It's not a perfect day to spend in Bangkok. There is high risk for the incoming flood announced by all media.
Everybody in the city is preparing for the dramatic event. The incoming flood may affect every part of the city.
After a short walk in the east part of the city, I get a tuk tuk and try to reach the center. Apparently there are no problems, touristic places are open and running normally. There is just this annoying heavy raining every now and then
A walk close to the river reveals the first affected areas of the city: several little markets are already on the flooding process. Most of them are closed, Some people adopted flood barriers. A few of them still continue working on barefoot as nothing has happened...
On the way back I try to get a Tuk tuk. Yet the price they asked is quite high (compared to local life) I eventually reach on agreement for 20 baths (half a euro). "Ok my friend, 20 baths with 2 stops".
What are those stops? It is (or used to be) a sort of scam for tourists: drivers just bring you to tailor shops before the destination. There the personnel kindly propose you tailored fashion solutions at reasonable prices. Honestly I don't know how the scam continues: my tuk tuk driver (Chai) tells me that I just have to pretend I like and want to buy something. If everything work as expected, after few minutes he receives a commission anyway and we can continue to next destination.
After the second stop Chai is so amazed by my fake interest in tailor shops that he proposes me a deal: "Ok my friend, you not pay me and one more stop" - he smiles. Earning my own ride sounds a nice experience. Yet I want to try it harder: "No way: I'm late and have to go back home. if you want another stop you'll have to pay me". I see Chai performing some computations and eventually replying: "Ok I'll give you 40 baths". It works! I eventually manage to turn a possible tourist scam in my favour. I just turn the offer down to 20 baths, the original price of the ride and go for my third stop. Enter, pretend to buy for 6-7 minuyrd, exit, get 20 baths and get back to my place. Far enough.
