Youngsters love entering the deer pen and feeding the wobbly fawns or getting a Giraffe to bed its long neck down to accept a banana. But never fear, the lions and tigers are not running wild with the run of the place. There is an electric fence and high walls to keep them from their unwilling dinner, but that still allows an unobstructed view of the big cats.

And many people come especially for the night safari where see these normally nocturnal creatures in all their prowling glory from the comfort of a jeep. And with 8,000 animals taken from 300 species, there is something for everyone.

You can visit Khao Kheow Open Zoo at:

235 Moo 7 Bangpra Sriracha, Chonburi Province,

Telephone:08-9544-6994, 0-3829-8195

And needless to say we were not disappointed. Four gangly lads, each sporting the fluffy stubble of tragically inept facial hair, were thrown into a mix of sweaty ladyboys and aging porn stars.

This experience was a baptism of fire for any young pretender naïve to the ways of the vice underworld. And between having our drinks spiked with sleeping pills, being pelted with unsanitary ping pong balls, and one of our party receiving hand relief from an Adam’s apple-sporting Jezebelle, it was nothing if not memorable.

So last week, being a decade older and upon the express wishes of my accompanying girlfriend, I returned with some degree of trepidation to re-acquaint myself with the notorious neighbourhood.

At first glance it didn’t seem like much had changed. The market was still abuzz, the hawkers were as brazen as ever, and the enormous neon ‘Super Pussy Club’ sign still transfixed my gaze like the Delphi oracle.

But there were a surprisingly large number of middle-aged couples touring the sites. Either they were blissfully unaware of what the girls with round paper numbers were doing prancing about the stages, or perhaps they were just inordinately excited by the whole spectacle.

But, to be honest, Patpong seemed to be missing its magic. Perhaps it was just the exuberance of youth before, but even my very liberal-minded lady was very unimpressed by the arsenal being launched out of performing grandmother’s nether regions. Maybe you just grow up, or is Patpong losing its edge?

Generally known as ‘medical tourism’, the rather new phenomenon – where foreign visitors, attracted by budget flight services, fly to the Thai metropolis to address their cosmetic and medical needs has become a significantly growing trend throughout the world. There are several different reasons which resulted in this trend, but for the largest part it is due to a growing amount of individuals who aren’t relying on their medical care system back home along with the lengthy waiting lists. Bangkok and Thailand offers an attractive alternative as the costs for private healthcare are just a fraction of those in the US, Europe and Australia.

Other healthcare seekers are frustrated by their countries’ insurance policies that won’t financially protect them against certain medical treatments. No wonder that numerous patients look beyond their national borders to find quality healthcare at affordable prices. The journey to Thailand is for many the best solution. The country is relatively cheap, safe and excellent service is guaranteed.

 The most common health care treatments which foreigners travel to Bangkok for are cosmetic surgery and dentistry. IVF treatment, medical check-ups and major heart surgery are becoming popular as well.

The private hospitals in the Thai capital which offer medical treatments and consultation to international patients feature state-of-the-art amenities, multilingual nurses, internationally-educated specialists and the most advanced technology. Some of the most reputed hospitals even operate an on-site visa service to assist patients who have to stay longer in the country than the stamp in their passports allows. Bangkok International Hospital and Samitivej Hospital offer this convenient service.

The incident was exactly the same as what most of the people described. Met with a
friendly thai, told to go temple, met another friendly thai, asked you to go to
another place. Then found to lure into a scam after payment has been made……

My wonderful vacation has been ruined by this scam!!!

On 21 July at around 10.30, I was outside Pratunam Center. A local Thai man in his
fifties approached me and started with simple conversation. He claimed to be a
watchman for Pratunam Center , and just got back from Singapore after purchased of
laptops at Sim Lim Square for his boss who owns Pratunam Center . He asked me to
visit a Temple called “ Lucky Temple ” which opens once a month. He claimed that I
was so lucky as the temple opened that day for month of July. He even recommended
shopping at Thai Export Center which I though it was a whole sale center for branded
fashions. He called over a tuk-tuk driver and bargained the price of 50 Batt.

At Lucky temple, I met a local Thai man and engaged into conversation. He said he had worked for Singapore Technology for the past 3 years. He came back to Bangkok in time for the prayers at Lucky temple and annual sales at Thai export. He claimed he was a monk in this temple for 12 years. He went further to say that it was a good
investment to buy gemstones in Thailand and they would bring luck, etc.

Each person was allowed to purchase maximum 5 items. NO 200% govt and vat tax and an additional 30% off for promotion which valid 7 days a year. That same day, 21 July was the last day of promotion. He claimed Poh Heng, Lee Hwa and Soo Kee Jewelry Shope were their loyal customers. Needless to say, his story made it sound
believable. I decided to visit the shop merely for curiosity and to kill time. My
flight back to Singapore was leaving in the afternoon.

We went to a jewelry store near the Bangkok Palace Hotel. There I was persuaded to purchase a set of Blue Sapphire, Red Ruby pendant and a multi colourful ring at about SGD10,000

On my way to Airport, I felt uneasy and started to think of the whole event leading
to the purchase of the gems. It was already too late! I have obviously fallen in
prey of the scam group. The flashes of temple having to open only once a month is
not possible, wholes sales center without any single soul in the shop, no interest
in gem, never once purchase one, never like gem and custom jewelry, etc.

When I returned to Singapore on the same day, I brought the jewelry to my friend who works in a reputable jewelry shop in Singapore to evaluate on the value of my
purchase. He told me those items were worth less than SGD2,000.

Immediately, I called UOB credit card company on that night to stop the payment. The operator told me that the bank cannot stop the payment and that I have to negotiate with the receiver, Yindee Lapidary Co., Ltd instead. No further assistance was given from UOB bank!

I went to Taka Jewelry Shop the next day and found out they have similar range of
gems and the prices were so much cheaper. I decided to visit a Gemology Consultant
to valuate on those items. It was valuated at SGD5.500 (retail price without
discount) I felt absolutely foolish for what had happened.

I called the UOB credit card company again. This time I insisted on my scam and the
operator asked me to file for dispute charge. I thought we were protected with
MasterCard and Credit Card Company. How can MasterCard and Credit Card Company allow these “black listed” stores to use its facilities in the first place? I hope the bank is investigating my case now.

After so many years and countless reports of similar scam incidents, these jewelry
shops in Thailand still manage to use touts at tourist attractions to lure shoppers
to their stores with false claims of huge discounts and promises that money can be
made by reselling the gems back home. The gems purchased are genuine, but
overpriced, many times higher then their actual value. This really spoilt the image
of Thailand and the name of God, Budda

I would like to inform you about the crooked sales tactics of this shop, …………Co., Ltd and ask for your help in getting my money back (preferably 100%). I never like jewelry. I am wearing a pair of earring at the cost of SGD2. I am very disappointed that such incident happened to me.
This whole event has unfortunately ruined my wonderful holiday in Thailand.

I have made countless phone calls to Ms …… of ……..Co., Ltd. She
asked for the valuation to be sent and promise to revert back to me. Till today, I
was unable to contact her. I was careful about confronting this shop. It seems to be
one of the key protected players in this decades-old scam and since such shops are
maintained by the local mafia.

I hope to get full refund if possible. I would rather donate the money to temple. I
am really stupid as to fall into this trap! Thanks for your kind attention to my
email.

I really hope the tourist police, Tourism Authority of Thailand and Thailand Embassy
in Singapore can assist

How to avoid getting ripped off in Bangkok

*Note: We received this email from Mister Bernice Leau from Singapore and with his permission we published this story. Due to possible legal actions against 1stopbangkok.com, we have decided not to publish the jewellery shop’s name.

The 5-million baht yoga studio is housed in the trendy “The Crystal” shopping mall and only employs instructors who at least enjoyed 15 years of experience in the field. Nualpan said: “Practicing yoga not solely enhances the body’s flexibility and strength but it decreases tension via pranayama as well. Pranayama is a way of breathing harnessing and controlling the human’s life force and correctly practicing this technique will result in the development of a stronger perception and willpower as well as a steadier mind.

Nualpan explained that “dharma” is a word referring to nature and it should absolutely help devoted practitioners establishing the connection of spirit, mind and body. The new studio offers lessons in three different types of yoga. These include: Ashtanga emphasising the right posture, Iyengar, slow movements focusing on body alignment and detail and Vinyagsa with dynamic movements.

Practicing Ashtanga Yoga

To introduce people to yoga, the establishment offers 90-minute lasting daily drop-in lessons for beginners. Each Saturday in the afternoon interested persons might attend a 60-minute lasting introductory class. A second Dharma Yoga branch is planned to open on Asoke Road.

Complete online info on other activities in the Thai capital such as golf, Thai kick-boxing, massage courses, cooking courses, tennis, cycling, shopping, team sports, fitness and snooker is available on this “what to do in Bangkok” guide