I mention the lobby of the movie theater was really cool? The ticket cost $19, which was a bit shocking, but I went with it. The saleswoman told me to pick my seat from a display of the theater layout on a flat computer monitor. I asked her which one was good, and she confidently replied ” all of them.”?

Is this really a movie theater lobby?

Ticket in hand, I walked toward the metal detector which guarded the entrance to the theaters. The usher pointed me further down though, to a separate entrance, minus a metal detector. I started to walk toward the #2 theater when a woman ushered me over to a dimly lit lounge.

 VIP lounge/bar

The theater wasn't opening for another ten minutes however I was free to order a cocktail. ” When in Rome,”? I thought, and asked for a gin and tonic. Several other people were enjoying the supplied massage chairs in the area. A few sips after the drink had arrived, I paid and was walked to my seat in the theater.

Just 24 leather recliners in the whole theater

I hadn't realized it at the time, but ” Get Smart”? was playing in one of four luxury Nokia theaters, thus the special treatment. The theater and screen were as big as many in the USA, yet instead of watching amidst a sea of people, it felt like I was in the private theater of a football star on an episode of MTV's ” Cribs.”?

Big pimpin' in the VIP theater

I settled into my leather seat, tapping the electronic reclining control until I was nearly horizontal. It was ultra-quiet so adjustments during the movie were a non-issue. I sipped my drink, covered myself in the supplied blanket, and rested my head on the pillow. The movie itself was cute, and I needed the good laughs it supplied. I knew the bathroom would be worth a look, so I snuck out when needed and sure enough, it was a bathroom fit for us VIP's who need a drink before our movie and can be trusted not to carry weaponry to the mall.

Fancy toilets

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Filed Under: Thailand

About Dave

Dave is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Go Backpacking and Feastio. He's been to 65 countries and lived in Colombia and Peru. Originally from New York, Dave now calls Austin, TX home. Find him on Instagram and Twitter.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Chris says

    July 21, 2008 at 2:41 am

    That is one thing I definitely miss about Asia…the DVD rooms and other alternative venues that are available. Sigh, all in good time, I suppose ;)

    Great pics as usual!

  2. Chris says

    July 21, 2008 at 7:41 am

    That is one thing I definitely miss about Asia…the DVD rooms and other alternative venues that are available. Sigh, all in good time, I suppose ;)

    Great pics as usual!

  3. Wendy says

    July 21, 2008 at 1:38 pm

    Wow, that’s a nice movie theater! But $19?! (That’s USD, right?) Glad you enjoyed it! Me, on the other hand, probably would have fallen asleep with the recliner and the pillow and the blanket! :D

    • Dave says

      July 25, 2008 at 3:50 am

      Falling asleep was tempting!

  4. Wendy says

    July 21, 2008 at 8:38 am

    Wow, that’s a nice movie theater! But $19?! (That’s USD, right?) Glad you enjoyed it! Me, on the other hand, probably would have fallen asleep with the recliner and the pillow and the blanket! :D

    • Dave says

      July 24, 2008 at 10:50 pm

      Falling asleep was tempting!

  5. crambox says

    July 21, 2008 at 4:10 pm

    I know this will be a week behind but keep :smile:ing as with the good comes the bad but they are all memories you are building for the rest of your life! great photos not a blurry one among them!

  6. crambox says

    July 21, 2008 at 11:10 am

    I know this will be a week behind but keep :smile:ing as with the good comes the bad but they are all memories you are building for the rest of your life! great photos not a blurry one among them!

  7. Ames says

    July 22, 2008 at 1:33 am

    Not just specific to this post, but I agree… you take the BEST pics… hands down! Keep it up! We are lovin’ it!

  8. Ames says

    July 21, 2008 at 8:33 pm

    Not just specific to this post, but I agree… you take the BEST pics… hands down! Keep it up! We are lovin’ it!

  9. Liz says

    July 25, 2008 at 1:20 am

    that clown is disturbing

  10. Liz says

    July 24, 2008 at 8:20 pm

    that clown is disturbing

  11. Kango Suz says

    July 28, 2008 at 3:11 pm

    Makes my experience watching “Get Smart” in a crowed theater (which cost me about $11 USD!) with talkers behind me seem less exciting. I’d pay the extra $6 for some more luxury once in a while…

  12. Kango Suz says

    July 28, 2008 at 8:11 pm

    Makes my experience watching “Get Smart” in a crowed theater (which cost me about $11 USD!) with talkers behind me seem less exciting. I’d pay the extra $6 for some more luxury once in a while…

  13. Herb Mcrary says

    October 30, 2010 at 2:28 am

    Please tell me it worked right? I dont want to sumit it again if i do not have to! Either the blog glitced out or i am an idiot, the second option doesnt surprise me lol. thanks for a great blog!

  14. cheap bangkok hostel says

    March 10, 2011 at 10:07 am

    Apart from bringing together interesting products from all corners of Thailand. We want to tell you that Chatuchak Market is also a wonderful place to pick-up curious objects from far-off land, too.

  15. DESIREE says

    April 1, 2012 at 3:52 am

    Hi! may i know how can i go to Siam Paragon from Chatuchak weekend Market. Thank You

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