When thinking about where to live in Bangkok everyone I spoke to mentioned the daily commute as the driving factor, no pun intended. For most this means getting as close as possible to the office while being close enough to an expressway so the kids school bus trip was bearable, or more precisely, the time that the house has to wake up to get the kids on the bus was bearable. I wish it was as simple as those two factors, alas not in our case. Our location was influenced heavily by other factors. Above all was the desire for space: space for kids to run around, ride a bike, use roller blades all in our view or within earshot was a major factor. Just as important was to have space for Oddy the dog and Jazzy the cat being an important part of the family. And of course we were just used to living in a house with a big, enormous, backyard. Oh, and did I mention the pool? Why live in the tropics if you can't emerge yourself at your leisure? I'd rather not press the point since so many people do not see having a pool as important. More about how we use the pool in a later blog. So you can see where we're heading here ... need for space, must have pool, must have four bedrooms (i.e. counting on having friends visit, note to self ... must get friends first ... ideally before leaving if they are to "visit"). What else? Need for decent maid's quarters. Preference for tropical garden. House must be in decent condition. Plus, plus, plus. And last but not lease house must be within (striking distance of) the ... housing allowance. Well, after many weekends spent with a variety of local agents we did find something that almost met most of the criteria. Well, at least we have a house with a pool. And what is the point of all this ... it is a house a little bit in the 'burbs, meaning I have somewhat of a commute to wrestle with each day.
The commute usually involves taking the skytrain (BTS) and then the metro to end up at Lumpini. Those legs are quick and airconditioned so I can people gaze, read a magazine and stick my nose in my Blackberry playing Suduko, reading Twitter, checking email so sort of productive. The interesting part is getting to the BTS and here is where I have two options. The first is to take a boat on the local Khlong (canal). It takes about 30 minutes and gives a great view of Bangkok life usually unseen. It's a bit like a street but just very wet so there are places to eat, shops, vendors peddling various wares and temples of course.
If I am not taking a boat I take a motorcycle taxi. That's a bit hair raising but fun nonetheless. This is always the way I get home in the evening as long as it is not raining.
