The bad news of David Carradine’s recent death in the capital of Thailand is, ironically, good news for Bangkok’s sex tourism industry. After all, any kind of kinky or potentially dangerous sex should always be performed with a partner, and you don’t have to look far in Bangkok to find a woman – or man – willing.

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However, sex partners for hire don’t come cheap, and with the rate of the Thai Baht well below 50 to 1 Euro, sex is more expensive than it has been in the past. Still, as long as you are willing to pay the fees, the thousands of popular massage bathhouses welcome you day and night. Here you can get a nice scrub down, Thai massage, and then anything else that you desire.

These bathhouses are actually more like cheap budget hotels, but you only get to stay in the room for an hour or so. The reception areas don’t offer free tea and coffee, but you can buy an expensive beer while you decide on your “masseuse.” They are all on display, you see, behind a large plate glass window, sitting and smiling and winking, all trying to get your attention. You just have to choose the Thai girl, boy, or ladyboy that takes your fancy.

Then you are escorted to your rented room, which is invariably equipped with a Jacuzzi of some sort, a couch, and a massage table or bed. That’s where all the fun begins.

Do not let the bill surprise you. Some of the more unscrupulous houses offer an upfront cost of, say, 1500 Baht, but once things get all wet and soapy in the whirlpool, services other than a scrub and rub could cost you another 1000 Baht or more. So expect to spend about 2500 or so for a decent bath, massage and… well, your imagination is the only limit there. The more established and reputable places will provide an all-in service for a flat rate. Don’t be shy, and be sure to ask exactly what the cover charge includes in the way of services.

If there is one sight that you need to see while in Bangkok, it would have to be the absolutely stunning Grand Palace. It was built in 1782 and for the first one hundred and fifty years was home to the king of Thailand. The palace has seen many visitors over past years and the number grows, as they come to gaze in absolute awe at its immense beauty. It really is a spectacular sight and holds a vast amount of Thai history and culture. Inside the palace complex are many amazing sights which will astound you and leave you with a feeling of absolute peace. There is a small charge of 200baht which is £2 and for the pure delight which the palace offers, is a small price to pay. If you do come to Thailand a visit here is a must.

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Eat out at a Bangkok Night Market

When visiting the beautiful country which is Thailand and you visit Bangkok, you cannot leave without stopping off at one of the many night markets. You will be truly amazed at the fantastic sights that the markets have to offer. There is a saying; if you cannot buy it in Thailand then it is not for sale. These excellent night markets are an experience, you can walk around for hours without making a purchase, or maybe stop at one of the many food stalls, enjoy food like you have never tasted before, for literally pennies. There is so much on offer that you hare spoilt for choice, you can browse the hundreds of stalls, selling everything from clothing to ornaments and then sit and enjoy a drink and the best food you will ever taste. The people are very friendly and always willing to assist you in any way they can. A must see.

Bangkok taxis come in many different colours, and if you see one with the slogan “Taxi-Meter,” this is the one for you. Communication can sometimes be a little difficult, so having a map with you would be handy.

Make sure you exactly pinpoint your desired location out on the map to eliminate potential confusion.

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Secondly, insist the driver immediately turns on his meter, so you get the fair going-rate price. A failure to do so will result in you being overpriced for the trip, with the driver trying his best to get the highest fare possible. If the driver refuses to turn on the meter, just get out of the taxi and find another. There are thousands!

Another little favourite scam of the Bangkok taxi driver will consist of him taking you to a tailor shop or a gem store where he receives commission. Firmly, without being angry, inform the driver you are in a rush and have to meet a friend. Remember that you are under no obligation to purchase anything more than the taxi ride itself. Many drivers may become rude or even aggressive if you decline their offer of a “free” visit to their friends shop, so you will need to be firm, even to the point of asking the driver to stop and let you out if they become too insistent

Keep away from rogue taxis which do not parade a Taxi-Meter sign, because they will try to overprice you and you will not have a leg to stand on. All proper taxis will display a licence in the bottom left hand corner of the windscreen, if in doubt then check that this is in evidence.

Always be friendly, calm and never show your anger if the driver cannot find you desired location straight away. Showing grace and good manners will always ensure you are treated with respect.

As a place to stay for the budget traveller, the price is surely pleasing. A basic fan room costs only 350 Baht per person per night, an air conditioned room is only 100 Baht more, at 450 Baht per person per night. This is an excellent price for Bangkok.

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The facilities here are first rate, a small swimming pool takes up part of the restaurant area, open from early morning until late at night. The restaurant serves a mixture of western dishes and tasty Thai food. Prices for food and drink here are also quite reasonable, especially if you stick to the Thai food.

There are laundry machines that can be used for free, just bring your own detergent, and the TV room has a large selection of DVDs which are also free to watch. There is even a free gym, outfitted with a variety of equipment. Access to such a large selection of free amenities make this place incredibly good value.

The rooms are clean, although all have a shared bathroom, they could do with a coat of paint but that’s not to say they are dirty, just a little run down. The bathrooms are cleaned several times a day and are kept spotless. Every room has a balcony of it’s own, very useful for smokers as there is a no smoking policy in place within the rooms. Security is good, as each door is fitted with brackets for visitors to use their own padlock, along with the standard room lock.

What really makes the Asha Guesthouse a special place to stay when visiting Bangkok, especially for budget travellers and backpackers, is the huge amount of advice the staff and owners hold in their heads about Bangkok and Thailand in general. You can throw your guidebook away when you stay here, you wont need it.

So, to sum up, the Asha Guesthouse is a great budget travel choice if you are visiting Bangkok. It is in the neighbourhood of Saphon Kwai, and is only a few minutes walk from the closes Skytrain station, making access to all of the attractions of Bangkok quick, cheap and easy.