"A few days here and there in Bangkok" Bangkok by jolou

I spend approximately 5 days in Bangkok in between going to Ko Samui and Ko Samet. I hated it at firat i must admit. I found some of the sights on the street quite disturbing (e.g. and elephant tied up on a busy market street for tourists to take their photos) and there's a lot of pasty white western men walking around the city with a smug look of glee on their faces as they look for their next girl to buy (will no-one have them back in the UK I wonder?!)

That aside, after a few days I did warm to Bangkok and found it a fascinating place - I always debate whether I would like to spend some more time there and do feel strangely drawn to it.

• Pros:The Grand Palace, the contrasts in the city, shopping, good food.
• Cons:The Khao San Road, being ripped off, an elephant chained by a main road, feeling as though you can't trust anyone!
• In a nutshell:Am glad I gave Bangkok a chance as I loathed it initially but kind of liked it by the time I left.