People are quite correct about the locals sometimes being persistent in trying to sell you useless junk that you don't want - and that they will drive you all around the area taking you to places you are not interested in.

I found that after living in Thailand for several months that this was less of a problem, as I had started to learn the language and became aware of how you make yourself a victim for their scams.

As a previous writer said: Don't make yourself a tout magnet by stopping and looking lost; walking round in circles; poring over a guide on street corners, etc.

After living in the country for a year it was easy to get around and enjoy without any hassles ... mainly because by then, I had learned what to do and not do that causes problems.

One solution was to tell the taxi driver exactly where you wanted to go and how much you would pay before you got into the taxi (remember to be fair in your offer).

This seemed to solve a lot of problems upfront.

Speaking the language helped a lot even though I had only one year of experience speaking Thai.

When you make an effort to learn to speak their language, most Thai people are very nice and helpful to you.

I have been in Bangkok six times and each time was very enjoyable.

And I really enjoyed travelling around the country as it has a lot of beauty to offer. The area I lived in was eastern Thailand in the city of Ubon. The only hard part was getting used to the tropical heat and humidity.

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The travel snobs, particularly the 'online' ones, pretend to shun Khao San Road yet secretly they make a bee-line there every time they arrive in Thailand.

Firstly what's bad about it? Well it's crowded, infested with touts, some of the rudest staff, some of the most pathetic travellers ... did I say crowded? Give me some room to breathe!

Well that's Khao San Road. Yes I rarely go there - and only when it's a trip to a specific establishment. But I do go to Banglamphu (or 'Phra Nakorn'). That's the name for the district surrounding the eponymous street.

Particularly convenient is the Soi Rambuttri/Phra Athit area. That's the area to the west, behind the Wat, by the Chao Phraya River.

Here you have the wide open space of the Wat, you're close to the river which is convenient for transport, and you're within walking distance of two dozen landmarks on Rattanakosin Island. And you've got your cheap eats, sleep, travel agents and local markets.

Back to Khao San Road itself: One myth is that this is dominated by 'farang'. Absolute rubbish! Local Thai customers began to outnumber the foreigners ten years ago and now in the evening it's 80% locals (mostly students).

If it's your first time to Bangkok try the area around Khao San Road. It's the best spot for exploring the palaces, forts and Wats of Rattanakosin Island.

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