I've been to Thailand before, first time in 1984, when Sean was still getting mommy to to tie on his hockey pads. For new arrivals here's thelow down.

Bangkok airport is clean, modern and efficient. I had a chuckle at the immigration staff. After my battles with the US immigration and dealing with the cheating mogrels in Indonesia I came to the line and there was a row of 18 year old girls doing the immigration check. My one looked at my arrival card and saw I put 'guest house' as place of residence. She said 'Sir do you know the name of the guest house?', I said 'No, but can you recommend good one in Khao San Rd?' She did too.

I went to the airport ATM and used my Washington Mutual debit card to get some cash, right now its 64 to the $.

Airport bus 2A goes to Khao San Rd for 100 baht...not bad!

Khao San Rd is backpacker central, cheap everything and my little sweat box of a room cost 250 baht.

In the alley off of Khao San to the guest house is a guy with a cart selling fried insects! He's got a dozen types of them, tommorrow I'll get a photo.

Couldn't resist the pork satay and hit 3 different vendors for 5 and 10 baht depending on the size.

Khao San has a ton of bars and plenty of people who want me to watch ladies shooting darts and ping pong balls. Wouldn't mind watching a Premiership game if there's one on.

Right now am at a pokey little internet cafe with an hours worth for 60 baht.

Bangkok isn't Bali for sure, more hustlers, more traffic, no village feel. I'm sure you can get used to it over time though.

Photos coming tomorrow.