Asiatique, Bangkok

Asiatique, The Riverfront

Asiatique, The Riverfront is the latest addition to the shopping scene in Bangkok. It has been dubbed as the next most trendy place to hang out. Being a freak for anything interesting, I decide to check it out. I was definitely not disappointed.

Maeklong Railway Market

Located just 75km away from downtown Bangkok, Maelong Railway Market is an unique Thai experience that should not be missed. In Thai, this is known as Talad Rom Hoop in Thai – loosely translated as umbrella-pulling down market. It is truly definitely deserving of its name! A train passed into (yes, it’s into) the market 7 – 8 times a day and the real action is that 2 – 3 minutes from the ringing of the bell to the train passing by 

Death Railway, Kanchanaburi

Located just 2 hours from Bangkok city, Kanchanaburi is a highly historical town owning to its importance during the Second World War.  This was the site where 250,000 Asian labourers and 60,000 prisoners of wars were sent to work on the railway system, infamously known as the “Death Railway”. With Singapore being a main source of labour for the railway, there is a closer sense of personal connection to this war site than the visit to Khmer Rouge Killing Field or Jewish Auschwitz Camp.

HISTORY

By the mid of 1942, the Japanese had conquered Malaya but was still fighting against the British in Burma. They were also preparing to launch an offensive in India. To maintain this movement, the Japanese needed a more secure supply route than the existing sea route between  Singapore and Rangoon (Myanmar), which was easily disrupted by the British bombing at sea. Hence, a  decision was made was to build a 415km from Ban Pong in Thailand